Smuttynose Wheat Wine (Big Beer Series) - Smuttynose Brewing Company

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dark buckwheat colour and taste, with different wheats. If you like wheat beer, this is a must try- it will be more aggressive. If you like barleywine-it's a tasty variation. Drinkable.Had on draft at Prime 16 3.5 years later and good mouthfeel, fruitiness. A barleywine. ('09 aged version)

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2007 03:54:43 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.65/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Dried apricot orange with a faint reddish blush. The sandlewood colored cap is a tight collection of tiny bubbles that persists nicely, especially given the ABV. It's also an admirable leaver of lace in unbroken, sandblasted sheets. I haven't had enough wheat wines to know what they ought to look like, but this one looks great to me.

The beer smelled pretty good from several feet away, but for some reason it doesn't smell quite as good when I get up close and personal with it. Its biggest negatives are a lack of power and a lack of any complexity whatsoever. Its biggest positives are a tangy orange fruitiness and a complete lack of alcohol. If it improves with warming, I'll nudge the score accordingly (note: it doesn't).

Smuttynose Wheat Wine is good beer that I'm not tempted to wax poetic over. I've yet to have a version of this style that I thought came anywhere close to the best barleywines. Whether that has to do with the inherent qualities of wheat versus barley or whether it has to do with brewers' inexperience with a relatively new style, I couldn't say.

At an estimated 18 months of age, the alcohol has, I'm guessing, settled down considerably. It's still a presence though and is borderline in terms of masking/flavor contribution. There's a definite warm spiciness present that doesn't quite reach the threhold of being considered hot. It has the effect of slowing me down by forcing me to take small sips; never a bad idea.

The flavor is reminiscent of orange liqueur. It isn't smooth enough, however, to remind me of Grand Marnier or Cointreau. Cane sugar was added, but the little yeasties must have been unusually efficient with this particular batch because residual sweetness is at a minimum. Or maybe it's simply that enough hops were used to balance things out and the ABV is high enough to keep things dry.

Medium toast French oak chips were used as well. I do pick up more than a hint of bourbon barrel-like vanilla, so I'll have to credit the brewers for that particular addition. While this is a fairly enjoyable big beer, it isn't an especially complex one. It isn't as if one has to probe each and every mouthful for hidden flavors, because they simply aren't present.

The mouthfeel is a highlight for me (along with the appearance). It's full and sticky and comes oh so close to syrupy on the finish. A laid back amount of carbonation contributes to all of the above. Even the somewhat harsh alcohol (that is starting to numb my tongue) can't ruin my enjoyment of how this beer feels in the mouth. It certainly gives it a good effort though.

In the end, the unmasked alcoholicity of Smuttynose Wheat Wine has worn down whatever enthusiasm I had during the first third of the bottle. I thought that I gave it enough time to rest, but it looks like another 18 months wouldn't have been out of the question. While it might improve a fair amount over that time, I don't believe that it will ever be great beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2006 22:58:47 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.55/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Vintage 2006 twenty two ounce bottle. Acquired in a trade last year and kept refrigerated until now. Served at cellar temp in a snifter. Consumer on 07/12/2008.

Grabbed this one out and noticed right away there was at least a half inch of sediment in the bottom of it. Thick and easily stirred, I did my best to make sure the pour was unfettered. A rich golden amber then came forward from the bottle, splashing down into the glass with a very hazy thud. Lots of carbonation here as well kept the whole thing alive and kicking with a two inch layer of white foam that quickly faded down to leave a bare top.

The aroma was full of spices and wheat, very musty with a deep down and earthy note to it. I was picking up lots of rye type smells, hints of grass and a touch of grapes. Translated over the taste very well. Very rich wheat flavor. Lots of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. There were touches of almost musty pepper or something, hard to place, but very full and very difficult to fully grasp the flavor. Nice hot streak of alcohol running through it as well. Nice medium body with a really good carbonation profile, there was a nice fullness to it. It was definitely a sipper, and a little bit rough at that. I had an issue finishing the bottle as this was definitely a strong one, and I was feeling it, not too mention the flavor being a bit overpowering.

Overall not bad for my first experience with the style, not sure I will be going back to it with any kind of regularity, but none the less, still very good. I would have no issue in trying this one again, especially a fresh bottle of it!

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2008 09:50:37 | More by mikesgroove

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: pours a nice amber-copper with a moderate head.

S: a bit darker with some caramel as compared with other wheatwines that I've had. Some nice citrus, earthy hops as well as some mild notes of skin fruits such as pears.

