Texas has earned a reputation for its thriving craft beer scene, with a particular emphasis on India Pale Ales (IPAs). The Lone Star State boasts a diverse array of breweries producing exceptional IPAs that cater to various taste preferences. From hop-forward West Coast styles to hazy New England varieties, Texas brewers have mastered the art of crafting these popular beers.
The best Texas brewers and their IPAs showcase the state’s commitment to quality and innovation in craft brewing. These skilled artisans combine locally sourced ingredients with creative brewing techniques to produce unique and flavorful IPAs. Beer enthusiasts visiting Texas can explore a wide range of breweries and taprooms, each offering its own take on this beloved beer style.
1) Jester King Brewery – Black Metal
Jester King Brewery, located in Austin, Texas, is renowned for its unique and flavorful beers. Among their offerings, Black Metal stands out as a powerful Russian Imperial Stout.
First brewed in 2011, Black Metal showcases Jester King’s commitment to traditional brewing methods. The beer is crafted using well water, Maris Otter malt, and a blend of English caramel, brown, and black malts.
Black Metal boasts a robust 9.3% alcohol by volume. Its flavor profile is described as cruel and punishing, living up to its intense name.
In 2023, Jester King reintroduced Black Metal to distribution for the first time since 2011. This move allowed more beer enthusiasts to experience this acclaimed brew.
Beer rating platforms consistently praise Black Metal. It has earned high scores from critics and consumers alike, cementing its status as a top-tier Imperial Stout.
Jester King Brewery
13187 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX 78736
Website: www.jesterkingbrewery.com
2) Saint Arnold Brewing Company – Art Car IPA
Saint Arnold Brewing Company, a renowned Texas brewery, introduced Art Car IPA in 2015. This American-style IPA showcases a blend of new and classic hop varieties from the Pacific Northwest.
Art Car IPA boasts a complex flavor profile. The aroma features notes of apricot, tropical fruit, and mango. On the palate, it opens with a bitter blood orange taste that transitions into sweet tropical fruits.
The beer’s name draws inspiration from Saint Arnold’s fleet of hand-painted art cars. Local graffiti artist GONZO247 designed the label artwork, adding a unique visual element to the brew.
At 7.1% ABV, Art Car IPA offers a robust drinking experience. It balances a lightly sweet malt body with prominent hop characteristics, allowing the carefully selected hops to shine through.
Saint Arnold Brewing Company has received positive reviews for Art Car IPA, with beer enthusiasts praising its flavor complexity and hop-forward profile.
Saint Arnold Brewing Company
2000 Lyons Ave, Houston, TX 77020
Website: www.saintarnold.com
3) Karbach Brewing Co. – Hopadillo IPA
Karbach Brewing Co. has made a name for itself in the Texas craft beer scene with its Hopadillo IPA. This American-style India Pale Ale boasts a robust hop profile that beer enthusiasts appreciate.
Hopadillo IPA features a blend of American, English, and German hops, including Magnum, Chinook, Amarillo, Citra, and Simcoe. This combination creates a complex flavor profile with notes of citrus and pine.
The beer pours a clear amber color and offers a medium body. With an alcohol content of 6.6%, Hopadillo IPA strikes a balance between strength and drinkability.
Karbach describes Hopadillo as a “surprisingly bitter IPA” with approximately 70 IBUs. The brewery playfully warns that the mythical Hopadillo creature feasts on those with fresh hops in their veins.
Founded in 2011, Karbach Brewing Co. quickly grew to become a significant player in the Texas craft beer market. In 2016, the brewery was acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev, increasing its production capacity to 150,000 barrels per year.
Karbach Brewing Co.
2032 Karbach St, Houston, TX 77092
Website: www.karbachbrewing.com
4) Real Ale Brewing Company – Axis IPA
Real Ale Brewing Company’s Axis IPA stands out among Texas craft beers. This American-style IPA offers a bold flavor profile that captures the essence of the Lone Star State’s brewing culture.
Axis IPA presents a pale golden body with tropical fruit and citrus notes. Its hop-forward character delivers a refreshing taste that appeals to IPA enthusiasts.
The beer has gained popularity in Texas, becoming a staple at many local watering holes. Its light body and vibrant flavors make it an ideal choice for the Texas climate.
Beer rating platforms have recognized Axis IPA’s quality. On BeerAdvocate, it holds a score of 88 based on user ratings and reviews.
