Session IPA
Session IPA beers have a pale straw colour an ABV between 3% and 5% and a high bitterness.
Session IPA characteristics
Session IPA has a broad definition, being its main characteristics being low in ABV—less than 4.5%—but at the same time having a hop dominant taste and flavor. Compared to an American Pale Ale it has a more hoppy character, but less alcohol.
History
Session IPA is a recent term describing IPA's with a low ABV and high drinkability. The origins of the term session applied to beer could have its origins in the period of time that workers have between work shift in the WWI period in the UK—when they needed a non very alcoholic beer to be able to keep working afterwards. The creation of this style is considered to be a reaction against the trend of brewing heavy hopped beers.