Smuttynose Big A IPA - Smuttynose Brewing Company

ggilman

Maine

4.58/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on cask, and specially dry-hopped during Smuttfest 2011 at Novare Res in Portland, Maine. Served at room temp in a beautiful Smuttynose Big Beer tulip glass. This is why I came!

Deep orange hue with a big loose foamy head, that left lots of sticky lace. You could smell the fresh dry hopping, lots of leafy aromas, and a little malt in the background. Lots of robust caramel malt up front, leafy hops come in from behind. Loaded with sticky grapefruit hop bitterness. Super creamy hand-drawn mouthfeel. Smooth and delicious. I could've very easily sat their draining glass after glass until I fell off my bench. But that '05 Imperial Stout wasn't going to drink itself.

Serving type: cask

07-11-2011 01:53:38 | More by ggilman

Kkottonmouthkngz

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: hazy dark golden color, has a nice frothy head, skinny but expected due to the cask pour.
S: smells sooo good. its got a nice golden delicious apple permeating from it, with phenomenal hop presence. its almost warming.
T: i love this brew on cask. it really does it justice, it just fills your mouth with potent but delicious hops. i never noticed the apple
aspects in bottle, but this application really kind of brings it through to me. maybe im crazy, ive never heard anyone else mention apple before, but of well.
M: creamy, hoppy, warm. dangerously delicious and enjoyable. this is the way this beer should be enjoyed.
D: if i didnt have no less than 3 other beers on the list i had to try on tap tonite, id drink it all(until i passed out due to the 9 and change ABV).

Serving type: cask

01-24-2011 04:39:36 | More by Kkottonmouthkngz

StJamesGate

New York

3.53/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On cask at the GBBF.

Pours dark orange with a light froth ring. Big juicy citrus and chutney nose. Marmalade malts with some caramel cut by orange resin hops. Light to medium, some chew, and big burn.

Way too hot! Kills half the flavor, never mind any thoughts of drinkability. I wonder if this was very young going into the cask for the festival...

Serving type: cask

08-09-2010 16:29:59 | More by StJamesGate

Amalak

New York

4.1/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had off the cask at d.b.a. in Brooklyn. It has a semi-cloudy look to it. Good head and lace. Some bubbles and a kind of fruity apple scent.

Very zesty taste. Has a crazy, almost avocado taste ot it. Fairly dry. It doesn't taste like most IPAs I've had.

Serving type: cask

04-21-2010 23:12:39 | More by Amalak

m1ked

California

3.65/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A- Pours a flat looking hazy apple cider appearance....it is a cask after all, but still....underwhelming.

S- Not underwhelming here. This has a thick resiny nose of light piney cedar with some apricot and caramel toffee.

T- There's a sharp cedar pine licorice flavor upfront that is a bit overwhelming. My palate is overwhelmed....hard to pick things out now. That anise caramel cedar/pine lingers on. Can't help but feel that abv in there too.

M- Thick and resiny, cask smoothness. I wonder if carbonation help this gut with the oily resin residue.

D- I love casks, and I love trying new stuff. Glad I had it, but I'll pass on the next one. I'll take a West Coast IPA/IIPA instead.

Serving type: cask

09-17-2009 02:22:02 | More by m1ked

Quaffer

Nevada

3.95/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this on cask at the Blind Tiger in New York.

Appearance: Golden, orange-amber in color with a typical cask head. There were hints of lace left on the glass, but not much.

Smell: The smell was very hoppy, but there was a definite malt presence underneath, giving a nice depth to the aroma.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and very smooth.

Taste: Huge hop flavor and an accompanying bitterness dominated this beer. Hints of malt floated around, but not enough to balance this one out; it was extremely heavy on the hops. One thing that really stood out was a very strong, sweet fruitiness that emerged on the finish and almost dominated the hops bitterness. It was that fruity component that kept this beer from being completely over-the-top in the hop department.

Serving type: cask

05-01-2004 19:04:38 | More by Quaffer

jwhancher

Pennsylvania

3.51/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a dollar store wine glass. Appears bright copper with lots of various sediment particles in the glass. Wasn't sure if this one is bottle conditioned or not, as it did not say so on this bottle. Nice firm lacing of white foamy head. Seems to last quite awhile.

Smells of faint citrus hops. Pretty tame, yet I'm not sure how old the bottle was. Didn't see a born on or best by date. After some warming up, I get lemon meringue.

Tastes initially sweet with waves of lemon and sweet pale malt. Hop nectar rings true to the tongue. Hops aren't overwhelming and seem balanced by the malt. I also get some orange peel and a little resiney hops. Decently bitter.

