Session IPA
A session IPA is an India pale ale brewed to a lower strength, usually 3.5% to 5% ABV, so that you can drink several over an evening. It keeps the hop aroma of a full IPA and loses most of the alcohol and body.
Food pairings
- Sandwiches
- Fish tacos
- Grilled chicken
Glassware and serving temperature
Shaker pint or tulip41 to 46°F (5–8°C)
What it tastes like
Citrus, tropical fruit and pine from the hops, a light body and a dry, moderately bitter finish. Because there is less malt to balance the hops, weaker examples taste thin; the good ones add wheat or oats for body.
Where it comes from
The word session comes from British pub culture, where a session is a few hours at the bar. Founders All Day IPA, launched in 2012, turned the idea into a category, and most American breweries now make one.
How to serve it
5–8°C in a shaker pint. Freshness matters even more than with a full IPA, because there is nothing to hide stale hops behind.
What to eat with it
Lunch food: sandwiches, salads, fish tacos, pizza and grilled chicken.
