Session IPA cos'è ricetta e come scegliereMaltese

What is Session IPA, recipe, and how to choose it

Mezza T.S.O.: the Italian Session IPA that doesn’t sacrifice anything for lightness

All the aromatic character of a New England IPA, with half the alcohol. Mezza T.S.O. by La Casa di Cura is a 3.5% ABV Session IPA with New England yeast, fruity and easy to drink. For those who want even less alcohol, N.A. IPA by Montauk Brewing Company is a non-alcoholic IPA from the American East Coast — hoppy and fresh without compromise. Both available on Maltese with shipping throughout Italy.

🛒 Discover Mezza T.S.O. on Maltese  |  🛒 Discover N.A. IPA on Maltese

What is a Session IPA?

The Session IPA keeps the hoppy and aromatic character typical of IPAs, but with a lower alcohol content (3–4.5% ABV) and maximum drinkability. The concept comes from English "session beers" — light beers to enjoy throughout an entire evening at the pub — applied to the hops of the new world.

Session IPA vs Non-alcoholic IPA: the differences

  • Session IPA (3–4.5% ABV): light but with alcohol present, maximum aroma with minimal impact — e.g. Mezza T.S.O.
  • Non-alcoholic IPA (<0.5% ABV): formulated to reduce alcohol to a minimum while maintaining aroma and freshness — e.g. N.A. IPA by Montauk

What to look for in a Session IPA

  • Aromatic profile: fruity, tropical, citrusy from new world hops (Citra, Mosaic, Galaxy)
  • Light body: smooth, with lively carbonation
  • Balanced bitterness: present but not dominant, inviting a second sip
  • Alcohol level: 3–4.5% to respect sessionability

Food pairings

  • Light foods: salads, grilled fish, sushi
  • Spicy cuisine: tacos, poke, sweet and sour Asian dishes
  • Appetizer snacks: fresh cheeses, olives
  • Artisanal snacks for a fresh and light aperitif

How to serve a Session IPA

The best Session IPAs and light IPAs on Maltese

Back to blog

Scopri la selezione su Maltese.beer

Su Maltese.beer trovi il riferimento italiano per acquistare birre artigianali online: selezione curata, spedizione in tutta Europa, packaging anti-rottura.