Althouse: "But what exactly is a 'session beer'?"

June 22, 2011

"But what exactly is a 'session beer'?"

"You may have encountered the term session beer before, as in, This would make a fine session beer - a statement usually proclaimed with a sense of nirvana, followed by a subtle smile of reaffirmation."

26 comments:

mariner said...: I'd need something stiffer to get through Obama's speech.; 6/22/11, 9:53 PM
David said...: Depends on what kind of session you are thinking of having.; 6/22/11, 9:55 PM
edutcher said...: This is why I don't drink.; 6/22/11, 10:29 PM
1775OGG said...: At least with Bill Clinton, we had a somewhat skilled wordmeister even if his logic was twisted. The way he went at it was marvelous, in a few ways.

This current guy is not at ease with anything except maybe his TOTUS!; 6/22/11, 10:30 PM
AlanKH said...: Is session beer what they serve on keg night at the Capitol?; 6/22/11, 10:42 PM
Anonymous said...: I personally like 211, aka Steel Reserve. Generally a "session" will last 4 16oz. cans - although I can do more. Each 16 oz. can is rated at 8.1% alcohol. It's a German thing.... I'm 1/2 German and English - so I inherited the alcoholism of the German with the dry sense of English humor. GAWD - I can watch BBC and burst out in laughter. In Germany - my local brew was Bitburger - when I wasn't wrecking my liver with the heavier weizenbier. Just add a couple of Bratwurst with SENF - Grosse Pomme Frites mit Mayo - and we are good to go.; 6/22/11, 10:46 PM
Fred4Pres said...: A session beer can be stronger than 5% but it should be light enough that you can drink a few without feeling bloated. The idea of a session, is you can drink them during say playing poker or watching a sports game without getting completely fill or bloto.

An excellent session beer by the way is Session by FullSail. The pony bottles work well and were apparently inspired by the old Olympia ponies.; 6/22/11, 10:51 PM
Anonymous said...: “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”

Attributed to Be Franklin.
Read more:

http://thinkexist.com/quotation/beer_is_proof_that_god_loves_us_and_wants_us_to/146025.html; 6/22/11, 10:56 PM
bagoh20 said...: I get the impression that all the depth of opinion and B.S. about beer, wines, and most other alcohol is just a combination of having and excuse to drink it and having something to talk about when you do.

I don't really think most of us care as much about the flavor as we do the buzz. Proof: imagine science found a way to perfectly simulate the flavor with zero buzz. Nobody would be drinking that or talking about it.

I do it for the buzz, and I'm not afraid to admit it. It's great if it tastes good too, but we develop a taste for the buzz first and the rest follows.; 6/22/11, 10:58 PM
Carol_Herman said...: I didn't watch.

I'm sure his head revolved between two teleprompters.

And, what's the beer session for? To see how many times he says "I" ...

Whatever it takes to get out of afghanistan will be a good thing.

Too bad we can't bring the russians back. They could come in and scare the Afghan tribal twits no end.

I'd also recommend bombing all those 8 lane highways. They want the stone age? Let them have the stone age!

Now, when the troops come home, isn't it sad they won't find jobs?

That's the only reason we've been delaying bringing our troops back!

What was really important news today ... is that yet, again, the press got it wrong about Sarah Palin. She returned to Alaska for Jury Duty.; 6/22/11, 11:27 PM
Paddy O said...: bagoh, I'm exactly the opposite. I really like the taste. And I don't really like the buzz.

I think this is genetic, because I didn't drink until I was out of college, and when I did I found I pretty much like the taste of just about anything with alcohol, except tequila.

I'm not at all the pretentious sort when it comes to describing beers or wine, but I definitely have my preferences which have everything to do with taste, and I can generally say why I like one better than another.; 6/23/11, 12:19 AM
Paco Wové said...: "It's a naive midwestern IPA without any breeding, but I think you'll be amused by its presumption."; 6/23/11, 6:32 AM
Toad Trend said...: Definitely drink beer for the flavor, and I find less appeal in the buzz. I've always been an alcohol lightweight despite my 195 lbs....I think my liver was wired to reject the rest of my organs/body if I go over the line.

