It’s race day in Kentucky? I didn’t know that. In fact, the only reason I have any inkling that it’s horse racing season (which I know is big in Kentucky) is because of-beer. Kentucky Race Day Session IPA to be exact, from the Alltech Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company of Lexington, Kentucky. Released in 2015 as a draft-only brew available exclusively in Kentucky, it showed up on tap at my local Taco Mac for race day 2016. It’s also in bottles, too.
Alltech is actually a farming related form whose motto is “The Science of Animal Nutrition and Health”. Apparently, they thought it would be interesting to own a brewery/distillery, too, and why not? Grain is involved in both endeavors. More famous (at least to me) for their barrel aged brews, I thought I would give their “session IPA” a shot, even though we really know you can’t be a session beer and an India Pale Ale at the same time. Still, every brewer makes one these days, so why not Alltech?
Anyway, I was annoyed that my glass of Alltech Kentucky Race Day Session IPA was served as an 11-ounce pour instead of a full mug. It’s a 4.5% “session” beer after all, how can you session 11-ounce glasses? That’s a function of the keg size, so I fault the brewer for that. Anyway, it wasn’t outrageously priced at $5, and it sells in six-packs for $9.99 here in Georgia, about the going rate these days.
That glass arrived a light golden amber color with a moderate amount of fluffy white head and light grass and resin in the nose. Taking a sip, I got light caramel malt up front, then light grassy and resiny hops in the finish with a long dry bitterness at the last.
Looking at the hops used, which include Hallertau Manderinas and Hallertau Blancs, I can see where the grassiness comes from. That made the beer a little more interesting and unusual, but overall I didn’t find this to be a great brew, even as these so-called “session IPA” beers go. Glad I tried it, but I don’t think I would buy it again.
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