interesting, but sad trend

I really don't understand why US brewers don't go down this route more often. I've only ever found one true US session beer (<4%) over here in the UK- Jester King Le Petit Prince which was a decent enough table saison. It doesn't add up for a country where so many people drive to bars. Surely there's better money to be made in selling more volume of a lower ABV beer?

 

We have a local brewery opened with the idea of doing all styles as session beers. They are doing fairly well, but they have decided to add others to their lineup, including a 10+% ABV RIS because not enough American craft beer drinkers are ready for all 4%.

 

Not enough flavor. (No lie, it's that simple...and that simple-minded).

 

let me just finish this sentence

I think people are just craving more and more flavor intensity especially when they have to pay 7+ dollars for a 22oz

 

Except it isnt. Ive tasted plenty of very flavorful small beers.

 

It isn't my reason, but it is the reason many brewers don't brew exclusively <4% beers: not enough demand from U.S. "craft" who want more "flavor."

 

God, I search high and low for beers that taste great without high ABV's. I found a summertime soul mate this weekend. I'd like to introduce you all to my new best friend, Levitation! She is an expensive girlfriend, though.

 

I always think of it like you're getting more for what you pay. I think it's ridiculous to have a session and a higher ABV beer around the same price (I'm looking at you Stone Levitation).

 

It is expensive for session beer, but until people start brewing beers that compete, I'll gladly pay an extra few bucks and not have to drink Bud Light on the boat all day.

 

I'll stick to Yuengling or Honey Brown for the cheap session stuff.

 

Those beers aren't even close to tasting like each other, though. Like I said, its a few more bucks. IMO, totally worth it.

 

I know a few people who are pretty much borderline alcoholics and drink craft beer, among other (harder) things. The selling point for them seems to be how high the abv is and how cheap it is in relation to the abv. Me? I've yet to have a beer that was 13% or more, but they're waiting in the wings. I prefer to drink about a beer a day, and I can't be downing extreme beers ALL the time.

 

Ah, gotcha.

 

No problem. I've had a hard time accepting the fact as well, as I pick up worlds of flavor from simple SMaSH beers like a well-executed Koelsch, a Czech Pilsner, or a British ale brewed with Maris Otter and EKG hops...but that's just me

 

Oberon is my least favorite Bells. Last year it flew off the shelves because people were trying it for the first time based on its hype. Now they have all tried it.

I have only ever heard bad things about HOHW.

 

I think the market for low ABV, high flavor beers is woefully underserved.

I agree with the OP in that I often will go to a craft beer bar and struggle to find anything under 5 or 6% that looks appealing.

 

If the definition of flavor is booze, there's always bum wine. It's cheaper.

Comments like that aside, there are plenty of lower gravity craft beers out there of solid quality that sometimes get overlooked by the high ABV only crowd. Brewing a lower gravity beer doesn't leave as much room for error, but there's still something to be said about a lower gravity session beer of any style that is made with quality ingredients and brewed with quality. It's not to say all session beers are good or great, but not all high gravity beers are good or great either. I've had solid and bad examples of both ends of the spectrum.

 

Funny I've been that way for many years , I can even remember a time when I could buy more KBS than I had money. Now it's a #%@^! BOTTLE.

oN THE BRIGHTER SIDE I can get 2-3 wk old 2 Heart everywhere ,& for that I am truly grateful

" when my gratitude exceeds my expectations ,those are really good days"
- Ray Wylie Hubbard -