It's Always Sessiony in Philadelphia

And that's the only "Sunny" reference I'll make...but seriously?

Every day is Session Beer Day in Philly.



Shut up. As Walter Brennan said in "The Guns of Will Sonnett" (and I can't believe I remembered that in one take from a 1967 TV show), "No brag. Just facts." Let me back it up.

First, there are the great session beers we see from Victory (many of which don't make it far outside the area) -- Uncle Teddy's Bitter, Dark Lager, Milltown Mild, Donnybrook Stout, and the new seasonal Swing Session Saison -- and Sly Fox: O'Reilly's Stout and Chester County Bitter. Then here in town there are session beers in regular dispense from our two city brewers: Yards has the widely-available Brawler and Philadelphia Brewing the popular and sudsily-refreshing Kenzinger. And Nodding Head brewpub is almost always running two taps of session beer, and can barely keep their excellent Ich Bin Ein Berliner Weisse on tap during the warm weather -- no, really, people love it and drink the hell out of it.

We have these beers all the time. They're part of the scene, and part of the reason a lot of people in Philly wonder just what the hell I'm doing with the Session Beer Project: why bother, we've got all that! Well, as the rest of you know, I do it because of love. You should all be so lucky.

That doesn't mean we don't do Session Beer Day! Yards is celebrating at their brewery taproom with specials on Brawler all day (noon to 4, and a great space) April 7; and Nodding Head will be running at least five taps of session beer, between 3.5 and 4.5% (plus their usual Sunday jazz brunch with Victor North's Jazz Trio, so, you know, can't lose, right?).

Just another wonderful day in America's Best Beer-Drinking City™...

Back to work: the Grey Lodge adds a dedicated Session Beer Tap

One of my favorite bars here in Philly (and anywhere), the Grey Lodge Pub, has dedicated one of their taplines to SBP-approved session beer! Here's what's going to be out in their e-log newsletter later this week:

SESSION BEER LINE AS PART OF LEW BRYSON’S SESSION BEER PROJECT
As part of Lew Bryson's Session Beer Project, Line 3 is going to be our session beer line. Session beers have an alcohol by volume of 4.5% or less. They are the beer to have if you are having more than one. As a side benefit, they are also lower in calories. When Cricket Hill Noctern kicks, which at 4.75% ABV just misses officially being a session beer, line 3 will be for session beers. In the meantime, Roy Pitz Best Blonde, which clocks in at 4.5%, on is line 7, so we have a session beer already. 

Just one more reason to head down to the G-Lodge!

Session Beer Event at the Farmer's Cabinet

You know, it's crazy that I haven't been to the Farmer's Cabinet yet; the beers are jaw-dropping, my buddy Terry Hawbaker is brewing for them (in Virginia, but that's another story), and the cocktails are supposed to be phenomenal...but Matt Scheller finally figured out how to get me to visit: >>>>>>>>>>>>>


That's right, he's throwing a bunch of session beers on and giving me a chance to talk about this passion of mine for great-tasting 'little beers.' Now, I do have to say: there are a few beers in the bunch that are over 4.5%. It ain't a perfect world. But it's a PAYG event, with pints and half pints, so if you don't want the 4.5+ beers, don't buy them. Or do, suit yourself. They'll also have specialty hot dogs, made by chef Jason Goodman, and I'm looking forward to that, too.

So, the deets: The fest will be at Farmer's Cabinet (1113 Walnut St., Philly) all day, on both Sept 9 and 10, Friday and Saturday. I'll be speaking about session beers at 1:30 on Saturday (I have an all-day meeting Friday, or I'd hike my butt in for that one, too); it's going to be a bit of a pep rally for session beers, but I'll talk about the hows and whys, like how they're made to taste so good, and why I set my limit at 4.5%. But mostly? We'll be drinking 26 tap beers and 2 gravity pours (one German, one English). Four of those 26 will be Terry's beers, some of the first brewed at the former Shenandoah brewery in Arlington, VA; if you know Terry's beers from the Bullfrog, you'll know why I'm excited about those.


Now, as Matt said: "Prices will vary, but European craft beer is not cheap - even when the ABV is low. I will try to keep them as low as possible, but the price point will not be $3 or $4 a pint, but probably around 6 or 7. Unfortunately,  just because a beer is lighter in color and lower in alcohol, doesn't mean it costs any less to buy. I certainly wish that was the case!"

I liked something else he told me:

To be frank, Lew, I am rarely in the mood these days for a boozy or remotely heavy beer.  I'd rather be able to have a "session" without feeling loaded or tired. Furthermore, there is something very special and sophisticated about a well made session beer, which is not an easy task for a brewer! I'm on a mini-mission to expose to people the beauty of a low abv, drinkable ale or lager. Bigger is not always better. I hope the american craft beer scene understands this in years to come and the philosophy of 'whiskey barrel aged 10% triple hopped continuously for 6 weeks and then aged in another barrel and wet hopped' is better" soon comes to a close and there is more emphasis put on balance and refinement! Hence good session beers. 

Yup. Sounds right to me.