I think it depends on what flavor profile you want or is it the ABV. I have had some IPAs that I like better than an imperial and several imperials that I like better. For the money I like Southern Tier 2X, Schlafly TIPA, and Stone. This is all based on the taste that I am in the mood for. I am not a big fan of Torpedo, as I would much rather have Hotpimum.
I think Port Brewing Mongo is one of the best bang for your buck Imperial IPAs out there. Bomber is usually right around $8 bucks and it is delicious.
DIPA -- Sucks, Outburst, Laughing Dog's Alpha Dog and Devil Dog (both under $4/bomber and pretty tasty IMO) IS -- Full Sail IS, Narwhal, Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout, Southern Oregon Brewing Black Heart, Old Raspy, and Widmer KGB (best when aged)
Hop Wallop at about $45/case here in the Philly area. (DFH 90 Min about $55/case by comparison). Best tradeoff of quality and value from what i have seen around here.
Sucks and Narwhal. Never had either until a couple of weeks ago. I've been enjoying a lot of both since.
I find Mad River Steelhead DIPA at 9.99 per 6 to be by far the best for the price. As far as Hop Stoopid goes, I like it, but at 4.79 I find many 4 packs around 10$ much better. i.e. Ruination, DFH 90, Mendocino IIPA, etc.
Stout wise Lagunitas imperial stout is pretty much the best for the price. In the stout world I'm willing to spend more for quality. Oak or espresso yeti, southern tier jahva, breakfast stout, or night stalker have been my go tos this year.
Phillips Amnesiac Double IPA; not many people know about it, it's a great BC brew. Can't get it in London but when I'm in BC it's around $5.50 canadian for a bomber and it's absolutely superb!
Truth, I can't deny any of that. I should probably have made my particular point a little clearer. When it's around, it's $3.99 a bomber here, which is a killer price for beer in bombers in general. I also prefer my double IPAs in bombers rather than six packs as I want to drink them as fresh as possible and not have six of 'em that I have to knock off asap. Also, having been out of work until very recently, I can't necessarily go out and regularly pay $9-11 bucks for a sixer of good, hoppy beer, though I can splurge $4 and have a bomber of Hop Stoopid. No, it's not the hands-down cheapest option by any means, but in terms of quality, affordability, and the fact that it's widely distributed, it's my go-to. Also, fwiw, I like it every bit as much as Hopslam I'd have to say, though I haven't tried Sucks.
Saranac High Peaks Imperial IPA is good. Also Bear Republic's Racer 5 IPA is a very good beer at around $5 or so for a 22 oz. bottle.
Of course for DIPA's it's hard to top anything by Lagunitas and the Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout is great, too. Also, for Imperial Stouts give the Lagunitas Imperial Stout a try, I'm surprised there hasn't been more talk about it, I really enjoyed it and it's one of the best priced Imperial Stouts I've seen.
DIPA: Sucks, Maximus, ST 2xIPA - for beers you can get in most states. Best overall? Heady at $12 for 4 pack (equivalent to $12 a growler or $4 a bomber) if you happen to live in New England. RIS: Old Rasputin, Narwhal, FBS, FIS. Stone IRS as a runner up at $6/22 oz. Brooklyn BCS is cheap but I wouldn't drink it above any of the aforementioned.
Southern Tier 2XIPA $7.99 or Lagunitas Sucks $8.49 a six-pack. Lagunitas Hop Stoopid $3.99 a bomber (North Carolina).
sixpoint resin, two brothers northwind stout, hoptimum is also amazing, just slightly more expensive than resin
Not necessarily the best budget DIPA but Dogfish 90 minute comes in a 4 pack for roughly 11-13 bones depending on where you at. You definitely are paying for quality fa-sho. Hop Stoopid is a good ol' bomber to suck down for about 4 duckets(U.S.= 4 boanz).
And as for an imperial stout...Old Rasputin is my go to. Like 8 ducks for a four pax??? Get the heck outta here and go buy sum right meow! Peas.
Otter Creek Imperial Stout is now in 12 oz., 10.00 a 4pak, prob. less in most other markets as we are in NY and higher priced for most beers. Better than Old Raspy IMHO.
Anything Lagunitas comes in at a big beer for a bargain. Their cappuccino stout is good and plenty of solid ipa offerings. Sierra nevada makes great ipa's that are always available as well. Stone is pretty good to.
Odell Myrcenary without a doubt. 10 bucks a 4 pk. Great value for BAs that like a big bold DIPA without a lot of malt sweetness to help cover up the 10% abv (give or take). This one has a ton of hops and just enough malt to satisfy.
