First Drop Session IPA vs Stauder Original Bierchen: Which Should You Drink?

HOPIQ FACEOFF

First Drop Session IPA

Shepherd Neame

United Kingdom · Session IPA

76%

Overall similarity

side by side, across 56 flavour tags

Stauder Original Bierchen

Stauder

Germany · Pale Ale

HOPIQ TAKE

First Drop Session IPA if you want hop character and citrus brightness, Stauder Original Bierchen if you want malt-forward smoothness. The IBU difference is subtle (31 vs 28), but Shepherd Neame's session IPA leans into that bitterness with actual flavor behind it—you taste the hops working. The Stauder is gentler, almost soft, letting the grain do the talking. Both clock in under 4.5% ABV, so neither will knock you sideways, but they're heading in different directions.

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WHEN TO CHOOSE WHICH

Pick First Drop Session IPA when…

→You want to actually *taste* hops but keep things light
→You're looking for something with definition and character
→You're doing a tasting or comparing beers side-by-side

Pick Stauder Original Bierchen when…

→You want something approachable and easygoing
→You're drinking multiple rounds and want restraint
→You prefer malt-driven, subtle beer experiences

SIDE BY SIDE

	First Drop Session IPA	Stauder Original Bierchen
ABV	4.3%	4.5%
Bitterness	Noticeably bitter	Noticeably bitter
Colour	Golden	Golden
Style	Session IPA	Pale Ale
Origin	United Kingdom	Germany

WHAT IT TASTES OF

8 shared · 1 distinct

Both beers

citrusyfruitytropicalhoppyrefreshingbitterhazyjuicy

STRUCTURE — HOW IT'S BUILT

First Drop Session IPAStauder Original Bierchen

Bitterness

Body

TASTING NOTES

First Drop Session IPA

CitrusyFruityTropical

First Drop hits you with a clean pine-and-grapefruit snap right away. There's a dry, almost herbal finish that doesn't linger aggressively, but it's definitely *there*—you know you're drinking a hopped beer. The malt backbone is lean and efficient, designed to get out of the way and let the hops shine. It's crisp without being thin, and the 4.3% sits perfectly in that sweet spot where you can drink multiple without fatigue.

Stauder Original Bierchen

CitrusyFruityTropical

Stauder Original Bierchen is the friend who shows up in a comfortable sweater. It's got a soft, slightly sweet malt core with just a whisper of noble hop restraint. The 4.5% ABV gives it a touch more body than First Drop, and you feel that roundness on your palate. Bitterness exists but never announces itself—this is about balance and drinkability, not complexity.

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