Session IPAs. I don't get it

I will reach for an APA or a nice Pils over a session IPA every time. The idea is nice but I've never had one that was more than mediocre.

 

Akin to light beer... low sodium... fat free... addition through subtraction is a tough thing to pull off.

 

Lawson's Super Session #2 is the only one I thoroughly enjoyed and would get again no questions asked (in the summer, i cant imagine drinking these any other time)

 

Carton Boat is a fantastic beer. Haven't had any other session that is close to it personally, maybe All Day. They put a lot of time into this beer and its pretty complex for 4.2% not just hop water.

 

Notch Brewing has several very delicious and flavorful sub-4.5% IPA's

 

Yeah, most (nearly all) are awfully thin and watery. That said, I think Pipeworks Lil' Citra is really good and I find it much more full in flavor and body than other session IPAs. PSA (Proper Session Ale) from MadTree is a bit on the thin side, but I like the hop flavor that they achieved with it so it is a regular for me especially in the summer.

 

Maybe I'm alone on this, but if a "session" beer is over 4%, I'd rather have the full-strength version. If I'm sacrificing flavor for lower ABV, it had better be sub 4%. All these 4-5.5% ABV "session IPAs" furthers the thinking that these are just hoppy, malt-free pales.

 

Griffin Claw makes a session IPA I enjoy.

Norm's Gateway, 4% abv, good hop character, and not at all watery to me.

 

Session IPA = IPA Lite

 

Conceptually, I love the concept.

Practically, I don't like it. Generally comes off as hop water. Pass.

...the one exception to the rule has been Founders All Day IPA.

 

There is a time and place for the session, I have given all day IPA some time and it has become a beer I really enjoy. Don't have one after a DIPA though!

 

I can live without it, hell drink one less regular beer and your even. IMO it's a poor choice to brew as a session because without enough malt backbone it's just unpleasantly bitter. Maybe Brewers think people like IPAs because they're just bitter as hell? I don't think so, most like some kind of sane balance.

 

There is definitely a time and a place for the style. I like them if I know I'll be throwing a few back at a cookout or a party.

I am fond of Trillium's small bird series (Pipsqueak Penguin is my favorite), Eureka, Baby Genius & Whirlpool. These are all thinner than heavy IPAs and DIPAs, but what do you expect for something under 5%.

I understand everyone has different tastes and some might not like low abv IPAs and PAs. I do enjoy them and will choose them over the PBRs of the world every time

Cheers

 

I don't like most of them anymore, as they tend to be really watery, but a handful of them are actually good beers on their own merit. Stone Go To IPA, Firestone Walker Easy Jack, and Founders All Day IPA are the best, imo, the latter of which is a hell of a deal since you can get a 15 pack of cans for $18.

 

I enjoy pinner from Oskar blues and easy jack from firestone quite a bit.

 

I love Founders All Day IPA and FW Easy Jack. According to the brewery, All Day IPA accounts for 50% of Founders's sales. Apparently quite a few people like them.

 

Easy Jack? I just go to the "hoppy" pilsners, which are actually more to style than many suspect.

Pivo has been a staple since FW came to my state some 4-6 months ago.

If I dont have a beer for a week and I drink a beer like Pilsner Urquell (maybe its palate fatique), I get a real nice bite out of that beer.

Session IPAs? Nah. Hoppy pilsners more than make up for it imho

 

Amen!

Cheers to you!!!!!!!

 

Dead of summer, hanging out at a cook out or just finished mowing the lawn, hand me a All Day IPA and I'll give you a high five.

 

Yeah, which is exactly why I rarely drink session IPAs. There's so many other flavorful beers that don't taste watery under 5%, including hoppy ones. Hoppy pilsners are my favorite beers now, too, and they hit all the desired points you'd want from a session IPA.