North East Beer Review

The best way I can describe a Cold Session IPA that it is a more hop forward lager. I will cover more on this style later. Adnams Cold SIPA is gluten free Cold Session IPA which was picked up for a bargain 99p from Home Bargains. Normally, I am a bit skeptical when it comes to buying very cheap IPAs but this one surprised me a bit. So what did I think? To find out I will cover the history of both the beer and brewery, the pour, the taste and aroma and finally my verdict. Cheers

Roots dating back over a century and a half

Adnams is an independent brewery based in Southwold, Suffolk, England. Adnams goes back to 1872 and was founded by brothers George and Ernest Adnams. Quickly, the brewery established itself as a key part of the local community and supplied pubs around the East Anglia area. Adnams is known for blending traditional with innovation which it is known for producing a different range of beers from Broadside to a Mosaic Pale Ale. This shows they can adapt historic traditions into modern brewing techniques.

Adnams has strong focus on sustainability and is said to be one of Britains most energy sustainable and environmentally sustainable breweries. Focusing on local ingredients and sustainable packaging. Adnams has forged a reputation of a respected brand keeping to its independent roots. They are also known for quality, consistency and their local ties to Southwold.

Adnams Lazy SIPA is described as a gluten-free cold session IPA. From my understanding, a cold IPA is a light and dry bodied beer which is hoppy. It is also fermented with lager yeast at a warmer temperature similarly to many ales. This is a 4% ABV and meets the growing demand for sessionable, hoppy and light beers. Utilising American and British hops, this will have a mixture of flavours ranging from citrus and tropical notes to a gentle bitterness. Lazy SIPA focuses on drinkability rather than hop forward intensity.

A lively and bright pour

Adnams Lazy SIPA presents a pale golden to straw colour which has an ever so slight unfiltered look. It forms a foamy lager like head which is white but lightly retained. There was no visible lacing on the glass. The carbonation of this beer was lively and you can see a constant stream of bubbles travelling up the glass. Overall, this is a lager pour in all honesty which the colour and liveliness.

Light but still hoppy aroma

Aroma

Immediately from cracking open the can, Lazy SIPA presents a light, bright and hop forward aroma. Firstly, you will notice citrus aromas such as grapefruit and this is quickly followed by tropical fruits like pineapple and mango. There is also a slight herbal nature which is like from the hop selection. Sitting beneath this is a moderate malt sweetness which gives the beer a faint malt backbone. Overall, a fruity, crisp and clean aroma.

Taste

When it comes to the taste Lazy SIPA mirrors the aromatics. It unlocks with a light citrus flavour such as grapefruit and orange , furthermore, it unlocks a tropical flavour too reminiscent of mango. The malt base is hidden beneath this which offers a sweet edge to this beer. The bitterness is low and slightly herbal which gives this beer a drinkable edge. The finish is clean and dry which a slight hoppy bitterness lingering. Overall, this beer was light and sessionable. Allowing for subtle hop flavours to be release without compromising on the drinkability.

Time for my verdict

Overall, Adnam Lazy SIPA did what it set out to do. Provide a drinkable and light beer which also added to a fleeting gluten free lineup. This beer was actually quite nice for what it being a cold session IPA or mainly a posh lager. This won’t blow your socks off but I do feel it will leave you somewhat surprised. So would I Recommend it? I guess I would as it does serve a purpose. Overall, I rate this a 3.5 out of 5. Cheers 🍻.

Where did I purchase this beer?

I purchased this beer from Home Bargains for 99p.

Thanks for reading this review. If you enjoyed this review you will love my review of another historic brewery in Ossett Smog Rat.