Smuttynose Maibock (Big Beer Series) - Smuttynose Brewing Company

TheBrewo

Michigan

4.53/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A hard pour reveals a three finger foamy head of gargantuan bubbles, which greedily cling to the side, leaving thick patterned lacing throughout. The brew itself is an initially translucent orange honey color, with visually low carbonation, that becomes cloudy when joined by the bottle's sediment. The aroma is fruity, with apple, orange, and plum as the highlights. The nose is otherwise filled with big, fresh malts, and the tiniest sting of alcohol. The taste's front is exhibited by the malts and fruit from the nose. This is quickly balanced by an enjoyable hoppiness that is both tart and appley. We end on a note that is rich in alcoholic character, which creates a spicy pepper flavoring that takes us into the aftertaste. The brew is medium to full bodied, deliciously creamy, and mildly coating, leaving the mouth satiated. While everything remains inviting about the brew, the abv keeps you from quickly draining your glass.

Overall, what stands out most is the well balanced flavor, between the big malts and the bitter hops. The flavors meld together to form an expertly crafted, creamy brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2010 00:07:58 | More by TheBrewo

Juice-O

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +12.5%

05-21-2013 00:37:28 | More by Juice-O

seplo

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -12.5%

05-20-2013 23:34:41 | More by seplo

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

04-23-2013 05:25:54 | More by Kelp

brheuer

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -18.8%

03-24-2013 20:50:13 | More by brheuer

JuliusCaesar

New Hampshire

4.28/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Light brown/ golden color.

S: Malt and toffee aroma.

T: Sweet caramel, malt and spices. Also, a touch of banana and cloves. Alcohol on the finish.

M: Moderately heavy and a bit sticky.

Overall: A very rich and delicious beer. Really nice desert flavors with warming alcohol. This is a favorite.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 18:46:12 | More by JuliusCaesar

t0rin0

California

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

01-28-2013 02:29:27 | More by t0rin0

thebigbambino

Florida

4/5  rDev 0%

01-06-2013 21:32:43 | More by thebigbambino

ChrisL24481

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev 0%

01-05-2013 15:29:22 | More by ChrisL24481

brandonati

Ohio

3/5  rDev -25%

01-02-2013 02:55:48 | More by brandonati

cliff1066

Virginia

4/5  rDev 0%

12-16-2012 19:38:41 | More by cliff1066

chippo33

Vermont

3/5  rDev -25%

12-04-2012 04:34:09 | More by chippo33

cciquera01

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

11-11-2012 20:58:42 | More by cciquera01

Triglycerides

Rhode Island

4.13/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz 2010 vintage poured into a mug.

Appearance: Pours a dark straw/light brownish colour with a large, impressive head. Leaves a bit of lacing along the side of the mug.

Smell: Definitely has a heavy malt presence on the nose, with some breadiness. There's also a hint of mixed fruit in the background (grapes,apples, pears)

Taste: Tastes very sweet with a bit of sweet malt and fruitiness going on. Mildly hoppy finish finish with some alcohol. There's definitely a lot of complexity here, and it all works quite well.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and a bit syrupy, but delightfully smooth. Carbonation helps to offset the weight of this brew. As a whole it's pretty well fit to the beer.

Overall: This is a very good and complex beer. Certainly one to take your time with, since there's a lot going on here. Cheers to Smuttynose for another nice brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 04:46:51 | More by Triglycerides

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev 0%

10-16-2012 21:49:39 | More by RblWthACoz

jheezee

Texas

4/5  rDev 0%

10-07-2012 21:45:43 | More by jheezee

Falcone

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

10-06-2012 00:42:39 | More by Falcone

aleslover

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

08-24-2012 23:04:14 | More by aleslover

fields336

North Carolina

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

22 oz bottle, 2011 vintage

A: medium caramel amber, with 2 finger thick off white head, lacing is great, carbonation is amazing, clarity is awesome

S: apple, biscuit, honey, freshly baked bread, caramel, yeasty twang, citrus

T: apple pie, honey, bread, caramel, malty, citrus, spice, pepper.

M: medium body, low carbonation, sweet finish, lingering taste

O: pretty good beer, wouldn't have reviewed it but others have reviewed 2011 recently, so i figured why not. Picked it up for 2.99 which was a steal in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 03:38:14 | More by fields336

TechTriumph

Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From notes on 04/19/12:
Bottle conditioned in 2011; Poured in a pint glass.

A - Over one inch of off-white fluffy head that shows pretty good retention; Darker shade of brass in color with a fairly clear appearance and visible carbonation bubbles rising up the glass; Decent lacing at first, but much less later

S - Lots of yeasty fresh bread, but fairly sweet too, with accompanying apple-like fruits and floral, herbal and spicy hops

T - Pretty subtle alcohol comes through up front, but it's quickly consumed by a nice yeasty/bready flavor and very mild sweetness; Also coming forward are freshly sliced apples, lingering herbal/spicy hops, and some honey - very tasty

M - Moderate and zesty carbonation; Definitely feels like a heavier brew, but the carbonation cuts into it some to provide a bit of a crisp feeling as well; Finish is fairly dry, leaving a bit of syrupy coat in the mouth; A little warmth can be felt at the end of each sip

O - Having tried several Maibocks lately, I've determined that this one is my favorite thus far. As far as the flavor and aroma goes, this beer does an excellent job of packing lots of sweet, bready, and Noble Hop character with a somewhat hefty body to go along. It's obviously a bit different from the German Maibocks, and quite a big beer for the style, but it's also a very satisfying interpretation that will likely be my go-to Maibock in the future.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 01:37:04 | More by TechTriumph

Didier

Maine

4.5/5  rDev +12.5%

07-04-2012 17:15:45 | More by Didier

trevorpost

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

06-27-2012 23:07:40 | More by trevorpost

braican

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev 0%

06-18-2012 00:38:29 | More by braican

ejimhof

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

06-11-2012 00:43:28 | More by ejimhof

andylipp

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +12.5%

05-17-2012 23:20:41 | More by andylipp