Are "session IPAs" improving?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by AlcahueteJ, Jul 14, 2014.

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  1. Scipio3

    Scipio3 Zealot (562) Mar 11, 2014 Ohio

    I got the 15-pack "Founders All Day" cans for the beach. Perfect for that IMO.
     
    #101 Scipio3, Jul 15, 2014
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  2. beersnobraven

    beersnobraven Initiate (0) Jul 12, 2014 Illinois

    I'm actually not a huge IPA fan, but for some reason I liked Goose Island's Endless IPA Session IPA better than the normal-strength variety. So take that for whatever it's worth.
     
    #102 beersnobraven, Jul 15, 2014
  3. bleakies

    bleakies Maven (1,355) Apr 11, 2011 Massachusetts

    By long practice (chiefly in the UK), a proper session beer is no higher than 4.0% abv.

    Increasingly Americans use the term "session beer" to just mean "Any beer I drink a bunch of at one sitting."
     
    #103 bleakies, Jul 15, 2014
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  4. Dave_Heltzel

    Dave_Heltzel Initiate (0) Jun 9, 2014 Virginia

    personally had the Lawson's and as someone who doesnt tend to like the session IPAs that one was really good. The biggest thing for me is the body tends to be weak on them and they just lack the real bite that im looking for in a good ipa.
     
    #104 Dave_Heltzel, Jul 15, 2014
  5. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    http://www.beeradvocate.com/articles/653/

    - This article from beeradvocate defines it as 5% abv. Regardless, the point of the link is that British session is defined as 4% abv or lower.

    - http://sessionbeerproject.blogspot.com/
    - http://www.notchbrewing.com/session/

    The first link is to the session beer project, started in 2009. Their cut-off is 4.5% abv. The second link is to Notch brewing in MA. They brew all session beers, none above 4.5% abv.

    -http://www.brown.edu/Student_Servic...&_other_drugs/alcohol/alcohol_&_your_body.php

    Finally, and most importantly, your body metabolizes one standard drink per hour. In the case of beer, this is one 12 oz. 5% abv beer.

    You can choose to drink multiple beers of any style and abv range during a session. But no, I'm not "making shit up."

    As far as Tired Hands' beer, I have not had it, and there are no specs listed other than abv. I can't comment on it.

    SLIGHTLY more hops?

    The BJCP guidelines for an American Pale Ale are as follows. And I will use Stone's beers as examples.

    4.5% - 6.2% abv.
    Stone Pale Ale - 5.4% abv
    Stone Go-To IPA - 4.5% abv

    30 - 45 IBUs
    Stone Pale Ale - 41 IBUs
    Stone Go-To IPA - 65 IBUs

    The BJCP guidelines for an American IPA are as follows.

    5.5% - 7.5% abv.
    Stone Pale Ale - 5.4% abv
    Stone Go-To IPA - 4.5% abv

    40 - 70 IBUs
    Stone Pale Ale - 41 IBUs
    Stone Go-To IPA - 65 IBUs

    Stone's Go-To IPA is not only at the low end of abv for an American Pale Ale, but it's out of the range for IBUs for a pale ale, and is in fact at the HIGH end of the range for IBUs for an American IPA. While the BJCP competition is simply a set of guidelines, the numbers clearly show these are NOT typical pale ales.

    If you drastically cut abv by decreasing the amount of malt in your beer, and markedly increase the amount of hops, you're going to greatly effect your pale ale. It's not a gimmick. But if it were, I don't buy many of these, so it's not effecting me in the least.
     
    #105 AlcahueteJ, Jul 15, 2014
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  6. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,635) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    So some Session IPAs have 50% base malt! and the rest specialty malts and adjuncts to lighten the body. What do you think?
     
    #106 hopfenunmaltz, Jul 15, 2014
  7. nicholasofcusa

    nicholasofcusa Initiate (0) Jan 14, 2006 Florida

    Wish I could agree but this beer is lacking in all possible ways, except watery tastelessness.
     
