Ale Syndicate Sunday Session

Ale Syndicate Sunday Session is a 4.8% ABV session ale brewed in Chicago, Illinois, by the now-closed Ale Syndicate brewery. Scored 82 out of 100 on BeerAdvocate across over 100 ratings, this hop-forward session beer earned a following for its bright citrus character and dry, clean finish before the brewery ceased operations.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.8%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Session Ale  |  Brewery: Ale Syndicate (Closed)  |  Status: Discontinued

Production & Heritage

Ale Syndicate launched around 2013 in Chicago after a crowd-sourced funding campaign, operating out of a facility on West Diversey Avenue. Sunday Session was built on a pale two-row malt base and hopped aggressively for a session-strength beer, aiming to deliver full hop flavor at a restrained 4.8% ABV. The brewery ultimately shuttered after facing financial difficulties, including unpaid taxes and the loss of its lease, making any remaining bottles or cans collectors' items rather than shelf staples.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Opens with a pronounced hoppy, berry-like fragrance. Citrus peel — particularly orange — dominates as the glass warms, joined by subtle lemongrass and ginger undertones.

Taste: The entry delivers a sharp burst of bright citrus hops — fresh-squeezed orange juice, mandarin, and cantaloupe. Mid-palate, bready pale malt emerges with a toasty warmth that tempers the hop intensity. Bitter orange rind and a spicy hop bite add complexity without any lingering sweetness.

Finish: Notably clean and dry, with that signature ginger-lemongrass character surfacing as the beer warms. Medium bitterness lingers without astringency, encouraging another sip.

How to Drink Sunday Session

Poured into a pint glass or tulip at a cool but not ice-cold temperature — around 45–50°F — allows the citrus aromatics to fully express themselves. Straight from the can or bottle also works given the session-strength approachability.

• Shandy variation: The dry, citrus-forward profile blends naturally with fresh lemonade for a low-ABV summer drink.
• Michelada: The orange-peel bitterness and clean finish hold up against lime, hot sauce, and tomato juice.
• Beer cocktail float: Its dry character pairs well when floated over a citrus-forward wheat beer for a layered pour.

Best For

• Chicago craft beer collectors seeking discontinued local brews
• Sessionable day-drinking during barbecues or outdoor gatherings
• Hop-forward beer fans who want flavor without high ABV
• Tasting alongside other session ales to explore the style's range

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sunday Session taste like? It leads with a burst of bright citrus hops — orange juice, mandarin, and cantaloupe — before settling into toasty, bready pale malt with a clean, dry finish that develops ginger and lemongrass notes as it warms.

How does Sunday Session compare to Firestone Walker Easy Jack? Both are hop-forward session-strength beers, but Sunday Session was consistently described by reviewers as having noticeably more overall flavor depth than Easy Jack, particularly in its malt backbone and citrus intensity.

Is Sunday Session good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its 4.8% ABV and dry finish make it highly drinkable on its own, and the layered citrus and malt complexity reward attentive sipping rather than demanding it.

Where is Sunday Session made? It was brewed by Ale Syndicate at their facility on West Diversey Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. The brewery has since closed permanently due to financial difficulties.

What foods pair well with Sunday Session? Grilled chicken or fish tacos complement the citrus hop character. Sharp cheddar or aged gouda mirrors the toasty malt notes. Thai dishes with lemongrass and ginger echo the beer's warming finish. Citrus-dressed salads align with the orange-peel bitterness. Spicy buffalo wings find balance against the clean, dry body.

What sizes does Sunday Session come in? It was available in standard 12 oz packaging. As a discontinued product from a closed brewery, availability in any format is extremely limited to remaining existing stock.

Is Sunday Session worth the price? As a formerly accessible session ale, it was positioned in the everyday craft beer tier. Any bottles or cans still circulating may carry a premium due to scarcity and the brewery's closure rather than any intrinsic luxury positioning.

Why Sunday Session?

Sunday Session represents a specific moment in Chicago's craft beer history — a crowd-funded brewery's attempt to build a hop-packed beer that stayed under 5% ABV without sacrificing character. Its 82/100 BeerAdvocate score across more than 100 reviews confirmed that the recipe delivered on that promise, with consistent praise for citrus intensity uncommon at session strength. With Ale Syndicate permanently closed, this beer exists now only in remaining stock, making it a genuine artifact of Chicago's mid-2010s brewing scene. For anyone who encounters a bottle, it offers a window into a brewery that aimed high on flavor while keeping alcohol deliberately low.