T: caramel comes out with a bit of alcohol flavor as well as a mild wheat crispness. The hops certainly restrain any potential for excessive sweetness. Some pear notes and hints of mild peaches.

M: medium body with adequate carbonation, but not quite as heavy on the wheat elements as I'd like.

D: pretty good, but certainly not something I need 22oz. of.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2010 11:24:22 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.38/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a hazy, deep, yet bright amber body with a thin ring of white bubbles.

Smell: Wonderfully aromatic nose smelling deeply of toasted caramel with a distant tangy note of wheat. Some peaches and pears, as well as some citrus.

Taste: Malty caramel, lightly toasty, and with a full, though not unrestrained sweetness. Definitely a nice wheat component present. Chewy fruitiness. Spicy, lightly citrusy hops with a medium-high bitterness, but it blends very well to counter and balance all of the sweetness. Hint of pepper. Finishes bittersweet with a lingering taste of creme caramel. Upon warming, a taste of Grand Marnier begins to emerge.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Medium-low carbonation. Suspiciously creamy mouthfeel.

Drinkability: Very good, very nice, and I wish I had some extra bottles of it on-hand. Heavenly and delectable! I certainly recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2008 02:19:02 | More by ChainGangGuy

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy of Bu11zeye: Poured a medium copper color ale with a medium size foamy head with some average retention and minimal lacing. Aroma of sweet malt is dominating and reminiscent of a regular barleywine. Taste is also dominated by some sweet malt notes with some notes of caramel and toffee. Full creamy body is well done with some medium carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Well done but I can't say that the wheat notes were clearly discernable.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2008 18:21:11 | More by Phyl21ca

oberon

North Carolina

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into an oversized wine glass kind of a odd mix of deep burnt orange with ruddy brownish hue to it a thinner but well formed slight off white head atop.Boozy and quite sweet aromas like alcohol dipped apricot and a nutty terrine malt presence not much hop to be had here,definently a malt based big brew with a sweet alcohool kick dried apricot and dare I say applesauce flavors mixed with alcohol burn,definently flavorful and definently ballsy.Iam finishing the bomber and I will sleep well tonight,glad I tried it it really warms the insides.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2006 02:31:17 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I really enjoyed this beer. I was expecting something a little big bigger with more body and more malt to it, but as it is, it's very drinkable. And although the 11% alcohol is there, it's not really too distracting (although I guess that knowing it's there helps you to prepare for it). It's got a very nice appearance with a hazy reddish-orange-copper body, but there's little head and even less lacing, which I thought was odd for a beer with 53% wheat (even if it does have a high alcohol content). Hops are noticeable in the nose, along with some very nice yeasty fruitiness and a flicker of alcohol, and it's quite welcoming. It's smooth across the palate with a very fine bubbled, restrained carbonation and medium body. In the flavor it's lightly sweet and somewhat candyish, but still well-balanced, and the malt and hop bitterness seem to have a tug of war going on until the finish where the bitterness overcomes. The alcohol is more apparent here than in the nose, and it rises up at mid-palate, and remains a bit in the finish. However, it does lend a bit of pepperiness that helps to balance the malt and give it greater depth of character. Overall, an interesting tipple.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2006 02:22:27 | More by NeroFiddled

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a Dogfish Head snifter.

Pours a lovely clear amber garnet, with a tiny amount of clear sudsy head, which tries to coalesce into a cohesive layer of foam, but to no avail. The nose is wheat, corn, clove, and oak, but it is all quite weak. The taste holds notes of maple syrup, raisins, figs, cornmeal, and grains. The body is thick and lightly heavy, with a slight dab of carbontion. It covers the tongue in a light syrupy manner, but then proceeds to lithely slide right on down. Overall, a very drinkable brew, despite the relatively high ABV.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2010 00:00:14 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.58/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Hazy orangeish, solid cream-toned head. Nice looking.

Aroma, sweet, rosy, lightly spicy, cherries and melons, a bit perfumey.

Interesting texture here, a littlesour, a little spice, clovey, fruity...very odd.

Nothing wrong...just weird...nothing wrong with weird.

Medium bodied, tannic finish, a bit tangy. But the flavor bottom out too quickly, there's nothing for the tongue to play with after a while, and it all drifts off faster than it ought to.... Fruit + wheat + booze, is the simple formula. While an interesting experiment, a novel take on a new style, I feel it misses the mark just a touch.

11%? Hoo, boy...it's creeping up on me...

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2006 07:41:43 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours an amber/red color with a 1/2" offwhite head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a light pale, wheat, and crystal malt scent that shows it's elevated abv., but also lends itself to a lighter body and malt aroma. The taste is good as well. It has a warm, malty flavor that goes down slow and steady and finishes bitter with a powerful alcohol bomb. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a well brewed beer with loads of complexity, but it's definately a sipper beer. This one will take a while to drink.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2008 23:59:50 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Wheatwines are hit and miss. This beer is dark amber and clear with no lacing, no head, low carbonation. Looks OK.

Aroma is sweet, alcoholy, and strong, like bourbon. Smells good.

Beer is pretty sweet, strong alcohol character. Odd bitterness, its dry on the finish, overall its pretty drinkable for an 11% beer. My hand hurts, I'm not typing anymore.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2010 03:11:37 | More by drabmuh

metter98

New York

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: It poured clear amber in color with a thin layer of bubbles on the surface that slowly disappeared. A very light amount of carbonation is visible, along with some floating yeast particles.
S: There is a mild amount of malty sweetness in the nose, which smells a tad boozy and has some notes of toffee.
T: The overall taste is rather sweet like the smell and has notes of caramel, piney hops, raisins and toffee.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied, somewhat viscous and very smooth on the palate.
D: Although this beer should be sipped, the alcohol content is surprisingly well hidden from the taste.

Note: 2009 vintage

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2010 01:14:59 | More by metter98

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle Date 2005, Sampled July 2006.
Pours with a brilliantly clear, ruby tinged, amber color and is topped by a frothy, dense, three-finger thick tan colored head that has some definite staying power to it. The aroma has candied malt notes to it mixed with some noticeably hop notes that just seem to add to the candied note. A touch of citrus & herbal hop notes rounds out the dominant notes of caramelized grain, toffee, and an ample fruitiness that is characterized by sweet plums. It is quite interesting how the wheat notes have played out in the aromatic components in this beer; this is much lighter than your typical Barley Wine, not nearly as darkly caramelized (if that makes sense), instead there is a large sweet grain note that is just caramelized, especially when compared to a typical Barley Wine.

An solid bitterness leads from the get go, it is quite well balanced by a sweet malt note as well. Actually though this beer is certainly hop dominated; it takes on a menthol like note in the middle that lingers on and mixes with the astringent bitterness in the finish. The beer is quite light, which seems to be the signature of the wheat as opposed to a lack of gravity or alcohol. The light, yet amply sweet, wheat grain character adds just a touch of tartness and combines with the menthol note just so.

Interestingly enough, even after about a year, this could use some more time in the bottle. Perhaps a bit more age will perk up the malt complexity and mellow the hops a bit more. As it is though, this is quite tasty and I certainly could do with a few more of these in my cellar.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2006 04:13:41 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.5/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2008 release, on-tap 11/23/08 at Track 84 in Warwick, RI, served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a medium brown color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is very candy-like with brown sugar, caramel, dark fruit and a touch of hops.

T: The taste is likewise, very sweet up front with flavors of caramel, dark fruit and brown sugar. The hops presence is strong but subdued. The malt character is very hearty. The after-taste is sweet and slightly hoppy.

M: Crisp and very smooth, medium body, light-to-medium carbonation, finish is pretty clean for a style that is normally a little sticky.

D: Very tasty, goes down dangerously easily, not too filling, very strong kick, excellent representation of style, this is a very good beer to keep drinking until the ABV catches up with you.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2008 19:27:16 | More by TheManiacalOne

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.3/5  rDev +12%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Cheers to unholy2 for this one!

2007 vintage pours caramel with 2 fingers of sand colored head. minimal lacing & zero head retention

S: Intense fruittyness, caramel, booze, & pecans

T: Rich fruittynes (cherry, plum, apricot) & some boozey warmth up front. More fruittyness, some honey & treacle sweetness, plus piney & grapefruitty hops as this warms. Finishes dry with pineapple notes, piney hops & candi sugar (I can feel my teeth rotting, er I think!!), with pecans, a bit of smokeyness

MF: Syruppy & slick with an interesting balance

Drinks good for the ABV, but after a while the chewyness slows you down, This reminds me a lot of Stingo or some of the English barleywines I had when I lived in England. This is a good one to cap the evening off

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2008 05:04:24 | More by russpowell

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.05/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Felt this was too similar to a normal barley wine. I thought that this would have been a little bit different. Expected it to be lighter I guess. To me not much really stood out and made much of a difference. It was a brownish colored brew with a little head that survived for a little while. The flavors in this beer was strong for sure. I would try this again in hopes of enjoying this a little more the second time around.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2011 00:07:39 | More by Knapp85

Gavage

New Jersey

4.3/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: clear copper in color with a thick 2" fluffy white head. Thick lacing develops on the glass. Cabonation level is low.

