The term comes from England and refers to a beer of which one may drink 5 mugs in a sitting, or session with friends. It is in style to call it a beer for easy drinking. It does not represent a challenge to the palate with a taste that is very strong and hoppy. It is sweet not bitter. Nor is it very alcoholic and hence one may easily consume 5 mugs in a session. Generally session beers are normal industrial beers.
But recently session beer has been rediscovered by the craft brewers. Aware that with a strong taste and high alcoholic content their beers discourage the normal drinker and don’t allow the consumption of more than a single bottle, they have adopted session beer to sell volumes unrelated to their usual market of purists.
In reality, the majority of craft beers are contrary in spirit to a true session beer, which favors the cheerful company of friends. The drinker of a craft beer typically holds the glass up to the light, examines, and sips in a contemplative way and then speaks of caramel tonalities with nuances of citrus. Such a drinker does not fit into the class of the session beer drinker, who drinks with pleasure but talks about subjects other than just beer.
Birra di Modena is an ideal session beer with a definite taste but truly easy to drink.
