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Surf Session IPA

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An easy-drinking session IPA whose hops bring citrus flavor and aroma. At 4.5% ABV it is pitched as a fitting finish to a day of surfing. It comes from Honolulu Beerworks, the craft brewery opened in Kaka‘ako in 2014 by Geoff and Charmayne Seideman, today based at the taproom on Hart Street in Kalihi.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden6
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
citrusyhoppyclean
citrusy
hoppy
clean
Aroma
The nose leads with bright citrus notes—grapefruit and lemon zest dominate—backed by clean noble hop character.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Surf Session IPA

◎ Appearance

A pale golden hue with bright clarity and excellent transparency. The white head forms readily and maintains fine lacing down the glass, supported by crisp carbonation that sustains throughout the pour.

pale goldenclearpersistent head

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with bright citrus notes—grapefruit and lemon zest dominate—backed by clean noble hop character. A subtle pale malt foundation supports the hop-forward profile without malt sweetness or fruity esters.

citrus, grapefruitnoble hopsclean malt base

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and light-bodied, with citrus flavors tracking the aroma faithfully. The mid-palate remains lean and refreshing, with restrained bitterness (40 IBU) in proportion—enough to define the hops without harsh edges. Finish is dry and clean, with residual citrus notes fading quickly.

citrus-forwardsoft bitternesslean body

◑ Finish

Medium-short and dry, with the citrus character tapering into a clean, thirst-quenching aftertaste. No lingering sweetness or warmth.

dryquick finish
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
77
Appearance
82
Finish
75
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 Surf Session IPA

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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, hoppy, refreshing character as Surf 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 →