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TL;DR
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VinePair published a 2026 map and state-by-state list of the highest-rated IPA in each U.S. state, using BeerAdvocate rankings and a cutoff of more than 100 ratings. Hazy IPAs led in 19 states, while imperial IPAs led in 18; the rankings reflect a defined platform and cutoff, not a universal measure of quality.
VinePair’s 2026 map names the highest-rated IPA in each U.S. state, drawing on BeerAdvocate’s state-level rankings and including only beers with more than 100 ratings on the platform. Hazy and hazy imperial IPAs led in 19 states, narrowly ahead of imperial IPAs, which topped the list in 18.
The report covers all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and lists each beer’s brewery, IPA sub-style and alcohol by volume. The selections range from 6.2% ABV for Arkansas’ Presidential IPA from Diamond Bear Brewing Company to 17% ABV for Delaware’s 120 Minute IPA – Utopias Barrel-Aged from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. The source identifies the rankings as based on BeerAdvocate’s state Top-Rated Beer pages.
Among the listed choices are Pliny The Younger from Russian River Brewing Company in California, an imperial IPA at 10.25% ABV; Heady Topper from The Alchemist in Vermont, an 8% imperial IPA; and Yellow Rose from The Lone Pint Brewery in Texas, a 6.8% American IPA. The map also includes Washington, D.C., where DC Brau Brewing Company’s On the Wings of Armageddon is listed at 9.2% ABV.
VinePair says the selection threshold was applied using each state’s Top-Rated Beer page, not the individual beer’s profile page. It cautions that a beer’s rating on its own profile may be lower. The report does not give the individual scores, rating totals, or a data snapshot date in the supplied material, so the entries show the chosen leaders but not the margin separating them from other contenders.
Hazy IPAs Edge the State Count
The distribution offers a snapshot of how varied the IPA category is across the country, rather than a single national winner. Hazy styles led in 19 states, while imperial IPAs led in 18; American IPAs also appear among the state selections, alongside less common entries such as a Belgian IPA in Alaska, an English IPA in Montana and a Black IPA in Utah.
That spread matters to readers because “highest-rated IPA” can mean different things depending on the style and the audience doing the rating. BeerAdvocate’s rankings reflect user ratings on that service, while the state-by-state format provides a practical guide to beers associated with each state. It does not establish that a listed beer is the most popular, most widely available, or objectively best choice for every drinker.
The list also illustrates the range in strength within the category. Some selections are around 6% to 7% ABV, while several imperial and triple IPAs exceed 10%. ABV is a relevant distinction for consumers comparing entries: the report ranks them by ratings, not by alcohol content or style preference.
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How VinePair Built the Map
VinePair says it parsed BeerAdvocate’s database to identify the top-rated IPA in each state and set a minimum of more than 100 platform ratings. The editorial note specifies that the cutoff was based on the state Top-Rated Beer page rather than each beer’s profile page. That methodological detail affects how the list should be read: the rankings depend on a particular platform, page and eligibility threshold.
The report places the list within IPA’s prominence in U.S. craft brewing. Citing Circana and the Brewers Association, it says IPAs account for roughly 50% of craft beer off-premise sales and 40% of craft beer volume, respectively. The sales and volume figures come from different organizations and measure different things; they are background figures cited by VinePair, not new measurements produced by the map.
VinePair groups the state winners across sub-styles including New England or hazy IPA, imperial or double IPA, American IPA, English IPA, Belgian IPA and Black IPA. These labels indicate different approaches within the broader category. The source’s list does not provide tasting notes or explain how BeerAdvocate’s rating method handles the distinctions.
““As a baseline, we only considered beers with over 100 ratings on the platform for this list.””
— VinePair
Scores and Data Dates Not Shown
The supplied report does not state the numeric rating for each beer, how many eligible ratings each winner received, or the exact date when the data was collected. It is therefore not possible from the published details here to compare the size of each state’s lead or determine whether rankings changed during 2026.
The results are also specific to BeerAdvocate’s state ranking pages and VinePair’s stated cutoff. They should not be read as a consensus across multiple rating services or as a poll of all beer drinkers. Availability may vary by location, but the source does not provide current distribution or stock information for the listed beers.
Checking the Rankings Over Time
Readers can consult VinePair’s map and table for the complete state-by-state list and BeerAdvocate for the relevant rankings. The source material does not announce a follow-up update or provide a schedule for revising the map. Any later comparison would depend on updated platform ratings and whether VinePair applies the same eligibility rules.
For consumers, the practical next step is to check local availability and the beer’s current label before purchasing. Several listed beers have high ABVs, so consumers should check serving size and strength, and drink responsibly; alcohol is for adults of legal drinking age.
Key Questions
How were the highest-rated IPAs selected?
VinePair used BeerAdvocate’s state Top-Rated Beer pages and included beers with more than 100 ratings on the platform. Its note says the cutoff was based on the state pages, not necessarily on each beer’s profile-page rating.
Which IPA styles appeared most often?
Hazy IPAs, including hazy imperial versions, were listed in 19 states. Imperial IPAs, also called double IPAs, led in 18 states.
Does the map show each beer’s rating score?
The supplied source lists the winners, breweries, styles and ABV figures, but does not provide the individual BeerAdvocate scores or rating counts for each entry.
Is each state’s selection necessarily the most popular IPA there?
No. The report identifies the highest-rated eligible beer according to a particular BeerAdvocate ranking. It does not measure sales, availability or popularity among all residents.
What is the strongest beer on the list by ABV?
The report lists Delaware’s 120 Minute IPA – Utopias Barrel-Aged from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery at 17% ABV. Alcohol strength is separate from its ranking, and the source does not provide a score comparison with other entries.
Source: vinepair.com
