<p>Like many beer terms, "session beer" is not rigorously defined.  Several groups have tried, though:</p>

<ul>
<li>The <a href="http://www.brewersassociation.org/attachments/0000/5183/BA_2011_Beer_Style_Guidlines.pdf">Brewers Association (PDF)</a> called it 4.0-5.1% ABV</li>
<li><a href="http://beeradvocate.com/articles/653/">Beer Advocate</a> calls it less than 5%</li>
<li><a href="http://sessionbeerproject.blogspot.com/">The Session Beer Project</a> calls it 4.5%.</li>
</ul>

<p>Really, though, if you call something a session beer, most people will understand that to mean something you could easily drink several of in a session (ie, lighter and more mild than a "big" beer).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-05T11:13:21.903Z
5%?   If I attempt a session on Courage Directors, (4.9%), it gets auto-terminated after 5-6 pints.  I would go with the Brewewrs Association figure - I can drink Doombar, (4.0%), all day, (mostly, anyway:).
Martin James
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-03T23:00:20.090Z
2014-02-03T23:00:20.090Z
Fishtoaster
<p>Does anyone know if a "session beer" has to be below a specific ABV to qualify as a session beer?</p>

<ale><abv>
Does a session beer have to be below a specific ABV?
WestCoastBrewer
# Does a session beer have to be below a specific ABV?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-02-03)

Does anyone know if a "session beer" has to be below a specific ABV to qualify as a session beer?

**Tags:** ale, abv


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-02-03. Score: 8 | Accepted answer

Like many beer terms, "session beer" is not rigorously defined. Several groups have tried, though:

* The [Brewers Association (PDF)](http://www.brewersassociation.org/attachments/0000/5183/BA_2011_Beer_Style_Guidlines.pdf) called it 4.0-5.1% ABV
* [Beer Advocate](http://beeradvocate.com/articles/653/) calls it less than 5%
* [The Session Beer Project](http://sessionbeerproject.blogspot.com/) calls it 4.5%.

Really, though, if you call something a session beer, most people will understand that to mean something you could easily drink several of in a session (ie, lighter and more mild than a "big" beer).

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: 5%?   If I attempt a session on Courage Directors, (4.9%), it gets auto-terminated after 5-6 pints.  I would go with the Brewewrs Association figure - I can drink Doombar, (4.0%), all day, (mostly, anyway:).  

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