What is a session IPA?
It’s the style of the year, the flavour of the week, the soup du jour. Session IPA is the little sibling of the biggest thing in craft beer, going from almost non-existent to absolutely everywhere in just a few hop harvests.
But what actually defines this ultra-drinkable style? And why has it become so popular?
What Is a Session IPA?
So, what is a session IPA exactly?
A session IPA sits neatly in the middle of a hoppy Venn diagram made up of IPA, pale ale and session ale. Brewers take the punchy hop character of an IPA, dial down the alcohol and bitterness, and then add more malt balance to keep things rounded.
The result?
A beer that delivers hop aroma and flavour without the high ABV or heavy finish.
In short: less alcohol, less bitterness, more balance and tada, you’ve got a session IPA.
Session IPA meaning: why is it called session IPA?
The session IPA meaning comes from the word session, a term long used to describe a traditional pub drinking session.
A session typically involves enjoying multiple lower-alcohol beers over a longer period of time, rather than just one strong one. That’s exactly what session IPAs are designed for: flavourful enough to be interesting, light enough to keep going back for another.
So if you’ve ever wondered why it’s called session IPA, that’s your answer.
What is a session ale?
To understand session IPA properly, it helps to know what a session ale is.
A session ale is any beer brewed at a lower alcohol level (usually around 3–4.5% ABV) while still offering plenty of flavour. Traditionally, this applied to milds, bitters and pale ales, but modern brewers have expanded the idea to hop-forward styles too.
That’s where session IPA comes in: a session-strength beer with unmistakable IPA character.
Where does session IPA come from?
It’s generally agreed that American brewers were the first to give the style its now-familiar name. However, British breweries arguably laid the groundwork.
By blending classic English ale techniques with citrusy American hops, UK brewers were already producing beers around 4% ABV that delivered bright aroma and coastal hop character long before session IPA became a buzzword.
Brixton Low Voltage session IPA
One of the most popular session IPAs in the UK is Brixton Low Voltage Session IPA.
It’s loved for its lively tropical flavours, soft bitterness and crisp, hoppy finish. Clean, refreshing and incredibly drinkable, it’s a textbook example of how a session IPA should taste.
If you’re exploring the style, this one deserves a spot on your list.
Lagunitas DayTime IPA
Another standout comes from California’s Lagunitas Brewing Company, one of the most influential IPA brewers around.
Their DayTime IPA is a perfect warm-weather session IPA. Light, bright and gently hazy, it brings plenty of hop aroma without overwhelming bitterness. Ideal when you want flavour without the heaviness.
Final thoughts on session IPA
Session IPA proves you don’t need high alcohol to enjoy bold hop character. By blending drinkability with aroma and balance, it’s become a modern craft beer staple.
Whether you’re new to the style or already a fan, knowing what a session IPA is (and why it exists) makes every sip even more satisfying.