Best NA Beers for IPA Drinkers
If you normally drink IPA, do not start with the mildest NA lager. Start with hops, bitterness, citrus, pine, and a finish that does not turn sweet.
What IPA drinkers usually miss
IPA drinkers usually miss aroma first: citrus, pine, grapefruit, resin, tropical fruit, or that green hop smell when the can opens. After that, they miss bitterness and finish. A good NA IPA needs enough of both to survive the second half of the can.
The misses tend to smell good and then fade fast, or taste sweet where a regular IPA would finish dry.
Where to buy
For IPA-style NA beer, I would compare a few cans before buying a full case.
Start with Athletic Free Wave and Run Wild
Free Wave is the softer, hazier Athletic pick. It is better if you want citrus, haze, and a rounder sip. Run Wild is drier and more bitter, and I would rather drink it with burgers, pizza, tacos, or salty snacks.
If you only buy one, choose Free Wave for hazy IPA and Run Wild for the drier IPA side.
Other cans to compare
Sierra Nevada Trail Pass IPA belongs in the same tasting because Sierra Nevada knows hop flavor. Best Day West Coast IPA is another good comparison when you want a sharper finish.
If all of those taste too hoppy, move to a pilsner or lager. If they taste too soft, you may need a more bitter craft NA IPA rather than a mainstream zero-alcohol beer.
How to run a simple taste test
Chill the cans hard and pour small glasses. Taste Free Wave, Run Wild, Sierra Nevada, and Best Day next to food. The winner is not the one with the biggest aroma; it is the one you still want after three sips.
IPA drinkers should also pay attention to the finish. If a beer smells bright but ends sweet, it probably will not become your repeat can.
Bottom line
Start with Free Wave for hazy IPA, Run Wild for drier IPA, Sierra Nevada for familiar craft-hop taste, and Best Day if you want to compare another West Coast-style option.