In This Article
- Introduction to Session IPAs
- What Does Session IPA Mean?
- Benefits of Drinking Session IPAs
- How to Identify a Good Session IPA
- 10 of the Best Session Beers to Try
- Where to Buy or Try Session IPAs
- Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Introduction to Session IPAs
Ever had one too many IPAs? Basically, every craft beer fan knows the groggy feeling the next day after a night at the taproom or pub. While delicious, American craft beers (especially robust IPAs) aren’t always drinkable enough for every occasion. If you’re planning on having a few beers at an all-day barbecue or other event, having a flavorful option that won’t knock you out is important. That’s where session IPAs come in…
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What Does Session IPA Mean?
A Session IPA is essentially any India Pale Ale with a lower ABV. While there are other characteristics (see below), the ABV (typically between 3% and 5%) is the key factor. These are designed for having a few, and there are things that naturally come with the lower alcohol content.
Drinkers can expect a more approachable flavor profile that won’t overwhelm the palate. The lighter body also allows drinkers to have a few without feeling full. Even with the pared-down state of the beer, session IPAs still offer a hop-forward flavor kick.
Characteristics of a Session IPA
| Characteristic | Session IPA | Regular IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ABV | 3–5% (sometimes <3%) | 6–7.5%+ |
| IBU (Bitterness) | 30–50 | 40–70+ |
| Body | Light, crisp | Medium to heavy |
| Malt Sweetness | Reduced | Stronger |
| Drinkability | High, made for multiple pours | Lower, more intense |
| Flavor | Citrus, pine, tropical, herbal | Intense hop character, more palate fatigue |
How Session IPAs Differ from Regular IPAs
Session IPAs stand apart from regular IPAs in a few key ways:
- Lower alcohol content: Session IPAs are typically 3%–5% ABV, compared to 6%–7.5% in most American IPAs.
- Lighter body: The mouthfeel of a session IPA will be substantially different from that of a heavier IPA.
- More drinkable: Designed for “session” drinking across extended periods, these beers have approachable flavor profiles that won’t cause palate fatigue.
Benefits of Drinking Session IPAs
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Low alcohol makes it easier to enjoy multiple beers | Less intense hop flavor |
| Flavorful but not heavy | Can feel too light or bland |
| Perfect for social gatherings | Often priced like full-strength IPAs |
How to Identify a Good Session IPA
Key Features to Look For
When choosing a session IPA, look for substantial hop profiles—labels often list hop varieties, which can give you an idea of the flavor. Crisp, refreshing finishes tend to offer a better drinking experience.
If you’re into hazy IPAs, check reviews to see if a session version delivers the juicy profile you like. The same goes for West Coast-style session IPAs. And of course, always verify that the ABV is under 5% by checking the label.
Serving Tips
- The same glassware you’d use for a regular IPA works here—tulip or chalice glasses are ideal for maintaining carbonation and hop aromas.
- The best serving temperature is between 40–45°F. Colder serving makes the beer more refreshing.
- Pairing is also easy. Session IPAs won’t overpower lighter dishes like salads or seafood, but they also hold up well against burgers and BBQ.
10 of the Best Session Beers to Try
Founder’s All-Day West Coast IPA
West Coast Session IPA | Available Nationally | 4.7% ABV | 42 IBU
When the concept of a session IPA first entered craft beer vernacular, you could easily point to All-Day IPA as the proof of concept for the style. The Grand Rapids brewery has been putting out exceptional beers for decades, but Founder’s really found its footing with this fashionable beer’s mass market appeal.
The classic pine and citrus flavors you get from Crystal, Cascade, Simcoe, and Amarillo hops blend well with the bready malt. It’s a balanced and approachable drinking experience that will still surprise even after all these years. The best part? You can basically find this beer in every supermarket or liquor store in the country.
AleSmith Brewing Co KickBackRelax
“Crushable IPA” | Available Nationally | 4.2% ABV | 13 IBU
Perhaps the best producer of West Coast IPA, this San Diego outfit caught on to the session trend in 2021 when they released the Mosaic and Citra-packed “Kickbackrelax.” But this drinkable IPA’s massive hop bite and slick 120-calorie body prove AleSmith is playing catch-up to no one.
This one epitomizes the California drinking experience, making it ideal as a post-surf snack or paired with food truck tacos.
