Paradise Park Lo-Cal IPA

Paradise Park Lo-Cal IPA by Urban South Brewery was judged as a Specialty IPA (BJCP sub-style 21B). It poured straw to light gold with a slight haze into the glass, producing a thin white head with moderate retention.

The aroma initially featured fruity/juicy esters from the hop-forward nature of all American IPAs, even those of lighter session body and strength. This promising nose dissipated quickly, however, and lacked any malt aroma to back it up. Not surprisingly for a sessionable brew, there was no alcohol noted in the aroma.

The flavor profile began with light hop and malt notes up front but lacked any lasting hop or malt punch (the essence of an IPA, even a low-gravity version). The mouthfeel consisted of a light crisp body and carbonation, but ultimately this low-calorie beer provided too little taste for much drinking enjoyment

The overall impression is that of a beer intending to compete in the fashionable session and/or reduced-calorie IPA market but without sufficient malt or hops to achieve IPA status, even at a marginal session level. There were no glaring flaws in the finished product except the insufficient basic quantities of the essential components of any beer – hops and malted barley and/or other grains. Suitable as a beginner IPA for novice beer drinkers on a diet perhaps, but not enough beer character to appeal to experienced IPA lovers.