Beer of the Week

The beer: Matchplay IPA

The brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Company, Hampton, New Hampshire

Description (from Untappd): "Born on the 19th hole, and made for your next round, Matchplay IPA is a crisp and crushable ale that you’ll never again tee up without. Soft and refreshing, yet packed with bright and bold hops, our newest IPA is a sure gimme on a hot day."

Would I buy it again? The latest entry in my long-running series "Buying beer because there's golf on the can/bottle," this beer is a simple and juicy IPA. Hoppy, but not bitter. Which makes it pleasant to drink instead of a chore. Exactly the sort of beer you'd want on the golf course on a hot summer day. Of course, I don't really drink beer while playing golf, but I'd still buy this beer again.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Chocolate Banana Split

Brewed by: Smuttlabs Brewery & Kitchen, Dover, New Hampshire

Description (from the website): "A well-balanced, deep and malty imperial stout with wonderful layers of chocolate, vanilla and banana notes and just enough alcohol to let you know this ain’t no kiddie treat. You know this one is going to be a hit when served in tall cold pints in all the coolest monkey bars."

Would I buy it again?: Honestly, no. I was pretty let down by this one; I was expecting chocolate and banana combined, but I only tasted chocolate. Which is fine, and the beer certainly tasted good, but it's not what I wanted. Plus, for an imperial stout, it's a bit on the weak side at only 8% ABV. Which isn't a bad thing, per se, but it is odd. Smuttynose (Smuttlabs is their experimental branch) is a big, well-known brewery, I feel like they have the resources to do better than this. I guess it was experimental.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Single Digit Dubbel

Brewed by: Smuttynose Brewing Company, Hampton, New Hampshire

Description (from the website): "Smuttynose Single Digit Dubbel (formerly known as Winter Ale) is a full-bodied, amber beer brewed with a special Trappist ale yeast. Stylistically reminiscent of a Belgian Abbey Double, it features fruity aromas and flavor, balanced by spicy Sterling hops. Warming, mellow & pleasantly complex, Smuttynose Single Digit Dubbel is your perfect cold weather companion."

Would I buy it again?: Probably not. Sorry, this beer just didn't really grab me. It didn't really have much going on, I expected a bit more from a dubbel. Definitely not bad, just not enough to distinguish itself from other, better beers.