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As brewers across the state gathered this week for the second annual California Craft Beer Summit, one thing is clear: There appears to be no slowing the increase of the hoppy India pale ales, no matter how much that definition is stretched.

The statistics back up what is evident to any beer lover around the taprooms and breweries of Sonoma County, particularly to fans of the aromatic and bitter Westcoast IPA style which has been adopted by the state and is currently going international with forays by Lagunitas [https://thebeerconnect.com/store/101northbeer-com/ 101 north brewing naughty aud] Brewing Co. in Petaluma and Stone Brewing Co. of Escondido.

By the end of last year, one out of four craft beers offered in America was an IPA, approximately double its market share from 2011, according to supermarket sales amounts tracked by market research company IRI.

The craft beer industry has been mainly explained in the past several years by the IPA, said Bart Watson, chief economist of the Brewers Association, the trade group that represents the craft beer business. The style is the prevailing one in Sonoma County, home to stalwarts for example Lagunitas’ IPA and Racer 5 by Cloverdale’s Bear Republic Brewing Co. to younger upstarts such as Heroine IPA by 101 North Brewing Co. in Petaluma.

The popularity of IPA is the result of its flavor, Watson said Friday during a summit session at the Sacramento Conference Center.

“That was the manner you were exhibiting you drank craft; the most hoppiest, most bitter thing you can locate. The section has evolved since then,” Watson said during a summit session held at the Sacramento Convention Center.

As its increase has continued, the IPA segment has diversified to include a broad range of beers, from low-booze sessions to more fruity inspired beers that have driven growth at Ballast Point Brewing Co. in Hillcrest, which has added both pineapple and grapefruit flavors to its flagship Sculpin IPA and watermelon to its double IPA. The effort has shoved at Ballast Stage six-packs in to a higher cost range that can sell for as much as $15.

“It’s such a broad category,” stated David Walker, co founder of Firestone Walker Brewing Co. in Paso Robles.

Truly, the fastest-growing IPA segment has been the fruit/veggie/spiced IPAs, which saw a 5.8 percent growth in dollar revenue at supermarkets over the past 12 months, according to IRI.


Consumers’ thirst for IPA and other craft beers is driving the sector’s expansion in Ca. More than 50 breweries have opened in the past six months in California, now home based on the California Craft Brewers Association, which sponsored the summit.

Crooked Goat Brewing, which recently opened in Sebastopol in The Barlow complex, centered on its Ibex IPA. But in addition, it offers a blood orange a tangerine, a grapefruit Ibex and IPA -infused session IPA.

Regional differentiations have developed, including the New England-design IPA that has a more uncertain appearance and a creamier feel. The Alchemist in Stowe, Vermont, has popularized the fashion with its Heady Topper double IPA, which has become among the most highly regarded beers in the state.

Some bigger breweries have attempted to capitalize on the craze, labeling a beer as an IPA because it has a hop design, said Vinnie Cilurzo, co-owner and brewmaster at Russian River Brewing Co., the Santa Rosa brewery distinguished for its Pliny the Elder double IPA and Pliny the Younger triple IPA.