Lagunitas DayTime IPA
West Coast Session IPA | Available Nationally | 4.0% ABV | 31 IBU
The bright and piney hops you associate with Lagunitas’s classic West Coast IPAs are all present. What’s not there are the calories and carbs! Even better, the brewery’s wide-ranging availability makes this crusher easy to find wherever you’re drinking.
DayTime packs dry and slightly bitter hop character into a refreshing body. Grassy and effervescent Citra and Centennial hops balance out the softer malt backbone from oats.
Oskar Blues Brewery Dale’s Easy IPA
West Coast Session IPA | Available Nationally | 4.9% ABV | 65 IBU
Dale’s Pale Ale is one of craft beer’s most iconic brands. And in terms of the beer, it’s also one of the most dependable. This Colorado brewery is no stranger to hops, so it’s no surprise that “Easy” IPA (smartly branded as an offshoot) packs classic West Coast flavor into this sustainable ABV.
With El Dorado, Citrus, and Mosaic hops bringing grapefruit aromas and some bitterness, the most impressive part is its crisp finish. You could easily put back a few of these.
Maplewood Brewing Company – Crushinator
Session IPA | Midwest Distribution | 4.5% ABV | 32 IBU
Chicago is very much a lager town, but don’t sleep on the windy city’s IPA scene. Maplewood, a relative newcomer, has been crushing it with drinkable beers, such as their session IPA. Hopped with Simcoe, it delivers plenty of classic West Coast IPA characteristics in a manageable, low ABV package.
Lawson’s Finest Super Session
Session IPA | Available Nationally | 4.8% ABV | 47 IBU
The makers of the iconic Sip of Sunshine haven’t been resting on their hazy laurels. Lawson’s Finest has put out one of New England’s best session IPAs. Using Mosaic and Lotus hops to lend tropical notes that balance out biscuity malt sweetness, Super Session drinks more like a standard IPA—just with an approachable ABV.
Reuben’s Brews Crushable
Hazy Session Pale Ale | West Coast | 5.2% ABV | 26 IBU
This Seattle mainstay’s low-alcohol offering meets the high standards they’ve set with their regular IPAs. With a pillowy mouthfeel (from wheat and oats) and thick haze, it’s surprising that Crushable is, in fact, so crushable.
Citra, Mosaic, Amarillo, and Azacca hops bring a balanced mix of tropical citrus and piney bitterness to this hazy IPA.
Ommegang Neon Lights
Hazy Session IPA | Available Nationally | 4.3% ABV | 30 IBU
While Ommegang is primarily known for its Belgian-inspired beers, its hoppy concoctions are often underrated. Neon Lights, hopped with Mosaic, Simcoe, Citra, Topaz, and Centennial, brings peach and mango flavors to its lighter body.
There’s some haze from the flaked oats, but this beer remains ultra-quaffable. Perhaps Ommegang needs to take a break from Dubbels and Tripels and brew more IPA!
Bell’s Light Hearted Ale
Session Pale Ale | Available Nationally | 3.7% ABV | 35 IBU
It may be the younger brother of bitter bruiser Two Hearted Ale, but Light Hearted offers a low-cal alternative that’s still highly flavorful.
Expect citrus and pine notes typical of a Bell’s beer, especially on the nose. While a malt base like this usually carries serious calories and carbs, this crushable pale ale keeps things light—perfect for summer in the Great Lakes.
Cigar City Jai Alai Light
Session IPA | Available Nationally | 4.0% ABV | 30 IBU
Originally called Jai Low, this pared-down version of Florida’s favorite IPA is now a year-round release, perfect for Sunshine State sipping.
With Amarillo, Centennial, Cascade, and Simcoe hops, this beer packs in more hop bite and tropical flavors than most low-ABV IPAs.
Where to Buy or Try Session IPAs
Session IPAs have steadily grown in popularity over the past half-decade, so it’s now easy to find them on shelves or on tap. Most breweries have at least one lighter IPA option, so you should be able to track down a hoppy beer under 5% ABV.
If you’re at the pub and can’t find a session IPA, look out for pale ales. While they may have a slightly heavier body, their alcohol content is often comparable to session IPAs. Variety packs also frequently include a low-ABV hoppy beer, making them widely accessible.
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