Inherent Flaw In Session IPA's

No, I agree with you and I think many others probably do too. 5.5% abv is barely any more sessionable than a full-bodied/flavored IPA at 6-7% IMO. "Session" to me means I want it to be 3-4% abv, otherwise there's really no point because there are a LOT of beers much better than the session IPA style sitting in the 4.5%-5.5% abv range already.

 

Basically me.

I do not want to go to the bar and have an 8% IPA when I can have a good flavored 4%IPA. The problem is getting that 4% IPA.

 

English ales have for centuries been able to enjoyed multiply without TOO bad an effect. No one is trying to convert you. You are free to drink what you want. Perhaps the session moniker just puts people off. Plus, your English teacher did a less than admirable job. My name is Dick. I am an editor.

 

Agreed. But two that I'd recommend are Even Keel and Sunshine Daydream.

 

I agree with the OP...I am not a fan of the style, I also feel that they lack something...not sure if it's the lower alcohol or if it's a lack of balance...if I want lower alcohol I usually go for pale ales which somehow seem more balanced and flavorful to me

 

"Session" means and always should mean "pilsner"

 

The owner of the bottle shop I shop at, says the people buying session IPA's are buying them instead of IPA's. Cannibal sales in other words.

 

Just wait until Brits get a hold of this and give you an ear full.
I'll keep mine to an all caps NOPE.

 

For some reason this makes me think of Brits and the introduction of what they refer to as Wife Beater beer i.e. Stella Artois to their market. The higher abv's (I gather) flummoxed their otherwise prim sub 5% abv lager lout-ism. So it's not so much cannibal sales as much as American drinkers are buying what suits their drinking wants and needs and not what beer snobs and BA-er than though people convince them to.

 

Rather drink a pale ale, mild, wheat/hefe, or wit for a sessionable brew. I've had bad luck with SIPAs.

 

Joe, do Session IPAs come of as 'watery' to you?

Cheers!

 

My favorite style. I have noticed that there tends to be a similar hop profile used in many beers in this category, often a creamy orange sort of flavor (The Saucony Sessions and Down to Earth most memorably). But not this "watery" quality being described.

Go To and Boat are more beautiful expressions of hops than 99% of IPAs and DIPAs.

 

I wouldn't say watery....I use that word almost exclusively for BMC...I wish I had a word for what it is about Session IPA's...to me they just lack something and I don't find them as satisfying as a pale ale like JAWN

 

Everybody has their own unique palate/vocabulary so communication can be challenging.

What I personally find unappealing in the vast majority of the “Session IPAs” that I have tasted is a lack of body/mouthfeel. I personally use the term ‘watery’ to describe that situation.

I have no recollection from any of the APAs that I have consumed having this same level of a lack of body/mouthfeel.

My theory is that many brewers formulate their recipes for a “Session IPA” as simply being an IPA with less malt rather than taking a ‘bottoms up’ approach of just making a hoppy beer with less ABV. IMO, Carton did take a 'bottoms up' approach towards formulating the recipe for Carton Boat Beer and the results is a hoppy, lower ABV beer that does not lack body/mouthfeel.

Cheers!

 

I use the term thin.

 

Yup, a thin body makes sense.

Cheers!

 

I found that the easy jack from firestone is really tasty, I was surprised at how much flavor it had. IMO

 

Way back in the 70's I had a friend who worked at the Schlitz/Stroh brewery that has since closed. He said that the only difference between Old Milwaukee and Old Milwaukee Light was about 200 gallons of water. Maybe that's the watery taste here.Just a thought.

 

Less robust, lower ABV? Sounds like a pale ale to me. Chasing something that's not there.

 

My take, and I have become a Founders All Day fan. When I 1st tried the style, I will admit it is a weaker cousin to a regular IPA. But it grew on me because I don't want to get get drunk while mowing the lawn, cleaning out the garage, etc. when fresh, and that is key, it is a damn good beer. Better than any BMC. Cheers!