Smuttynose Big A IPA - Smuttynose Brewing Company

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

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

Poured from bottle into pint glass. Pours a rusty orange with a small amount of head but good lacing. Smells and taste is sweet overpowering malts. Some hops are present in aroma, and more in taste. Its a bit bitter and very malty but mellows out as it warms. Its deff a big beer. Booze is present and mouthfeel is full. Overall, its ok. Its too much sweetness and too bitter to be enjoyablke, but I will finish it.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2012 23:29:45 | More by DrinkSlurm

PhantasIPA

Delaware

3.78/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer poured very cloudy with a small head and occasional lacing.

At first it smelled like a strong IPA then the real waft of fuming alcohol came in. It is pretty intense and smells like pine and grapefruit.

Taste is just like the smell - very alcoholic, piney, and a kick of the bitter sweet, grapefruit citrus taste.

Mouthfeel is pretty carbonated - lots of burping...It is very heavy and overwhelms the mouth with flavor, bitterness and alcohol. It is very dry.

Overall it is a good beer but it has such a strong alcohol taste I would hope it would be about 12%, not 9.6%. Overall I like it but it is a heavy brew.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 19:28:41 | More by PhantasIPA

garymuchow

Minnesota

3.68/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Purchased this as a single in WI. Just hitting best by date of 7/12.
Initial fresh ripe fruit, sweet a little tart and very pleasant. Followed by hop oil with a more piney quality- strong but not pushing to the point of unpleasantness. Firm pale malt backing. Through drink holds a pleasing perfume quality.
Attractive. Slightly clear gold amber with off-white firm dense head, leaving some dripping lacing.
Forward and firm bitterness, with minimal harshness and general smoothness. Pretty quick hit of warmth in the gut and very long finish of said bitterness, but also holding a grapefruit flavor. Hop oils mask some of the more pleasant flavored hop flavors. Ample malt support, but it appears largely pale malt in origin as it adds little to flavor.
Body is big enough to hold all the hops with a more than moderate, but not quite heavy feel.
A nice beer, but too much bitterness and not enough flavor (from either hops or malt). Hop oils are reasonably subdued, but make their unnecessary appearance periodically.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 02:47:43 | More by garymuchow

kylehay2004

Florida

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

A: single finger head with nice lacing on a hazy pale golden body. Excellent lacing.

S: beautifuly strong aroma with grapefruit, candied orange and caramel but overall simple.

T: malt forward IPA treading into barleywine territory with candied fruits, earthy hops, caramel malts and honey.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: this one is good but doesn't stand out in a genre which has many top brews.

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2012 04:25:17 | More by kylehay2004

peabody

Kentucky

3.78/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours out a cloudy yellow/amber with very little suds but nice lacing around the glass.
Smell is grapefruit and sharp hop with some alcohol in the back. I was expecting a little more aroma.
Taste is mellow pink grapefruit with some sugar and lots of rind. Subsequent tastings yeild a bit of tangerine and orange peel. The alcohol is hidden well.
Mouthfeel is just a tad sticky but quickly finishes very clean with only the bitterness left in the palate and the lingering booziness of the alcohol in the back of the throat.
Overall this is a different tasting IPA but in a good way.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2012 03:30:24 | More by peabody

smakawhat

Maryland

3.55/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass. Good till August 29 2012.

A hazy cloudy body, of a dull peach orange, sort of a faint orange amber. Head is creamy looking off white, got some good retention and lots of staying power.

Real nice mix of graham cracker malt, sweet and chewy dense, faint citrus and apricot hop bent comes rolling in through the back. Nice balance, nothing vibrant, just real solid.

Taste has a very huge sharp unexpected hop bitter. Mid palate fills initialy with the sweet thick graham cracker milkiness, then it's a quick fast bitter asault on the senses. Very fleeting finish and a strong dry burning pine that doesn't match the simple fruit character of the nose. Mouthfeel is strangely… hard to even pinpoint with this incredibly bitter hop angle, but it lacks some body and coating aspects. Really big oily stick on the lips of hop pine, and the bitterness is really not that enjoyable.

