It's an art form to brew a high ABV beer that
isn't hot and boozy on the palate; a beer balanced by bittering hops that
complement the sweet maltiness of the grain. But in the same right, and perhaps
even more challenging, I've learned it's just as skillful to brew a session
beer on the other end of the beer spectrum, without compromising well-balanced
flavor.
What
makes a good session beer?
By definition, session beers have less than 5% alcohol by volume (ABV). A good session beer is the ideal beer for summer; it's lawnmower beer,
boat beer, deck beer, beach beer, social beer. Its a beer that you can drink
easily and even repetitively whether it's lunch and you're going back to the
office or you're already stuffed full of barbecue. But just because it's "light
and easy," so to speak, doesn't mean that the flavor profile has to be
compromised.
It's the imperial beers, the bigger, bolder,
American beers that have been exploiting the craft beer world over the last
fifteen years. But session brews have been around for centuries. And yes,
session beers may be nothing but the latest trend in our smug world of beer
geekery, but they're rising up once again to remind us what beer is all about.
Enjoying a beer is more than just chasing a buzz, it's drinkable congeniality
and companionship. A good beer is about camaraderie, enjoyment, relaxation, and
community. It's about friendship,
meeting new people, and good times.
Last
summer we saw a surge in breweries producing their own take on a session, but
this summer, even more so, is the summer of the session. These are my top five
picks ( in no particular order) of session beers you can find in the cooler at
Harry's this summer. Just in time for some boat beer on the Fourth. Cheers.
1.
Introvert Session IPA, 4.8% ABV
Left Hand
Brewing Company, Longmont, CO.
Packed with quintessential American hops -
cascade, chinook, sterling, and comet , the nose breathes tropical fruit
aromas, but finishes cleaner and more earthy on the palate. It has a medium to
fuller body for a low ABV beer.
2. Simmer
Down, 4.9% ABV
Sebago
Brewing Company, Gorham, ME.
El Dorado, mosaic, and ahtanum hops. Floral
and grassy backed up by some pale, bready maltiness. Bright and clean.
3.
Effortless IPA, 4.5% ABV
Captain
Lawrence Brewing Company, Elmsford, NY.
Dry-hopped with mosaic and palisade hops, the
nose on this is aggressive and bold. A little bit of pine and grapefruit to
follow but subtle and pleasant. The key to this one is the dry hopping process
which emphasizes the aromatics.
4. Evil
Twin Mission Gose, 4% ABV
Brewed at
Westbrook Brewing Company, Mt Pleasant, SC.
Traditionally brewed with salt and
coriander, Gose style beers are rooted in German tradition and their bright
acidity was made for the summer. This beer is tart and refreshing with slightly
herbal notes from the eucalyptus that it's brewed with. My only complaint is
that it doesn't come in a six pack of cans.
5. Sierra
Nevada Nooner Pilsner, 5% ABV
Sierra
Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, CA.
A classic German pilsner. Brewed with spicy
and floral German hops, the Nooner is a crisp and dry lager, but true to Sierra
Nevada character, it's also hop forward.
- Amy Ettinger
