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Lucky Spence

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A modern session beer at 3.5 %, first brewed in early 2021 and reworked since: it began with four hops and now uses only Citra, added in three different forms. The brewery names grapefruit, citrus and tropical notes throughout, set against an assertive bitterness. Pale and Vienna malts give a straw-gold colour and a toasted biscuit flavour, with a touch of light caramel and honey, and dextrin malt adds body unusual for the strength.

ABV
3.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden6
PaceSession

AWARDS

Gold · 2024
SIBA Indie Beer Awards
Keg Session Pale Ale
Gold · 2023
SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Scotland)
Cask Session Pale Ale / Keg Session Pale Ale
Bronze · 2023
SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Scotland)
Overall Champion of the Cask
★Gold — SIBA Indie Beer Awards (Keg Session Pale Ale)
★Gold — SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Scotland) (Cask Session Pale Ale / Keg Session Pale Ale)
★Bronze — SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Scotland) (Overall Champion of the Cask)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusytropicalhoppy
citrusy
tropical
hoppy
toasty
malty
honey
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced Citra hop character: grapefruit zest and white citrus pith lead, followed by tropical stone fruit notes.
also:caramel
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Lucky Spence

◎ Appearance

Straw-gold in colour, presenting a clear and bright appearance with fine, persistent carbonation. The head forms quickly and clings to the glass with good retention, leaving delicate lacing down the sides.

straw-goldclear and brightpersistent carbonationfine head lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced Citra hop character: grapefruit zest and white citrus pith lead, followed by tropical stone fruit notes. Underneath, pale and Vienna malts contribute a subtle toasted biscuit and light honey sweetness that frames rather than dominates the aromatic profile.

grapefruit and citrustropical stone fruittoasted biscuit malthoney sweetness

◐ Taste

The palate enters soft and clean, with the Citra hop bite developing across the mid-palate as a crisp, dry bitterness (40 IBU) that never becomes harsh. Toasted malt and caramel undertones emerge gently, while dextrin malt provides unexpected body and mouthfeel for a 3.5% ABV beer, preventing thinness. The finish lingers dry and hoppy.

crisp hop bitternesstoasted malt depthfuller body than strength suggestsdry and clean palate

◑ Finish

The aftertaste extends with grapefruit and herbal hop notes, fading gradually into a lingering dry bitterness. A light honey sweetness recedes, leaving the impression of an assertive yet balanced sessionable ale.

grapefruit fadelingering hop bitternessdry and clean aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
79
Appearance
77
Finish
76
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve well-chilled. Session IPAs are at their best cold — the lower ABV means less warmth to balance the hops.

Tulip glass

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

Drink fresh. Session IPAs are brewed to be consumed young — the hops are at their best now.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Lucky Spence

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About Session IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Session IPA?

IPAs are hop-forward ales with 5.5–7.5% ABV and IBU 40–70+. Bold hop aroma — citrus, tropical, resinous — with firm bitterness and a dry, clean finish.

Finding a similar Session IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same citrusy, bitter, tropical character as Lucky Spence will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Session IPA beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →