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.
All Origin Hybrid/Mixed Lagers or Ales
Session Beer
Mixed / specialty · The color should mimic the classic style upon which the beer is based.
What to expect
Malt attributes should mimic the classic style upon which the beer is based, but at lower overall intensity due to lower original gravity.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
2+
›
Pale / strawBlack
The color should mimic the classic style upon which the beer is based. · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
0.5–5.0%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
10–35
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 46 · PDF page 55. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
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.
Body & mouthfeel
Varies with underlying style
Clarity
Appearance may vary from brilliant to hazy to cloudy and should mimic the classic style upon which the beer is based.
Color
The color should mimic the classic style upon which the beer is based.
Fermentation characteristics
Varies with underlying style
Additional guideline notes & competition context
This category includes beers of any style that 1) are at or below 5.0% abv (4.0% abw) and 2) have an original gravity and alcohol content below the range of the classic style as defined in these guidelines. These beers exhibit lower original gravity and alcohol content than the classic style. Balance and drinkability are key to a successful session beer. A beer at or below 5.0% abv (4% abw) that adheres to the specifications of a classic style is not categorized as Session Beer. For example, low gravity beers such as Belgian-Style Table Beers, Belgian-Style Session Ales, or English-Style Mild Ales should be categorized within their appropriate categories. A beer below 0.5% abv (0.4% abw) is categorized as a Non-Alcohol Malt Beverage. 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.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.008-1.040 (2.1-10 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.004- 1.010 (1-2.6 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 0.4%-4.0% (0.5%-5.0%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 10-35 • Color SRM (EBC) 2+ (4+ EBC)