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Sucker Punch Session IPA

Boxing Cat Brewery
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🌍 China · American IPA · One of 386 American IPAs in hopIQ

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
See all American IPA alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Assertively bitter and dry.

A trim base, a hop-led finish — the classic setup for a hop-forward beer.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American IPA.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
Fermentation & yeast
clean
Distinctive notes
smooth drinking
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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
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Sucker Punch Session IPA

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Tulip glass
Recommended for this style

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Sucker Punch Session IPA

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.

Other American IPAs in hopIQ

Explore all American IPA beers in hopIQ →New to American IPA? Read our guide →Browse China beers →