Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale

dark and hoppy with a dishdetergent like taste that is somewhat sweet astringent and tangy. seems almost like an ordinary beer at like 3x’s the strength. small wirey white head but with good body, the beer is fruity and a bit toffee like somewhat harsh in flavor and yet refined in body it is unbalanced with a grapefruit rind taste that arrives a few minutes after pouring just when the suds and fishwater exits. czeck like hop character that is 3x as strong and bitter and lngers on the tongue. compex, a bit strange and also good. the Brits could learn something.

I like the color on this, a little towards brown of a typical Pale Ale. Smuttynose wasn’t shy with the bittering hops, which is totally balanced by malty sweetness, and I find drinking this beer to be a generally very pleasant experience.

Poured a clear copper color with nice carbonation bubbles rising in the glass. There was a thin tan head that left light amount of lacing. A nice citrus aroma. There is a nice light crisp citrus flavor initially with a touch of sweetness. The flavor rolls into a mild bitteness that builds into the finish. A good combination of the citrus and sweetness initially followed by the hops.

Pretty decent. Not about to run off and get more of this though. Pours a thin head, clear and dark amber color. Toasty flavor, and long finish. Definitely not bad.

Draught sample at the Portsmouth restaurant. English pale ales are not my favourite style but this seemed about average across the board. Not something I would search out but not bad.