Smuttynose IPA "Finest Kind" - Smuttynose Brewing Company

Greywulfken

New York

4.04/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: into a nonic pint, pushed up a mass of tan bubbly foam - head persisted all the way down, but had a congealed squishy look toward the end that wasn't too appealing. The beer was deep gold but with a some rather chunky pieces of sediment in the haze.

S: crisp citric hops and fresh pale malt

T: bitter, up-front hops suggestive of lemon pith and with a bitterness like that of an unsweetened espresso; great pale malts and floral hops.

M: smooth, crisp, lingering bitterness, light body

O: a really good IPA - a good go-to kinda beer - definitely has an American workingman-beer feel, and I guess that was the idea... Thought the appearance was a little off-putting for an IPA, but that's just my opinion (I infer that they were going for that from the description provided).

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 20:33:08 | More by Greywulfken

AmitC

Indiana

3.96/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a snifter. Best before date of 6/4/13

Color is strawish pale. A lot of haze and suspension. Too much yeast and hops floating around giving it a dirty look. One finger thick white head with decent retention. Excellent lacing on the sides. Heavily translucent.

Aroma is low to moderate in strength. Very disappointing for an exceptional IPA. Weed like notes, very slight grapefruit and raw mango. Some grass if i may say. A good amount of malt with some spices added in. Everything faint as hell and asking you to sniff it out.

Taste is better. The hop profile is complex and a mix of lot of different type of hops i would assume. Some weed like flavors, very slight citrus and some earthiness. Malts do take a back seat but support the hops really well. Bitterness is mild yet is felt.

Mouth feel is medium bodied. No warmth and no astringency. Smooth and drinks really well. Just a very decent IPA nothing exceptional about it.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 05:03:10 | More by AmitC

HeadyHopper32

New Jersey

4.46/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

A- Unfliltered; very cloudy. Burnt orange color when held up to a light.

S- Smells like an orange with a bit of cinnamon sprinkled over it. Spicy, but a bright spice. Not one of the best smelling IPAs, but it's not off-putting in any way. Still, not it's strongest category.

T- What it lacks in smell, this beer makes up for in taste. Wow. Big back of the tounge bitterness. Sugar coated grapefruit; a bit of tangerine. Over ripened apricot. Malt flavor is detectable but is used for backbone and not for taste, just the way I like it.

M- Oily. Resinous. Thick. Double IPA mouthfeel.

O- I gotta admit I used to hate on Smuttynose IPA, but now I'm thinking it's because had older bottles. The bottle I'm drinking now is extremely fresh and I think it really makes a difference; this is definitely an IPA that must be drank fresh. It's damn good folks. If you love the grapefruit forward IPAs look no further. When I say I can drink this all day I really mean it. An IPA worth rambling over!

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 03:11:03 | More by HeadyHopper32

JasonTaverner

Virginia

4.64/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I love this ale. It is a staple in my line-up. A citrusy smell with a good solid mouhfeel. A delicious piney flavor upfront with a nice slightly bitter after taste. I have enjoyed almost all the beers I have tried from Smuttynose. I wish I could fine this on draft somewhere locally.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 02:43:23 | More by JasonTaverner

brureview

Massachusetts

4.44/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First time tasting this beer. Poured a golden honey color in a pint glass.
Two finger head. Floral character to nose with light grapefruit.

Very carbonated.

The balance in the taste is wonderful: slight bitterness, grapefruit-citrus, malt, and a floral character combine for an excellent finish. The nose and taste continue and become more pronounced with warming. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 01:04:49 | More by brureview

Rbodacious

Virginia

4.81/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

This beer was first reccomended by Juan at DogfishHead ,Falls Church , as a replacement for my love, the original Tuppers Hop Pocket Ale which had died. Thanks Bob & Ellie.
Smuttynose IPA :-) Finest Kind :-) answered the call.
This beer is exactly what I want from an IPA.
ZipDry,hop,pine,bitter,fizz .Thank you Juan..

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 02:39:25 | More by Rbodacious

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

jwjon1

Delaware

2.53/5  rDev -38.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Best by 5/26/13. Drank 2/24... a good 3 months yet till this beer is over the hill.

I think that's the problem. It's either already over the hill, or never had a floral hop presence in the first place. Yet, it's dry hopped. And many reviews suggest piney, citrus aromas. So it must be over the hill as all I can smell are sweet malts. Zero floral hops.

Bittering hops remain. Not resinous/oily at this point, only bitter. And a huge malt profile before, during, and after.

