I’ll just say it – I love IPAs. Whenever I think I’m out, a new hazy or West Coast IPA pulls me right back in. I often surprise myself when I go into my beer fridge with how many IPAs I have on hand at any given time. In short, IPAs – I just can’t quit you. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. What better way to celebrate these hoppy creations than on National IPA Day, which comes every year on the first Thursday of August, a day in which hopheads come together to celebrate and raise a toast to the beloved India Pale Ale.

Founded back in 2011 as a way to celebrate the beer style and its role in helping to fuel the then-burgeoning craft beer movement, National IPA Day has grown into a nationwide celebration, with breweries, taprooms, bars, and beer lovers joining in with special tappings, events, and online tributes.

A bit of history on IPAs – their journey dates back to the 18th century when British brewers were looking for a way to preserve beer during long voyages to India. The traditional ales would spoil during the journey, so brewers found that higher hop content and increased alcohol levels helped to enhance the beer’s longevity. The experiment worked as the hop bitterness and higher alcohol content acted as natural preservatives, and, as sailors and soldiers stationed in India tasted the unique ale, its popularity spread back to England and beyond, eventually becoming a global sensation.

To repeat something I said earlier, I love IPAs. Few things beat a classic West Coast style IPA (the original Pressure Drop Brewing’s Sticky Trees will always be a shining beacon of this style), I will almost never say no to a hazy IPA, a new East Coast take on the style that originated in New England. I love trying new hazys and almost always seem to have cans of them in my beer fridge. Like I said, I’m a fan. And, for as much as I try to get away from them, I always keep coming back for more.

In honor of National IPA Day and all things hops, I thought it would be a fun little exercise to poll some of my fellow Buffalo Beer Leaguers on their favorite local IPAs, past and present.’

I’ll start. Hey, I’m writing this damn thing after all. I’ll never say no to a Big Ditch Hayburner, and if you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance you know why and I don’t have to explain it to you. 42 North Borderland and Resurgence Citmo, The Surge and Cosmic Truth are a few more staples.

Other Half Brewing/Thin Man Brewery Patio Freak IPA and Griffon Brewing Tai Cheetah Hazy IPA are a pair of my recent favorites. Wayland Ground Control is also worth mentioning here.

Scott M.

Old First Ward Brewing Gene’s Therapy New England IPA  – Sweet pineapple and citrus on the nose. Pillowy soft body pineapple, peach and melon

Thin Man Brewing/Lucky Day Killer Low Life IPA – A classic West Coast IPA with notes of sticky pine and berry.

Jesse

BriarBrothers Brewing 8 Hour Custom IPA – Juicy haze with overripe tropical and stone fruit, peach and orange.

New York Beer Project Baby Crush Session IPA – Big guava and tropical fruit in this nice little hazy.

Scott P.

Big Ditch Dayburner Session IPA – This features big, citrus-forward fruit that’s incredibly approachable for 4.9%.

Wayland Brewing Full Send IPA – A fluffy, hazy IPA made with all Citra hops with notes of orange peel, mango and tropical fruit. It’s light-bodied and crushable for 7%.

National IPA Day honors the innovation, creativity and passion that define the craft beer community as a whole. So, whether you’re reaching for a dank double IPA or a fruity hazebomb, take a moment to appreciate the brew in your hand—and the culture that made it possible. Cheers to the hops!

Brian Campbell is co-founder and Brand Manager of the Buffalo Beer League, and writes the weekly Buffalo Beer Buzz column. If you have beer news that should be included in the Beer Buzz, Brian can be reached at brian@buffalobeerleague.com, on X (@buffbeerleague), Instagram, Threads and Untappd (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).