Infinite Session IPA

An India Pale Ale from the prodigiously talented UK alcohol-free specialists at Infinite Session. Again, the restrained yet sophisticated branding – this time with a zingy blue band – sets up expectations of a quality craft beer experience. And again, expectations are not disappointed. Popping the ring pull reveals a subtle aroma of floral hop and nutty, darker undertones; the pour is quite lively for an IPA, with a loosely bubbling head that quickly dissipates to a minimum over the pale amber of the beer. In the mouth, it’s mostly sharp citrus – the mouthfeel a little thin with that dry hop dominating almost to the exclusion of all else, though hints of caramel nuttiness kick in just before the medium-long, hop-heavy finish. Overall, we found the dominating citrus a bit one-note, but that clearly wasn’t an opinion shared by the World Beer Awards jury that gave this IPA the bronze medal in a field packed with full-alcohol rivals in its Session IPA category. And, really, that’s the whole point with Infinite Session beer. It tastes exactly like beer should – and like some of the best beer in the world, at that. Yes, those with a taste for drama and complexity and sheer joie de vivre might find more to shout about in Infinite’s utterly barnstorming American Pale Ale. But if it’s a very decent beer you’re after, only without the alcohol (and a staggeringly low calorie-count), you won’t go wrong with this one.