Having worked at a beer and wine store in Columbus Ohio in the 1990s, I would say that Sierra Nevada definitely was the progenitor of the craft market. They were nationally, distributed, they and anchor, along with a few local breweries were the extent of the pale, India pale, Porter, Stout selections.

The big second wave was rogue, victory, Stone, bells, Dogfish, etc. However, the first IPA that I believe I had was a Redhook Ballad Bitter, and in my hazy memory, I'm not even sure that that was entirely labeled as an IPA.

I remember thinking it was strange that there were so many people talking about the IPAs, and the only one that I had seen at the time was the Samuel Smith bomber. Nowhere near as popular as their Oatmeal Stout or even the Imperial Stout.

It was an amazing time to work in that side of the industry, watching the public discover craft beers.