Smell: the aroma is of ripe fruits, alcohol, and candy sweetness.

Taste: the flavor is of strong caramel, yeast, earth, sweet fruit, alcohol, and decent bitterness.

Mouthfeel: smooth and dry. The finish is long on the sweetness and alcohol.

Drinkability: decent drinkability, even though this is high on the alcohol scale. Find this one and enjoy it.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2005 21:01:49 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

3.43/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours orangish with no head - just a few fizzles.

The smell is of alcohol with some caramel sweetness and graininess. A hint of fruitiness.

The taste is apricot-like fruitiness. Sweet. The barley malt seems more prounced than the wheat, though it does make a crisp appearance. (Acc. to label, there is just a bit more wheat malt than barley). Caramelish fruitiness dominates, along with boozy alcohol. It seems to go in several directions. The hops are taken over by the malt sweetness and the aggressive alcoholic character.

The alcohol dominates the feel - seems higher than already high abv., washing away much of the flavor.

A slow sipper. Sharp. An interesing brew - something different, but not interesting or flavorful enough to revisit.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2006 16:23:50 | More by jwc215

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is a deep amber orange color with a sizeable head on pour that retains well and laces the glass.

S: The aroma is a big malty mess that is mellowed a bit by a strong wheat airiness.

T: The ale is a mouthful. It starts out with a strong malt body, concentrated and sweet with some fruit and mint, before revealing a strong wheat body that is heavy on alcohol. In moderation, wheat is light and refreshing. When used heavily, the wheat takes on a more sinister character. It is heavy and conveys the alcohol much easier. The finish is all wheat alcohol and has a buttery bourbon taste to it.

M: The concentration of wheat and barley has given the ale a very pleasant bourbon buttery taste.

D: The high abv and bourbon sweetness can hurt the drinkability, but they add a nice quality that is flavorful and warming.

This review of a bottle of Smuttynose Wheat Wine was at a warmer temperature, which lead to a greater accentuation of flavors and a higher score.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2006 22:12:26 | More by akorsak

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I feel like if a beer is 10.7% abv, you should really mark that on the label. Labeling aside, this was an interesting beer and definatley one that could benefit from cellaring. It was still good, but a touch boozy. It tasted of rich wheat and barley malt with fruit coming out and a finishing bitterness, but still tasted hot. Worth a try if you want to try the biggest wheat beer around in the Northeast (or anywhere).

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2006 09:08:26 | More by tempest

barleywinefiend

Washington

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

A: Poured a dark orange with a thick dirty white head.

S: Nose is rather sweet, barley and malts but sordove faint in other areas.

T: Taste reminds me of a barleywine to a degree, lots of sugar, malts. ABV is pretty subdued but it hits you hard.

M: Sweet, thick, boozy and heavy on palate

O: Drinkability is good for the style uit not a beer you can drink alot of. Share a bomber.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 02:11:12 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Moderate head but it settles very slowly. Leaves a coating of lace. The beer is dark amber and nearly clear.

Sweet and floral nose. Comes across as a perfume; has an element rose water with sugar. No wheat detected.

The alcohol is notable, but isn't the predominate flavor. Mostly malty, with very little wheat bite. The swallow has some warming brandy elements and a touch of hop. The aftertaste is long-lasting alcohol with a background of distant wheat (finally). Closer to a barley wine, imho. Rich bodied, this is a sipper's beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2010 22:32:15 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

3.63/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks goes out to TheManiacalOne and barleywinebrewer for this one.

Poured into a chalice a nice slightly cloudy ruby red color, nice carbonation, nice fizzy off-white head, only some small islands left behind. The nose is slightly sweet of cherries, malts, slight oak, and some caramel. The taste is a little sweet, malty/oak, spicy, and some caramel. The alcohol is pretty up front on this one, nice warming feeling going down. Medium body. Drinkable, but not really a fan.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2007 23:29:14 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a one-finger cream head that fades slowly leaving some lace. Hazy amber color. Slight malty nose. Medium carbonation and medium-heavy bodied. Starts sweet but complex flavor, the high ABV is not really noticeable, slight hop finish. Good beer to savor. $3.29 for a 22oz bottle from RSVP Liquors, Portland, Me.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2005 22:28:05 | More by jdhilt