    #107 nicholasofcusa, Jul 16, 2014
  8. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I think it sounds like light beer.
     
    #108 AlcahueteJ, Jul 16, 2014
  9. Valleyview06

    Valleyview06 Pundit (850) Oct 13, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    They are an improvement over the bud light I was drinking 5 years ago.
     
    #109 Valleyview06, Jul 16, 2014
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  10. j_nees

    j_nees Devotee (317) Dec 18, 2013 Washington

    So far my two favorites have been Founder's All Day IPA and Terrapin Recreation Ale.

    I really need some body in my beer though... as far as I'm concerned the two trends that need to die immediately are "slim" fit clothes and session ales.
     
    #110 j_nees, Jul 16, 2014
  11. bleakies

    bleakies Maven (1,355) Apr 11, 2011 Massachusetts

    I'll pick up a sixer of "session IPA" every now and then but I never seem to want to make a session of them. After one or maybe two, pronounced hoppiness and a thin body translates to my palate as an abrasive astringency, and I reach for something fuller-bodied (if not necessarily well-balanced).
     
    #111 bleakies, Jul 16, 2014
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  12. Givemebeer

    Givemebeer Savant (1,219) Apr 6, 2013 Vermont

    What do you think then, sir?
     
    #112 Givemebeer, Jul 16, 2014
  13. Givemebeer

    Givemebeer Savant (1,219) Apr 6, 2013 Vermont

    Exactly
     
    #113 Givemebeer, Jul 16, 2014
  14. BeerMeInStl

    BeerMeInStl Initiate (0) Jan 26, 2013 Missouri

    Hop water is an accurate description IMO. I have yet to try a "Session IPA" that I would even buy again.

    There are other choices around the same ABV that I much prefer to drink, such as an XPA like Sidekick or a number of APAs.
     
    #114 BeerMeInStl, Jul 17, 2014
  15. GuitarIPA

    GuitarIPA Savant (1,229) Mar 24, 2013 Connecticut

    I love All Day - widely available, tastes great, and good for all occasions, especially warm summer days.
     
    #115 GuitarIPA, Jul 17, 2014
  16. shand

    shand Pooh-Bah (2,240) Jul 13, 2010 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I had the Super Session the other day at a bottle share. It was just solid for a session, I'd honestly crack a Smuttynose Bouncy House before it. So, yeah, just Lawson's hype.
     
    #116 shand, Jul 17, 2014
  17. GenericForumName

    GenericForumName Initiate (0) Oct 31, 2013 Pennsylvania

    I think we can do 5 posts if we try hard enough.

    challenge accepted.
     
    #117 GenericForumName, Jul 17, 2014
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  18. k_vancleef

    k_vancleef Initiate (0) Jan 4, 2014 Rhode Island

    Two Roads Lil Heaven
    Lagunitas Daytime
    Firestone Walker Easy Jack

    Stone Go To is fizzy yellow beer...bogus.
     
    #118 k_vancleef, Jul 17, 2014
  19. Kadonny

    Kadonny Pooh-Bah (2,616) Sep 5, 2007 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Not me. As much as I like the session IPAs, and I do, they just don't carry the body and fulfillment of a regular IPA. You just can't beat a quality well made regular IPA.
     
    #119 Kadonny, Jul 17, 2014
  20. MisterBisco

    MisterBisco Initiate (0) Feb 18, 2009 New York

    I haven't fully explored the sessionable realm, but I was equally unimpressed with All Day IPA and Go To IPA. I liked Smuttynose's Bouncy House a lot more than either, finding it to have a lot more body (which I thought the first two were sorely lacking).

    Frankly, my favorite sessionable beer I've tasted is the Rhinegeist Zen Pale Ale out of Cincinnati. Beautiful, in-your-face grapefruit aroma, with a smooth, creamy, and balanced mouthfeel to back it up. Great, great beer that I'd seek out any day.
     
    #120 MisterBisco, Jul 17, 2014
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