Smuttynose IPA "Finest Kind" - Smuttynose Brewing Company

boyermi206

Maine

4.49/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Best Western in Portsmouth NH.

A - Dark yellow with a firm 1 finger head that stuck around, light fizzy bubbles.

S - All hops, pine comes through heavy.

T - Amazing, did not expect the IBU's to be so high, but it's smooth malt then heavy hops. One of the best tasting beers I have had

M - Good, full mouthfeel: almost heavy with just right carbonation.

O - I would go out of my way for this beer. Perhaps the fact that I had it on tap, in Portsmouth contributed to the freshness and my impression of this beer but I would suggest if you see it on tap get it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2013 18:00:13 | More by boyermi206

dar482

New York

4.08/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

This reminds me of Dogfish 60, but much better. It has a good hop flavor. It's extremely clean hop flavor that cleans off quite well. It doesn't have too much piney or grass flavor. It has carbonation and one of the better "casual" drinking IPAs.

Watch out though, it does have a bit of a skunky flavor at the end and aroma .

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2013 05:34:36 | More by dar482

Cavanaghty

Maine

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

Served on tap in a stein.

Appearance: Golden amber color with a thin lingering white head.

Smell: Pine and citrus notes. But not very powerful.

Mouthfeel/Taste: Medium bodied and smooth. Taste bitter hops. Some pine and citrus notes.

Overall: Average IPA, but good.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2013 22:04:08 | More by Cavanaghty

merc7186

New York

3.93/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at MacGregors in Amherst NY, poured into an 11oz glass.

A: Golden Straw Hue, Passes Lots of Light, White Head, Great Lacing

S: Floral, Earthy, Grainy Malts

T: Floral, Grainy Malts

M: Great Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Semi Bitter

Overall, a nice bitter IPA with a good grainy flavor, not a hop bomb but decent and drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2012 21:58:42 | More by merc7186

oline73

Maryland

3.9/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on-tap at the Flying Saucer in Raleigh, served in a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a clear amber color with a hint of gold. There is a finger of fluffy off white carbonation that leaves some lacing on the glass.

Smell: The overall smell of this one is mild for an IPA. Grassy hops with a slightly fruity note. Just enough malt in the background to balance things out.

Taste: Hops up front, a strong citrus peel bitterness. A nice amount of malt to balance things, but also let the hops be the star. The finish is very bitter from the hops.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: I think this is a really nice IPA. I enjoyed the hop profile quite a bit. I would have another.

Serving type: on-tap

08-25-2012 23:32:42 | More by oline73

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

4.15/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Hazy deep blonde colour, one finger of white head with some lace. Smell is quite hoppy, heavy n the citrus fruit, grapefruit, orange, pineapple all present, a light malt note follows and is present throughout. Taste again has lots of citrus as well as pine flavours, orange and grapefruit, very bitter throughout and finishes quite dry. Light-med carbonation, quite oily, medium body. This is a great east coast IPA, very enjoyable and something I could drink a whole bunch of.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2012 11:51:57 | More by peensteen

Homebrew35

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served with half a finger of a white foamy head. Hazy pale straw colored head. A bit of lacing and some retention.

Smells of floral, sweet citrus and some Piney hops.

Bready pilsner like malts, Carmel sweetness, piney and dank hops, citrus and a bit fruity. Lingering piney oily finish.

Medium thin bodied. Medium carbonation. A firm bitterness and a powdery dryness remains well after the sip.

Overall a tasty ipa. Firmly bittered, good hop aroma and a simple malt bill keeps it very hop forward. A bit too much linging dry piney, citrusy bitterness.

$6.25 a pint

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2012 23:04:41 | More by Homebrew35

tobelerone

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev -14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Pilsenerhaus in Hoboken, NJ. Lightly hazed amber color with a decent cap of slowly settling white foam. Exceptionally clingy and creamy looking lace. Nose is mostly floral hops with lesser citrus notes and a bit of malty sweetness propping things up a bit. A bit perfumy. Not exactly bursting with hop fragrance however; pretty average aroma for an AIPA.

Very much an “east coast” IPA; balanced flavor that doesn’t go over the top in terms of bitterness or smack you in the face with hops; well-balanced, with substantial but not overbearing malt backbone. Caramel sweetness is thankfully fairly reserved, but there is some breadiness to the malt. Again the hops are mostly floral in nature, lightly perfumy, with citrus and pine notes coming in behind.

