北米の最新クラフトビール情報をお届けします。

セッションビールとは、スタイルや製法（エールやラガー）、アロマや味に関わらず「爽快で飲みやすい、アルコール度数低め」のビールである。厳密な規定はないが、ベースとなるスタイルを周到しつつも、モルトやホップの濃さ・強さを抑えめにしたもの。なおアルコール度数5%未満である事が条件となっている。

季節的なビール（Seasonal）として夏前から作られる事が多い。Session Ale、Summer Session、Session IPAなどブルワリー毎に独自のネーミングを織りなしている。夏は大概どこのブルワリーでも目にする、北米では大変ポピュラーなスタイルである。

＜このビールスタイルのBrewers Associationによる解説＞

Session Beer

• Color: The color should mimic the classic style upon which the beer is based
• Clarity: Appearance may vary from brilliant to hazy to cloudy and should mimic the classic style upon which the beer is based
• Perceived Malt Aroma & Flavor: Malt attributes should mimic the classic style upon which the beer is based, but at lower overall intensity due to lower original gravity.
• Perceived Hop Aroma & Flavor: Hop attributes should mimic the classic style upon which the beer is based, but at lower overall intensity in order to maintain the balance typical of that style.
• Perceived Bitterness: Should mimic the classic style upon which the beer is based, but at lower overall intensity in order to maintain the balance typical of that style.
• Fermentation Characteristics: Varies with underlying style
• Body: Varies with underlying style
• Additional notes: This category includes any style of beer made lower in strength than described in the classic style guidelines. These beers exhibit lower original gravity and alcohol content than the classic style. Drinkability is key to a successful session beer. Beers exceeding 5.0% abv (4% abw) are not categorized as Session Beers. Beers at or below 5.0% abv (4% abw) which nonetheless hew to another classic or traditional category should not be categorized as Session Beers. For example, beers such as Belgian-Style Table Beers or American-Style Pale Ales with abv below 5.0% should be categorized within their appropriate categories. When using these guidelines as the basis for evaluating entries at competitions, organizers may wish to further subcategorize this category. Competition organizers may request that brewers provide actual percent alcohol by volume (abv) for their entries in this category.