Hence, I have my own 'session' internals that usually tell me I'm bloated before I get too buzzed.

Session beer? Budweiser or Rolling Rock, especially for poker parties or fishing.

But my favorite-tasting beer would have to be Southern Tier's IPA which is 7.3 ABV. 3 of those is my max, its actually a great buzz of lupulin (hop component that provides a mild sedative effect) along with adequate alcohol, perfect for a good nite's rest after a long day...; 6/23/11, 6:53 AM
kimsch said...: Ah, a good bratwurst mit senf from the imbiss stand. Good stuff!

wv: elsief; 6/23/11, 7:36 AM
TosaGuy said...: I've grown weary of all the new contrived beers that seem to exist so hipster bars can get $8 a glass. If I want to spend that much on a drink, it better be dry and have an olive in it.

I've migrated to the low end on beer. When ice cold, there are few things more refreshing than the first sip of a Coors Light on a hot day after doing some work.; 6/23/11, 8:41 AM
Rich B said...: I watched and it appeared that he had a single teleprompter right above the camera. I like how he sashays up to the podium. Another bloodless kitchen sink speech. I will say this in its favor, though - it was short and didn't interrupt my viewing of Fox News for long. Ha!

I usually don't drink session beers because I don't drink very many at one sitting and want my buzz worth. McSorley's Ale House here in NYC serves some good ones, though. You can drink a couple of dozen and still discuss philosophy.; 6/23/11, 8:42 AM
Known Unknown said...: When ice cold, there are few things more refreshing than the first sip of a Coors Light on a hot day after doing some work.

You might as well drink water.

Duvel is awesome stuff, but it's a little harder to find and can be expensive.; 6/23/11, 8:48 AM
TosaGuy said...: "You might as well drink water."

Coors Light is wetter than water. I'm certainly not going to suck down a porter or stout after shingling my roof.; 6/23/11, 9:04 AM
Known Unknown said...: Coors Light is wetter than water. I'm certainly not going to suck down a porter or stout after shingling my roof.

I didn't say porter or stout, but jesus, Coors Light?; 6/23/11, 9:29 AM
Hagar said...: "Kommer der ige snart a Carlsberg for mej, a Tuborg for dej, oh ho!"; 6/23/11, 9:32 AM
ken in tx said...: I recently tried a Coors light after many years of porter and stout. Coors is indistinguishable from club soda to me. It would make a good mixer with scotch.; 6/23/11, 10:37 AM
ken in tx said...: Actually Yuengling's Black and Tan is just about right and it's not too expensive as well.; 6/23/11, 10:47 AM
TMink said...: A session beer should also be not too heavy in alcohol content. It comes from England, where propriety demands that each person with the groupd should buy a round. If you are out with more than one or two people, this means you need a less filling beer with less alcohol or you get completely shit faced.

I like a nut brown for a session beer, and Fat Tire ale will do nicely as well.

Trey; 6/23/11, 11:07 AM
Trooper York said...: I agree with Trey. Try Newcastle Brown or Samuel Smiths Nutmeg Brown ale.

It doesn't get better than that.; 6/23/11, 11:23 AM
Lockestep said...: bagoh, I can tell you have never experienced the pleasure of a great Burgundy. A wine that can offer a multitude of flavors in every sip. A wine that you match with a fairly straightforward meat like filet so the focus of your palate is on the wine, and not distracted by complex flavors from the entree.
Because if you had, you would never have posted what you did.
BTW, I would drink it without the effects, but the pleasure of the fullness from the meal accented by the relaxing components of the alcohol is sheer nirvana.; 6/23/11, 12:23 PM
bagoh20 said...: I hear you guys, but I think some of you are in denial. I don't think your appreciation of these beverages would be quite the same if they tasted the same but were alcohol-free. Someday I'm sure we will be able to test my theory. But just imagine if both were available at the same price, which would you buy?; 6/23/11, 3:59 PM