The green beer tradition

This day last year I reported on The White Hag's release of a Shamrock Shake ice cream ale, luridly green for the day that's in it. Despite the howls of derision from the nation's beer purists, they've re-released it for a second year, and added a new green beer to boot.

Watermelon IPA is part of the Spree Series of silly recipes, all of which so far have been brewed with lactose. This hasn't, and after being struck by the pure clear greenness (thanks E142!) I was then struck by how dry it is: thin-bodied and crisply fizzy. Definitely a lactose-free zone. Calling it an IPA is a bit of a liberty as there's no trace of any hops in the flavour. Instead, the artificial watermelon syrup smothers everything. The ingredients include grapefruit as well and I couldn't say what contribution that makes.

I have quite a high tolerance for daft beers, but this one didn't suit me at all. It's far too chemical-tasting, with more than a hint of marker pen about the whole picture. May your St Patrick's Day include better beer than this.