I don't get the hype on this one. I'm guessing I need to find a fresh bottle... problem is the six pack was labeled with "best by", and that date was way off. When was this bottled, anyway? I assumed having 3 months left till d-day meant this was pretty fresh, but I guess Smuttynose bottles six? twelve? months ahead of best by dates?

Peak IPA freshness is subjective, but come on brewers: take the guess work out of it and give us bottled on dates on the bottle!!!!

What a let down.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 02:20:00 | More by jwjon1

GONZALOYANNA

Spain

3.5/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12pt bottle. Tumbler glass. Enjoyed on sep´12. Pale gold in color. Crystal clear appearance. Close & dense crown, white in color. Citric, floral & resiny aromas. Balanced mixture of hop & malt flavor lingers from the upfront into the middle. Flavorful body, moderate to soft carbonation. Oily texture. Resiny finish. Undoubtedly refreshing beer!

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 15:18:10 | More by GONZALOYANNA

dsnyds25

Ontario (Canada)

4.21/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Enjoyed this beer sitting around the garage with my father-in-law and his friends who returned from a ski trip to Lake Placid.

Having drank this beer out of the bottle, I can't comment on appearance.

The smell was wonderful; unsurprisingly hoppy with pine and citrus - grapefruit dominating.

The taste followed the smell; it was smooth, refined, dense and left my mouth puckered.

Overall, a great IPA; one I would return to regularly, though I can't imagine finishing half a case in one night (as occurred on the ski trip!).

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 17:24:56 | More by dsnyds25

trxxpaxxs

New York

3.13/5  rDev -24.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Best by date: 6/21/13

A: Pours a translucent orange gold with a half finger of a fluffy pure white foam cap. The head sticks around for quite a bit with this beer. There is some nice lacing as it drinks.

S: The nose is lemony citrus and some light malt. It's not super hop forward.

T: It starts out a touch sweet, with a nice citrus hop bite. The malt is there in balance, but it's a bit overwhelming for an IPA.

M: Light bodied beer. It's sweet and sticky to start, smooth in the middle, and lingers on the palate for a bit after it's been drank. The hop bitters stick around for awhile.

O: I don't know what is going on with this beer. In times past this has been super hop forward, strongly bitter with big pine and medium citrus. This bottle is subdued and mild. It actually feels like a hopped up pilsner over an IPA. I am really disappointed with this bottle. I'll have to revisit this beer in a few months.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 21:11:39 | More by trxxpaxxs

Mojo

Alabama

4.29/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12 ounce bottle -> World Market tulip glass

This beer pours up a medium gold with a one finger white head, not much retention, and bits of lacing. The smell is a fresh citrus, pine, oak, and resin. Taste is very sweet with notes of pineapple followed by grapefruit and bitter hops. Mouthfeel is nice, about the right amount of carbonation and neither too thin nor two thin. This is a solid offering.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 04:45:00 | More by Mojo

barczar

Kentucky

4.01/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours a brilliant golden copper with a frothy inch and a half cream head that clings to the glass in sheets of lacing.

Fresh cut grass, resin, and pine dominate the initial aroma. Doughy malt and catty notes are more subtle, with floral hops and citrus surfacing at the end.

Flavor is far more citrusy, with complex tropical fruit notes of pineapple and mango A underlying the profile, accompanied by grapefruit and tangerine. The finish is decidedly bitter and resiny, with a touch of pepper. Caramel malt ties the hop character together, but is not prominent. Floral and piney hops are evident in the aftertaste.

Body is a touch watery, with carbonation on the high side and light alcohol warmth.

Very hoppy ipa, in both flavor and bittering. Fairly complex, but it's a little bitter for my palate.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 00:01:19 | More by barczar

jjchristiano

New Jersey

4.21/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A - So hazy that it almost looks like a Belgian white but just a little too golden. Very active carbonation.
S - Faint on the hops not expecting a hop bomb.
T - Definitely not a hop bomb but has the crisp hop taste Almost an IPA "Lite".
M - Very drinkable, not overly carbonated. Most of the hops as an aftertaste.
O - I find it very drinkable and a nice "session" IPA as it is not overpowering in taste. But I really don't see why it gets exceptional or world class ratings. I really almost felt it was an IPA cut with water.

I just read the bottle and it states "dry hopped and unfiltered" explains a lot of the appearance and taste.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 04:17:48 | More by jjchristiano

Chaney

District of Columbia

3.86/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Best by 4/16/13

I haven't tried this one in years. Totally dig the "Beers of Fame" list which I've enjoyed plowing through.

