New Wave of Session Beers

Two Brothers Sidekick

 

Berliner Weiss season, plus there has been a bunch of new low abc beers being produced the last couple of years. Notch Session Ales does nice stuff out this way.

 

Founder's All Day IPA is a nice one...it's at 4.7% or so.

 

Wolaver's oatmeal stout is a keeper. Easily one of my favorite beers

 

Goose Island Honker's Ale is 4.2% abv

 

3.5 From avery was pretty good.

 

summerfest, bitter brewer, shenanigans, and sam adams light.

 

All beers are session beers if you have the willpower....

 

I too appreciate the proliferation of sessionable brews.

Besides drinking lots of Notch Brewing's saison and pils (Notch being a dedicated 4.5%-abv-and-under brewery with a variety of congenial offerings which include some nifty, underrepresented Czech styles), I've also been enjoying loads of a couple of similarly local seasonals this summer: Pretty Things Magnifico and Mayflower Summer Rye Ale.

All of the above weigh in at 4.0% abv or less and totally punch my ticket on hot and muggy days (of which we've had more than I would prefer lately).

 

Out here in Seattle, Fremont seems to be leading the way with a solid lineup of flavorful low-ABV beers.
77 Fremont Select Spring Session IPA (4%)
Seattle Beer Week 5th Anniversary Organic Pale Ale (4.5%) (part of the Cowiche Canyon series, so likely returning)
Wandering Wheat (4.5%)
Summer Ale (5.2%)

Upright in Oregon also has some very taste low-ABV saisons (Four and Five mainly) that deliver outstanding taste and body.

 

Session beers are the new "light" beers. Same beer as their "big" brother, less ingredients, same price.

Baaaaaaa

 

Price of beer is mainly overheads, wages, fuel,paying for plant and kegs , delivery and taxes..Material costs are minor and it costs practically as much to brew a low gravity beer as a high one.
But session beers aren't intended for the same purpose as high ABV beer. They are for refreshment, for drinking in quantity over an extended period without unduly affecting the drinker.A well brewed session beer is nearly as tasty as much stronger average beer, the law of diminishing returns applies to beer with a vengeance.

 

Brooklyn Scorcher was awesome. Captain Lawrence Sun Block...pretty great too. Not new, but Schlafly Pale Ale is great for sessions.

Just had Newburgh Roggensauer last night from growler and at 3% I felt no level of sacrifice.

Ad to see some development in this area. Not everyone wants to consume 1500 calories when they beer down for a few hours

 

This thread reminded me of how much I loved Hottenroth. 3.1% of pure deliciousness.

 

Sankaty Light Lager from Cisco. Light medium body, smooth, subtle citrusy hop flavor, low bitterness, and refreshing finish. 3.7% I believe. I'll also second the Mayflower Summer Rye. I've been trying to drink more local stuff lately and Cisco and Mayflower have been pleasant surprises.

 

I know it's on the higher side for session at 6.2, but Red Chair was my water replacement when I was back on the coast.
In Texas it was Bombshell Blonde from Southern Star (5.25)
I just got a sampler pack of Odells stuff, and included was their Loose Leaf (4.5) which was pretty decent as well.
I too tend towards the bigger heavier alcoholier stuff, but sometimes it's nice (especially if sitting out in the sun) to have something a little easier.
Good easier drinking beers are out there folks!

 

Notch Brewing - Left of the Dial is probably my favorite sessionable IPA. To me it has more body than Daytime and All Day (both of which I like).

They weren't pushing it as a session beer, but at 4.3% it falls in the range.

 

Yards Brawler is one of the best in the East.
Big fan of Uinta Wyld when I can get it.