The session IPA trend continues, and while that happens I wonder how long until we exhaust the clever names to accompany them. All Day IPA from Founders suggest you can keep on drinking them all through the day with little consequence. Lagunitas' DayTime suggests it isn't one meant for midnight snacking. Stone has Go-To, utilizing one of my least favorite cliches of recent days. (I'm sorry, I may be the only one who feels this way, but every time I read it or hear it, I feel like I've lost an IQ point.)Firestone Walker calls theirs "Easy Jack", emphasizing the easy drinkability. New Belgium has released Slow Ride, for a bike pun, and now Ballast Point brings us Even Keel to continue with their nautical themes. I guess we've tired of hop puns, and it's time to turn to session drinking jokes, and such.
Appearance: Lightly cloudy, bright golden color, short-lived, slim white head.
Aroma: Fresh and arresting, bursting with lively hoppiness, plenty of citrus notes and piney tones. Utterly lovely.
Taste: Bitter bite hits the palate first. Smacks the tongue around and slithers down the throat. Climbs back in with each new sip, spreads bitter tones all around, then eases back and slides on down. Medium malt, holding it down, letting the hops do their thing. Grapefruit and lemon up in here. Terribly tasty, and definitely downable.
The label for this can lets us know that it's not merely a "session IPA", but also "San Diego Session Ale."
Alc. 3.8% ABV. Some say to be a session ale you have to be under 4% ABV. That is one perspective. This one gives us that and doesn't hold back on the hops.
I'll bet there's something they want to tell us on the other side of the can. "Our Even Keel is a hoppy ale designed for smooth sailing. A Full-flavored beer with a silky malt backbone and bright hop profile of herbs and citrus, it packs all the taste of an IPA in a sessional alcohol content. This ale is perfect for leisurely days on the water, when all you want are a few beers and a level ride."
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| I have to apologize for the photo. I poured the beer , then found that the camera wasn't working. Lesson for next time. |
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