Served in a Delirium Tremens shaped glass.

A: A whopping 1.5 finger fluffy head on top of a solid orange pumpkin-colored liquid with a slight chill haze. Nice!

S: Much more of the orange side of the spectrum as opposed to a grapefruit one, pretty understated, with some fresh clean linen mixed in to boot.

T: Not a hop bomb by any stretch, but still instantly recognizable as an American IPA. I thought this was going to be much more sugary than what was actually there, but alas, the nice bitter bill cut through that.

M: The carbonation was perfect for this style, the lacing was somewhat ridiculous, and I found myself appreciating the bitter aspect of this one.

O: To my mind, this embodies the "East Coast" IPA better than many out here. If you're wanting to break away from the West Coast IPA for a bit, this is your gal. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 15:20:57 | More by Chaney

beergoot

Colorado

3.96/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Amber body with thin white head. Rich, malty aroma; grainy; no particular strong hop smell. Smooth, buttery feel; medium bodied; clean finish. Very nice malt/hop bitterness flavors with hints of citrus fruits; long, lingering hop bitterness at the finish.

Certainly a good IPA, but nothing overly special (at least with my sample bottle). Hop aroma wasn't there like many other people report, but the bittering effect is and mixes nicely with the relatively rich, malt character of the beer. Sure, I'll have another...

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 18:21:55 | More by beergoot

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

tectactoe

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours a halfway hazy golden color with some bright yellow and faint copper-orange highlights. Lots of huge chunks of unadulterated sediment float around the class and kind of hang in suspension without much movement at all. The head is thick and fluffy, almost brilliant white, leaving generous amounts of chunky lacing in its path. The nose comes out swinging with a floral and fragrant hop aroma; flowery, wet, and abrasive - you can almost smell the bitterness. Heavy lemon zest and apple skins, and I'm actually getting a touch of wheat - strange, because I'm fairly sure this beer has absolutely no wheat in it. Might be something from the pale malts.

Smuttynose IPA rolls along the palate with a medium body, somewhat slick and wet. The first thing you notice is the extroverted bitterness that hits hard, beginning, middle, and end. It's like the watchdog of the flavor profile - no matter what you taste, that heavy floral bitterness it gonna be there, too. Very perfume-like on the palate, mostly floral and flowery. On the fruity side of things, you get some intensely sharp and bittersweet grapefruit pith, which is more on the bitter side than the sweet side. The flavor warms up and gets more zesty with time - the pine needles and resin start to come out and the hop profile is evolving right in front of you. Despite the resin that comes into play, it never tastes or feels heavy on the hop oil - interesting. Some slight orange zest flavors hit on the tail end, finishing with an earthy, vaguely peppery, floral hop bitterness. High carbonation shows no mercy on your tongue, either.

What a damn good IPA. It's not the MOST bitter thing I've had, but the bitterness is unique and it remains strong for the entire duration of the brew. Nice light citrus to back it up, too. Pale malts? Yeah, maybe. But who needs 'em? This is a nice IPA for the bitter loving freaks out there.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 03:22:19 | More by tectactoe

M_C_Hampton

Georgia

4.81/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A: poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass (bbd 5/9/13), golden colored with a big fluffy white head that lingers leaving good lacing, hazy

S: citrus hops, floral, pine, sweet honey malt, mint, subtle but delicious smelling

T: bitter hops up front followed by a malt sweetness, flavor is perfectly balanced, finish dries with flavors of citrus, grapefruit, pine, bitter hop presence but perfectly complemented by malt backbone

M: excellent level of carbonation, lively but full bodied, alcohol is well hidden, aftertase lingers with hop flavor

O: this is a very well made well balanced IPA, scents and flavors are subtle and complex, this is a truly amazing beer

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 03:10:40 | More by M_C_Hampton

TheFightingMongooses

New Jersey

2.33/5  rDev -43.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Freshness date of 4/22/13 on this one; poured into a tulip.

Appearance - Deep golden color with a slightly amber hue; solid one finger head takes a while to dissipate, some lacing.

Smell - The nose is very faint, nearly nonexistent. Seriously, what's the deal here? I get some faintly sweet biscuity malts mixed with grassy bitter hops, almost like a weak helles or German pilsner.

Taste - I get some malty sweetness followed by plenty of bitterness but with no hop flavor. This really tastes more and more like a pilsner as I keep drinking it

Mouthfeel - Medium body, sort of fluffy on the tongue. Not bad.