Real Ale Brewing Company takes pride in its Texas Hill Country heritage, which is reflected in the craftsmanship of Axis IPA. The brewery offers a diverse range of beers alongside its popular IPA.
Real Ale Brewing Company
231 San Saba Court, Blanco, TX 78606
Website: realalebrewing.com
5) Lagunitas Brewing Company – Lagunitas IPA
Lagunitas Brewing Company has made a name for itself with its flagship India Pale Ale. This well-balanced IPA has become a staple in the craft beer world since its introduction.
The Lagunitas IPA features a blend of Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, and Simcoe hops. These create a bold, citrusy flavor profile that IPA enthusiasts have come to love.
A touch of caramel malt adds richness to the brew, tempering the hop bitterness. This results in a highly drinkable beer that appeals to a wide range of palates.
At 6.2% ABV, Lagunitas IPA offers a satisfying strength without being overpowering. Its popularity has helped drive the growth of the IPA category in recent years.
Lagunitas’ competitive pricing strategy has also contributed to its success. The brewery often prices its products lower than competitors, making it an attractive option for beer drinkers.
Lagunitas Brewing Company
1280 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954
Website: lagunitas.com
Phone: (707) 769-4495
6) Austin Beerworks – Fire Eagle American IPA
Austin Beerworks has made a name for itself in the Texas craft beer scene with its Fire Eagle American IPA. This bold and flavorful brew showcases the brewery’s commitment to quality and innovation.
Fire Eagle boasts a robust 7.3% ABV and 65 IBUs, making it a substantial offering for IPA enthusiasts. The beer’s crisp, hoppy profile has earned it a solid reputation among craft beer drinkers.
On popular beer rating platforms, Fire Eagle consistently receives positive reviews. Beer Advocate users have given it a score of 86 out of 100, while Untappd raters award it 3.7 out of 5 stars.
Austin Beerworks offers Fire Eagle in cans and on tap, making it widely accessible to fans across Texas. The brewery’s dedication to crafting exceptional IPAs is evident in this flagship offering.
Austin Beerworks
3001 Industrial Terrace, Austin, TX 78758
Website: austinbeerworks.com
7) Community Beer Company – Mosaic IPA
Community Beer Company’s Mosaic IPA stands out as a well-balanced and flavorful brew. This American IPA showcases the unique characteristics of Mosaic hops, which give the beer its distinctive aroma and taste.
At 8.60% ABV, Mosaic IPA packs a punch without overwhelming the palate. The beer strikes a harmonious balance between hop bitterness and malt sweetness, making it approachable for both IPA enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Beer enthusiasts have taken notice of this exceptional brew. On BeerAdvocate, Mosaic IPA boasts a impressive score of 93 based on over 800 ratings, cementing its status as a top-tier Texas IPA.
Community Beer Company crafts this popular IPA at their brewery in Dallas, Texas. Beer lovers can find Mosaic IPA on tap at select bars and restaurants throughout the state, or visit the brewery to experience it firsthand.
Community Beer Company
1530 Inspiration Dr, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75207
Website: www.communitybeer.com
8) Peticolas Brewing Company – Sit Down Or I’ll Sit You Down IPA
Peticolas Brewing Company in Dallas, Texas, offers a standout Imperial IPA named “Sit Down Or I’ll Sit You Down.” This bold brew boasts a hefty 10% ABV, making it a formidable choice for IPA enthusiasts.
The beer’s name originated from a family legend, inspired by a memorable line uttered on the TV show COPS. It has since become a running joke among the Peticolas family.
Sit Down Or I’ll Sit You Down is crafted to showcase the fresh and bright character of hops. The brewing process involves dry hopping with over a pound of hops per barrel, resulting in a vibrant flavor profile.
This Imperial IPA strikes a balance between big hops, a solid malt backbone, and a noticeable alcohol presence. It has earned a score of 92 from beer enthusiasts, reflecting its popularity and quality.
Peticolas Brewing Company considers this beer a crew favorite. Its robust nature lives up to its name, suggesting that drinkers should indeed sit down to enjoy it responsibly.
Peticolas Brewing Company
2026 Farrington St, Dallas, TX
Website: www.peticolasbrewing.com
9) Deep Ellum Brewing Company – Deep Ellum IPA
Deep Ellum Brewing Company, founded in 2011, holds the distinction of being Dallas’ first craft brewery. Their taproom and brewery are located in the historic Deep Ellum neighborhood of Dallas.
