Ponto S.I.P.A. (Sessionable India Pale Ale)
Pizza Port Solana Beach

 

 

 

Canned 12/6/21.

 

 

light and fresh, not too weak though

 

One of the best low alcohol session IPAs out there.

 

 

 

Not a bad IPA but frankly I expected more from this great brewery. 3/26/20 date printed on can. Pours a clearer golden color with just a little fluffy white head and spotty lingering lacing. Smells of crisp grapefruit, lemon, orange, vanilla, malt, a little floral and herbal hops. Tastes similarly, has that classic bitter West Coast IPA finish. Smooth crisp mouthfeel, decent carbonation. Not bad just wanted a little more.

 

L: The clearest topaz with rising bubbles and a loose beige foam, some of which is long lasting and leaves an initial wide band on the glass.

S: White bready malt, lemon, and piney hop character. A fleeting pineapple sweetness.

T: Much more bitter and pine sap on the palate, but not trying to overdo it. It’s just off-dry, simple, but would beat most sessions for execution.

F: Watery but there is malt here and I think it’s got more heft and mouthfeel than most. Well done.

O: It’s hard to find a good session. They are never full IPA’s. This one is easy drinking and while it won’t beat the newest and best hoppy lagers out there, it beats most sessions I’ve ever tried!

 

As much as I like session IPAs, I am always kind of taken aback by their watery quality - hope punch you in the face while you’re drinking a soda-like feeling. But there are a few exceptions (like Founders) for which I am willing to maje an exception of not seeking them out.
This one seems to be much better balanced than some of its counterparts: while a little bit less aggressive on the “in your face” style of hops, it is somewhat more reserved. But at the same time, while others tend to end up watery, this one stands firm and beings quite drinkable qualities in the mouthfeel. It is like a “light” IPA and it doesn’t leave you with any bad aftertaste. Especially on a hot summer night, this is your perfect companion when you are looking for a refresher.

Oh, and here are the real notes from the can:

“THIS SESSION IPA IS NAMED AFTER A FAVORITE BEACH AND SURF SPOT AT THE SOUTHERNMOST PART OF CARLSBAD. THE JETTIES OFFER AMAZING LEFTS DURING A CLEAN SOUTH SWELL AND A GREAT PLACE FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO RELAX WITH THEIR COOLER. WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO SHARE THIS HOPPY BEER IN A CAN THAT YOU WILL ENJOY A LITTLE LONGER THAN SOME OF OUR BIGGER BEERS. CHEERS!”

Dec 18...pours pale yellow color with patchy white foam that clings. Light pine nose. Slight citrus too. Mellow bitter, smooth mouthfeel. Easy drinking IPA, as advertised.

Had it a while back. I recall the aroma and flavor being good but the mouthfeel just too thin and the hop bill just eh...love this brewery and I’d happily try again for free but this isn’t one I’ve gone for again since that time.

Canned 3-11-19
L: Almost completely clear. Light little bubbles, almost pilsner.
S: Light hoppy aroma featuring earth and citrus.
T: Light pine, some tropical touches throughout.
F: Thin, but not watery thin. A bit of bitterness throughout, but well done. A little carbonated.
O: A very well done SIPA.. even tasting, and quite flavorful for 4.5%.

 

 

 

Very light yellow color, a bit of cloudiness, with billions of streaming bubbles. Beer is topped by two fingers of a white head that is quite craggy and seems to be falling as I type.

Smells very light on the nose. Picking up some lemon juice, maybe some other citrus (like an orange rind) and just a touch of dankness.

Taste is orange peel for sure and straight up. The flavors are very light and fleeting with a touch of bitterness.

Mouth feel is light and dry on the finish.

Overall this beer is light. Light on the nose and light on the palate. Not necessarily a bad thing because it gives just enough and does not overpower in any category. Lots of things to like here. The smell is very pleasing. The taste is just enough to satisfy. The mouth feel makes this super easy drinkable and refreshing. Plus almost all Pizza Port beers I find in Vegas are in 16 oz. cans. I feel this gives the consumer more of a sample of what the brewery has to offer. Overall a very nice beer!

 

 

Good session easy drinking IPA

 

 

 

 

The look of this beer leaves a lot to be desired. Light gold, with random pieces of sediment (though not much). A quickly dissipating head and almost no lacing. On the other hand, it's quite an enjoyable sessionable IPA that doesn't hold anything back - especially at 4.5% ABV. Citrus notes and crackery malts on the nose and taste. Medium-high carbonation with a semi-dry finish. One of the better session IPAs out there in my opinion.

 

A LIGHT TASTING IPA EASY TO DRINK A FEW AT A TIME

 

 

Nice looking hazy gold color with a lingering, two-finger head. Really nice on the nose. Abundant scents of pineapple, grapefruit, lemon and biscuit. Soft front palate hints of pineapple and apricot, with a nice lingering finish of lemon and grapefruit. Coating finish. Overall solid beer with a nice finish, front palate didn’t blow me away.

Golden yellow color, white head. Bitter taste with grapefruit, hops, bread, pine, tropical fruits, and grass. Bitter finish with more grapefruit, very clean. Very nice session IPA. Enjoyable taste that’s not just scaled down IPA. Little thin in the end, but then again its a session.

Picked up a 16 oz tall boy from the Craft Beer Hop Stop 1-15-18 for $1.16. Canned on 11-14-17.

Beer poured golden with a tall thin head with the original pour.

Nose is a pretty good dose of citrus and herbal hops.

Taste is grapefruit, pine, and citrus rind over a small malt base, with a pronounced bitterness in the finish.

Mouthfeel is light and refreshing, fitting for the style.

Overall not a bad beer but one representing a style that i am losing interest in.