Brewers Association Releases Book Detailing History of Session Beer


Boulder, CO — Sharing a beer or two with friends is one of life’s many joys. Session beers, whose mild strength invites more than one round, adhere to high-quality standards and are dedicated to balance and drinkability above all. The latest release from Brewers Publications, Session Beers: Brewing for Flavor and Balance by Jennifer Talley, explores the history behind some of the world’s greatest session beers, past and present.

In recent years, brewers have reinvented traditionally stronger classic beer styles to something more suitable for casual drinking sessions – giving beer lovers the freedom to celebrate community while consuming less alcohol. Such beers can be challenging to brew, but they present many opportunities to showcase skill, flavor, and refreshment. In Session Beers, Talley provides valuable information about the brewing processes and ingredients that can be used in the development and explores popular recipes from some of the best brewmasters in America.

“A veteran of low-ABV ‘session’ brewing, Jennifer Talley brings an enormous amount of practical and technical information to this subject. It’s obvious her time at Squatters Pub Brewery in Utah fostered respect for the art and soul of brewing beers under 4.0% ABV,” said Tomme Arthur, co-founder and brewmaster, Lost Abbey and Port Brewing Co. “As someone who has been at this business of brewing for over 20 years, I can honestly say this book provided some keen insights into the thought processes and execution behind these fickle beer styles. I guess you actually can teach an old dog new tricks. I for one cannot wait to share this information with my brewers.”

Talley’s brewing career began in Salt Lake City as brewmaster at Squatters Pub Brewery. She honed her skills through a variety of positions at Salt Lake Brewing Company, Redhook Brewery, Russian River Brewing Company and Auburn Alehouse in Auburn, California. She is a Cicerone Examiner, craft beer industry speaker, technical committee member for the Master Brewers Association of the Americas and a national and international beer judge. She has received over 20 awards from the Great American Beer Festival® and World Beer Cup℠ and was awarded the Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Craft Brewing in 2011. She resides with her children in Grass Valley, California.

Brewers Publications supports the mission of the Brewers Association by publishing books of enduring value for amateur and professional brewers as well as titles that promote understanding and appreciation of American craft beer. With over 50 titles to choose from, it’s the largest publisher of contemporary and relevant brewing literature for today’s craft brewers, homebrewers and beer enthusiasts.

Session Beers: Brewing for Flavor and Balance

  • ISBN: 978-1938469411
  • Cover Price: $19.95

About the Brewers Association

The Brewers Association (BA) is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The BA represents 4,000-plus U.S. breweries. The BA’s independent craft brewer seal is a widely adopted symbol that differentiates beers by small and independent craft brewers. The BA organizes events including the World Beer CupSM, Great American Beer Festival®, Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America®, SAVOR℠: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, Homebrew Con, National Homebrew Competition and American Craft Beer Week®. The BA publishes The New Brewer® magazine, and Brewers Publications™ is the largest publisher of brewing literature in the U.S.

Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com and about homebrewing via the BA’s American Homebrewers Association and the free Brew Guru™ mobile app. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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