Judge’s Review: 92 Rating – Dad Strength IPA by Dad Strength Brewing

Session IPA | Year-Round | USA

By Joseph Formanek

Judges Rating: 92
Aroma: 22
Appearance: 5
Flavor: 38
Mouthfeel: 9
Overall Impression: 18

Dad Strength IPA by Dad Strength Brewing is a solid rendition of a session-style IPA with considerable flavor and, overall, a satisfying character. This is being evaluated as a Category 21B Specialty IPA as per the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, seeing as it’s a Session IPA.
There is moderate dank hop aroma up front with a touch of sweet malt behind this. There are also some light fruity esters, which add some complexity to the aroma, making it a bit more inviting. The beer pours a hazy, light golden color with a large, white, medium-sized head with fair retention.
The hop flavor is rather light, with a touch of sweet malt coming through in the middle and finish. A moderate hop bitterness is also apparent from the middle well into the aftertaste, delivering a particularly dry character. The dry finish is probably augmented by the lack of noticeable alcohol in the brew, being just 2.9% ABV. Overall character is quite clean. The body is quite thin, as expected for the style, and the carbonation is moderate. A considerable amount of the mouthfeel character of this brew is due to carbonic acid character.
Overall, this is a session IPA brewed to be on the lighter side of the spectrum. The hop character is assertive enough to be noted, but not enough to overwhelm the rest of the brew. This judicious use of hops is well appreciated! This is a session IPA that is quite approachable and refreshing, being a Summer thirst-quencher that is ultimately sessionable.