Smuttynose Big A IPA

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

Big, big aromas of hopcit and apricot. The substantial hop bite isn’t tart, but demonstrates the hops very well. Soapy, bitter, peach/apricot/lemon/sour apple fruit notes from the hops and a complimentary malt presence make this a delicious-tasting IPA. Palate is the only downside to this behemoth -- slightly cloying and residually bitter. However, at $3.99 for a bomber, worth every last penny.

Slightly hazy orange amber. Medium sized foamy white head. Soft floral and citrus hop tones in the aroma, some biscuit maltiness behind it. Nice intense bitterness in the flavor, resinous hop character met with a doughy malt backbone. Some residual sweetness and resinous astringency in the finish. Mouthfeel is medium heavy, some stickiness.

Dark honey coloured, nice lacing on the topping white head. Huge floral nose with delicate orange and earthy undertones. Good malt base ensures a great balance, toasty, bready and biscuity. Citrusy, orangey and almost fluffy palate, moderately bitter, faintly alcoholic. Thick body, soft carbonation, comfortable mouth presence. Textbook big IPA to me. Good job.

[re-rate, 2006 bomber] Pours a golden amber color. Head quickly fades. Grassy hop aroma- mostly grapefruit and pine showing up. Flavors begin quite bitter, then a sweet malt shows through. A nice dry, bitter hop finish.

Bottle. Dark yellow, small white head. Nice hop aroma but actually pretty subdued. which doesn’t set you up for the coldcock (thanks Billy Dee) of the hop taste that hits you on the first sip and kicks your pathetic little can’t handle hop ass all the way to the bottom of the glass. What I’m trying to say is that this is way too one-dimensional. There just isn’t the malt background needed (or expected at this alcohol percentage) just balance out these hops. I much preferred the craft of the Smuttynose IPA. Still, interesting and worth a try.

Bottle @ Oliver Twist, Stockholm
No head. Aroma of rose hips and some butterscotch in the background. Intense with taste hops. It’s almost like a hop yoghurt or a full bodied hop pudding... Had to order a pint of water on the side. This is massive and filling. Too demanding for me.

Ligher amber with a moderate head, decent lacing. Aroma is the usual... grapefruit, citrus, pine, etc etc. Mouthfeel is fighting a battle with a delicate smoothness and a rough alcoholic finish. In the end it’s up in the air. Still a solid IIPA, but nothing really interesting here other than my BAC.

a big thanks to richlikebeer for sending me this brew.the big a poured into my snifter glass a cloudy orange with no head to be seen.the aroma gives me all the traits i like in an i2pa.pine,citurs,and flowers all made up for a nice smell.the flavor was again everything i like in an i2pa.pine,citurs,flowers,and a tiny alcohol kick.you cant really get much better than this for me as far ipa’s go.thanks again rich.