hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Featherweight Session IPA

Tap to rate

A 4.7% session IPA from Albuquerque that refuses to feel diluted — the hops deliver classic West Coast tropical and citrus, with a light pine-resin edge. The malt body stays out of the way, letting grapefruit, mango and passion fruit take the front seat. Bronze at GABF 2017 in the session IPA category — a hard category to place in because there's less alcohol to hide behind.

ABV
4.7%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter20 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden6
PaceA Few

AWARDS

Bronze · 2017
Great American Beer Festival 2017
Session India Pale Ale
Gold · 2018
North American Beer Awards 2018
★Bronze — Great American Beer Festival 2017 (Session India Pale Ale)
★Gold — North American Beer Awards 2018
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusyfruitytropical
citrusy
fruity
tropical
hoppy
clean
piney
Aroma
The nose leads with bright citrus notes—fresh grapefruit pith and zesty lemon—layered with tropical fruit aromatics of ripe mango and passion fruit.
also:juicy
not found:floral,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Featherweight Session IPA

◎ Appearance

A pale golden brew with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that leaves distinct lacing as it recedes. The carbonation is lively and well-integrated, giving the beer a crisp visual presence in the glass. The color sits at a bright, translucent amber-gold typical of West Coast session IPAs.

pale goldenclearfine lacinglively carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with bright citrus notes—fresh grapefruit pith and zesty lemon—layered with tropical fruit aromatics of ripe mango and passion fruit. A restrained pine-resin character edges in on the mid-palate, providing structure without dominating. The Edelhopfen character remains clean and forward, with no detectable yeast or grain haze.

citrus-forwardtropical fruitpine resinclean hop

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a light, crisp entry that showcases grapefruit and citrus zest, moving into a mid-palate where mango and passion fruit take the lead. The bitterness is measured at 20 IBU—present enough to provide definition and balance, but restrained to preserve drinkability. The malt backbone remains deliberately light and transparent, never getting in the way of the hop expression.

citrus bitetropical sweetnessbalanced bitternesslight body

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and dry, with lingering citrus notes and a subtle pine-hop fade. The aftertaste remains refreshing and quenching, with no residual sweetness or sticky mouthfeel.

drycitrus faderefreshing
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
79
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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Featherweight Session IPA

More from Boxing Bear Brewing Co.

Ambear Ale
Ambear Ale
American Amber Ale
5.2%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Bear Knuckle IPA
Bear Knuckle IPA
American IPA
7.7%·Very bitter
Find matches →
Black & Blue Tart
Chocolate Milk Stout
Chocolate Milk Stout
Sweet Stout
5.2%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
El Sombearo
El Sombearo
Mexican Lager
4.3%·Mild
Find matches →
Golden Gloves Premium Lager
Golden Gloves Premium Lager
Helles Lager
5.0%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Headlock Hazy IPA
Headlock Hazy IPA
New England IPA
6.7%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Oktobearfest
Oktobearfest
Märzen
5.3%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →

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, fruity, tropical character as Featherweight Session IPA 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 States beers →