I am a transplant in northern wisconsin. I am originally from Washington State. I have struggled to find a really good local IPA. Any body got any suggestions?
Krusty
Isn’t New Glarus in WI? Not a huge IPA fan myself but it looks like they have a few options and they are a really good brewery!
New Glarus is in Wisconsin. They are an okay brewery. I think most of their brews are overly sweet and unbalanced. They do not have a good IPA that I have found yet. Wisconsin people in general seem to be adverse to any hop flavor.
Krusty
Ale Asylum or Tyranena…you’re welcome 
Lakefront IPA is also good and local.
I have had Lakefront actually. Good brewery. I have a hard time finding the IPA in the stores around me. I will look for Ale aslyum. I don’t know that one.
If you’re into Russian Imperial Stout at all, you might want to try Big Eddy, from Leinenkugels. Yes, seriously. It’s got a few hops and the alcohol will knock you on your butt. But otherwise, yeah, you can’t go wrong with anything from Tyranena if you can find it, and Ale Asylum is another great bet. I would agree, though, that in general, it’s not as easy to find IPA around here as it might be anywhere else.
Ale Asylum is in Madison and Tyranea is in Lake Mills. You can also give Oso Hopdinger a try which is from Wausau. If you are closer to MN you can also give Surly a try. Several local brew pubs also offer them.
Please note, we tend to change our beer as the seasons change. As the cold starts to come in so does the high gravity stouts, barley wines, porters, and dark Belgians.
Hm, you just might have to go for imports, like Bell’s Two-Hearted if you can find it. You should be able to get some MN beers fairly easily. Surly lives up to the hype and Summit makes an ok IPA.
I like Glacial Trail IPA from Central Waters. And Hopalicious from Ale Asylum is one of my favorite APAs anywhere.
+1 to the Glacial Trail IPA from Central Waters. Ale Asylum definitely has some good beers. Unfortunately, I do not get to Madison as often as I would like.
I think a big part of it is a regional taste difference. To me Glacial Trail is pretty weak as far as the hop profile and aroma. In Seattle we like our hops present and starring.
You figured it out Krusty, east of Colorado your’re gonna have to make your own. I think they used up most of the hops in the name.Out east, finding a west coast style ipa is like finding a needle in a haystack, it’s possible - but good luck.
Amen man. I just had a lagunitas hop stoopid that reminded me that when it comes to the hops the west just does it better.
I am not a fan of super hoppy beers in general but when I have one I do prefer more late hop presence. Still I don’t think you can say that west coast IPAs are better, just different than east coast IPAs. some folks like super bitter beers with a less hoppy more beery finish.
obviously beer tastes are a matter of opinion. i believe a lot of it has to do with where you are raised. or at least where you cut your teeth on good craft beer.
I agree Hop Stoopid is enjoyable. The bubblegum (juicy fruit?!?) hop aroma is great. and a bargain in my area.
I find most of New Glarus beers to be excellently balanced and quaffable. Enigma has got to be one of the best beers ever made on this or any other planet.
Did I mention that beer tastes are a matter of opinion. That statement about Enigma is a fact. Like the Weekly World News prints facts…
If you can’t find an IPA in Wisconsin you like, make one. Just please don’t say there are no good beers in the Midwest. I know you didn’t say that. What forum are we on?!?
What is my favorite beer? the one in my hand… which happens to be an American IPA that I made…
i’ve never had a Tyranena beer i enjoyed…
Is Enigma by New Glarus? I have not had it. I live in the northwoods and finding good selection is brutal. I am brewing an IPA on Monday so I can have what I want. I did not say the midwest beers are not good. However I do believe the west coast uses hops better. Port, Stone, Rogue, Pike, Elysian, Iron Horse and Deschutes are amazing breweries on the west coast when it comes to hops. Just the best.
i love well hopped beers also.
i also like to judge a brewery by their portfolio. i think Stone sucks. Deschutes is one of the best. Sierra Nevada is my overall favorite. again, this is all just my opinion.
living where you do- in the Northwoods of Wisconsin- is geographically beautiful, but craft beer challenged for sure.
Enigma is a sour beer now in the Unplugged series at New Glarus. meaning he makes it when he feels like it. Maybe every couple of years.
[quote=“rbclay, post:19, topic:8708, username:rbclay”]
i love well hopped beers also.
i also like to judge a brewery by their portfolio. i think Stone sucks. Deschutes is one of the best. Sierra Nevada is my overall favorite. again, this is all just my opinion.
Krusty, I would not get a beer based on his reccomendation. In fact I would go in the opposite direction most likely, tastes certainly vary, and the best thing to do is see what someones opinion of beers you like and dislike are and ascertain whether they can reccomend something for you. The cuisine and beer is definitely different across the states. Just my opinioin