Esquire: Why the "Session" Beer Trend Makes Zero Sense

On one hand, I agree, but on the other hand, BEER ALL DAY.

 

I've never understood the whole "session" thing. I drink craft beers because I enjoy the flavor and for me, session beers have very little. Breweries are always glad to take advantage of the next big thing in craft and that's what sessions became.

 

The author ignores that "session" beer doesn't have to be "sessioned". If I'm out for dinner with my wife & 2-year-old, having some available low ABV beers on the menu can mean the difference between having one vs. zero, not one vs. five.

 

We've been trying so hard to get away from these light beers in the craft beer scene. If you're not able to pace yourself drinking regular or high ABV beer, then you have a drinking problem. Besides, I'd rather drink a 4-pack of a 10+% ABV, then a 12-pack of a session beer and be bloated.

 

I haven't had one that I have liked, thus I don't drink them anymore. Drink a lager instead, imo.

 

I did like one: Stone Coffee Milk Stout, but for $10-13 a 6-pack, I'd get something else.

 

I agree but the guy sounded really judgemental and condescending imo. I

 

I never understood this wave either, there are plenty of "sessionable" beers already available. It doesn't always have to be about the hops. I think German hefeweizens are by far the tastiest and most complex session beers available.

 

For a supposed craft beer enthusiast, this article displays a stunning lack of historical knowledge of international beer cultures as well as an apparent unfamiliarity with "session" beer not named Bud Light. I'm not the biggest fan of the diluted hop-water that is being marketed as session beer in the U.S. recently, so to that extent, I suppose I agree slightly. However, to just write-off the thousands of flavorful, yet low ABV beers that have been staples in Europe for centuries is about as ignorant as one could be.

 

One good use? Golf. All Day IPA + golf.

 

Why can't we just agree that everybody doesn't like the same thing? I prefer higher ABVs and for the most part, drink slowly and pace myself. That doesn't mean I won't drink a low ABV beer - as long as it's not a macro lager. In fact, I sometimes go against the norm [fear not - read on] by drinking new [for me] high ABV beers first and getting all of the flavor and finishing with lower ABV beers that I've had before so I know their taste already. The main reason the beer that's out there exists is because some segment of the beer drinking public buys it. So "session" beers aren't going away, high ABV beers aren't going away, hop bombs aren't going away, yada yada yada, until they stop selling. Period.

 

My idea of a session beer: drink one full strength beer and drink an equal amount of water along with it. Voila! Half-strength beer, still tastes great and extra hydration to boot. Also, cheaper.

 

I def agree with the mindset he's coming from (other than he sounds like a jerk off) but for me a "session" beer def has a place. Lets say for instance I invite you over for a couple beers during a game and I have a case of Heady and a case of All-Day...... guess what beers you are gonna be drinking!?!?

 

1) I would argue the opposite. Higher abv beer has created an imbalance because higher abv equals "bigger" and "bolder" flavor for many craft beer drinkers. The 5% pilsner been around much longer than Founders Harvest Ale.

2) Fine then, stop putting high abv beers in 12, 16, 24 or higher ounce containers. That guy who's drinking scotch all night can pour a shot or two in a glass and drink it. If I crack open a can of Heady Topper, I'm all in for 16 oz. of an 8% beer.

3) There are many beers (often they are of lower abv) that become even better as you reach the second or third pint.

4) I wonder how many 7.6% Harvest Ales this guy drank in his sitting. He never states a number. Either because it's quite high, meaning he was in fact over consuming alcohol. Or it was absurdly low (say 2 beers), in which case, I'm not interested in nursing two 12 oz. beers over the course of an entire afternoon at my friend's place.

 

I just never got into it either. I had a great conversation with an industry guy, been around a long time... had a discussion with him about this whole Session IPA thing which I would really like to see disappear but no skin off my back..

Finally he asked me about session IPAs and I told him they might be really well made but I don't care for them, to which he replied.

If I want a beer... I want a buzz... ya know? and session beers don't give me that.

I think in the vernacular of all the reasons we like beer, this still rings quite true.

My issue is I am not going to drink 4 beers of Tetley's or All Day constantly, cause I'll spend more time in the bathroom than drinking.

 

umm... Heady???

As long as you let me have some and you're offering and nice about it

 

Another important point the article didn't mention: Price point. When a "session" beer at 4.5% sells at the same or $1 less per sixpack price point as a 7% ABV, why should I buy the lower ABV beer? It's not alot of money unless you consider a long period of time and a lot of beer, but it's the principle and the idea that you are getting less value with the lower ABV beer.

 

Who knows how many session threads have been nuked on here.....wonder if this one gets nuked or if the Esquire name keeps it alive

 

I love the idea of session beers but hate what they've evolved into. Low ABV doesn't have to mean that you took a stronger style and watered it down, but that seems to be what most end up being.
The best session beers started that way and I love 'em.