Smuttynose IPA "Finest Kind" - Smuttynose Brewing Company

blackheartbilly

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First tried this beer because the label was so funny to me. Had at a cookout (6-pack) and then decided that this would be a great session beer for a canoe/camping trip on the Saco river in Maine.

I don't drink alot of IPA's, but I enjoyed this one very much.

A: Hazy Golden, pretty good carbonation. Med head that eventually dissapeared.

S: HOPS!!! haha fruity, oranges came to mind first.

T: Malt for a split second, bitterness, and then tons of hops, with the aftertaste being that grapefruit/ hop character. If you wanted to show someone what an "IPA" is let them try this beer!

M: Defintely bitter and dry, and hops is all you can taste and smell.

D: I made it a session beer twice this summer. I am not an IPA guy, that being said, I went back to this again, knowing it provided GREAT flavor, and great drinkability.

This is a reliable beer that doesn't let you down. If you want an IPA with great flavor, that you can have just one or a six pack, this is your beer. I will defintely get this again!

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2007 01:33:14 | More by blackheartbilly

davidsumner

Virginia

3.45/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

First of let me just comment on the bottles add picture. The two old gentlemen on the front of the bottle. They are drinking this beer out of the bottle; which in my opinion is very unfortunate for them because one of the best qualities of this ale is it's frothy head.

The head is awesome. A good 2 fingers after a moderate, average poor. It reminds me of a vanilla malt shake or an Aweful Awful; for those who've ever been to Newport Creamery. Or a good bubble bath for the kids. It's downright thick! It lasts for the duration and the lacing is ridiculous. So I definitely give a 2 thumbs up for the head. ( let me just clarify, it does, after a few minutes, subside some; but it hangs in there strong).

The nose is good, but not great. There is a distinct yummy malt aroma alongside the hops. It is a really good balance and doesn't take a lot of effort to pick up. But I wouldn't call it strong.

So, eventually after the super suds subside, the taste is good. It's not over the top by any means, like an Imperial, but it's there and it's balanced and nice. This is definitely a good quaffable ale that is nice with meals and outside during a hot day.

Another BIG plus for me is that it is unfiltered. I love that.

But.. my only gripe is that it is a liiittttlllee too bitter on the finish. ( which I know, ought to be a defining character of an IPA ) So my own personal preference isn't really a good factor in my rating. But I tend to personally gravitate towards IPA's with a more sweeter finish and not so dry and bitter. Just my personal taste though. All in All though; This IPA has a lot going for it.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 18:34:42 | More by davidsumner

JaredM

New York

3.5/5  rDev -15.3%

05-25-2013 18:27:26 | More by JaredM

iCabaLLero

Georgia

2.75/5  rDev -33.4%

05-25-2013 07:40:25 | More by iCabaLLero

Mike099

New York

4.5/5  rDev +9%

05-25-2013 05:18:14 | More by Mike099

gshackles

New York

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

05-25-2013 00:23:28 | More by gshackles

Lee_Hancock

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

05-24-2013 21:24:03 | More by Lee_Hancock

Tom_Gilman

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +9%

05-24-2013 11:36:08 | More by Tom_Gilman

robertmitchum

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -3.1%

05-24-2013 09:37:54 | More by robertmitchum

John_Crozier

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

05-23-2013 19:52:51 | More by John_Crozier

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

I think I got a fairly old bottle. I'll have to re-review it when I get my hands on a fresh bottle or perhaps try it at ACBF next week if I get the chance.

Appearance: It has a nice hazy golden/orange color to it. It has a nice off-white head that dies down moderately and leaves very nice lacing.

Smell: The aromas give out hints of faint citrus, faint pine with bready and grainy malts.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has some resiny pine, faint citrus, some bready notes and grainy malts.

Mouthfeel: It has a medium carbonation with a nice overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with decent flavors and aromas.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 21:00:18 | More by SebD

DStoked

Ohio

3/5  rDev -27.4%

05-22-2013 13:34:46 | More by DStoked

irs

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +15%

05-22-2013 05:07:08 | More by irs

russwilliam

New York

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

05-22-2013 03:04:13 | More by russwilliam

nebula1999

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -3.1%

05-22-2013 01:01:13 | More by nebula1999

JoyHelfrich

Illinois

4/5  rDev -3.1%

05-21-2013 01:10:54 | More by JoyHelfrich

dheacck11

Connecticut

2.93/5  rDev -29.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Slightly hazy pale golden orange with a 1/4 finger of dense white foamy head. Nice lacing.

Nose is pretty non existent. Just a hint of lemon. Nothing spectacular.

Taste is pretty hopforward, with dry, straw flavors. Little bit of lemon and orange in the mix, but finish is lots of super dry hops. Mouth puckeringly bitter from the hops.

Feel is a little too thick for all that hoppiness.

I am skeptical that this beer may have been infected, as the tastes are so far from what I expected. Though as time passes drinking it, it does balance a little more. I think it's just not for me. Too much dry hop. Not enough fruit and juice, nor stickiness.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 00:00:51 | More by dheacck11

bessborough

New Brunswick (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

05-20-2013 22:24:00 | More by bessborough

AMCPhD

Florida

4/5  rDev -3.1%

05-20-2013 01:15:46 | More by AMCPhD

Stonehill64

3.75/5  rDev -9.2%

05-19-2013 12:43:14 | More by Stonehill64

bzach

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

05-18-2013 23:10:45 | More by bzach

inanity

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +15%

05-18-2013 00:15:04 | More by inanity

twenty5

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

05-17-2013 14:46:20 | More by twenty5

Glider

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

05-17-2013 13:46:57 | More by Glider

AR_Rios

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

05-17-2013 02:19:53 | More by AR_Rios