Ordinarily, I don’t like going back to the same brewery for a review more than once in a 30-day timeframe, unless it’s part of a series. This will be the second time in a month that I have broken that rule. Shiner’s Birthday Beer and Kosmos Reserve was the first time. Today’s visit to Hampton, N.H. is my latest violation of a self-imposed rule.

The Bouncy House IPA is Smuttynose’s entry into the session beer market, debuting in Spring 2014. Either I was not aware of it or Smuttynose did not release this widely (probably more of the former than the latter) because I did not learn about the Bouncy House until the past month or so. Granted, Al Dente HQ is not mission control for the Craft Beer Movement (proper noun), but I like to think that I know things.

If you watch the video that accompanies the beer’s description at Smutty’s website, you will hear JT Thompson, minister of propaganda for the brewery (Side Note: In my next job, I would like this to be my title. Hell, in my current job I would like this to be my title.), summarized the Session Beer Movement quite nicely. He discussed how Smutty wanted to make a beer was sociable, allowing drinker to have “a couple of beers while watching the game without getting slobberknocked.”

So, what sets this apart from competitors in its class? First, the blonde on the box has this Laura Dern thing going on (that’s a good thing.). Second, it’s not a weak beer. As a matter of fact, it’s a remarkably hoppy beer coming in a 84 IBU. Only Stone’s Go To IPA comes close to having such a hoppy session at 65 IBU. One of the false assumptions with sessions has been that you lose the bitterness and flavor with the alcohol, and beers like this one prove that point. It has all of the dank, resinous punch of an IPA, but at 4.3% ABV (by comparison, Smutty’s Finestkind IPA is 6.9% and 73.5 IBU). The flavor and nose are complex, and the dry hop kick at the end is a reminder that it’s time for the next sip.

And, get this, it’s unfiltered. No kidding. There is a beautiful haze with a little sediment that escapes. (Other people think sediment is disgusting. I think it gives a beer character. I digress.)

I didn’t think I would find a beer that hung out in the same class as Founders All Day IPA. Now I’m not sure if the All Day IPA can hang with the Bouncy House IPA.

Brewer: Smuttynose Brewing Company

Beer: Bouncy House IPA

Style: IPA

ABV: 4.3% IBU: 84

Container: 12 oz. bottle

Price: $9.99 (purchased as part of a six pack) Point of Purchase: Hess Express, Bushnell’s Basin, N.Y.

To The Eye: Golden and hazy with a nice bit of sediment swirling in the glass. Moderate amount of foam.

To The Nose: Hoppy and spicy and fruity. Classic IPA.

To The Palate: I caught some peppery spice, and floral herbs. Strong pine and slight citrus.

Aftertaste: Dry, crispy kick on the back side.

Boozy Factor: Nonexistent.

On a Scale of 1 to 10, with 10 as highest: 8.75