Smuttynose Imperial Stout from Smuttynose Brewing Company

	Percentile
	99
	overall

Brewed by Smuttynose Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Portsmouth, New Hampshire USA

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
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Ratings Average Score Seasonal ABV Style Pctl Serve in
607 3.96/5.0 3.94/5.0 Winter 10.1% 84.2 Snifter
View Statistics P

Commercial Description:
After a one year hiatus the Imperial Stout is back in action. We figured that after catching a bit of flack for its absence we’d have it return with a bang. We bumped up the starting gravity from 20° P to 24° P. This allowed the beer to finish just over 10% ABV. Like this year’s Barleywine, we’ve decided to play with the hop character, specifically the dry hop presence. Trying to avoid the fiasco of my previous attempt at adding pellets to the fermentor, I did what any good manager would do: I made Charlie add them. He had the advantage of being able to add the hops directly through a top manway and so his besting me in this challenge is not necessarily a sign of his superior brewing skills but more a reflection of my adventurous, try anything spirit (or at least that’s the story I’m stickin’ to). The Charles added 44 lbs of Cascade, split evenly between two batches, or about half a pound per barrel. We then transferred the beer onto seventy-eight pounds of an even mixture of Centennial and Columbus whole flowers, about one pound per barrel. The beer is a little top heavy in terms of the hopping but it seems to be smoothing out a bit as it’s aging. I’d give it six months or so, if you can wait that long. If not, hey, enjoy it anyway.

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rocbyter (902), Waterbury, Connecticut, USA

4.2	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.2	9/10	5/5	8/10	3/5	17/20

Mar 28, 2009

Strong hoppy aroma that hides most of the malts. Black color with a large brown head. Sweet beginning with a bitter finish. The alcohol is very noticeable in the end it is 10.1% abv after all. Lightly creamy palate. Very hoppy for a imperial stout.

Palidor19 (1750), Brandon, Florida, USA

3.5	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.5	7/10	5/5	6/10	4/5	13/20

Mar 28, 2009

smells of coffee, cola and a touch of soy sauce. taste is highly on the piny hops with a lot of carbonation followed by really strong toasted coffee. this not one for the casual drinker.

nick76 (2634), Tampa, Florida, USA

3.2	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.2	7/10	5/5	6/10	4/5	10/20

Mar 28, 2009

The aroma is special. It’s very hoppy (pine) even for an Imperial Stout. Also it is very sweet and toasted. The appearance is nice with a large foamy head and a very dark brown color. The flavor is like the aroma but also astringent. The palate is smooth. Overall a nice experience and one I would drink again.

zappafan99 (462), South Carolina, USA

3.4	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.4	6/10	3/5	6/10	3/5	16/20

Mar 27, 2009

Taste 3/9 09 bottle. 8.9%abv. Looks: Black body, thick tan foam. Aroma: Wow...tons of hops. I was not expecting that. There is some toast and chocolate coffee in the background. Taste: Very hoppy with an Imp stout base. Full bodied with the dry and bitter hops making it easy to drink quickly. An interesting brew.

kevd193213 (477), Hope Valley, Rhode Island, USA

4.3	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.3	8/10	5/5	8/10	5/5	17/20

Mar 21, 2009

Draught. Black pour with a nice thick brown creamy head. Aroma of coffee, burned chocolate, marshmallows and alcohol. Taste is fantastic, full bodied with mild carbonation. Chocolate, dry oats, sugar and alcohol. Great brew, my favorite I sampled this session.

PorterPounder (3132), Tallahassee, Florida, USA

4.3	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.3	8/10	5/5	8/10	5/5	17/20

Mar 18, 2009

Savannah, Ga. - Habersham Beverage Warehouse - 22 oz bomber. Coal black pour with a thick mocha colored head that leaves excellent lacing. Aroma of vanilla, chocolate, and a wee bit of alcohol. Flavor is full if chocolate, has some marshmallow notes, a hint of bourbon and some vanilla to round it out. Excellent roastiness - espresso-like. Rich, creamy mouthfeel. Me like!

joebudzjoe (222), Connecticut, USA

3.6	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.6	7/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	14/20

Mar 14, 2009

Tap @ Monster B’s. Typical Imperial Stout (heavy flavor, rich black color, wonder thick hop) but I didn’t really taste much of the subtleties. Not a very rich palate.

danielcurtis81 (879), San Diego, California, USA

3.6	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.6	7/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	16/20

Mar 13, 2009 Updated: Mar 14, 2009

Bottle sample at Decadence release. Poured a deep oil black. Nose is malty. Lots of malt flavors with some hop kick. A little flat, perhaps opened too long. I look to resample sometime.

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