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Session IPA

Montauk Brewing Company
United States·Session IPA
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Floral and citrus notes mark this session IPA, built on three hop varieties and kept to 4.9% ABV and 42 IBU. The brewery's first hand-filled kegs were delivered by bicycle to a couple of local bars when it started in 2012. Montauk Brewing started as a basement brewing operation among longtime friends.

ABV
4.9%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter42 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden6
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
floralcitrusyhoppy
floral
citrusy
hoppy
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced floral hop character—lavender and chamomile notes—layered with crisp citrus peel and hints of orange zest.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Session IPA

◎ Appearance

Light golden hue with excellent clarity and fine carbonation visible throughout. The head forms quickly and maintains a delicate white collar with steady lacing down the glass. A bright, inviting presentation characteristic of the Session IPA style.

light goldenclearfine carbonationpersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced floral hop character—lavender and chamomile notes—layered with crisp citrus peel and hints of orange zest. Subtle pale malt undertones provide a clean, neutral foundation without sweetness. The aromatic profile is bright and restrained, inviting without overwhelming.

floral hopscitrus zestclean maltaromatic balance

◐ Taste

Entry is light and clean, with immediate citrus and floral hop flavors unfolding across the palate. Mid-palate remains dry and refreshing, with moderate bitterness (42 IBU) arriving as a gentle, lingering backdrop rather than an aggressive force. The low ABV allows hop character to shine without alcohol warmth.

citrus-forwardfloralmoderate bitternessdry palate

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and clean, with bitterness fading into a dry, refreshing aftertaste. The beer leaves no residual sweetness, encouraging another sip.

crisp finishdryrefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
78
Appearance
80
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 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 floral, citrusy, hoppy character as 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 →