hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Sucker Punch Session IPA

Boxing Cat Brewery
China·American IPA
Tap to rate

Boxing Cat's lower-ABV IPA — all the citrus and hop aroma of the Contender but in a lighter, more sessionable frame. Sucker Punch is the weeknight IPA: you can drink three and still make it to work on the Puxi metro. Shanghai's answer to the great American session IPA movement.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
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
hoppycitrusyclean
hoppy
citrusy
clean
Aroma
Vibrant citrus aromatics lead the nose, with prominent grapefruit and orange zest.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Sucker Punch Session IPA

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with bright clarity and excellent translucence. The white head forms quickly and maintains crisp, fine lacing on the glass throughout the drinking experience. Carbonation is visible and lively, supporting the beer's refreshing character.

pale goldenclearcrisp headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

Vibrant citrus aromatics lead the nose, with prominent grapefruit and orange zest. Noble hop varieties contribute floral and herbal undertones without overwhelming the clean, bright character. A subtle malt foundation supports the composition without adding sweetness.

citrus forwardgrapefruit zestfloral hopsclean malt

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and light-bodied, allowing hop bitterness to develop smoothly across the palate. Citrus flavors build through the mid-palate with a dry, clean finish that avoids harshness. The 60 IBU provides balanced bitterness that complements rather than dominates the sessionable frame.

dry finishbalanced bitternesscitrus-forwardlight body

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and relatively brief, fading to a pleasant dryness that invites the next sip. No residual sweetness or astringency lingers.

clean aftertastedry fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
75
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Sucker Punch Session IPA

More from Boxing Cat Brewery

Contender American IPA
Contender American IPA
American IPA
6.6%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
TKO Extra Pale Ale
TKO Extra Pale Ale
American Pale Ale
5.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →

About American IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American 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 American IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same hoppy, citrusy, smooth-drinking character as Sucker Punch 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 American IPA beers in hopIQ →New to American IPA? Read our guide →Browse China beers →