Food & Drink

The 8 Best IPA Beers You Can Buy at the Grocery Store, According to a Craft Brewer

By Jessica Wrubel Parade - Food and Drink Stories

Updated June 16, 2026 8:38 AM

India Pale Ales have come a long way from their reputation as aggressively bitter beers that only hardcore craft beer fans could appreciate. While some IPAs still lean heavily into piney, resinous flavors and tongue-coating bitterness (my personal fave), today's market is packed with approachable options that showcase everything from bright citrus and tropical fruit notes to crisp, refreshing finishes. Whether you're a longtime IPA devotee or someone who has always assumed the style wasn't for you, there's likely a bottle or can out there that can change your mind. And you don't have to go far to get your hands on it.

Among craft beer styles, IPAs remain one of the most popular choices on grocery store shelves. And in recent years, with grocery stores stocking more craft beer than ever before, shoppers have access to award-winning IPAs from breweries across the country without having to hunt down a specialty beer shop. But with so many choices on the shelf, narrowing down the best options can be a little overwhelming.

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To help identify the standouts, I spoke with Christian Muckerman, owner and head brewer at Dimond Beer and Company, a craft brewery in Alexandria, Virginia. Drawing on years of brewing experience and countless tastings, Muckerman shared his favorite grocery-store IPAs across a variety of categories, from beginner-friendly picks and hazy favorites to low-calorie options and underrated gems. Muckerman's recommendations span a wide range of styles, regions and drinking occasions. His picks include iconic craft beer classics, newer grocery-store favorites and a few underrated bottles that deserve more attention.

Top IPA Beers

Best Overall IPA: Bell's Two Hearted Ale
Best IPA for Beginners: Bell's Two Hearted Ale
Best Hazy IPA: Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing
Best IPA for Food Pairing: Port City Monumental IPA
Most Widely Available IPA: Lagunitas IPA
Best West Coast IPA: Pliny the Elder
Best Value IPA: Bell's Two Hearted Ale
Best Light IPA: Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty
Best Nonalcoholic IPA: Sierra Nevada Trail Pass IPA
Most Underrated IPA: Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA

How the IPA Beers Were Chosen

To find the best IPAs available at grocery stores, we asked Muckerman to evaluate beers based on flavor, balance, drinkability, value, availability and how well they represent their respective styles. His selections include options for beginners, longtime IPA fans and anyone looking to explore one of craft beer's most popular categories.

8 Best IPA Beers You Can Buy at the Grocery Store, According to a Craft Brewer

Best Overall IPA: Bell's Two Hearted Ale ($11.99)

While Muckerman wasn't specifically asked to name an overall winner, Bell's Two Hearted Ale appeared multiple times in our conversation. The Michigan-brewed classic earned praise for its flavor, value, versatility and availability, making it his clear standout.

"Two Hearted Ale has been widely renowned as one of the top American IPAs for many years," says Muckerman. "It's a balanced, full-bodied beer that beautifully balances bitterness with fresh notes of grapefruit, citrus and floral pine."

Best Hazy IPA: Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing ($11.99)

For fans of juicy, fruit-forward IPAs, Muckerman recommends Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing. He says the widely available beer delivers everything people typically look for in a hazy IPA and it's widely available at nearly every grocery store that sells beer.

"It is highly accessible and hits all of the bases generally sought after in a hazy IPA," he says. "It has a pillowy mouthfeel and a rich, bright citrus hop profile."

Best West Coast IPA: Pliny the Elder ($8.99 per bottle)

West Coast IPAs have evolved significantly over the years, but Muckerman says Pliny the Elder remains one of the style's defining examples.

"When I think about my favorite true West Coast-style beer, Pliny the Elder comes to mind," he says.

Brewed by Russian River Brewing Company, the beer is known for its hop-forward flavor and legendary status among craft beer enthusiasts. Muckerman credits brewer Vinnie Cilurzo with creating a beer that belongs on every IPA lover's bucket list.

While Pliny the Elder isn't as widely distributed as some of the other beers on this list and may not be available in every grocery store, Muckerman says it's worth seeking out if you spot it. "Each time I've had it, I've thoroughly enjoyed it and left wanting more than the one bottle I could snag," he says.