Medium bodied with solid carbonation and a dry finish. Crisp and clean with a small dose of lingering bitterness in the aftertaste. A solid IPA but nothing to get too excited about in my book. Not particularly distinguished in a crowded field but will appeal to those looking for a more balanced, less bitter IPA. No hop bomb, this.

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2012 13:26:18 | More by tobelerone

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Finest Kind on-tap. Golden-orange to light amber in color. The look of rising bubble streams and a beaten egg white consistency to a tight inch of head. Fully laces the lip of the glass. 5.0

Pleasant mix of herbal/grassy and floral hops. Light citric notes. Meager bread crumb-like malt presence. 3.5

Floral and a little pine-y. Juniper berry, pithy citrus, green tea, and light orange. Salty cracker malts are more in balance with the hops in the taste. Diligent bitterness. 4.0

Medium body, on the thin side. Carb balances well. Very drinkable. 4.0

Great IPA. Tasty and comforting. 4.0

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2012 01:16:30 | More by thecheapies

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.65/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance – The beer is served as a lightly hazy golden orange color. There is a one finger head upon serving, which fades over an average amount of time to give a medium amount of lacing.

Smell – The smell is of a nice bready aroma with lighter notes of orange as well as a good hop smell. The hop aromas are mostly of grapefruit but also contain aromas of lemon citrus and some pine as well.

Taste – The taste starts out a mix of biscuit and a grapefruit hop flavor, with an ever so light orange flavor. Toward the middle of the taste, some bitter lemon hop flavor with a pine hop flavor aggressively and rapidly mix with the grapefruit hop flavor. At this time the somewhat “sweeter” orange flavor is lost, but the bready base remains. In the end a hoppy malt flavor, heaviest in grapefruit, is left on the tongue.

Mouthfeel –The body of the beer is a bit above average with a slightly above average carbonation level. The body suits the bitter hop flavors very well allowing them to be experienced in full, while the carbonation is good for exciting the tongue alongside the hop spice.

Overall – A nice IPA that is quite easy to drink. It has a good flavor with the only thing taking away from the taste being a lack of good transition and variety. Overall however it is very nice.

Serving type: on-tap

06-12-2012 23:59:01 | More by Darkmagus82

SteveMi

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Golden and orange. Looks a bit different than many other IPA's I've had on tap. Nothing special in it's looks.

S - A lighter version of the norm with some citrus notes. Not unimpressive, but nothing that stands out.

T - This is where it shines. The hops are nice and strong without overpowering. Citrus, specifically grapefruit comes through after the initial bitterness. The bitterness makes a return after the grapefruit reminding the drinker it's an IPA.

M - Light and a little dry.

O - I ended up being a lot more impressed than I thought I would be (as I purchased this on a discounted New England craft night). It's a very nice IPA which I plan on drinking again in the near future.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2012 02:30:24 | More by SteveMi

aorloski

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - Nice bright golden orange/yellow, pours about a fingers worth of a tight white bubbly head. Great lacing

Smell - Earthy pine needles, touches of exotic, tropical fruits and sweet lemons

Taste - Big hop bite, earthy piney needles and a touch of grapefruit

Mouthfeel - medium carbonation, sticky.

Overall - To me, this is the quintessential east coast ipa, piney and not very tropical. Great for when you want a nice bite

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2012 01:33:06 | More by aorloski

Goblinmunkey7

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Clear deep gold. Head is white and sticky. Drops to a thin cap, but lingers after that. Lacing is solid and clings in notches.

Smell: Grapefruit. I'm talking the whole thing. Big fleshy component layered over some pith and zest. Very juicy. Malts run a little powdery and bread crusty. Some biscuit dough and caramel sweetness as well. Touches of pine as well.

Taste: Pithy bitterness and fresh, clean grapefruit. A touch of alcohol and grain mingle, but it's a grapefruit bomb. Pale malts round it out. A touch of sweetness and grass. Almost minty at times. Loads of bitterness. Straight bitterness from start to finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a nice moderate carbonation. Dry on the back with a lingering touch of alcohol.

