Smuttynose Big A IPA

Brewed by Smuttynose Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Portsmouth, New Hampshire USA

Pours a clear pale golden orange color with hints of peach and dark golden yellow hues when held to a light source. Two finger frothy, pillowy head that has excellent retention, only slowly fading into a lasting ring that leaves rings of chunky, soapy lacing. Resinous earthy floral hop aroma with lots of dank hop oils, citrus and pine notes. Slight alcohol presence with a nice biscuit/graham cracker malt character. This smells extremely fresh with lots of grapefruit, orange and lemon peel. One of the better smelling DIPAs I’ve had in some time. Chewy, resinous medium body with lots of uber-fresh, floral hops bursting through. A good bit of dry and bitter flavor that balances out the sweetness of the citrus flavors. Lots of grapefruit, pineapple, mango and citrus peel excellently balanced by dry pine notes, slight alcohol warmth and biscuity graham cracker malt backbone. Their is a slight alcohol presence but overall the high ABV is very well masked, and this well balanced DIPA is dangerously drinkable. Excellent interpretation of the style. The latest batch just hit shelves (in the Philly area at least) so I strongly recommend going out and getting it now while it’s at it’s peak.

Orangish pour. White head. Aroma is loaded with citrus peel and caramel malt. Flavor is juicy and hoppy. Bitter and sweet. Very good.

On tap at Sunset, body is a dark copper color with a whispy pure white head. Great retention and lacing. The nose is bright and sweet with leafy and pine notes followed by sugary syrupy malts. The flavor tends more towards the piney sticky hop characteristics, with a definite resinous backbone, but the sweet sticky malts really give this beer depth. Its like an inside out milk dud, methaphorically of course...wow, that blows my mind. I would aliken this beer to a really fresh 90 minute, especially on tap. The floral hops are stronger than 90 Minute, but the malts may be a little heavier and roasty. Either way, delicious, thanks Smuttynose! You make my tongue very happy.

an ipa with good hint of malts. alcohol well hid. not particularly a hop heads ipa as it is not too bitter and mostly citrus. touch of vine in the mix.

Pours light gold with a faint white head. Aroma is sweet hops. Nice flavor, not as sweet as the aroma, a little more earthiness. Overall very nice.

Ok I know there’s a goofy looking old school boxer on the label, but don’t let this one fool you. This is one serious IPA. Has a dark golden color. Aroma is basically of big time hops and canibus. Taste is basically the same with some subtle hints of malts. Has a big time bite in the end.

26th April 2008. Smooth IPA - strong rich hops but not wincingly bitter. Well judged level of hops and very drinkable.

22oz bomber from grape & gourmet. pours a bright, clear, yellow-gold with a half-inch white head and solid lacing. aroma is wonderful with big, fresh, citrus hop notes of white grapefruit and orange, herbal pine needles with a bit of dank bud, and sweet floral notes with a touch of candy sugar and light, caramel malts. flavor is outstanding as well with juicy, fruity hop notes of orange, grapefruit, pineapple, and a bit of tangerine with beautiful spicy, sprucy, pine and sweet florals on the back and just a touch of nutty, toasted, malts providing balance. palate is medium bodied, slightly sticky, and deliciously bitter with a lingering, citrus finish. overall, a great east coast DIPA.