Best available hoppy session ale?

I am not a fan of the Session IPA beer style; they have all been too watery for my palate.

My suggestion is to seek out a modest alcohol APA instead.

The epitome of a widely distributed APA is SNPA but at 5.6 % some folks might think this beer is too high in alcohol.

My absolute favorite APAs are brewed by Hill Farmstead: for example Edward at 5.2% ABV. Unfortunately Hill Farmstead has very limited distribution.

My favorite easily available APA (easily available to me) is Two Brothers Sidekick which has 5.1% ABV. Unfortunately Two Brothers is only distributed to 9 states. I would highly recommend Sidekick to those that can get it.

Another tasty APA is Nebraska Cardinal Pale Ale but it is a bit alcoholic at 5.75% ABV and only available in 10 states.

Cheers!

P.S. Thanks to @LMT for the tip about Carton Boat Beer. Apparently it is distributed in PA on draft so I will look for that beer.

 

I enjoyed SN Nooner. I'd wager the availability of that beer is quite large.

 

Been around since the 90s and has become a firm local favourite.A genuine session ale being well under 4% ABV.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/7036/30243/
I quote from the page;
"Bright gold with lumpy froth and clumpy lace. Mad grapefruity nose with maybe a speck of fresh croissant underneath.
Unripe honeydew and breadcrumbs, then lean, bitter citrus hops.
Grapefruit Slushie comeback and dry linger. Light, crisp, clingy.

One of the new order of hoppy British blondes. A miracle at 3.6%. America, are you listening?"

Nearly as good but better known with the same name as the above and been around nearly as long;

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/7898/14297/

 

I thought Nooner, like a lot of so-called Session IPAs, tasted watered down. What's wrong with a hoppy pale ale? Too much body?

 

Nice, thank you, thank you. I'm sure I will be given a timeout or something like that, but that's OK. Only thing is, I wasn't trying to troll. Heck, I even voted on the pole. I know everyone has different pallets and all, but I have never tried a session IPA that tasted anything like a IPA. I know many other BAs feel the same. You can't sit here and say "well I drink Pliny, or I drink 2 Hearted, or YEA HEADY TOPPER OMG! I end every sentence with Heady Topper!" then come onto a session ale post and talk like they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. Once you drink a Pliny, the session ale tastes like water. If you want beer that tastes like water, don't lie to yourself, just drink Miller Lite and save some money. I dunno, I just don't get it. Sorry. I guess I shouldn't "session" with a 10% abv and type on BA..

 

I've got nothing against a hoppy pale ale, I've got nothing against beers with body. I picked up the mixed 12 pack from SN, drank the Nooner, reflected on my experience and came to the conclusion that the beer I just consumed was enjoyable. Thus my statement, "I enjoyed SN Nooner." My words mean exactly what I say/write, no more, no less.

 

I just recently did a head to head battle of All Day and Go To and really enjoyed them both. Go To crushed all day in hoppiness, in the aroma and the taste. But All Day was better in the mouthfeel, balance and drinkability. Both real good, but I'd pick All Day for an actual session during a hot afternoon.

Terrapin's new Hi-5 is a pretty solid session IPA, but it's fairly new and maybe not as widely spread.

But since we're talking about hoppy session ales that are pretty widespread, I would throw Schlafly Yakima Wheat into the mix. I love hoppy wheat ales like Sumpin' and this one does a fine job with 5% ABV. The wheat gives the session beer a bit more body and smoothness with a wonderful hop profile and it comes in a can!

 

Thanks, I think. Yea, for now on when I see session ale, I will just look the other way because it's rather obvious to me that I just do not get it. Thanks for the "food for thought."

 

Anybody had a chance to try Ballast Point Even Keel - I like all the beers included in this poll.

 

Am I the only one who not only thinks that All Day is thin and watery but the excessive carbonation makes it even worse?

On that note I've had All Day, Daytime, and Go To and from what I remember about Daytime Go To is the best of the 3. Daytime smelled amazing but disappointed after that. All Day is light on taste, smell, body, and bitterness. I'd rather drink a hoppy blonde ale like Narragansett Summer. Go To resembled an IPA the best of the bunch but still just an ok beer. IMO the best hoppy session beer is New England Brewing's Galaxy Pale ale. Little malt presence for a pale but the aroma is amazing, taste's great and just the right amount of bitterness. Also 4.8%.

 

I am swearing by Modern Times Fortunate Islands Hoppy Tropical Wheat

 

You can get it in NJ that's wide enough for me.

 

According to seekabrew, Carton distribution:

• NJ - full
• NY - limited
• PA - Draft only

Cheers!

 

I'm no AB-inbev fan, but Goose Island ENDLESS is the best one.

 

I've really been enjoying Hop Rise by Central Waters.

 

I just like how they are all marketed as something that you should drink early and/or often. Noon. All Day. Daytime. But what if I want one at 10pm?

 

Bitter American by 21st Amendment is one of my favorite beers, session or not, although I wish the low ABV translated into a lower price. At that point I may as well get a Back in Black for the same price.


As a homebrewer who has tried - creating a balanced low alcohol hoppy beer is tough. My attempt at a 3.5% 'IPA' tasted like a cat pissed in my sprite.