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Little Smuling Session IPA

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Citrus and tropical fruit hops juice up this session IPA, which gets a full body from a high-temperature mash. At 3.1% ABV and 56 IBU it is made to be a big beer with less alcohol. The name belongs to the small dog that, according to the brewery's story, went everywhere with Hendrik Jacobus Smuling of the old Van Vollenhoven brewery.

ABV
3.1%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter56 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
tropicalcitrusyfruity
tropical
citrusy
fruity
juicy
hoppy
Aroma
Prominent tropical and citrus hop character dominates the nose, with distinct notes of pineapple, grapefruit, and stone fruit.
not found:piney,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Little Smuling Session IPA

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with bright clarity and fine carbonation visible throughout. A dense, persistent white head forms and maintains good lacing down the glass, indicating stable foam structure from the high-temperature mash technique.

pale goldenclearfine carbonationpersistent head

◌ Aroma

Prominent tropical and citrus hop character dominates the nose, with distinct notes of pineapple, grapefruit, and stone fruit. Beneath the assertive hop profile lies a subtle malt sweetness that grounds the aroma without overwhelming the bright, juicy top notes.

tropical fruitcitrus forwardpineapple, grapefruitjuicy

◐ Taste

The palate opens with bright citrus and tropical fruit flavors that develop into a full, rounded mouthfeel—unexpected for a session strength beer. Hop bitterness builds steadily through the mid-palate at 56 IBU, balancing the fruit character without harshness, while a light malt backbone provides structure and prevent thinness.

tropical, citrusfull-bodied for stylebalanced bitternesshoppy

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and moderately dry, with lingering citrus and hop notes that fade gradually. A refreshing quality emerges in the aftertaste, making this beer approachable for extended drinking.

dry finishcitrus persistencerefreshing
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
84
Appearance
80
Finish
78
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 Little Smuling 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 tropical, full-bodied, citrusy character as Little Smuling 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 Netherlands beers →