Well, my friends, it looks like the “session IPA” craze is finally dying down; at least, I’m seeing fewer of them than I used to. Those that read my musings on anything approaching a regular basis know that I don’t really think the style is a legitimate one, but it is popular, so there you go. A recent visit to Taco Mac produced a new one from Highland Brewing, their Daycation IPA, and I’m here to tell you more about it.
I’ve been a fan of Highland brewing ever since I moved to Georgia, and Daycation IPA is a good example why. As a rule, these beers are too thin in the malt department for me, but Highland manages to make theirs a tad maltier than the norm, enough to keep my interest and give the hops something to play against.
From the website:
Sit back and relax or grab your pack and go - this IPA is up for anything. Lively and light-bodied, Daycation celebrates Mosaic®'s stone fruit and herbal notes, while El Dorado®, and Azacca®™ dry hop adds layers of bright citrus. Balanced by a varied malt profile, with enough bitterness to satisfy hop enthusiasts, this beer is crafted to bring you back for more.
Ingredients from the website:
Hops Mosaic®, El Dorado®, and Azacca®
Grist 2 Row Brewers Malt, White Wheat, Rye, Vienna, Caramel 20, and Flaked Oats
See that caramel malt? That’s what makes the difference here.
Highland Daycation IPA has an alcohol content of 4.9% by volume with 40 IBUs. I paid $5 for a 20-ounce mug at Taco Mac and it runs $9.49 a six-pack in bottles.
My mug of Highland Daycation IPA arrived a bright golden color with a thin creamy head and a stone fruit and guava in the nose. Ta king a sip, I get a medium maltiness at first supporting citrus and passion fruit with a long dry lingering grassy bitterness.
Not bad at all for my $5, and a solid first beer of the night.
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
(D)=Draft
(G)=Growler