IPA Blind Taste Test: Our Panel of Mountain Bikers Picks the Best Beers

#2: Lagunitas IPA Lagunitas is a classic West Coast-style American IPA and as such, it’s no surprise that it’s a hit with mountain bikers. After all, mountain biking was basically invented in California and in my opinion, there’s no beer that’s more refreshing after a long ride than a crisp, citrusy IPA. Our reviewers noted this …

By Jeff Barber
February 9, 2016 Last Updated: August 6, 2024

15 comments

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#2: Lagunitas IPA

Lagunitas is a classic West Coast-style American IPA and as such, it’s no surprise that it’s a hit with mountain bikers. After all, mountain biking was basically invented in California and in my opinion, there’s no beer that’s more refreshing after a long ride than a crisp, citrusy IPA.

Our reviewers noted this beer tasted like an IPA should taste with a crisp, bitter taste, notes of grapefruit, and a bright, sharp aftertaste. More than one person mentioned that Lagunitas IPA “tastes like summertime.” If that’s not an endorsement of an after-ride IPA, I don’t know what is!

#1: Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Tropical IPA

Sadly for our reviewers, Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Tropical IPA is a limited release, so we need to drink this one while we can! This beer fell right in the middle of our tests and interestingly enough, the data doesn’t show any bias based on when the beer was served. I assumed that by the end we would be either loving or hating everything but fortunately, that was not the case.

A couple reviewers noted this beer smells like marijuana and has a nice golden color to it. The taste was described as grapefruit and pine with a slightly bitter, dry, and malty aftertaste. Paul wrote something about enjoying this one on a late spring day when he’s off work, and I couldn’t agree more.

Clearly we had a good time with this test and hope to follow up with other tastings in the future. Are you surprised with our panel’s ratings? Which IPA is your favorite?

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15 Comments

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bicycle640 California // 2008
Feb 10, 2016

Faves available in the bay area:
Racer 5 from Bear Republic
Drakes IPA and Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Pale and Hop Hunter IPA
Stone Brewing IPA and Pale
...Usually i like chocolate milk post-ride though...

0 reply

BBelfield California // 2017
Feb 7, 2018

I would say you all had flawed taste buds, but the number 1 pick was absolutely correct among that list.

k2rider California // 2013
Feb 9, 2016

I'm not a beer drinker but this was a very well written article. The comments so far, not so much. People saying that "X" beer is absolutely better than 12 others in a BLIND taste test is silly.

finerbiner 2011
Feb 9, 2016

The list of beers chosen for the test was poor. There could be no quality conclusion that comes from bad data.

Dave A North Carolina // 2015
Feb 11, 2016

Jeff... have to agree w finerbiner above .... none of these IPA's would make the top 50 in a US wide test [ your readership ], you need a better beer distribution store in your area/or more work/research on RateBeer.com [ average of peoples tastes .... ] .... no Stone, no Green Flash, no reps from northeast; Neshaminey Creek, Otto's, Lost Abby, etc .... or Midwest..... and on and on ....

Got my attention.... just missed the mark !!

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Feb 9, 2016

I think our data and methodology is good, it's just that our results are limited to the beers we tested. Since Singletracks has such a geographically diverse audience, our intention was to pick several IPAs that are readily available from breweries with wide distribution. If there is some super fresh, local IPA available or your buddy has a recommendation--get that one! If not, I suggest snagging one of the top 5 on our list and you'll probably be satisfied.

Maybe this doesn't need to be said but everyone's tastes are different so there's no real conclusion that can be drawn from ANY taste test, even if it includes every beer ever and the panel has thousands of people on it. The result will always be an average of peoples' tastes, not an individual's specific preference.

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Feb 11, 2016

Haha Dave, I thought about just writing an article listing the top 10 IPAs according to RateBeer.com, but what's the fun in that? :) Also, the whole (tongue-in-cheek) premise of this test is that mountain bikers have specific IPA tastes which need to be studied.

Krigloch Illinois // 2014
Jul 9, 2016

Love both of those from New Belgium. But I prefer the Rampant, damn it's good!

Aaron Chamberlain Georgia // 2013
Feb 9, 2016

My INSERT NAME OF LOCAL BREWERY WITH EXTREMELY LIMITED DISTRIBUTION OF THEIR PRODUCTS is way better than any of the other beers on this list. If more than 10 people have access to a beer, it obviously cannot be any good.

Greg Heil Colorado // 2008
Feb 9, 2016

If a beer is distributed AT ALL, it can't be worth drinking... local brew pubs with beer only available on draft are the only places I go to drink. +10 for homebrews that aren't available for sale whatsoever.

(...just make sure you don't look in my fridge)

m@frit North Carolina // 2016
Feb 8, 2018

Not a fan of IPAs. Not sure why anyone would want anything so bitter.

Give me a nice, ridiculously strong Belgian any time.

SilverHeiHei 2012
Feb 9, 2016

Rhinegeist Truth (Cincinnati, OH) is easily better than any beer on this list. Upland Dragonfly (Bloomington, IN) is another amazing brew and let's not forget Brewery Vivant's W.I.P.A. Snappa (Grand Rapids, MI). This seems like a pretty weak list...

brad362 2016
Feb 11, 2016

Thank you Larry Hart. What is it about IPAs that people love? When did bitter become a good thing?
Remember the "bitter beer" commercial? Now that's considered a compliment.
A good Imperial Stout or Porter. THAT'S beer with taste.

mlombar17 2016
Feb 9, 2016

Wicked Weed "Pernicious" is the best IPA I've ever had. Brewed in Asheville, NC. Ballast Point Grapefuit Sculpin (San Diego) is a close second in my book.

Good call on the Wicked Weed. I went there over NYE and was very impressed.

#2: Lagunitas IPA

#1: Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Tropical IPA

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