The Deep Ellum IPA is one of their flagship beers. This American-style IPA boasts a dark amber color and a thick, compact head. Its aroma features a mix of rye, caramel, and sweet citrus notes.
Beer enthusiasts rate the Deep Ellum IPA highly. On BeerAdvocate, it has garnered a score of 89 based on over 1,000 ratings and reviews. Many consider it a solid representation of the American IPA style.
The brewery offers a variety of year-round and seasonal brews, with the Deep Ellum IPA being a consistent favorite. Its balanced flavor profile and quality craftsmanship have helped establish Deep Ellum Brewing Company as a notable player in the Texas craft beer scene.
Deep Ellum Brewing Company, 2823 St Louis St, Dallas, TX 75226. Website: www.deepellumbrewing.com
10) Martin House Brewing Company – Friday IPA
Martin House Brewing Company, located in Fort Worth, Texas, has garnered attention with their Friday IPA. This American-style India Pale Ale has become a year-round offering, showcasing the brewery’s commitment to crafting flavorful beers.
Friday IPA boasts a dank and hoppy profile that appeals to IPA enthusiasts. The beer has received positive ratings on popular beer review platforms, with an average score of 3.7 out of 5 on Untappd based on over 12,000 ratings.
Beer enthusiasts appreciate Friday IPA for its bold flavors and representation of the American IPA style. The brewery takes pride in its Texas roots, emphasizing that their beers are “Made in Texas by Texans.”
Martin House Brewing Company has established itself as a notable player in the Texas craft beer scene. While Friday IPA stands out, the brewery is also known for its fruited sours and other innovative offerings.
Contact:
Martin House Brewing Company
220 S Sylvania Ave #209, Fort Worth, TX 76111
Website: martinhousebrewing.com
The Rich History of Texas Breweries
Texas has a long and storied brewing tradition dating back to the mid-19th century. The state’s diverse cultural influences and abundant natural resources have shaped its unique beer landscape over generations.
Pioneering Brewers and Their Influence
German and Czech immigrants played a crucial role in establishing Texas’ brewing industry. In 1855, William A. Menger opened the Western Brewery in San Antonio, one of the state’s first commercial breweries.
The Lone Star Brewery, founded in 1884, became a Texas icon. Its success inspired other entrepreneurs to enter the market. By the early 1900s, cities like Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth boasted multiple breweries.
Prohibition dealt a blow to Texas brewing, but some companies survived by producing non-alcoholic beverages. After repeal, a handful of large regional breweries dominated the market for decades.
Evolution of Brewing Techniques
Early Texas brewers faced challenges with refrigeration and distribution in the state’s hot climate. They developed unique methods to keep beer cool, including underground cellars and ice harvesting.
Lager beers became popular due to their ability to withstand warmer temperatures. German-style recipes were adapted to use local ingredients, creating distinctive Texas flavors.
The craft beer revolution of the late 20th century brought new brewing techniques to Texas. Small-batch brewers experimented with hop-forward ales and revived forgotten styles. Today, Texas breweries blend traditional methods with modern innovations, producing a diverse range of high-quality beers.
Understanding IPA Varieties
India Pale Ales come in diverse styles, each with distinct characteristics. Regional influences and brewing techniques shape the flavor profiles, aromas, and appearances of these popular craft beers.
West Coast vs. East Coast IPA
West Coast IPAs showcase bold hop bitterness and citrus flavors. They typically have a clear appearance and dry finish. Pine, grapefruit, and resin notes dominate the aroma and taste. Alcohol content ranges from 6-7.5% ABV.
East Coast IPAs balance hop bitterness with malt sweetness. They often feature tropical fruit flavors and a fuller body. These beers tend to be hazier and less bitter than their West Coast counterparts. Alcohol content is similar, usually 6-7% ABV.
Hazy IPA Trends
Hazy IPAs, also called New England IPAs, have surged in popularity. These beers are known for their cloudy appearance and juicy flavors. Brewers use specific yeast strains and hop varieties to create a smooth, creamy mouthfeel.
Hazy IPAs emphasize tropical fruit notes like mango, pineapple, and passion fruit. They often have lower perceived bitterness despite high hop usage. Alcohol content varies but typically falls between 6-8% ABV.
Many Texas breweries now offer hazy IPAs alongside traditional styles, catering to evolving consumer preferences.