Overall, the pugilist character on the front does give the brew a distinct and accurate statement. This does feel like a very jarring and QUICK jab to the senses. But it doesn't leave you feeling like having another one unfortunately, but.. maybe not. I am on the fence.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 02:53:43 | More by smakawhat

davewlfpckfan29

Connecticut

3.48/5  rDev -13%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Nice imperial IPA. Not your typical American IPA. There is a more unique kind of taste that I get from this. This beer actually reminds me a lot of Dogfish heads 90 minute.

For a double IPA it has a lot more going on with the flavor. I find that there is grapefruit, pine taste, a grassy resemblance, and even a little bit of caramel.

I had the beer on May 28, on a bottle that says best by Aug 12 so its definitely fresh. The head retention was good on the head.

My only complaint with this beer might be the texture and the aftertaste. There is a bit of a oily feel to it.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2012 19:35:20 | More by davewlfpckfan29

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.6/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

a cloudy light orange pour, 2 fingers of head which quickly diminish, visible chunks of sediment floating close to the bottom. smells sweet like honey, slight hint of pine, soapy, maple syrup. tastes very bitter up front but finishes with a sweet caramel like flavor.. i guess burnt caramel.. dirt, pine, bitter grapefruit, tree sap, burnt rubber.

medium body with mild carbonation, slight amount of lacing. i just saw that the bottle i JUST purchased has the freshness stamped for january of 2011... this makes this bottle about a year and a half old and i can still taste the hop character. overall, that statement makes this beer pretty solid in my book. if you like bitter ipa's, if you like bottle conditioned ales, if you like heavy beers in general - this is for you.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2012 03:15:11 | More by facundoCNB

rlee1390

Indiana

4.23/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Cloudy bright orange, two finger head, carbonated

S-Grassy, a little citrus hops, malt is present (may have turned for the worse but Best By is in late July)

T-Malt is there but a good deal of grassy, pine hops with citrus sneaking in, solid bitterness.

M-Medium bodied, good deal of carbonation.

O-One of my favorite DIPAs, finally reviewed it but I should look out for an even fresher one.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2012 03:37:57 | More by rlee1390

Thickfreakness

New York

4.48/5  rDev +12%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

FINALLY found some fresh near me. I've been wanting to try this forever but only found old dusty bottles.

A- Nice deep orange/honey color. Somewhat cloudy/hazy with a thick bright white head that sticks around forever and leaves more sticky lacing than I've ever seen on a glass!

S- Deep rich malts... piney and dank! Notes of orange, pineapple, mango, peaches, old lawn clippings, sugary sweet caramel, and a faint alcohol presence. Really nice depth to this one.

T- It's like a punch of sweet and piney goodness... really nice pineapple, cut hay, grapefruit and orange juice, caramel maltiness, and yeast. The alcohol is barely noticable beneath the ton of flavors that are exploding in my mouth.

M- Leaves your mouth singing with citrus, wet hay and caramel sweetness. Has a really nice bitterness that doesn't overwhelm but adds another level to the caramel sweetness.

O- This is a fantastic DIPA! Deep and rich, wonderfully balanced!Bitter/sweet/citrus/pine/tabacco and lawn clippings... Tons of flavors and smells happening here! It's about time I found some of this fresh Smutty!

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 02:28:08 | More by Thickfreakness

eriktoyra

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

A: Pours a golden hazed liquid into the glass. The one finger high head is grey-white and dissolves quickly. Uneven and small lacings on the glass. Almost no sign of carbonation.

S: Sweet fruity tones and cookies at first but then a more earthy smell. Cabbage maybe? Mango, grapefruit, damp leaves and then some alcohol.