Seems a little sweet, maybe due to the hop resins. Even still, wish it were a little more dry. Feels medium as I could see myself switching up to another offering after a few.

Overall, an okay IPA. There's so many IPAs out there these days that this one just doesn't stand out for me. It's pretty solid, but I think it could use some fine polishing.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 21:57:09 | More by jwhancher

hagbergl

Massachusetts

4.11/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had a glass of Smuttynose Big A IPA at Somerville BBQ & beer institution, Redbones. Served in a pint glass.

Appearance (4/5): Big A IPA pours a clear, golden-orange and is topped by a small one-finger head of foam (I'll blame the bartender for the lack of head...for some reason bartenders even at very good establishments think head on a beer is bad. Annoying.). This baby leaves a ton of sticky, resinous lacing behind as it goes. A very pleasant looking double IPA.

Smell (4/5): Right away you smell big grapefruit and piney hops. The hops are backed up by a sizable sweet bready malt that makes this beer maltier (not to say truly balanced–it's a double IPA, after all) than most big IPA's. A touch of lemon adds freshness and resinous hop oils lend a dankness to the beer. This baby's fresh. Nice smelling stuff.

Taste (4.25/5): At the front of the tongue, sweet malts come in and warm up the palate before the piney, grapefruity hops explode with a very satisfying bitterness and citrusy dryness. Sweetness competes with bitter all the way down, though, making Big A an impressive balancing act between malt and hops. The finish is hoppy but the malts are still there giving you a nice sweetness. Much different than your typical West Coast hop monster. I like this a lot.

Mouthfeel (4/5): Big A has a sticky, almost chewy mouthfeel in the beginning before settling into a dry finish. Medium bodied and medium-light carbonation round out the mouthfeel. Good, not stellar.

Overall (4/5): Smuttynose Big A is a very solid double IPA from New England that definitely separates itself from the herd of West Coast-style imitators by injecting a healthy does of malt sweetness into the flavor profile and not going whole-hog with the bitterness and dryness. I particularly like the transition in the mouthfeel from sticky, hop oily at the front to dry in the finish. Good stuff, as I expect from Smutty.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 15:27:50 | More by hagbergl

barczar

Kentucky

3.83/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Best by 4/13.

Pours a hazy golden apricot with a frothy 2 inch cream head that dissipates slowly, leaving sheets of holy lacing.

Nutty, bready caramel malt, citrus fruit, and resin form the initial aroma. Earthy hops become evident. Fairly malty, but with good hop presence, as well. Tangerine and lime balance resin well.

Flavor reveals underlying notes of tangerine, grapefruit and mango, with slightly sweet caramel malt hitting mid palate, then being knocked aside by bitter, resiny hops. The finish is decidedly bitter and earthy.

Body is a touch full, with moderate carbonation, a fair amount of astringency, and substantial alcohol warmth.

Good citrus character, but a little too resiny for my liking. Flavoring hops could be more complex. Malt backbone and hop character are fairly balanced in extremes.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 02:20:24 | More by barczar

AmitC

Indiana

4.21/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 12 oz bottle with a best by marking of April 2013.

Color is more pale than golden. A lot of heavy chunk suspensions give it a dirty look. Hazy and cloudy. An over three fingers thick off white head with good retention. Super awesome lacing on the sides. Looks really nice except for clumsy touches inside. Not many bubbles.

Aroma is somewhat subdued but still adequate for a DIPA. A lot of earth and wood. Some grass and spices. A strong malt body. Some pine and grapefruit. Strength is moderate at best.

Taste is much better and more bitter than suggested by the nose. Strong punch of hops upfront. Very heavy hitting malt. Some booze and warmth as well. Bitterness is definitely all pervasive. Malts take back seat big time. Finish is bitter. Grapefruit. Slight citrus. Some earthiness and a lot of spiciness.

Mouth feel is medium bodied. A good amount of piney and oily character mixed with good malt presence. High on alcohol and warmth. Punching. Not very astringent for a DIPA.

A solid DIPA with some minor flaws. Palate wrecking - for sure.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 01:32:30 | More by AmitC

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.01/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at Rattle N Hum in New York, NY

A: Pours a hazy yellowish orange (dark apricot) in color with light amounts of visible carbonation, some fine yeast particles in suspension, and some golden yellow highlights. The beer has a half finger tall foamy white head that slowly reduces to a medium patch of very thin film and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate to strong aromas of pine and citrus/grapefruit hops over a lighter aroma of caramel malts.

