Style: Session IPA

ABV: 4.0 IBU: 65.0

92/100
Aroma: 11
Appearance: 3
Flavor: 18
Mouthfeel: 4

Green Flash Brewing Company Jibe Session IPA

What the brewers say

“Well-balanced, floral, citrus, and vibrant hops character defines our idea of what a perfect session ale should be.”

What our panel thought

Aroma: “Light floral hops aroma with an undercurrent of lemon and maybe mint. Delicate kiss of clean malt sweetness and cereal. Pine needles, a little grape- fruit, perhaps a touch of biscuit. As it warms, earthy components reminiscent of wet leaves comes into play.”

Flavor: “Very distinctive citrus hops— lemon, tangerine, and a bit of grapefruit. There’s just enough malt sweetness with the tart citrus to evoke Lemon Heads candy before the bitterness rolls in smoothly. As the beer warms, an earthy mushroom-like character develops, which adds complexity and keeps me interested. Malt body is rather thin.”

Overall: “Nicely balanced, although the bitter finish could be toned down just a little. Flavorful—it may be a session but it doesn’t compromise a lot. An enjoyable low-octane IPA that offers enough hops character for hopheads but remains a drinkable and well-balanced beer. Smooth and refreshing—a light, hoppy beer that would pair well with an afternoon in the hammock.”

What our editors thought

Review printed in: The United States of IPA (February-March 2016) (View All Issues)


REVIEWS FOR YOU >

21st Amendment Brewery Down To Earth

**Aroma:** “Oranges, bananas, maybe a little hay. Some toast. Big tangerine notes with coconut and mango. Touch of dank and resinous hops aroma. Strong pine character. Pleasantly assertive hops nose.” **Flavor:** “Flavor is consistent with the aroma. I have to search to find a lot. Tropical fruit and some citrus peel sits on top of a surprisingly sturdy malt foundation. A little bit of caramel in there. The bitterness is delightful, with a long, citrus-like finish. Full fruity hops avor. In contrast to some of the others, hops flavor is what persists into the nish.” **Overall:** “An enjoyable beer, one I would happily quaff at a backyard barbecue. The long citrusy finish is sure to delight many—I’m guessing Citra hops in large amounts. I keep coming back to ‘sweet’ as a descriptor for this beer, but it’s very refreshing and enjoyable. A nicely balanced celebration of hops in session form. Elegantly made.”

Ballast Point Brewing Even Keel

**Aroma:** “Pineapple, mango, and orange with little to no malt or yeast character on the nose. A rich wave of tropical fruit hops that evoke mango, pineapple, and a bit of coconut. Solid nose promises a real beer. Light pine and resin.” **Flavor:** “Pineapples, bananas, and mangoes. Long bitterness that’s slightly harsh atop a weaker than expected malt body. As it is, the fruit flavor falls somewhat at compared to the aroma. The assertive bitterness is a bit out of balance because there’s not much malt to balance it. Bitterness dominates the finish—the earthy hops avor sticks around for a little while, but doesn’t have as much staying power.” **Overall:** “A decent attempt at making a sessionable IPA, but the overall impression is thin and one-dimensional. The lovely aroma suggests more than is delivered on the palate.”

Two Roads Brewing Company Lil Heaven Session IPA

**Aroma:** “Light citrus and tropical fruit—tangerine and mango with a dash of pineapple. Light and delicate esters of pear and rose. Lemon, hay, bits of pine, and rustic earth. Some cheese as it warms. Slight papery oxidation begins to come out as the hops dissipate.” **Flavor:** “Soft and delicate with a malty sweetness mid-palate. Hops bitterness is mellow but sufficient to put this in the IPA range. Herbal, woodsy, and earthy—might make for a great mushroom sauce. Malt body is well-rounded, supple, and welcome.” **Overall:** “Very drinkable and refreshing. If you like hops that err on the side of earthy and woodsy, give this one a try. I’d like to use this to make a pan sauce with sauteed mushrooms. Bitterness is firm but nicely restrained. Nice flavor—fruity citrus and pine. A bit too light to mask the oxidation, but it’s a straightforward example of the style.”

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