Over the years we have seen various different styles of beer sky rocket in popularity, whether it was Russian imperial stouts, sours, or bourbon barrel aged beers. The latest and greatest fad in the beer world seems to be sessionable hoppy beers, and we at Binny’s are jumping all over the band wagon—so much so that a group of 34 Binny’s employees will be brewing one next week at Saugatuck Brewing Company. So what sets these sessionable hoppy beers apart from most IPA’s on our shelves? They are drinkable, lower in alcohol, and lower in IBU’s, while still being hoppy enough to please most hop-heads. It can be extremely taxing on your pallet to consume several IPA’s in a sitting, while these hoppy sessionable beers are brewed with the intentions of drinking more than a couple at a time. So what are some of the best ones on our shelves?

Two Brothers Sidekick – There comes a point where every beer nerd needs a break from the boozy onslaught of barrel aged stouts and tongue-thrashing bitterness of imperial IPA’s. Sometimes you just want to drink a beer (or three). SideKick is a subtle, sessionable option – it practically drinks itself! It’s crisp and delicate with a touch of sweet malt. There’s a nice balance of citrus, melon, and strawberry, and it finishes with just enough bitterness to remind you you’re drinking a pale ale. (5.1% ABV) -Tom Bergman, Binny’s Highland Park

Saugatuck Pathfinder Pale Ale – We need more beers like this. Proof that a beer you can drink more than one of can have just as much complexity as the rarest 15% ABV stout. I’ll be enjoying this one often. (4.9% ABV) -Pat Brophy, Binny’s South Loop.

Founders All Day IPA Session Ale – At less than 5% ABV, this is one of the tastiest session ales on our shelves. May also be referred to as a lawnmower beer or porch pounder by your local Binny’s beer manager. Available through September; will be unavailable during winter months. (4.7% ABV)

Prairie Standard – A hopped up saison with detailed picture instructions on the label about how to noodle a catfish on the label (this has absolutely nothing to do with the beer, but we thought it was hilarious). If you are a fan of funkiness in your beer & Belgian yeast, give this a shot. Oh and also, this is one of the hoppiest Belgian-style or farmhouse ales on our shelves. (5% ABV)

Central Waters Hop Rise Session Ale (coming soon) – Central waters describes this as an explosively hoppy yet sessionable IPA, bursting with a citrusy array of mango, orange and pineapple pleasantries, Hop Rise is a brewer’s beer for one and all. Generously hopped throughout the boil, then dry-hopped at the tail end of fermentation for a large bouquet. (4.5% ABV)

Ask a group of beer geeks what the best porters available at Binny’s are, and Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald and Deschutes Black Butte will surely garner a mention.  This is why we were so excited when we found out that Great Lakes and Deschutes were collaborating to create Class of ’88, a brand new Imperial Smoked Porter.  Class of ’88 is a commemoration to the 25th anniversary for both of these outstanding and longstanding breweries, both having been founded in 1988.  Class of ’88 is a limited run beer, and is now available at your local Binny’s.  Also for those wondering, we have the Deschutes bottling in stock, not the version bottled at Great Lakes.