Top 5 Nashville IPAs: Best Craft Beer at Nashville Taprooms
- musiccitybrewhop
- Jul 15
- 2 min read
If there's one style of beer that defines the modern craft beer movement, it's the India Pale Ale. From crisp, citrus-packed West Coast classics to juicy New England hazys bursting with tropical fruit, IPAs have become the showcase for a brewery's creativity and skill.
Nashville's craft beer scene is no exception. With taprooms scattered across the city pouring everything from hop bombs to balanced, easy-drinking pale ales, narrowing the field wasn't easy. After plenty of pints and a spirited debate, we've rounded up the five best Nashville IPAs that stand above the rest.
Whether you're a longtime hop fanatic or just beginning your IPA journey, these are the beers that deserve a spot at the top of your must-try list next time you're hopping between Nashville taprooms.
1. Woodland Street — East Nashville Beer Works
This session IPA has a light, quaffable body without sacrificing any flavor or aroma. While this beer is low in ABV, it boasts a hefty hop profile. With bold notes of watermelon rind, pink starburst, and fresh cut grass, it's the perfect summer beer for any palate.
🚎 You can try this one on our Brewhop Tour — it's a regular stop on the route.
2. Hippies & Cowboys IPA — Tennessee Brew Works
This beer embraces the haze, delivering a lush, juicy experience with an ultra-smooth finish. Bursting with tropical and citrus-forward hops, it brings bold notes of ripe mango, pineapple, and zesty orange while dialing back the bitterness for an easy-drinking IPA.
🥂 This one's a favorite on our Private Tours — ask your driver to add it to the stop list.
3. Paper Crowns — Xul Brewing Company
Bold enough to satisfy dedicated IPA drinkers yet balanced enough to keep you coming back for another pint, it's easy to see why this beer has become a year-round favorite. Paper Crowns delivers waves of juicy citrus, tropical fruit, and a soft, velvety mouthfeel that defines the style.
4. East Bank — East Nashville Beer Works
One of the first beers ever brewed at ENBW, East Bank has evolved into an American IPA with a balanced malt profile accompanying a heavy citra hop character. It's a modern take on a classic style — approachable, balanced, and pleasantly drinkable.
🎄 Touring Nashville over the holidays? This one pairs perfectly with our Christmas Light Tours.
5. Homestyle IPA — Bearded Iris Brewing
Inviting and bright, outrageously crushable, and designed for any occasion, Homestyle is Bearded Iris's take on a classic style for the ever-evolving world of craft beer. But most of all, it's whatever you make of it — with tasting notes of grapefruit, strawberry, frosted flakes, and fruit tea.
🚎 Another Brewhop Tour favorite — you'll find it on our regular route.
Ready to Try Them for Yourself?
Reading about the best IPAs in Nashville is one thing — tasting them at the source is another. Hop aboard the Music City Brew Hop and let us take you straight to the taprooms pouring these standout beers, no designated driver required.