What is a Session IPA? A guide to this trendy beer style
The IPA beer style has surged in popularity in recent years, and with it, many exciting variants have emerged—including the increasingly trendy Session IPA. If you've spotted a can or bottle labeled "Session IPA" and wondered what it means, you're in the right place. PerfectDraft explains everything you need to know about this easy-drinking beer style!
Session IPA: definition & history
While Session IPAs are trending today, the style has surprising roots dating back to the First World War. Back then, beer was often considered safer to drink than water, which was frequently unsanitary. Workers were served light beers every few hours, so brewers needed to craft a less alcoholic, yet refreshing option. The solution? Session beers.
In brewing terms, a "session" beer is a low-ABV (Alcohol By Volume) beer designed for extended drinking without overwhelming the drinker. Think of it as a beer you can enjoy across a session or an evening—without getting too tipsy. The Session IPA was born from this idea, combining the bitterness and hop-forward character of an IPA with a lighter alcohol content.
While traditional IPAs range from 6% to 9% ABV, Session IPAs typically fall between 3.5% and 4.9%. Despite the lower alcohol, they retain the distinctive fruity, citrusy, and hoppy notes that make IPAs so appealing. The brewing challenge lies in preserving that bold hop flavor without letting the beer become overly vegetal or unbalanced due to the reduced alcohol level.
IPA Beer: a quick recap
For those new to IPA, here's a quick overview. IPA stands for India Pale Ale, a style that originated in 18th-century England. According to brewing legend, these beers were made stronger and hoppier to survive the long voyage to British troops stationed in India. While the historical accuracy is debated, the story reflects the defining traits of an IPA—high hop content, strong bitterness, and moderate to high alcohol.
The style was later adopted and reimagined by American craft brewers, who added their own twist with aromatic and flavorful new hop varieties. This gave rise to a whole family of IPA styles: Hazy IPA, Black IPA, Rye IPA, Double IPA, and of course, the Session IPA.
Why choose a Session IPA?
If you’re new to IPAs or looking for a lighter alternative to high-ABV beers, Session IPA is the perfect starting point. It allows you to enjoy bold hop flavors while drinking moderately. Whether you're having a casual afternoon beer or entertaining friends on a sunny day, Session IPA is a refreshing go-to choice.
Top Session IPAs to try
- Founders All Day IPA: From one of the world's top breweries, this iconic Session IPA delivers fruity aromas of grapefruit and peach with a hoppy finish. At just 4.7% ABV, it’s a flavorful yet approachable beer for IPA newcomers.
- Goose Island Midway Session IPA: Goose Island is one of America’s most recognized breweries. Their Midway Session IPA is packed with citrus and passion fruit notes, combining generous malts and hops for a fruity explosion with smooth bitterness.
- Vocation Brewery Session IPA: Straight from the UK, this ultra-fruity Session IPA features notes of pineapple, redcurrant, grapefruit, and citrus. At 4.4% ABV, it’s a light, floral, and tropical option ideal for warmer days.
Explore our full range of Session IPAs from across the globe. Often available in packs of 12, they’re perfect for discovering this refreshing, flavorful beer style—especially during spring and summer!
ALCOHOL ABUSE IS DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH. CONSUME IN MODERATION.
Discover other styles of beers with these articles : What is a special beer ? What is a stout beer ? What is a Trappist beer ?
