Beer of the Weekend #581: Nooner Session IPA

Work was brutal this week, so after closing the journal inboxes this afternoon I kicked off the weekend with the second beer in my “4-Way IPA” 12-pack: Nooner Session IPA, brewed by the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company of Chico, California.


Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. “PKGD 01/22/14” is written on the back label.

Appearance: Poured into a pint glass. The color is hazy gold. There is a lot of carbonation; a couple streams of bubbles rise from the bottom. A dense, two-finger-thick head dissipates slowly and unevenly, leaving a large peak in the middle of the glass surrounded by gradual slopes of foam, much like a mesa. It leaves a dense froth that lasts throughout the pint.

Smell: Floral and light citrus hops, mostly lemon zest with a little grapefruit. There is not much grapefruit so I wonder if it has faded with age.

Taste: Overall, the taste is light and easy drinking. However, the hops provide a sharp bite and flavor. Bready malts, floral hops, lemon zest, and a little grapefruit. The bitterness coats the mouth and lingers in the aftertaste.

Drinkability: It is very sessionable, but also very tasty and sharp. This is a good beer on a warm summer afternoon.

Fun facts about NSIPA:

-Style: IPA.

-Price: Included in a $15.99 12-pack.

-Alcohol content: 4.8 percent ABV.

-Food pairings: For cuisine, Sierra Nevada recommends, “Crispy San Diego-style fish tacos, Weisswurst, Cobb Salad.” For cheese, the brewery recommends, “White cheddar, Creamy Bleu, Asiago.”

-IBU: 40.


The Quiet Man’s grade: B.

Popular Posts