Hop City Brewing Co. Commuter Session IPA at 4.1% ABV | 40 IBU (C$3.66 at NLC Stavanger, 473 ml, packaged on 25-Apr-2018, acquired 29-Jul-2018, reviewed 30-Jul-2018)
Appearance: clear pale amber with two fingers of loose pale ivory head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: bready caramel, citrus, tropical fruit, grass. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body tending slightly thin, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium-high bitter slightly astringent finish. (3/5)
Interesting that the 10:1 IBU:ABV rule seems to start to break down for low ABV beers: this almost comes across as too bitter or even slightly astringent, despite the bitterness not being excessive in absolute terms. Despite the relatively low ABV, malt is at the forefront here, making this somewhat more English than American in character. Ultimately it’s a little bland and boring, one of those Session IPAs that comes across as a watered-down version of a “real” IPA. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
