What makes a session IPA

[philnick]

I've noticed a proliferation of "session" IPAs popping up recently. I've like a lot of them and am trying to figure out what characterizes them besides the obvious (alcohol content).

Are they simply extra hopped pale ales? Dry hopped pales?

I'm thinking about taking a pale ale recipe I have and increasing the bittering hops and dry-hopping to create a session IPA and curious what other folks think

 

[bigbeergeek]

You've got it. They are pale ales that are layered with more hop bitterness, flavor and aroma than the standard American pale ale. Many of them try to emphasize grain flavor as well to create the perception of a bigger malt bill (slightly higher percentages of specialty grains, higher mash temperatures than standard IPAs). The goal is obvious: an IPA-esque beverage that won't destroy you after a few pints.