Four local IPAs you could be drinking right now

Although fads in the craft beer world seem to come and go, one thing that has legs in the industry is the dominance of the IPA style. Even within the IPA family, there are trends that beer lovers embrace then spurn. Lately, we’ve seen a flood of New England-style hazy and sweeter IPAs alongside single-day can releases — beers that can have fans lining up by the hundreds at local breweries.

There is something in the IPA style for just about every beer lover, and these four local IPAs won’t require you to stand in a queue, or trade a firstborn to try them.

The Messenger from Three Weavers Brewing

A collaboration brew with Anaheim’s Noble Ale Works, the Messenger is an annual release that pairs pungent hops with a few hundred pounds of citrus. This year’s version blends Japanese yuzu with Buddha’s hand fruit. The flavor is zesty and resinous, like a freshly pruned citrus tree. The malt flavors just peek through, and the brew remains light on the palate, finishing with a lingering bitterness. The Messenger debuted in the Inglewood taproom in January alongside a lineup of variants, each dosed with citrus from around L.A.: There was a Hollywood keg with Meyer lemons, a Mid-City keg featuring mandarinquats, a Mar Vista version with Valencia oranges, and limes and oranges from the brewery’s own patio in the final variant. Each was distinct with citrus notes taking the focus, but the standard Messenger — with its uncluttered floral and bright flavor — was the best of the bunch. You can try a glass at the Three Weavers tasting room, or find 750ml bottles (about $14) at better beer shops around town. 1031 W. Manchester Blvd., Unit A, Inglewood, (310) 400-5830, www.threeweavers.la.

Steelcraft IPA from Smog City Brewing

The brewers at Smog City say they worked on this light and quenching IPA for a few months. The Steelcraft tasting room in the Bixby Knolls neighborhood of Long Beach is pouring the namesake IPA. You can also find it at the main Torrance brewery, or at select beer bars in Long Beach. The IPA blends hop Citra with the American craft classic hop Centennial for strong citrus aromas, backed by some tropical and piney notes. 3768 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach, smogcitybrewing.com.

Amalgamator from Beachwood Brewing

Amalgamator from Beachwood Brewing is one of L.A.’s best everyday IPAs. A big, complex aroma based on Mosaic hops melds ripened passion fruit with blueberry and pine boughs, and an intense bitterness underpins all that hoppy dankness. IPA lovers used to be able to get the beer only from the brewery in Long Beach, or luck into a large format bottle from a local shop during the scant weeks they were available. But Beachwood is growing, and thanks to a new production brewery in Huntington Beach, some of the cult-favorite core brews are now more widely available. In addition to more draft accounts carrying Beachwood classics such as Citraholic, Mocha Machine and Amalgamator, 22-ounce bottles of these beers have become more common sights at local beer retailers. Also, at the end of 2016, Beachwood introduced six-packs of 12-ounce bottles of Amalgamator. The six-packs should run about $14 and can be picked up at any of the Beachwood locations or your favorite beer store. 631 Woodwind Drive, Huntington Beach, (714) 375-0949, beachwoodbbq.com.

Power Plant from El Segundo Brewing Co.

As February begins, beer geeks across California are making plans for the annual Pliny the Younger release, which typically prompts long lines, raffles and incessant bickering over whether the sought-after triple IPA from Russian River brewing is worth all the fuss. (Spoiler alert: Not really, but it’s best to experience it for yourself at least once.) The idea of a “triple IPA” — an IPA with an alcohol content north of 10% and a rather absurd amount of hops — was pioneered by Santa Rosa’s renowned Russian River Brewery. But many other creative craft brewers are now also making potent triple IPAs. One of the best local examples is, unsurprisingly, from El Segundo. Its Power Plant triple IPA is now available. It’s a shock to the palate with huge hop aroma layered over a chewy malt structure that finishes in a one-two punch of bitterness and alcohol. Find a buddy to share a 22-ounce bottle with because at 11 % alcohol, Power Plant hits hard. 140 Main St., El Segundo, (310) 529-3882, elsegundobrewing.com.

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