Micro IPA

The Micro IPA is the most extreme version of low-alcohol IPAs: beers with all the aroma and hoppy character of an IPA but with barely 2.5% to 3.5% alcohol. It is a relatively recent style, born from the contemporary brewing interest in reducing alcohol content without sacrificing the aromatic explosion of hops, and it has become popular in both the U.S. and Europe among craft breweries committed to more moderate consumption.

In the glass, it displays a pale yellow to golden color, with creamy white foam and, depending on the recipe, slight haziness. On the nose, tropical and citrus hop aromas dominate: mango, passion fruit, grapefruit, orange, peach, and fresh grass. The malt base remains very much in the background to maintain the feeling of extreme lightness. On the palate, it has a very low body, almost dry, with minimal sweetness, moderate bitterness (25-45 IBU) that is well-integrated, high carbonation, and a very dry finish that provides freshness. The alcohol content is between 2.5% and 3.5%, making it an extraordinarily sessionable option.

It is brewed with pilsner malts and a small proportion of oat or wheat flakes to provide some mouthfeel, with hardly any malt density to keep the alcohol low, and a very intense load of modern hops in the boil and dry hopping to compensate for the low density with aroma and character.

It is an ideal beer for long sessions, games, hot afternoons, meals, or whenever you want to drink without getting intoxicated. It pairs with Asian cuisine, sushi, fish, salads, or tapas. It is served between 4 °C and 7 °C in a tulip glass or pint glass.