Why the hell did I think Monday Night Slap Fight American IPA was a session IPA? You’ve got me. I remember seeing it in a supermarket (I think it was Whole Foods) and I could have sworn I saw the words session IPA on it. Thinking Monday Night was a little late to that party, I passed on it then, and for some time to come. It was only when Monday Night beers were featured as beer of the month at Taco Mac in April of 2018 that I learned it was an American IPA, and a good one at that.
It was on the first Thursday of April, the 5th to be exact, that I enjoyed a brimming mug of Monday Night Slap Fight American IPA. I’m not sure where the name comes from (Monday Night has a bunch of Pow! Bam! Zap! Images on their webpage for the beer ala an Adam West Batman fight. Why it’s Slap Fight and not Bat Fight I don’t know. Probably the rights from DC are too expensive.
From the website:
Slap Fight will woo you in with a West Coast-style malt bill, but slaps you across the face with its tropical hop profile. Light in body, heavy in character, this IPA features Munich and Crystal pale malts for a clean, rich mouthfeel. Comet, Equinox and Mosaic hops lend a pungent herbal aroma, peppered with hints of papaya, orange and grapefruit. Present this beer to a friend. If he does not drink it immediately, slap him as hard as you can. Repeat.
Ingredients, also from the website:
Hops: Comet, Equinox, Mosaic, Bravo
Grain Bill: 2-row, Munich, Crystal
Monday Night Slap Fight American IPA has an alcohol content of 5.8% by volume with 58 IBUs. I paid $5.40 for a 23-ounce mug at Taco Mac and that came with a free logo glass. The beer sells for a very reasonable $8.99 a six-pack in cans at Total Wine. Slap Fight reminds me in some ways of Monday Night Eye Patch Ale, the very first Monday Night beer I tried lo these seven years ago. Slap Fight was delightful accompanying a succulent order of veggie quesadillas.
My mug of Monday Night Slap Fight American IPA arrived hazy orange in color with a thick fluffy white head and some very nice pine and citrus in the nose. There’s a moderate (I wouldn’t call it light) caramel maltiness, zesty grapefruit rind and piney resin, and a long dry very bitter herbal finish.
I find this to be much more of an American Pale Ale than an IPA. Your mileage may vary. Either way, it is tasty and delicious. Kudos too for the bargain price.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft