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First Drop Session IPA

Shepherd Neame
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🌍 United Kingdom · Session IPA · One of 69 Session IPAs in hopIQ

The story frame: 'First Drop' traces the journey of the water from the ancient well beneath the Faversham brewery to the finished session IPA. A four-hop blend of US and UK varieties, lively citrus aromatics with tropical undertones, a light hazy head. 4.3% ABV — drinkable across the length of an afternoon.

ABV
4.3%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter31 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden6
See all Session IPA alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Moderate bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

A clean close sets the character — an invitation to the next sip.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Session IPA.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
tropical
juicy
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
Distinctive notes
hazy

FEATURED IN

#4 of 50The Best British IPAs#8 of 50The Best IPAs in the World

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for First Drop Session IPA

Appearance

Pale golden hue with a soft, lively haze throughout the glass. A light, fine head forms at the pour and recedes to a thin collar, leaving delicate traces of lacing on the glass. The cloudiness speaks to the generous dry-hop charge and yeast suspension, while bright carbonation rises steadily through the body.

pale goldhazyfine carbonationlight head

Aroma

The nose opens with bright citrus—grapefruit zest and orange peel—backed by leafy, herbal Edelhopfen character. A tropical undercurrent of pineapple and stone fruit emerges on closer inspection, while a soft, clean Malz foundation anchors the blend without dominating. The overall impression is fresh and inviting, with no harsh alcohol burn despite the four-hop layering.

citrus zesttropical fruitherbal hoppyclean

Taste

The palate is light and direct: crisp citrus flavors arrive immediately, then unfold into a juicy tropical middle with hints of pineapple and apricot. Bitterness arrives gently at mid-palate, balancing the fruit without aggression—31 IBU registers as measured and refined. The Malz profile remains understated, lending structure without sweetness, and carbonation drives the flavors forward with refreshing snap.

juicy fruitmeasured bittercitric snaplight body

Finish

A dry, clean exit with lingering citrus notes fading into subtle herbal grassiness. The finish is short to medium, leaving the palate refreshed and ready for the next sip rather than clinging.

dryrefreshingherbal fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
79
Appearance
76
Finish
76
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of First Drop Session IPA

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Tulip glass
Recommended for this style

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.

Food Pairing

What to eat with First Drop Session IPA

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 First Drop Session IPA will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Session IPAs in hopIQ

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