T: Upfront there is a light amount of caramel malt but with very little sweetness. That is quickly overtaken by strong flavors of pine and citrus/grapefruit rind hops that contribute a heavy amount of lingering bitterness.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Crisp with some stickiness then a little dryness in the finish. Light hints of alcohol warming.

O: Overall the big ABV is pretty well hidden but this beer is just a touch too bitter and with a hop profile that I do not find as interesting as others in the style. Still enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2013 19:58:42 | More by dbrauneis

bobhits

Kentucky

2.5/5  rDev -37.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5

Normally I try to write complex review but this beer isn't worthy. This bottle is near but not at the best buy level so if I find it fresher I'll adjust.

A good looking double IPA with WAY too much malt and sugar aroma. It smells bad.

The taste is WAY too much sugar bread and flavors I can only express as old hoppy beer but again this isn't old. bit sugar malt, HUGE even. There is a hop bite too, but it isn't good the breat and caramel are just blah.

Too think too sugary and doesn't work.

This is just not a good beer, let alone a good IPA. I can't imagine this being good.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 03:13:11 | More by bobhits

kangarooAdam59

Wyoming

3.33/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Best by April 29, 2013:

Into a chalice:

A: hazy orange/brown body with a one finger white foamy head that quickly dies leaving super light lacing

S: lots of grapefruit up front, light pine - secondary, hops and malts separated from the rest

T: bittersweet - slightly resinous through previously mentioned flavors, resinous aftertaste

M: medium, semi-sessionable, alcohol felt, resinous finish

O: pretty good for a DIPA though I`m having it closer to expiring, hey - I`d have this again and hopefully fresher

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 12:14:01 | More by kangarooAdam59

yamar68

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Big thanks to Hessian257 for this one! Long time want...

That's one raw looking IIPA. Hazy light orange body packed with beading that battles all the little bastards doggy paddling in the deep end. A creamy finger of off-white head recedes to a thin but consistent rocky cap. Lace is second to none.

Nose is big but a little muddy. Great blend of abstract citric hops and conifer. A fair amount of caramel malt keeps things interesting.

Juicy citrus with a prickly pine presence and an alcohol character that is less than well-integrated. Vaguely medicinal with a raw, tongue buckling bitterness.

Old school, big and bitter. I love it.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 03:48:14 | More by yamar68

popery

California

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

Very solid DIPA. Good malt backbone - plenty of caramel flavor without getting too sweet. The hop flavor hits some fairly typical notes, but it’s very well done. Good pine, grapefruit, orange, grass. Very good full feel. Mouthfeel is smooth and thick without being sticky. It’s a bit indelicate with a bit more bland bitterness than ideal, but it still exceeded my expectations for a year-round, easy to find DIPA. Appearance is medium amber with a creamy, off-white head. Easy to drink with plenty of flavor.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 23:26:41 | More by popery

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Its quickly apparent that its unfiltered with its bright cloudy orange body . Small white head floats on top. Carbonation is average for the style.

The smell Grapefruit and lemon everywhere. Big malty body, with a good bit of bitter grapefruit and lemon rind. Small hint of oranges way in the back that gets almost lost behind the other huge flavors.

I really want more out of the flavor. I was expecting the grapefruit and lemons I got from Columbus Brewing Bodhi, but this is more balanced with the bitterness really coming forward. The malt body is spot on for style, and really just begs for more dry hopped flavors to help it out. The bitter lemon rind and grapefruit peel is just a bit too much, but its do able.

I get this slick hop oil feel that fights with a metallic thing to come out. I like that slick oily citrusy orange/lemon feeling in the back of my throat, but I really dislike the bitter medicinal I get as well.

Overall - This is one of the better DIPAs available here in NC, but I think it could use some improvement for sure. I bit more punch of pungent grapefruit and lemon flavors would make this an incredible DIPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 16:50:15 | More by VncentLIFE

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.78/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12 oz bottle into a Duvel tulip.

A: Pours a very hazy orange-gold color with lots of yeast particles floating in the body. I like the head on this one - a three finger offwhite shade that looks wonderfully creamy. As it recedes, it leaves behind nice rings of lacing. Floaties aside, this looks fantastic.

S: This one seems to be balanced betwen grapefruit peel/spicy pine hops and biscuity yeast/malt interplay. As it warms up, the malt profile gets stronger. Dare I say it smells like a bigger version of Finest Kind? Err, not quite, but the aromatic qualities are very suitable for what I want.