Overall: Easily one of the most grapefruit-forward IPAs I've ever encountered. Nice level of balance, but it definitely hits bitter and then some. Always a good bet and always consistent.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2012 04:16:25 | More by Goblinmunkey7

CHickman

New York

4.58/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Review from 11/11/11 on tap at Rattle-N-Hum in NYC: pours cloudy orange gold color with a massive cloudy head that looked amazing and faded very slowly; it was so thick that you could run your finger through it and it left excellent lacing and rings as it went down; a very fine looking beer.

Smells of huge hops up front, with citrus hops, grapefruit, mango, orange peel, floral hops, flowers, piney hops, herbs, light caramel, biscuit, citrus and other fruits; very hoppy and quite fragrant with a mild whiff of alcohol.

Tastes of citrus hops, grapefruit, mango, orange peel, pineapple, floral hops, flowers, piney hops, pine cones, herbs, light caramel, biscuit, light sour apple, citrus and other fruits, grains, sweet malt and a slight bitter alcohol bite. Overall the beer was sweet with massive oily hops that taste like wet hops were added, and to me this is what an IPA should taste like.

Mouthfeel is creamy and oily slick, with a medium to heavy crisp body that slides across the tongue smooth with a mild alcohol burn. A very tasty IPA that has enough grains to balance the taste and let the sweet citrus hops dominate and leave a nice bitter finish.

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2011 03:51:47 | More by CHickman

JCaweinstein

Ohio

4.47/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Gold colored body with a small amount of carbonation pour leaves a creamy, white, one finger head. It's a little cloudy but there is some nice looking lacing left around the sides of the glass.
Smells citrusy, like grapefruit or even lemons. These aromas are screaming hops!
Tastes more like grapefruit than lemons followed ny some toasty breadiness.
There is a big hop bite right if the bat, the real oily, resinous type of bite. Medium bodied and without a lot of carbonation. Smoothed somewhat in the middle and then finishes with another big hop smack.
This is an excellent ipa. The flavors and aromas are both very big and bold, one that I will continue to purchase.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2011 01:33:47 | More by JCaweinstein

devinoconnor

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Smuttynose's IPA is a classic one.

Pours a golden color, yellow and bright.

Smells crisp, not overly hoppy.

Taste is full of flavors but again, it's not an IPA that'll overwhelm you with intense hops.

Easy drinking, solid IPA and another classic Smutty.

Enjoy.

Serving type: on-tap

10-18-2011 22:55:16 | More by devinoconnor

womencantsail

California

3.9/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Atwood's

A: The beer pours a golden amber color with a finger of white head and a bit of lacing.

S: A nice citrus hop aroma to this beer with plenty of grapefruit scents and a nice pine quality to it. Quite perfumey with heavy floral hop notes to it as well. A bit of sweet malt and bread.

T: Rather heavy on the pine flavor and bitterness, which is nice. A good amount of grapefruit flesh and peel, which also adds a bit of bitterness, but also a nice bite. Some sweet pale malt flavor breaks up the intense hoppiness.

M: Medium bodied with medium carbonation.

O: I was pleasantly surprised by this. As long as you can get this one fresh, it's a pretty solid IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2011 23:44:25 | More by womencantsail

JohnFatAss

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A real good IPA.

It has a pleasant floral smell.

This has one of the best heads I have ever seen on a beer. Thick and foamy, and stayed around for a while.

The taste is a little strong at first, but once you have a few sips, you really begin to appreciate what a quality beer this is.

The initial taste is sweet and citrusy. The hop bitternes is pretty intense, but oh so good.
Very well balanced.

And after only two beers, I had a very mellow buzz and was feeling fine.

One of the best IPAs I have ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

09-30-2011 03:40:02 | More by JohnFatAss

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4.03/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Pizzeria Paradiso Old Town.

A: Very pretty golden orange color thats semi clear with a small head that stays, not a ton of lacing.

S: I was a little disappointed here, it almost seems like there is no dry hopping on this beer at all. Some sugary citrus in the nose, maybe a little malt flutters, just doesn't seem to have a lot of aroma but whats there is good. Seems like a small brewpub IPA aroma, very average.

