Good news, pitcher people. The dark days of either settling for a flavor-challenged light beer or facing a monster Manny’s hangover might soon be numbered. Craft breweries have finally tapped (ha) into that segment of beer buyers that wants interesting brews it can drink in abundance. And marketers have mainstreamed a nifty euphemism for copious beer consumption, one that hops enthusiasts have been using for years.

Going forward, instead of saying you had a beer binge, say you’ve engaged in “session” drinking.

I recently taste-tested two new Northwest beers that I’d put in the session category: Drifter pale ale from Widmer Bros. in Portland, and Redhook’s Slim Chance “light ale” from nearby Woodinville. AT 5.7 percent, the Drifter isn’t low alcohol, but the consistency—akin to, say, Amstel Light—makes for easy-drinking. Here’s a detailed description from Seattle Met listings editor/beertaster Chris Werner: “It had more of a watery thickness, but not too watery like Coors or Hamm’s. Likewise, it didn’t have that thick, almost gooeyness of many microbrews, which leads to full bellies and rank hangovers.” I should also mention Drifter’s refreshing citrus (almost berry-like) notes brought on by Summit hops.

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Slim Chance, meanwhile, is a beer for when you want a lighter version of Deschutes Mirror Pond pale ale (Slim has 3 percent alcohol and 125 calories a bottle, Mirror Pond has 5 percent and 170 calories). It’s something of the quality of the malt flavor in Slim that recalls the Mirror Pond. And though it doesn’t have Mirror Pond’s distinct Cascade hops finish, the malt and hops are nicely balanced. It’s a beer made for the pitcher.

So overall, pretty impressed with the new brews. I’ve seen Drifter on sale at the QFC, and Slim Chance should be available at Safeway soon and on tap at bars that sell Redhook beers.

UPDATE: Just learned that Widmer will be on tap at the following bars, among others: Paragon Bar, Greenlake Bar and Grill, King Street Bar and Oven, McCoy’s Firehouse BBQ, and Spot Pub & Pizza.