Overall - I'm disappointed for sure, but more than anything I'm confused. This does not taste like an IPA at all. I'm not a hophead, I often find even moderately hopped IPAs to be overbearing, but this has no hint of the citrusy, piney, floral flavors I was expecting.

fmccormi mentioned a four month freshness period for Smuttynose. If this is accurate, then something is definitely wrong with this one. I would not even expect an expired beer to have faded so much.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 01:15:15 | More by TheFightingMongooses

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle into tulip glass, best before 5/26/2013. Pours cloudy golden amber color with a nice 1-2 finger fluffy off white head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Nice soapy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of orange, pineapple, grapefruit, citrus rind, floral, pine, grass, bread, light caramel, and earthy hops. Very nice aromas with good balance, strength, and complexity. Taste of orange zest, grapefruit, pine, citrus rind, pineapple, bread, floral, grass, light caramel, and piney spiciness. Nice amount of piney citrus bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of citrus, citrus rind, pine, floral, grass, bread, and piney spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice hop flavor balance and complexity; with just enough malt balance to not be overpowering; and minimal cloying bitterness on the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a smooth, sticky, and crisp mouthfeel that is very nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with nearly zero warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent IPA. Great balance and complexity of hop flavors; and extremely smooth to drink. A very enjoyable offering as expected.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 05:24:40 | More by superspak

jdavolos88

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

Extremely. Delicious. Beer. There is nothing I could possibly add than that because of everyone else who has written witty, and well-thought reviews. Never had the "finest kind", but sure did enjoy it.

One thing I will point out about this IPA compared to other popular and delicious IPAs, this beer saturated the palate. I mean, complete flavor saturation. It felt like every portion of my mouth was completely covered by flavor, and it was consistent. Comparable to Stone'e Ruination in that department.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 13:57:53 | More by jdavolos88

fmccormi

New York

4.36/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Straight pour from a 12oz pry-off bottle to a 25cl Duvel Single tulip; freshness date of April 22, 2013 printed in yellow ink on the shoulder of the bottle (“BEST BEFORE 04/22/13”); going by Smuttynose’s four-month freshness period, this was bottled on December 22, 2012, making this bottle 12 days old on the date of consumption. Ah, freshness.

Appearance (4.75): A solid two fingers of bone-white head composed of fine, dense foam that bubbles away very slowly caps an orange-amber body that’s perfectly hazy: not cloudy, but much more than a chill haze. This has some very, very lovely lacing and good rentention: very intricate, tight-knit webs of lace cover all sides of the glass, accompanied by periodic collars of thin foam, marking individual sips. Holy nutballs, this lacing is great.

Smell (4.0): The hops are very, very fresh and fragrant in the nose, a great mix of fresh grapefruit flesh and some dank, resinous tones most prominent here. Some pale, lightly toasted, biscuity, white bread kinda malt character sneaks in under the hops, but they are unquestionably front and center here: weedy, passionfruit, and red grapefruit fill it out well.

Taste (4.5): The hops come charging in from the nose, with a somewhat different character: pungent citrus peel bitterness (grapefruit pith) blends almost seamlessly with a resinous, herbal, weedy flavor. And they’re just barely supported by a pale, bready malt body that brings to mind wheat toast. But there’s almost no sweetness to speak of, just a very dry, bready body to help prop up the very, very pronounced hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel (4.5): This has a wonderful feel: the carbonation is smooth and almost velvety, foaming very nicely without ever prickling. The body is dry as a bone, thanks to the pale malt character and a good dose of astringent hop oils. This bastard drinks like a champ.

Overall (4.25): This is a very drinkable, very bitter American IPA that is really an absurd value, when fresh. (Finestkind usually goes for $8-9/ sixer in my area, so that’s pretty damn good.) Sometimes when people talk about East Coast IPAs being too sweet and malt-forward, I think they’re just talking about some old bottle of 90 Minute they had. If those same folks had a fresh bottle of Finestkind, I’m pretty sure they’d be singing a different tune.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 04:27:55 | More by fmccormi

csheridan

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Very smoothly balanced American IPA, lovely orange color with a very citrus nose. Very nice bitter hops taste, without overpowering. Bitterness is very reminiscent of what you might get with a good sour/bitter grapefruit, from first taste to aftertaste, with a nice smooth sweet flavor in the middle.

Definitely up there with the Bell's Two-Hearted & Stone IPA for me, & I've become a big fan of the style in the last year. This one's definitely a keeper!

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 02:44:02 | More by csheridan