Best Light IPA: Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty ($10.99)

Low-calorie beers often sacrifice flavor, but Muckerman says Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty proves that doesn't have to be the case.

"The best low-calorie IPA is hands down Slightly Mighty," he says.

At 95 calories and 4.0% ABV per 12-ounce serving, the beer delivers tropical aromas of mango and pineapple while remaining easy to drink. Muckerman calls it "extremely sessionable" and says it's one of his favorite beers to enjoy on a hot summer day.

Best IPA for Beginners: Bell's Two Hearted Ale ($11.99)

Many people avoid IPAs because they assume every beer in the category will be overwhelmingly bitter. Not so. Muckerman says that's a misconception and points beginners toward Bell's Two Hearted Ale as an approachable introduction to the style.

"There are a lot of preconceived notions about IPAs that they are all 'obnoxiously bitter' or 'taste like tree bark,'" he says. "However, there are plenty of entry-level IPAs that are crisp, clean and not overly bitter."

He recommends Two Hearted because it strikes a balance between hop character and drinkability without overwhelming new IPA drinkers.

Best Nonalcoholic IPA: Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA ($10.99)

Muckerman's favorite nonalcoholic IPA comes from Athletic Brewing, a brand that has become increasingly common on grocery store shelves.

"I would recommend Athletic's Run Wild if you are looking for a good NA IPA," he says.

Muckerman notes that nonalcoholic beers don't fully replicate the traditional IPA experience because alcohol contributes significantly to flavor, body and richness. Still, he appreciates the innovation happening within the category and believes the future of NA brewing is promising.

Best IPA for Food Pairing: Port City Monumental IPA ($11.99)

According to Muckerman, the best beer to bring to the dinner table comes from his own backyard.

"My best IPA for food pairing would also be a good beginner-friendly choice, Monumental IPA brewed by Port City Brewing Company in Alexandria, Virginia," he says.

Personally, this beer goes with just about every meal, from pizza nights to takeout Thai. "I am a big fan of spicy food, and when I'm feeling the heat, nothing beats a refreshing sip of Monumental," he says.

Muckerman says the beer works particularly well because it has enough character to stand on its own before dinner without overpowering whatever is on your plate. Instead, he says it complements a wide variety of foods, making it a dependable choice whether you're ordering takeout or firing up the grill.

Most Underrated IPA: Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA ($10.99)

Muckerman believes Bear Republic Racer 5 deserves far more attention than it receives.

"Their flagship IPA, Racer 5, is in the same league as Bell's Two Hearted IPA," he says.

He describes the beer as having grapefruit, citrus and subtle floral pine notes balanced by a malty backbone. Whether you're heading to a backyard gathering or settling in for movie night, Muckerman says it's a dependable choice. His advice? "If you see this beer in the grocery store, grab a six-pack-you won't regret it."

Most Widely Available IPA: Lagunitas IPA ($10.99)

When availability is the priority, Muckerman points to Lagunitas IPA, one of the easiest craft IPAs to find nationwide.

"My pick for the most widely available IPA is Lagunitas IPA from Lagunitas Brewing Company," he says.

The brewery operates multiple facilities that help support broad distribution, making the beer a common sight on grocery store shelves across the country.

"It's always a classic West Coast-style IPA that tastes the same, so you know what you're getting when you buy it," says Muckerman.

Whether you're stocking the fridge for the weekend, returning home from a road trip or visiting friends in another state, he says Lagunitas is a reliable choice. "It's reliable, generally always on the shelf, and I know what I'm getting."

Best Value IPA: Bell's Two Hearted Ale ($11.99)

If you're looking for the most bang for your buck, Muckerman once again points to Bell's.

"There are other IPAs out there that are less expensive, but in my opinion, there are few other brands that produce a better 'bang for your buck' product at a national scale like the brewers at Bell's do," he says.

Its combination of quality, consistency and widespread availability helped it earn his top value pick.

Source:

Christian Muckerman, Owner and Head Brewer, Dimond Beer and Company, Alexandria, Virginia

This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 7:22 AM.