S.I.P.A.

There’s no shortage of “sessionable” IPAs on the market, and the challenge most face is how to provide the full hoppy experience with less malt support. That’s a challenge that this beer doesn’t quite meet.

It pours gold and clear with a scant white head, and the aroma is surprisingly absent. There’s a bit of grass and pineapple and a light bready note, but it’s very restrained overall.

The flavor adds more tropical hop flavor (papaya, mango, orange) with medium-high bitterness and some basic grainy malt backbone. It’s also light — too light, really. The bittering is the only thing that comes through full-force, while the rest of the beer tastes watered-down.

It’s not bad for what it is, but unless you’re a fan of Ipswich’s house flavor, you’ll probably be more satisfied with another Session IPA — this one tastes more like a full-strength IPA that was cut with soda water.