From the Beer Writer: The first time I tried this beer was at the height of the session IPA craze. It seemed just about every brewing company in the country—and certainly all of the larger ones—were jumping on board, trying their hands at crafting India pale ales below five percent alcohol-by-volume (ABV), without compromising the aromatic vim and flavorful vigor of higher octane IPAs. Having tried dozens, I was a bit over the whole thing, but after Rough Draft Brewing Company headman Jeff Silver uncapped a growler and poured me a taster of this beer, I found myself enamored and wanting more. Though not as well known as session IPAs more readily available at major grocery store chains (Firestone Walker Easy Jack IPA, New Belgium Slow Ride Session IPA, Stone Go To IPA), it’s just as good, if not better, bringing forth plenty of citrusy character and tropical fruit appeal against a gentle backdrop that comes without a direct trip to pure inebriation.
From the Brewer: “One day, I realized drinking a couple of IPAs with dinner was not conducive to waking up at 6 a.m. and trying to get to work while getting a couple of screaming kids out of the house. But I wanted my hoppy beer. At 4.8% ABV, Weekday IPA is the perfect answer for the IPA lover that wants all the flavor, but maybe not all of the other effects of a seven or nine percent drink. One of the things I think sets it aside from other session-style IPAs is our use of premium hops like Citra and Simcoe, and extra specialty malts that give the beer real body. This beer has won some great awards, including making it into Draft Magazine’s ‘Top 25 Beers of the Year’ in 2013. More recently, it took bronze at this year’s San Diego International Beer Festival (taking place June 19-21 at the San Diego County Fair) That’s a big win because the category includes session versions of numerous beer styles.”—Jeff Silver, President & Brewmaster, Rough Draft Brewing Company