T: Bitterness hits in a big way past the midtaste. Before that, this starts off rather sweet, with hints of caramel, brown sugar, toffee, and sugar cookie. Bold midtaste flavors of grapefruit peel, pine, black pepper, and even coriander gives way to a finish featuring an earthy sourness to it that I'm not sure what to make of. At first, I thought "argh, yet another IPA that eschews hop flavor for generic bitterness" - except after a few sips, distinct hop flavors do appear, quite vividly at that. Not all of them work for my tastes (never been a fan of pine-forward IPAs), but I admire its moderate complexity and permuting hop qualities. Cut down the pine bitterness a little bit, amp up the grapefruit qualities; and we could be looking at something really fantastic here.

M: It definitely feels like a 'pine-and-crystal-malt' forward DIPA, with its heavy texture and tongue-tingling coarseness on the finish. However, I really admire how easily it is to sip given it's a touch harsh. Maybe it's balanced more than I thought? The finish and aftertaste are VERY dry and mildly boozy, which might not work for everyone. The carbonation never gets in the way of the texture of the body, but the dry, coarse texture could be toned down in order to give the grapefruit hops some more breathing room. Becomes a touch boozy as it warms up.

O: This one definitely grew on me. Really, it's just like a bigger Finest Kind - the first sip doesn't impress, but repeated swigs will allow its greater qualities to show up and catch the seemingly disappointed palate off guard. Well worth considering if you like big, bitter DIPAs.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 23:23:49 | More by ThisWangsChung

ironchefmiyagi13

New York

4.1/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours a slightly cloudy color reminiscent of Sierra Nevada, with tiny particles floating to and fro in the glass. The head is a nice, clean bone white shade that leaves patchy lacing. The aroma in this beer is what garnered the higher grade. Definite hops/pine/resin scents along with citrus notes like orange, grapefruit and lemon rind are noticeable. There is a slight cream to the nose as well, with all the hops notes not being sharp or blunt but more rounded. The taste of this beer does not match up to the aroma, but it is still tasty and nice for a DIPA. For a 120 IBU, you can definitely taste the bitterness, but it isn't that off putting. Everything in the nose can be experienced on the palate, with a slight malt backbone evident.

Overall, a good and solid DIPA from a solid brewery. While it isn't the most amazing imperial Indian pale ale I have ever had, I was definitely able to drink multiple bottles and feel quite satisfied (as well as flushed) when I was done.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 08:05:40 | More by ironchefmiyagi13

JWU

Pennsylvania

4.06/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz. bottle poured into a snifter

A- a hazy golden/orange, massive hop haze. Finger of white head that dissipates in 2-3 minutes but leaves nice lacing.

S- Big smack of citric grapefruit, some pine, and pale malt. Pretty straightforward.

T- Some pale malt sweetness right up front, but is quickly overrun by a blitzkrieg of hops. Grapefruit, and a big resinous pine. Massively bitter, and doesn't even think about letting the malt back through. Some earthy tobacco notes from the hops as well. Bitterness lingers for several minutes after the sip.

M- Decent amount of body for a DIPA. Carbonation is light side of medium. For as bitter as this thing is, it's dry, but not over the top dry.

O- IBU's are certainly 120. Certainly one of the most bitter DIPA's I've had. Enjoyable for one, but no more. A big, bad, brutal heap of hops.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 20:48:51 | More by JWU

Fahz

New York

3.43/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked up a growler from Craft Beer Exchange in Albany, NY $16.99 More expensive than I had hoped but I was into giving it a try. Poured into a pint glass same day as purchase 1/18/13.

A golden yellow with an orange hue. Held up to light the appearance is cloudy with an aggressive pour the head was more than I expected. A couple fingers reduces pretty quick some lacing on the glass. The growler appears more orange with the pint glass more yellow.

It has the smell of an IPA slighty fruity having trouble getting anything specific as a smell.

Taste at first is good refreshing makes my mouth water but then the bite a bitter taste hits. Some sweetness maybe an orange taste then a bitter grapefruit taste followed by some lemon & acidic pine.

Generally I associate the grapefruit as good in an IPA this reminds me more of a unsweetened white grapefruit a more bitter piney taste with an an oily feel. Definitely an alcohol burn at the end.

DIPAs are stronger, this is, but something just isn't right. Was interested in trying but probably will not be a repeat purchase. The more I drink the more I wish I had of picked up something else, too bad.

Serving type: growler

01-19-2013 00:50:36 | More by Fahz

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.96/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle. best before 04/29/13.

