Attention, First State beer lovers: August 4 is National IPA Day, a celebration of craft beer’s iconic Indian pale ale. In case you need an excuse to drink some good beer, we’ve compiled a list of local IPAs we know you’ll want to try.
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The Brew: Batch 12 IPA “Brexit to Dewey”
This brew features Nugget, Centennial and Amarillo hops and English Ale yeast, yielding a more malted body and taste.
ABV: 6.5 percent | 60 IBU
Where to find it: Dewey Beer Co., 2100 Coastal Hwy., Dewey Beach
National IPA Day Specials: Dewey Beer Co. never brews the same IPA twice. That means Batch 12 IPA “Brexit to Dewey” is a limited batch—and once it’s gone, it’s gone. The brewery will stash plenty for IPA Day, and quite possibly release Batch 13 that day. IPAs will also be $3 for the whole day.
The Brew: Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
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Back in 1999, founder and president Sam Calagione was looking for a way to make an IPA that was pungently hoppy without being crushingly bitter. Using a vibrating electronic football game, Sam was able to feed a steady stream of hops into the boil for 90 minutes to create an imperial IPA whose powerful malt backbone stands up to the extreme hopping rate. Thus 90 Minute IPA and the proprietary “continually hopping” method were born.
ABV: 9.0 percent | 90 IBU
Where to find it: Dogfish Head Brewery, 6 Village Center Blvd., Milton; also sold at local liquor stores and restaurants
National IPA Day Specials: Dogfish Head’s brewery shop and website will be running 50 percent off of glassware.
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The Brew: Fox Point Rye IPA
This is an “old skool” style IPA brewed by Bellefonte Brewing Company with classic American hops. There is a strong caramel malt character that’s nicely balanced by 60 IBU of awesome citrus flavor. “You’ll be surprised just how well this works,” says owner Craig Wensell.
ABV: 6.8 percent | 60 IBU
Where to find it: Bellefonte Brewing Company, 3605 Old Capitol Trail, Wilmington
National IPA Day Specials: Bellefonte Brewing Company will be having an IPA blitz. The following beers will be on tap: Bellefonte Sunshine Pale Ale, Summer Session IPA, Grapefruit Rye IPA, Fox Point IPA, River Road IPA, Prime Minister IPA, Kush IPA and Dirty Side Black IPA.
The Brew: Juice From the Mind
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A double IPA brewed with wildflower honey, a blend of pineapple and mango juice, and a mix of both New Zealand and Pacific Northwest hops.
ABV: 8.5 percent | 95 IB
Where to find it: Argilla Brewing Co. at Pietro’s Pizza, 2667 Kirkwood Hwy., Newark
National IPA Day Specials: Every year, Argilla fills each of their eight taps with various IPAs inspired by their IPA Day theme. This year, the brewery is hosting a “Hip Hop IPA Day” with beers inspired by artists from the early ’90s. In addition, the band Weekday Warriors will be playing some old-school classics starting around 8 p.m. at Pietro’s.
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The Brew: Not Today Satan
Not Today Satan is currently Mispillion River Brewing Company’s highest rated IPA. It’s brewed with El Dorado, Centennial and Mosaic hops, and possesses intense tropical notes and a well-balanced body.
ABV: 7.3 percent | 55 IBU
Where to find it: Mispillion River Brewing Company, 255 Mullet Run St., Milford; also sold at local liquor stores and restaurants
National IPA Day Specials: Mispillion has saved a few cases of their Triple IPA and Threat Level Purple to sell exclusively at the brewery.
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The Brew: RAR Nanticoke Nectar IPA
Nanticoke Nectar starts with citrus notes that progress into bold grapefruit and pine flavors, then finishes clean with a balanced, hoppy bitterness. A subtle yet deep English malt profile elevates the hop notes while a slight sweetness underlines the brew.
ABV: 7.4 percent | 65 IBU
Where to find it: Rehoboth Ale House, 15 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth
National IPA Day Specials: Rehoboth Ale House is running a special of $5 draft pints all day long.
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The Brew: Walking Blues IPA
An American IPA, this beer style is a hop showcase with just enough malt to support the splendor. It’s very drinkable, with notes of citrus, pine and tropical fruit.
ABV: 6.8 percent | 62 IBU
Where to find it: Blue Earl Brewing Company, 210 Artisan Dr., Smyrna
National IPA Day Specials: Blue Earl Brewing Company will be offering happy-hour pricing on all of their IPAs.
The Brew: Bellcracker
It’s a fan and staff favorite at Two Stones Pub—and possibly the perfect double IPA for the summer, says co-owner Ben Muse. It’s bright and refreshing with big waves of pineapple and mango. It also has tons of flavors from the hops with very little bitterness. Muse says Bellcracker is “the sneakiest beer we brew” because it goes down much smoother than “an almost nine percent beer should.”
ABV: 8.7 percent | 80 IBU
Where to find it: Two Stones Pub locations (2 Chesmar Plaza, Newark; 202 Foulk Rd., Wilmington; 300 Lantana Dr., Hockessin)
National IPA Day specials: Two Stones is celebrating IPA Day at all four stores with a dozen variations of the style at each location. Tap lists are going to vary, but guests can expect local brews like Evolution, Victory, Troegs and Weyerbacher. Muse says they will also have some innovative brews—white IPAs, black IPAS, Belgian versions, oak-aged, IPAs brewed with coffee and more. They’ll also have some of the classics: Bell’s Two Hearted, Stone IPA and Ballast Point Sculpin. Newark is also breaking out a 2011 vintage Dogfish Head 120 Minute, one of the first kegs to get delivered to Two Stones when it first opened.
