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IBU Session IPA

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A session IPA at 4% whose aroma is driven by tangerine, passion fruit and citrus. On the palate it is crisp and refreshing, with a sturdier body than the strength suggests and a clear hop presence, and it pours with a haze. Barley malt and wheat form the base. The beer belongs to IBU, a range the brewery sells under a label of its own alongside its main line.

ABV
4%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
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
citrusytropicalhoppy
citrusy
tropical
hoppy
wheat
orange
malty
Aroma
The nose is led by bright citrus notes—tangerine and grapefruit—layered with passion fruit and stone fruit esters.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for IBU Session IPA

◎ Appearance

Pale golden color with a pronounced haze that diffuses light throughout the glass. The beer pours with a fine, persistent white head that clings to the glass with good adhesion. Fine carbonation supports the visual presentation with a gentle effervescence.

pale goldhazy, cloudypersistent head

◌ Aroma

The nose is led by bright citrus notes—tangerine and grapefruit—layered with passion fruit and stone fruit esters. Noble hops contribute a floral undertone beneath the fruit-forward character. A gentle malt backbone provides subtle cereal sweetness without dominating the aromatic profile.

tangerine, citruspassion fruitnoble hop florals

◐ Taste

The palate opens crisp and refreshing, with a fuller body than the 4% ABV suggests, likely from the wheat adjunct and malt composition. Hop bitterness is clear and present without harshness, maintaining balance through the mid-palate. Barley malt and wheat deliver a subtle sweetness that frames the dry finish.

crisp, refreshingclean hop bitternesssubstantial mouthfeel

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and lingering, with hop bitterness persisting gently into the aftertaste. A light citric dryness leaves the palate clean and inviting of the next sip.

dry, bitter finishhop-driven
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
77
Appearance
76
Finish
77
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 IBU 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, crisp, hazy character as IBU 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 Ireland beers →