Are "session IPAs" improving?

Fat Head's Sunshine Daydream

 

I don't know that many will ever crack the top 50 because of the bias toward high ABV brews.

 

Ellicottville Mow Maters Ultra Pale Ale was enjoyable and I can't believe I just said that.

 

Some are definitely better than others, but unless more brewers figure out how to give them additional body I don't think I've ever prefer them over a normal APA. Still, I'm hopeful. I think the world of Hazed & Infused and it's at least pretty close to the "session IPA" style. If more people followed that model (instead of All Day or Go To) we could see some big things.

 

I'm seconding Sunshine Daydream, what a delicious beer.

 

I wouldn't jump the gun on this Lawson's, while it may be good, it's only 37 reviews, and all ratings from "had ticks." Hardly reliable.

 

Who ever comes up with a session ipa that tastes like a double ipa will win a Nobel prize.

 

Stone session ipa is the only one I purchase routinely. I'd rather drink less good beer when it comes to the rest of the session ipas I've tried.

 

I enjoy all day and go to. Endless from goose island was lacking. Aroma on go to was pretty stellar

 

What? Not sure I get this. Because a Session IPA has got into the top 50 that means they're getting better? Loads of beers I think are pretty groovy get crap scores.

I've not had a huge number of Session IPAs, but they've all been highly enjoyable. And left me vertical and the end of, er, a long session.

 

This! I was blown away when I got some in a trade back in March (before it was distributed outside Cleveland), I crave more bottles but we only got it once down in Cincinnati and it sold out in 2 hours. While I am more than happy to buy All-Day IPA (and you can't beat the price, $15.99-$17.99 for 15 great beers), Sunshine Daydream is just a tad bit better. I do not believe it's all Centennial though, I'm convinced it's the water profile that makes it "shine."

 

In my mind, Founder's All Day is up there in my top 20 IPA's, "session" or not. FW Easy Jack is close, but too close to tasting like Pale31 (both excellent IMO).

Kinda have an issue with a boutique brewer like Lawson's having a top rated beer in this category. Shouldn't a session offering not be an exclusive, douche-tastic offering without grade inflation from panting fanboys??? Always interpreted that a session be for the everyman, not an exclusive clique.

 

Lawson's Spring Fever Session was solid, and Super Session Citra was really appealing to me. SS Citra had a huge amount of Citra zing and hop flavor, but having really [really] light body and the right carbination made it light and drinkable. Didn't think too much of the Session IPA style prior.

Sunshine Daydream was real good, too.

 

Just moved to a state with Founders distribution so finally got to try All Day IPA...besides loving it (first session IPA I can say that about) I did not find the body to it to be lacking at all, personally.

 

I can't get enough of it either. It always buy a ton when I visit family. And according to a worker at fat heads it's citra/mosaic/centennial.

 

I've been trying these session IPAs lately because I'm getting fat as $#%^
So far my favorite has been Founders All Day though Stone's Go To has a better nose
Terrapin Recreation and Uinta Trader were both just OK at best
Hoping to try Lags DayTime which I have a feeling will be my new favorite (just wish it was canned) and FW Easy Jack

 

I still think 21st Ammendment Bitter American is the best in this category. (It would be a session IPA, but it's been on the market before the term was created.)

 

it's my perception that most regular IPA's are old recipes. The DIPAS, IIPAS, etc are new recipes with these new hop varietals. I think most regular IPA's don't really appeal is because as styles and preferences have changed, only the newer IPA variants have evolved with them.