T: This is much better, and seems to have that classic IPA taste that has a mix of malt and hops as opposed to the West coast or 'newer' American IPA's that are focused solely on hops (which I love too don't get me wrong). Has some grassy hops up front and bready malts and a nice grapefruit lingering bitter finish. Some honey in there as well. Overall not super complex, but satisfying and a classic example of maybe a more 'english' drifting IPA style.

M: Nice feel, medium with ample carbonation and a killing bitter finish.

O; A good, classic beer. I probably would stay away from this in a bottle as without the aroma being great on tap, I can see how it would be rough out of the bottle for an IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

08-16-2011 13:18:10 | More by Dreadnaught33

cmq103

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Freshly tapped this afternoon in home bar dual-tap kegerator, then poured into a standard pint glass. I'm taking this one poolside to enjoy.

A: Poured a cloudy golden color, though this could be due to the very first pour after tapping. Decent off-white color head and plenty of glass sticking lacing. I'm kind of surprised by the amount of murkiness to this IPA.

S: I smell sweet citrus and light grapefruit aromas. Not overwhelming, but very nice for an IPA.

T: This is where is gets good. Pine cone, grapefruit, citrus combination with a lighter, but smooth malty-bitter finish. I really enjoyed this one. Very easy drinking...

M: Actually kind of creamy for an IPA. Could be from the generous head and lacing.

O: My first Smuttynose beer. I was excited to see it carried in stock at the local Joe Canal's. This would rate in my top 5 available IPA's. I do believe this just edged out Stone IPA in my book. I'm just about finished with my beer and the lacing and head are still there at the bottom of the glass. Very good first impression. IPA lovers have to try this one!!

Serving type: on-tap

05-27-2011 19:04:23 | More by cmq103

Matt1516

Quebec (Canada)

4.7/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed on-tap at" Bodega Blue Artisan Cheese" in Vero Beach Florida.

Cloudy orange pour with medium head. Tons of hop and grapefruit in the smell.

Lots of citrus and even more hops in the taste with a bit of malt and a load of bitterness. Some grassiness and pine present too.

Wonderful refresher and hop delivery system. Awesome brew! Favourite IPA so far.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2011 02:44:45 | More by Matt1516

Bendurgin

Maine

4.28/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a pint at the Portsmouth Brewery. Nice clear straw color with a frothy finger of white head.

Lots of grapefruit in the nose with some grassy hops in the background. A little bit of biscuity malts round this one out. Really great dry hops on this nice and bitter from start to finish with sweet city's and a bit of grapefruit on the pallet.

This has a nice light body with soft carbonation. Almost the picture of what I would expect an IPA to feel like. In my opinion this is one of the best readily available beers on the market. Simply a well crafted IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2011 16:05:28 | More by Bendurgin

DrinkingDrake

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured out a hazy burnt golden/orange with about a finger of bubbly head that dissipated quickly. Nose is a lot of floral grapefruit with a backing of citrus. The malt in the nose is extremely light with only hints of some caramel. The flavor mirrors the nose with a lot of the floral/grapefruit upfront but it quickly transitions to the sweet bread caramel body. A solid dry finish that reaffirms the hops you taste right up front. I think the drinkability of this beer help smutty establish a name.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2011 21:10:51 | More by DrinkingDrake

JM03

Ohio

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

On tap at Mad Mex restaurant Cranberry Twp, Pa. On special - 5 bucks for 22oz.

Pours cloudy amber with some yellow/golden highlights. Just a minimal white head to speak of, but the pour i was given dictated that. Nice amount of lacing.

Aromas are powerful with the hoppiness and grapefruit. A bit of caramel malt sweetness.

Taste isnt as hoppy as the nose led me to believe. Starts sweet with caramel, but followed by the citrus and hop bitterness. Nicely balanced.

Overall a smooth drinker. I could easily have multiples of these. No alcohol present and not overly bitter or sweet.

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2011 15:10:12 | More by JM03

ggilman

Maine

4.65/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at The Portsmouth Brewery

Hazy golden amber, not a lot of head, but what is there is sappy and sticky. Not a huge amount of hops in the nose, spicy and foral. Some sweetness. Lots of hoppy bitterness. Piney hop resin & grapefruit. Deliciously drinkable, great carbonation. Thought I loved this in the bottle, but on tap, with a local cheeseburger at PB was heaven! Have to get there more often.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2011 01:52:16 | More by ggilman