A: a hazed straw yellow body, orange. tightly bubbled head. bright white. retention is good. spotted lacing.

S: sticky. orange juice. bitter orange rind. pine. and back to the oranges. all the pleasant aromas I enjoy in a DIPA, but missing that WOW factor that would really set it apart from the masses.

T: a big sucker. bitter. slightly unrefined. pine. lots of pine. a sweetness underneath it all. I believe it is half the bottle conditioning yeast component and half derived from the grist. overall flavorful, but similar to the nose nothing that makes it a standout in my opinion.

M: moderate carb on a full bodied brew.

D: read what I said above, twice, good but nothing that makes it outstanding for me. for me, a good means a 4.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 04:13:11 | More by Jimmys

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

3.63/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Consumed 1/7/13

Appearance: Hazy yet bright - deep orange-gold - small, dense, off-white head - fades to a small cap, leaves some nice streaks of lacing

Smell: Grapefruit and orange in abundance - oily citrus rind and pith, mostly - some resiny, damp pine - cooked, lightly caramelized malts - some caramel malts, too, with some toasted biscuits - a hint of alcohol in the back

Taste: No holds barred grapefruit assault - grapefruit juice, flesh, pith, rind, and oil - some sweeter, ruby red grapefruit as well - orange flesh and orange rind - plenty of pine as well - very bitter, which is impressive because the malts are also quite big - mostly caramel malts - lightly caramelized, lightly toasted - biscuits with booze - some juicy citrus in the aftertaste

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body, very oily, lightly sticky, with some booze heat

Overall: Yes, it's big, but I'm not sure about the "A"

This is a big beer indeed. Very hoppy and very malty. Sadly, neither the hop profile nor the malt profile really stand out. It's good, but nothing to write home about. This kind of reminds me of some other "big" DIPAs, like Great Divide Hercules DIPA. This is not... ideal. Too big for its own pants, or some other more clever metaphor.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 06:53:04 | More by angrybabboon

mscudder

Georgia

3.8/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a snifter. Best before 4/29/13.

A - Tropical, somewhat cloudy, grapefruit orange hue topped by a large pale head. Fantastic retention with a bit of lacing left clinging to the edges of my glass.

S - Lots of warm fruits to speak of here: pear, peach, citrus peel and pineapple. Atop some smooth malts with some floral notes.

T - Much bigger brew than the nose revealed! A large bitter hop profile takes center stage. Warmth towards the end from the booze, all sitting on some bold malts. Not getting near the fruits I was sensing on the nose.

M - Creamy medium body with sub-moderate carbonation.

O - Was looking forward to a sweeter, juicer brew after digging into the nose. Heavy bitterness is ok, I just prefer a bit more in my DIPA's.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 02:49:49 | More by mscudder

BEERMILER12

Maine

4.08/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Newest batch, best before 04/29/13

A: Pours a golden amber color with an abundance of particulate matter floating throughout. Has about 2 fingers worth of head that leaves some nice lacing

S: Plenty of piney, citrusy, and floral hops along with a solid malt backbone. Hops definitely steal the show

T: Follows the nose. Very pine and citrus forward with an underlying floral background. Malts come in to provide just enough balance. Finishes bitter with a light alcohol bite

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Oily and slick, slightly drying

O: Wow. This one surprised me with the pure hop power. The alcohol edge could be toned down a little in the finish, but really no complaints as it is nearly 10%. Definitely shows the 120 IBUs off nicely (I know, I know, people can't detect over 80 or so, but still). Absolutely worth $10 for a 4-pack

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 06:01:10 | More by BEERMILER12

BigCheese

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Been trying to find this fresh forever, best before april 2013, I'm guessing that makes it 1-1.5 months old.

A: Mellow straw color, thin white head, appears unfiltered. Minimal lacing, could be dirtish glass.

S: Grapefruit, pine, some tropical guava/passion fruit. Very enticing.

T: Hop explosion, pine, grapefruit rind, some dank tasting garlicky herbal notes, with a mouth puckering dry finish. Some mango/papaya tropical fruits in initial wave too. A sweet honey, caramel malt backbone briefly rears its head. Very clean and American tasting.

M: Oily, syrupy, carbonation seems kinda high, a bit fatiguing on palate, but has a nice body to it. Minimal booze burn, well hidden.

O: Crazy hop flavors on this. A great mix of pine, tropical fruit, and dankness. A clean sweet (perhaps dull) malt profile lets the big hops shine. This beer lived up to my expectations. Another winner from smutty, they rarely disappoint.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 02:33:36 | More by BigCheese