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First Drop

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Lively citrus runs through aroma and flavour, with fruit and tropical notes and a hoppy, balanced finish. The name traces the journey of the very first drop, rising from the ancient well beneath the Faversham brewery. UK Challenger and Jester meet US Mosaic and Amarillo in this light golden, faintly hazy session IPA (4.3%, 31 IBU). It began as a Small Batch beer in October 2023 and joined the permanent range in 2025.

ABV
4.3%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter31 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden6
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusyfruityhoppy
citrusy
fruity
hoppy
tropical
Aroma
The nose opens with bright citrus—grapefruit zest and orange peel—backed by leafy, herbal Edelhopfen character.
not found:juicy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for First Drop

◎ 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
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 First Drop

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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, fruity, hoppy character as First Drop 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 →