Session IPAs. I don't get it

Just tried Odell's Drumroll APA yesterday. At 5.3% and a good hoppy flavor, it's close enough for me to consider it a "session IPA". I didn't mind FW Easy Jack, but I'd take Drumroll over that all day.

 

I personally think they have their place. I especially enjoy them after a run when the thought of a full body beer is not appealing. They are also perfect for the not so often hair of the dog beer as well. Founders All Day is a tasty brew and my go to recovery beer.

 

I tend not to like the style but I enjoy Notch Left of the Dial.

I have no issues with the price tag. Alas, production costs aren't dominated by the malt bill.

 

You had me at Jever. I proselytize for DAB too... give it a shot if you haven't tried it.

I generally agree with you, however I do think session IPAs have plenty of hop presence... in fact my main issue with them is the intense hops wear on me after several in a row which defeats the purpose of a session-type beer. So, for repeat drinking I'd prefer a good classic pilsner or pale ale. On the other hand a session IPA can be a nice a one-and-done hop fix with small break on the alcohol. So, they have their place I think.

Also, regarding prices... price is a factor for any beer I buy and while I do not expect a lower ABV beer to be cheaper if I'm planning to drink a bunch of a particular beer in a row then price is going to be a stronger consideration in the purchase.

 

This. When I intend on pulling a long drinking campaign, I always go with this. Less than 5% with actual hoppy flavor? I prefer this to any Yuengling, Bud, Miller or even a PBR. Just my opinion though.

 

Seriously. Not to knock on that poster in particular, but it seems as though these days, anything under 8% can be called a "session" beer, because one can won't get you drunk. My cutoff point is 5% for a true session, and I'm a pretty big guy with a pretty big tolerance, as a college student. Even 5% is pushing it, and I'm pretty sure the brits would laugh at us.

 

In my opinion, and this is completely up for debate, anything under 6% is a Session. For that reason, I put Pseudosue in that category for one of the best I've had. Also, Firestone Easy Jack is flavorful and Pipeworks Lil' Citra is pretty good too

 

This 15pk (and now the 19.2oz cans) is the only session IPA that make it into my rotation, as well. Price is usually the biggest factor. I can often find them on sale for ~$15. It is not a (sub)style that I crave, but for a flavorful, low-ABV beer, in cans, for ~$1/can, it is hard to beat. I will not pay the $10-$12 for a 6pk of bottles that the likes of Stone, Oskar Blues, Ballast Point, Lagunitas, etc., put out.

 

Some things should be left alone....I don't want a 'session' stout either.Or a 'session' gravy or maple syrup...

 

I don't know about that. I prefer my pepper cream gravy below 5% abv (preferably 0%) on my chicken fried steak.

Possibly non-session gravy for turkey dinners though...

I don't know about maple syrup.

 

Oh. More on topic. Jot me down on the list opposed to Session IPA's... Even all day IPA.

I love session beers. As a homebrewer I'm working on lowering the alcohol content in my beers to make it easier to avoid getting drunk.

It astonishes me at the bar I used to go to when I'd ask about how strong a new beer was and I'd get the response: "Oh it's low alcohol... 8% I think."... Granted a few months later the manager had to really crack down on his employees because people got in trouble for being too drunk when leaving the premises... They weren't getting drunk while working just drinking after their shift...
But it was all about the atmosphere and environment as typified by the opinion that beers under 8% were too low alcohol to bother drinking most of the time.

 

I like Founders All Day IPA if I'm doing yard work or having a cookout ect. I think the lower ABV is a benefit if you have to worry about people leaving your house tanked up or you are using power tools

 

Oskar Blues Pinner is delicious.

 

I get it but they do feel very light some even vegetal. I've has some interesting enjoy. People just want that hop without getting slammed on 2 beers.

 

Well, it's not JUST 1.2%, it's 25% more TOTAL alcohol in a 12 oz. can (16 grams vs. 20 grams of alcohol). Then start sessioning these...and that really adds up.

Also, isn't pouring beer out and drinking LESS volume the opposite of "sessioning"?

Oh, and I'm not trying to be difficult, most people only look at it as just another 1% or so. There's a reason session beers are as low as they are, your body processes 1 beer (12 oz. at 5%) an hour. Anything above that exponentially increases how drunk you are. And vice versa, the farther below 5% the beer is, the more volume you can drink. The Brits knew what they were doing.

 

That is the thought of my friends who routinely drink wine in the 12% - 14% range. Of course you can't drink wine like you can drink beer, or at least I can't.

 

Oh I don't think any of my friends doing that would touch wine... But they will happily throw in regular shots of whiskey, rumpleminze, or fireball in between 8+% beers...

 

OP--I get it.

The more lower alcohol options the better.

 

I'm glad others brought up price. Unless it's a specialty style like gose, or a pils/lager that requires longer fermentation times, there is no way in hell I would drop the same amount for a companys 4% blonde ale vs. 7% IPA.

All day was on to something with the 15pks. But other than that, there is very little justification dropping $9 for a sixer of 4% "session" ipa vs. $9 on their 7% IPA or their 8% imperial stout.

I'm even seeing 12 packs that cost more per can than sixers ($15 12pk vs $7 sixers).

The lack of the perceived value with this style is shocking. Yet it remains popular.

The above example is from a local brewery, Santa Fe Brewing. They have this 4% SF gold beer that is just vile stuff. And its priced right along side their other mainstays. I guess it sells. Beecause its still around. Just crazy to think its the same price as the others, yet has like 30% less ingredients than the others.

All day becomes pretty much the only viable option that nears in on $1/can. All the others are pretty much $0.25/can more.

 

Placing the session label aside, Burial's Ceremonial is exceptional. I dig that they use their Ceremonial releases to highlight a single hops, Vic Secret, Mosiac, etc.