Lower Falls IPA
Highland Brewing

As someone who used to avoid the low abv ipas when they were big years ago, but now as I’ve gotten into my 50’s and looking to cut down on calories and overall “drinking”, this is the best tasting one of come across thus far. I could see this becoming somewhat of a “go-to”, as it’s a local brewery.

 

 

Appearance: Somewhat hazy straw yellow. Fluffy white head with short retention.

Aroma: Tropical and citrus fruits, pine.

Flavor: Tropical and citrus fruits on the front end. Resinous in the middle with a moderate to low bitterness at the end.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, dry. medium length finish.

Overall: A light, refreshing low ABV IPA. A welcomed change of pace from the hazies and DIPAs. Displays tropical and citrus fruit notes on the front end of the sip with mild resinous/pine coming in right after. Has a low to moderate bitterness that is clean and short - doesn't build to a chalky, mouthcoating bitterness as with some IPAs. Great summer beer. Original release used Centennial, Amarillo and Mosaic hops; but note their website says just Centennial and Mosaic now.

 

Light beer, IPA remix. Pours very pale and slightly cloudy like a German wheat beer. A less than gentle pour resulted in quite a generous rocky head. A pleasant surprise. Smells like grapefruit, very pleasant. Taste follows the nose. Grapefruit, a touch melon-y. This fades quickly to hop bitterness, more potent than I expected. Some sips all I get is the bitterness, some the citrus and melon resurfaces.

All in all really, good for a light beer. Lots of flavor packed in and it suits the summer season well. Well done.

 

Picked up a 12 oz single from the Highland Lakes Ingles cooler 5-10-23 for $2.00. Filled on 11-8-22; consumed 2-4-24. Cold stored since purchase so i have confidence that this stayed reasonably fresh.

Beer poured hazy gold with an okay white head.

Nose is nice as i am getting citrus and tropical fruit.

Taste is a very light pale malt base that gives notes of orange, lemon, and mango. Finishes balanced; 5/10 on my bitterness scale.

Mouthfeel is light bodied and very refreshing.

Overall this is pretty good, can see enjoying one floating down the French Broad River!

 

Poured from a can filled on 8 Nov 2022 into a tulip glass. It pours translucent pale yellow with a persistent finger of foam. Smell is faintly melons and tropical fruit. Taste follows the nose with pleasant tropical fruits and melon. Feels slightly over-carbonated, almost like sparkling wine. Overall it is tasty and refreshing for a beer with such low ABV. It is worth a try, in my opinion, if you are looking for a low ABV option.

 

Purchased as a six-pack of cans from Harris-Teeter for $10.99. Poured into a nonic pint glass.

L - Bright yellow with a slight haze, and a one-finger pale white head. Head goes away relatively quickly.
S - Citron rind, pine resin, and a hint of hay. Herbal, but only slightly.
T - Light citron notes over a domination of floral bitterness. Surprisingly bitter.
F - Light in body, with plenty of carbonation. Fairly drinkable.
O - The elephant in the room here is the lower ABV, but let's ignore that for a second. It's a pretty good lighter-bodied IPA, but a bit more bitter than I would have liked. Not too much complexity to warrant that, either. I see there's a definite market for this, but it's not for me. If you want a Jai Alai with half the body and flavor, this is for you. Probably won't purchase again, but I see the appeal.

 

12 oz can with a February 2022 canning date stamped on the bottom.

Appearance. Pale yellow body with plenty of visible carbonation.

Aroma. Hop forward with floral notes most prominent and some fruity notes.

Flavor. This has moderate strength and bitterness for an IPA, a remarkable trait in a low calorie beer.

Mouthfeel. Light body but rendered very satisfying by high but soft carbonation.

4/26/22 The Highland Brewing Taproom at S&W Market.

Bright lemony aroma fills the nostrils as you take a swig. The bite hits first followed by a nice light lemon rind flavor. Nice, light, and drinkable.