What is a Session Beer? (With Examples)
Session beers—the milder, more demure cousin of those party-til-you-drop brews (Looking at you, Imperial IPAs).
While they may not be the life of the party, session beers cater to those who are more interested in appreciating their beer and the time spent drinking it, rather than just “getting wasted.”
These laid-back brews invite you to savor the moment, as you engage in conversations with friends or just enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of your favorite watering hole. This is why session beers have become a popular table beer in the United States.
But what makes them so mellow? Let’s learn just about everything there is to know about these easy-drinking brews:
What exactly is a “session beer”?
If you thought it was just a cool-sounding name that craft breweries use to lure you into buying their suds… well, you’re only half right.
Session beers are defined by their low alcohol by volume (ABV), usually around 4 – 5% ABV or less, making them perfect for—you guessed it—lengthy beer-drinking sessions. You know, the kind where your wits are intact long enough to dominate your friends in a few games of beer pong or argue the merits (or astonishing lack thereof) of specific pizza toppings.
With a wide variety of styles (which we’ll get to in just a bit) session beers are a great way to keep the good times rolling longer.
The First Session Beer
The British—ever the beer engineers—are credited with both inventing and popularizing session beers.
The first British session beers can actually be traced back to the days of World War I, when munitions factory workers wanted to be able to continue drinking through their shifts of manufacturing weapons without passing out. Safety first, right?
Since they were doing pretty delicate work—we’re not supposed to deal with heavy machinery, let alone heavy artillery while intoxicated—munitions workers were given lower-alcohol beer.
Beers in the range of 3% to 4% ABV could keep a worker chipper, upper-lip stiff, and such, without interrupting the flow of ammo to the war front.
Thus, the first intentional “session beer” was created.
Types of Session Beers (Examples)
You might be surprised to learn that many common beer styles you’ve probably already tried are session beers. Let’s take a quick tour through some of the most popular session beer styles, where you’ll encounter a delightful array of flavors, colors, and textures waiting to be discovered (or re-discovered).
English Bitter
One of the OG session beers is the English Bitter, which, despite its name, actually has nothing to do with Simon Cowell. Bitters are usually characterized by their low ABV (under 5%)and mild hop bitterness, making them perfect for a low-key, extended rendezvous with a pint glass.
English Mild Dark Ale
Fancy something a bit darker? The English Mild Dark Ale is a malty session beer that’ll keep you in good company without knocking you off your barstool. Traditionally popular in London, these session beers are known for having a nearly still, only-slightly bubbly foam head, and almost no hop aroma to speak of. They are commonly around 3.0 to 3.6% ABV, but keep in mind that there are English Mild Dark Ales that go as high as 6.0% ABV (so be sure to check the label).
American Light Lager
Just like The Office, American Idol, and Little Britain USA, Americans couldn’t resist adding their own twist on a British invention. (Session beer—Americans did invent the light lager, but that’s a story for another day.) Staple American Light Lagers like Coors Lite, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and Yuengling Light are great if you’d like to drink beer for hours, but don’t want to forget your own name in the process.
Kölsch
A shout out to our pals in Deutschland, who, along with sausages, lederhosen, and over-engineered luxury cars, gave us some truly incredible German beers. Among them is Kölsch—a straw-hued, slightly fruity session beer that’s perfect for chilling and swigging on a sunny afternoon in your local biergarten.
Irish Dry Stout
The Irish Dry Stout is another classic session beer that delights dark beer aficionados without sending them to an early slumber. Epitomized by Guinness, this style features a low ABV, a deep, roasted flavor profile, and a smooth, velvety mouthfeel.
Pilsner
Clean, crisp, and golden, the Czech Pilsner is the very model of a modern, major session beer. With its low ABV of around 4.5 to 5%, this balanced, easy-to-drink lager is another great choice for anyone looking to enjoy beer for an extended period of time, without as much fear of waking up to embarrassing memories of belting out “Sweet Caroline” on a barstool.
Belgian Witbier
For those who like their session beers with a touch of spice, the Belgian Witbier is a refreshing choice. This light, hazy beer is brewed with wheat, orange peel, and coriander, creating a zesty, citrusy flavor profile. While they tend to be on the higher-ABV end of what most people consider “a session beer”—around 5.5% ABV—depending on your alcohol tolerance, you can still enjoy these beers over a longer period without getting wit-faced.
Australian Sparkling Ale
Last but certainly not least, let’s not forget our pals down under, who gifted us with their one (and surprisingly, only one) native beer style, the Australian Sparkling Ale. It’s the Hugh Jackman of beers—pleasant, versatile, and almost irritatingly likable. While some Australian Sparkling Ales still clock in at around 6.0% ABV, many have a lower alcohol content that makes them perfect for toasting with your mates at a laid-back barbie.
Low Alcohol Beer Reviews
Like all good things, our journey through the world of session beers must come to an end. Interested in exploring specific session beers? Check out Hops Hunters’ beer reviews, featuring an ever-expanding selection of low-ABV beers—including the American Light Lagers linked to above—and we’re adding new beers all the time.
Click here to explore reviews of beers from every corner of the globe!
