About 4 weeks back I brewed up what was supposed to be a Double IPA. Had a couple of brew friends over and next thing you know, I space out. First, I sparged at a temp of 152 as opposed to my standard 165 - 168, then, I cut off the sparge too soon and leave a gallon and a half of sweet sweet wort in the mash tun! Result? A 1.045 Double IPA. I thought - I'll cut back the hops - make it a pale. Then I think - forget that - I already messed up once - let's push it further. I add ALL the hops as if it were pushing 1.08. 6 ounces TOTAL including the dry hopping! What a sin! You can't do that! You have to back off on the hops! Hogwash!
End result? An absolutely delicious 4.5% IPA with loads of hop flavor and aroma. OH! and no, no secondary - four weeks in primary, then straight to the keg. I even dry hopped in the primary.
Every now and then it's good to break the "rules". And a session IPA seems to be a cardinal sin in the brewing community. All I can say is: I'm drinking it now and couldn't be happier with the flavor! Cheers!