Smuttynose IPA

Brewed by Smuttynose Brewing Company
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire USA

On draft at State Line. Poured golden orange in color with a medium sized off white sticky head. Aroma of some sweet floral simcoe hops with some light caramel malt. Tastes of pine, citrus hops, with a light caramel malt base.Very nice.

12oz bottle. Orange-gold with a sticky head. Aroma of sweet, bready, nutty malt, and grassy, spicy hops. Nutty caramel malt flavor. The hops a a sharp bitterness it the finish, but don’t add too much in the front and middle besides a bit of grapefruit peel. A more spicy, refreshing IPA with a good bitterness. I liked the bitter-sweet balance, but the hops lacked a bit for me otherwise.

Aroma is predominantly of hops, including citrus, pine, grass, and a slight earthiness, but a sweet, caramel malt character is present, as is a noticeable alcohol warmth. Appearance is light golden to amber with a fairly persistant head and a hint of legs. The most significant thing in the flavour is the long, dry finish, which is very pleasant, and carries grapefruit and slightly herbal hop flavours. Bitterness is moderate, smooth, and lasting. Mouthfeel is medium, without being heavy, and is very pleasant. Good to try another take on the AIPA, overall I found this one dry, with an assertive but pleasant bitterness, but I’m guessing the aroma is typically much stronger than in this one. Best Before - yesterday.

Bottle. (previous tasting from memory). This was included in a mix pack. Do not remember too much so may need to retaste this one some day. Did remember it being good but not great. 11/13 Got another mix pack and paid attention this time - bumping up the score a bit.

Slight orange hue. Nice thin head on top. Looks pretty good. Has a slight sweet smell to it, but with that sweet smell hoppy aroma. Not too creamy of a palate, but a nice hoppy taste. The hops are everywhere. Very nice bittering hop I must say. Overall, a very bitter beer with a hint of sweetness in the aroma. Not a great creamy palate, but it is ok. Abover average beer, if you ask me.

12oz. Pours hazy yellow. small-ish white head. Decent amount of lacing. Very hoppy (hell yes). Thick, but enjoyable. For all the hop, there is plenty of citrus undertones as well. Perhaps some honey too. The taste lingers (enjoyably) in the mouth. At the price point, this is a very good IPA.

slightly hazy orange with a small white head. somewhat tame peachy, tangerine, lemon-lime hop aroma. flavor is similar to aroma with mild limey, tangerine hops. light bodied. this is uniquely different for an ipa.

True to thier word, this is not an IPA for the faint of heart. Very hoppy after taste will scare away the unseasoned taster but for those of us who dream of swimming in India Pale Ale pools, this is a wonderful brew. Entertaining bottle, alcohol doesn’t overpower, and nice carbonation are big pros to this IPA. My only con would be the fact that one must really be looking for that floral aroma to find it, especially if you are near the end of your 6 pack. Drink this one even if you are a snob.