Here’s a different take on “session IPA”: Samuel Adams Session IPA. Session IPAs are a strange animal. They’re not really India Pale Ale, they just don’t have the malt and gravity that the style requires. Many of them, in my experience, are too thin malty even for pale ales. Most “Session IPAs” aren’t really session beers, either. In the classic English meaning of the term, those beers are 4% ABV and under.
This is the second session IPA from Boston Beer, the first being Samuel Adams Rebel Rider Session IPA. Judged to style, that beer was perhaps my very favorite session IPA of all. Let’s make a brief comparison of the two, at least as the stats go:
Samuel Adams Rebel Rider:
HOP VARIETIES: Citra, Topaz, Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe
MALT VARIETIES: Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend
Alcohol by volume: 4.5%
45 IBUs
Samuel Adams Session IPA
Malt Varieties: Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend
Hop Varieties: Centennial, Zeus
Alcohol by volume: 4.5%
40 IBUs
Same malts, same alcohol content, almost the same IBUs, one common hop.
Boston Beer says:
Back in World War I-era England, Session IPAs were often enjoyed during “session” breaks by drinkers who were looking for a lighter beer option. Session IPAs have since become a favorite among drinkers because of the lower ABV.
And from the can label:
Samuel Adams was a bold & determined rebel. He masterminded the Boston Tea Party and was among the first patriots to call for American Independence. He united our country in rebellion against the British Empire in pursuit of the American dream. Oh, and he was also a brewer. We proudly named our beer after this hero.
Samuel Adams Session IPA is available in the Beers of Summer Can Variety 12-Pack, and you’ll get four cans each of Session IPA, Summer Ale and Porch Rocker. It runs about $13.29 in my area. My can under consideration here was received as a sample from Boston Beer.
Samuel Adams Session IPA pours to a bright golden orange color with a thick creamy head and an earthy tea like nose. Taking a sip, the beer has a light maltiness like most of these beers but with a hint of caramel, then the very earthy, herbal, tea like hops kick in. There’s some citrus and resin too, but nowhere near as pronounced as in the Rebel Rider. Here. The earthy herbal hoppiness of the beer makes this is very different and a delightful departure from the fruit loopy session IPAs out there.
I really enjoyed this one, and I think you will too. Don’t miss it!
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled, Canned
(D)=Draft