Like cranking up the volume on a single IPA, Double or Imperial IPAs are often characterized by a higher hop intensity and amped up alcoholic strength. These beers assault the senses with fresh hop character, extra juiciness, and a strong bitterness. 

The style is often attributed to Vinnie Cilurzo, now owner and brewmaster of renowned Russian River Brewing Co. In 1994 Cilurzo invented the double IPA while working on this first beer for Blind Pig Brewery in Temecula, California. He later took his innovation to Russian River where Pliny the Elder became one of the most highly regarded DIPAs in the country. 

Since then many breweries coast-to-coast have powered up their IPAs from Maine Brewing Co.'s Dinner and The Alchemist's Heady Topper to the aforementioned Russian River's Pliny the Elder and any number of Tree House's picture perfect versions. So much so that Imperial IPAs have become one of the most popular brewing styles in the country. 

Need proof? In 2020 Double / Imperial IPAs ranked as the third highest checked in style on Untappd with 34,000 different DIPAs appearing on the app and 6,585,229 total check-ins.

Below check out the current highest rated Double IPAs on Untappd in 2021.

1. King JJJULIUSSS! - Tree House Brewing Company

2. Swish - Bissell Brothers Brewing Company

3. Pliny the Elder - Russian River Brewing Company

4. Doubleganger - Tree House Brewing Company

5. Heady Topper - The Alchemist

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Looking for a double whammy? Every week Hop Culture Founder Kenny Gould drops a new crazy beer to try. This week he cracked open a can from Double IPA darlings Trillium Brewing and Other Half that almost left him almost speechless. Watch this week's episode and don't forget to subscribe to Hop Culture's YouTube channel so you never miss a look at the craziest beer Kenny tries next!