Best available hoppy session ale?

Lawson's Spring Fever and Carton Boat Beer.

 

Terrapin Recreation Ale. Nice and hoppy for the ABV. Wish I could find more.

 

Stone Go To
Modern Times Fortunate Islands
Carton Boat Beer

 

21st Ammendment Bitter American is my favorite. Just because the label doesn't say session IPA, doesn't mean it doesn't fit all of the criteria...it pre-dates the fad.

 

It's the hipster's session IPA. I was drinking it before it was even cool.

 

So, what would that make drinkers of Greene King IPA, which is 3.6% ABV and has been brewed for over 100 years? Maybe the point is that "session IPA" is more a naming convention and marketing than a distinct style. If you like "session IPAs," that's great. I like them too. Just don't limit yourself just because the label doesn't say "IPA."

Besides, I feel less like a hipster and more a cranky old man yelling at the kids who forget their roots.

 

Firestone's in New York and further east, I've had this on draft in Syracuse.

 

Doug, I am not aware of any beers labeled as being American Adjunct IPA but I suspect that a number could be labeled that way. Among homebrewers sugar is sometimes used in the brewing of IPAs to result in a dry beer. I know that Fat Heads uses some sugar (5% dextrose) in their grist for Headhunter IPA. I suspect that other commercial breweries also use some sugar in their IPAs.

Since you are a beer business guy I am sure that you could appreciate that a commercial brewery is not likely to choose a label like American Adjunct IPA since the term adjunct has a bad connotation in the minds of craft beer drinkers. The only body that might coin a style like American Adjunct IPA would be an organization that sponsors beer competitions but I highly doubt that those organizations would take that step.

So, the bottom line is that American Adjunct IPAs exist but nobody uses that term.

Cheers!

 

Of the beers listed in the poll, I'll choose the FW Easy Jack because that's the one I haven't tried yet.

 

what is the relevance of this in relation to my comment?

 

Du Claw's OZ fractional IPA. Best one I have had yet.

 

Central City ISA is the best I have had so far.

 

I clicked Stone Go To, because it really is a tasty session. Another one to mention is Terrapin's Hi 5...that's my go to. I think its 5.9% and cheaper around here. Plus it comes in cans which is great for all of the outdoor summer activities!

 

I consider Firestone to be Widely Available....if you do too then I misread your post.

 

Easy Jack is very solid. However, we did a blind tasting of 14 IPAs ranging from World Class (Heady & Pliny) to drain pours (SA Rebel IPA). Our group of 10 reviewers (bar owners, bottle shop managers) ranked Boulevard Pop-Up IPA ahead of both Pliny and Heady! It really is a fantastic beer. Also, their 80-acre Hoppy Wheat is very good.

 

I liked Terrapin RecreationAle.

 

Side note: Anyone try Southern Tier Live? I just had it and was pleasantly surprised.

Other than that, if I can get it Daytime is my first choice with Go To by Stone a very close second. I've found the Daytime is slightly more balanced than Go To.

 

Founders All Day
Fat Heads Sunshine Daydream (local)

 

I'll drink which ever one is on sale. I hate to spend $9.99 for a session beer when I can get all the reg hops for the same price

 

That Dark Star is a fine beer, though I've only had one chance to try it.