Sessionable Beers and What That Actually Means; In our Tap Room and Across the Industry

Brewers and beer aficionados can wax eloquent on the topic of sessionable beers, but for new lovers of craft brews or newly of-age beer drinkers, it may be a head scratcher. Who better to explain the term, expand on the topic and talk about how sessionable beers fit into Lost Worlds’ lineup than our own Director of Brewing Operations, David Gonzalez (DG).

According to DG, the terms actually refers to having a “session” over beers. You know, tossing back a few over a long chat, a card game, or a session on your boat, anchored in the middle of Lake Norman. “I equate sessionable with drinkable beers,” says DG. These “drinkable” beers typically (but not always) have a lower ABV, in the 4 - 5 percent range. Drinkability often refers to many characteristics of a beer including aroma, body, and flavor. In terms of body, a beer can be light, medium or full bodied, similar in comparison to skim, 2 percent and whole milk.

For example, of our Base Camp Beers (those we will always have on tap) several of the six offered are considered sessionable. Euchre is a sessionable golden ale, both in body (drinkability) and ABV (3.5 percent). Vista is very drinkable and sessionable IPA, but not the lowest in alcohol. “These type of beers fit nicely into the Lost Worlds brand — stay awhile, tell a story, meet like-minded adventurers. These sips also slip into the lake life, laid back atmosphere of being near Lake Norman,” he added.

One misconception, however, is that most beers light in color are sessionable. For example, Bock beers are light in color but pack a whopping 8-10 percent ABV. “You couldn’t make a sessionable Bock beer,” says DG. Conversely, a pint of Guiness has less alcohol than a bottle of Miller Lite.”

How are sessionable beers faring across the booming craft beer industry? In the 1990s and 2000s we saw a lot of Pale Ales, Browns and Porters. DG predicts the trend of sessionable beers returning to Tap Rooms in 2020.

We look forward to welcoming everyone to our Tap Room soon to kick back, stay awhile, and have a session.