Have you ever stayed with the question of what difference there is between a session beer, a Seasonal, and a Saison? Do not worry, you are not alone in this beer confusion. The good news is that understanding these concepts can open a much broader fan to explore and enjoy your favorite drinks with greater knowledge and fun.
What does each one go? Unraveling the terms that seem the same but they are not
First, it should be clarified that neither session nor seasonal are formal beer styles in themselves, but rather are categories or characteristics that describe certain aspects of the same drink, such as its alcoholic intensity or its relationship with the calendar. On the other hand, the Saison are a recognized style, with deep roots in the Belgian tradition, and with their own identity that distinguishes them.
Time trip: The story behind some terms that were born in England of the twentieth century
The history of session beers arises in England from the beginning of the 20th century, in a fairly peculiar context. The workers who supplied British troops during World War I had strenuous days and short breaks. To take advantage of those moments, beers with low alcoholic content began to be consumed, which allowed to enjoy without losing the course – from there the idea of the ‘session beers’ was born, ideal for drinking several without flying in a single batch.
Currently, this concept translates into drinks with moderate alcoholic content, usually between 3 and 5 degrees ABV, and do not necessarily correspond to a particular style. It is rather a way of thinking of beer for those who seek to relax or stay active without losing clarity.
Seasonal beers: the art of drinking with the calendar in hand
Before cooling made it possible to manufacture Lager beers in summer or store hops in winter, brewer masters depended on the stations to create unique products. The tradition of seasonal or ‘Seasonal’ beers was born precisely to take advantage of particular ingredients and climatic conditions that only occur at certain times of the year.
Today, the ‘Seasonal’ are still relevant, even in the modern era, where technology allows you to make any type of beer at any time. The choice of a style at a specific station – such as a Bock in Winter or a Pilsner in summer – responds to both traditional reasons and the availability of cultural ingredients and preferences.
Saison: A style with history that transcends labels
The Saison beers, originally from Belgian farms, embody an agricultural and labor tradition that transcends time. Initially, they were made in autumn for their consumption in summer, facilitating that farmers could drink while working in the fields and at the same time enjoy a refreshing and light drink.
The style, which usually has an fruity and spicy character, can be adapted so much to those who seek a ‘session’ option – that is, with less alcoholic content – and those who want to enjoy it in season – ‘siasonal’. In tourism, at festivals or in family gatherings, Saison has the power to unite tradition and versatility.
And if you thought that all this was simple, in reality these categories cross easily, allowing the same beer to be, for example, a summer saison or a Saison session, depending on its alcoholic content and moment of consumption.
