Third Street Brewhouse is releasing its first session IPA

Session IPAs still have all the hoppy flavor, but less alcohol – perfect for summer day drinking.

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Third Street Brewhouse is releasing its first session IPA, just in time for summer day drinking.

It's called Sanity Break Session IPA, and it's described as having a "crisp, clean full-hop flavor for easy drinking." The brewery notes it's perfect for when you need a little rest and relaxation this summer.

This is the brewery's first time making a session IPA – a style that's become popular in recent years as a way to give hop heads who love IPAs an option that's lower in alcohol, but doesn't skimp on the flavor of a traditional IPA.

The Sanity Break Session IPA has an ABV of 4 percent, so people can have more than one, Jodi Peterson, the sales manager at Third Street, said in a news release.

The beer will be available year-round in four-packs of 16-ounce cans starting this month, and in the Third Street summer variety pack.

What are session beers?

Session beers are a hybrid beer of sorts, the Brewers Association says. They can come in any style – they're just made at a lower strength (typically with an ABV of 5 percent or less).

And because IPAs are still the most popular beer style, it makes sense for brewers to make an IPA that's more drinkable, so people can have more than one without getting too drunk, American Craft Beer said. Typically an IPA has an ABV of 6.3-7.5 percent, the Brewers Association notes.

Bart Watson, the chief economist for the Brewers Association, said in 2015 session IPAs would continue to gain popularity among beer lovers because these beers don't sacrifice flavor like "light" beers do. (Flavor is a big deal – 99 percent of craft beer drinkers said it was important when picking a beer to buy.)

That same year, Fortune reported on session IPAs being popular in summer months, noting Founders Brewing was one of the first to introduce a session IPA – and after three years, the brewery's All Day IPA (smart marketing, eh?) represented 50 percent of the beer the company made.

If you're looking to try a full-flavored beer that won't make you fall out of your hammock this summer, check out Rate Beer's list of the highest-rated session IPAs.