April is an important month in the world of beer (and alcohol in general). April 7th is the official day that small beer was allowed in the US when prohibition was in the process of being repealed. Small beer was defined as beer of 4% alcohol or less. The 7th is referred to as mini repeal day for a couple different reasons.
This year will mark the first anniversary of Session Beer day. A session beer is a beer that has 4.5% alcohol or less, and big flavor to make it interesting for multiple pints but not so much that the flavor overpowers the drinker.
In honor of Session Beer Day, for the month of April I will be talking about beers that are traditionally session beers and new beers being brewed within the guidelines of a session beer. This is not a beer style on its own. There are beers from different styles that fall into this special category.
Something I find interesting about the beers that fall into this category is they are beers you would have with friends when the conversation is more important than the idea of getting drunk. You can drink a few of these and still drive home safely, as opposed to a double IPA or similar beers that are higher in alcohol.
Time for a pint…
Interesting… Drinking beer and still having meaningful conversation. What a concept! LOL :)
We have big beer to thank for the misconception that beer is only for drunken frat boys.
All of the best conversations are abetted by such beverages ;)
Great conversation over salad seems wrong somehow.
I am still having a hard time finding them. There are more but not as many as there should be
They are slowly working their way into the mainstream of craft. Lew Bryson is out of Pennsylvania and one of the leaders of the session movement. Check out some of his blog work, you might find some breweries near you.
Yeah I know about Lew bryson. I should check to see what he has found
I believe the Session Beer Project blog is his. It reports on events and such that will be happening for session beer day.
I didn’t know about this date, I feel like I should celebrate now!
Gotta love obscure drinking holidays.
This will be fun. BTW: Conversations seem to flow better with you have a libation to go with it, don’t you think? :-)
I know I have had some of my best conversations over a pint. For these it is rarely a matter of getting sloshed, it is all about the company and enjoying something tasty together.