ROCKS BREWING SESSION IPA

Rocks Brewing Session IPA. The so called ‘Session IPA’ is becoming all the rage in the US. As the name implies it’s a highly drinkable IPA, but to achieve this, the alcohol content is lowered below 5% ABV and hop flavours are toned down.

The result is a flavoursome session beer. This style of brew is a new concept and is not an official beer style. Some argue a ‘Session IPA’ is just a pale ale with a different name. One of the better known session IPA’s is Founders Brewing All Day IPA.

The guys from Rocks Brewing spent some time at The Coachella Valley Brewing Co in 2013. During their time there they no doubt drank quite a few American IPAs which may have provided the inspiration for this brew. I tried this on tap at The Quarryman’s Hotel, in Pyrmont, Sydney. The barman informed me it was a new release from Rocks Brewing and the guys from the brewery had come around to hook up the first keg.

Golden colour and the head dies quickly with almost no carbonation. Fruity tropical aroma. Thin mouthfeel and body. Citrus and tropical hop flavours with a lasting bitterness. Unfortunately, in becoming 'sessionable' it’s watery and lacking substance. It tastes like watery fruit juice. The barman agreed the carbonation was woeful but the guys from the brewery liked it. Carbonation aside, it’s still below par.

I’d rather drink a full strength IPA then a couple of these.

3/10