Sigh. I suppose it was just a matter of time before Samuel Adams got onboard with this “session IPA” trend, and the result of course is Samuel Adams Rebel Rider Session IPA. So, I’ll say the same thing about this one that I’ve said about all the others that have come along: it’s not an IPA (it does not meet the parameters of the style), and it’s not really a session beer either at 4.5%. Call it an American Pale Ale, which is what it is, and we’ll all sleep a lot easier at night.
At any rate, Rebel Rider IPA was released recently along with Samuel Adams Rebel Rouser IPA, a double India Pale Ale. Both follow on the heels of last year’s successful release of Samuel Adams Rebel IPA. All in all, I have to say that I enjoy them all, and you can’t argue with the price point, either.
Here’s what Boston Beer says about Rebel Rider on the neck label:
Bursting with bright citrus, grapefruit and classic piney West Coast hop character, this beer has a soft lingering bitterness and a lighter body overall. Our session IPA is brewed for easygoing days, so relax and enjoy!
Ingredients from the website:
HOP VARIETIES: Citra, Topaz, Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe
MALT VARIETIES: Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend
Samuel Adams Rebel Rider Session IPA has an alcohol content of 4.5% by volume with 45 IBUs. It sells in my area for $8.99 a six-pack, about a buck cheaper than other examples of the style like Stone Go To IPA and Founders All Day IPA. If you really like it, you can get 12-packs for $14.99, an even better deal. My bottle has a best by date of June 2015 notched.
Samuel Adams Rebel Rider Session IPA. pours to a brilliant yellowish orange color with a medium sized head of rocky foam and a pleasing nose of grapefruit citrus and light resin. Taking a sip, the malt is a bit thin up front but the hops do not disappoint. Classic American hops my friends! The beer is full of resiny pine and citric grapefruit peel flavors and aromas. It’s a tad flowery, and at the last very, very bitter indeed.
No surprises here, but it favors pine and citrus (as does the Rebel Rouser) over the fruity hops. I like that. A well done American Pale Ale, and a dangerously drinkable one. I like it as much as I did the Founders All Day and Stone Go To beers, but the price is better for Rebel Rider than for those two. For what they were trying to do and at this price point, I have to give it a full 5 stars (I gave those other two 4 ½ each).
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