session ipa – Let's Learn Beer!

softly

by Ceit
August 15, 2026

Could the eclipse have called in the rain finally? Nah, probably not. It isn’t really raining for one thing, even though the air smelled like it yesterday morning. It’s even a little cooler than a week ago, although hardly cool enough to be comfortable on the street, despite the cloud cover. I guess I can deal with a lighter beer, just for a change. It’s Basqueland, so quality, and a session IPA, so unburdensome. I have a couple of heavier choices waiting in line, so I’m not disappointed that this is the one that I grabbed from the fridge (the good one, so cold too). The black and white sketch kind of design on the label is very busy, giving you a kind of sense of being in nature, but in a previous time. Black and white photo, like. Also, it’s full of animals, which is not something you come across in great numbers in Madrid, at least if you don’t count pigeons. There is one animal that is a common sight though, peeking from behind a tuft of long grass: the older human male. I think it is supposed to be David Attenborough, since the name of the beer is The Attenbrew. According to Basqueland’s website description, it’s a tribute. As a session beer it probably wouldn’t interfere in nature observation, so a safe choice for most naturalists.

One of those quite eager beers, ready to come flying out of the can, but no explosions. It has a bright, clean IPA aroma, and kind of a dirty lemon color. Good looking head for a minute or so, unfortunately it collapses pretty quickly. This is one of those melony ales, with a smooth and summery taste that you can’t quite distinguish in the smell. You get a bigger body from it, a rounder feel and a more refreshing sensation. It’s extremely clean drinking, with practically no aftertaste at all. The garden presentation pulls back into a bit of forest as the beer sits, with something more savory and wild. I think of New Zealand hops, but it’s an American combo. The initial fruitiness should have been remembered, but we all have memory problems these days.

Supplier: La Mundial
Price: €6.90

quiet session

by Ceit
August 20, 2025

Day two of Arriaca “flight¨, and I’m taking it easy. Today it’s their Session IPA, at less than 4%. It seems like the brewery is more active in fairs and industry activities towards the north of the country, showing in Salón Gourmets and winning medals in Barcelona and Frankfurt. I don’t know if the beer fairs of Madrid have become too small for their gastronomic ambitions, but there’s nothing wrong with pushing beer to a higher standard of recognition. It’s been the drink of kings, after all.

It appears to be a lighter version of the regular IPA, a more sunny golden color, and fluffily heady. Slightly spicier aroma, but still clearly in the IPA family. The session IPA is actually heavier on the citrus than the regular one, very orangey and tart. It doesn’t have the background of maltiness in the taste, being very clean and sharp. It’s a tasty but simple flavor. As a session IPA, it has a light feel and maybe the unsandwiched notes are best for its probable habitat – an afternoon drink or a nightcap, probably no meal, potentially a group sitting around having a good conversation.

answering somebody’s prayers

by Ceit
December 13, 2022December 13, 2022

In this holy season it only makes sense to have some kind of blessed beverage. Of course, if I were demanding something of a deity I would have other things in mind. For most people, though, I suppose La Quince’s God Save The Session IPA would be a gift from heaven.

It looks somewhat watered down, very light, clear straw color, but abundant and snowy head. The aroma is also quite pleasant and nicely noticeable. Typical IPA, very bright and citrusy, with only the barest hint of dark fuzz underneath. The flavor is a little flat at first, kind of metallic. But, then notes of bitter hops start to poke out and a little chaser of orange follows. Like other session IPAs, it feels very light and leaves little trace once it’s gone down. It isn’t a surprising beer or an exceptionally creative one, but it is solid and does the job beautifully.