T: Sweet mango up front, then grapefruit and finally warming alcohol. It's balancing on the verge of being to strong in alcohol but manages to pull it off nice. The grapefruit tones stays long. There is also some lime for a short while at the end.

M: A bit oily in texture. The alcohol is warming just about perfect. Low to medium carbonation with small bubbles.

O: Apart from the smell, which I find a bit uneven, this is a good beer that I would recommend anyone to try.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 01:51:24 | More by eriktoyra

TheSarge

Illinois

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

Poured this into a tulip glass, and the brew makes a good two finger thick white head, and the body is copper in color with lots of haze.

The aroma is dominated by the hops, which gives it a very floral and citrusy fragrance. Lots of grapefruit and pine sum up the aroma.

In the taste, the sweet caramel is evident. There is caramel sweetness cut off abruptly by the stinging bitterness of the piny hops.

Feels mildly carbonated, syrupy, oily slick, and warm in the end.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 01:46:54 | More by TheSarge

Thads324

Connecticut

3.63/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a inviting gold color. Thick white head of tan bubbles. Super sticky head leaves solid lacing.
Aroma is musty and earth hop. A hint of citrus, and some sweet biscuity malt.
Taste is much the same. Starts sweet then has a hit of earthy hop and dirt. It's almost like I can taste the earth in it. A hint of lemon zest and floral hops in the back. Finishes slightly bitter and adds some citrus. Nice pale malts carry the hops
Mouthfeel is medium with good carbonation that is nice and sharp. Hidden abv very well

Overall this beer is pretty good. As you work your way through the beer the hops get more flavorful, with added citrus. Pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 20:32:09 | More by Thads324

libbey

Washington

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

12oz bottle best by date 7-24-12 poured into a NB globe. Thanks to trxxpaxxs for the chance to try such a fresh bottle of this.

A: The beer pours a crystal clear golden hue with a large fluffy head that had great retention in spite of the large ABV. Nice trail of sticky lacing left throughout the session.

S: Nice piney blast of hops balanced with a big earthy malty base with a hint of candy/toffee. Lovely.

T: A big aggressive blast of citrus and pine hops layered upon a nice malt bready base. Great balance for such a big beer. ABV is expertly masked.

M: The carbonation levels are perfect on this medium bodied DIPA and a nice piney finish lingers on the pallet after each sip. Nice.

O: Overall this had been my favorite IPA offering from Smuttynose so far. An excellent representation of the style that I would certainly have again if the opportunity presented itself.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 22:49:55 | More by libbey

Taylor8189

5/5  rDev +25%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer is exactly what an Imperial IPA should look, taste, and feel like. I've had this beer almost ten times on tap over the past couple of months and every time I drink it I am reassured that it was a great decision. From the moment the server/ bartender places the beer down in front of you, you know it is going to be a treat. The initial smell is strong, full of hops...undertones of citrus fruit. It is very drinkable, almost too drinkable if I must say. The carbonation is very high as it should be and the alcohol is practically hidden. It almost feels like you're drinking a refreshing glass of carbonated grapefruit juice (if that exists haha). But on a serious note, this beer is absolutely fantastic. If you are looking for a heavy, drinkable, refreshing IPA that will literally knock your sock s off then look no further, you have found your poison.
DRINK THIS BEER.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2012 04:25:50 | More by Taylor8189

C20Percent

Virginia

4.6/5  rDev +15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

*Review taken from my notes*

A: Hazy bronze, with good head retention.

S: Earthy hoppiness -- very nice aroma.

T: Fantastic -- some piney flavor folds to a nice citrus backing. A bit boozy, but the flavor overwhelms the alcohol.

F: A thicker body, but not as overpowering or unpleasant as it could be. Easy drinking -- usually I get a sticky feel with a heavy body. That's not the case here.

O: A quality earthy, hoppy Imperial IPA. The brew was consistently good until the end. Probably got better as I continued drinking. Can't say enough about the finish. Really terrific stuff.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 19:25:25 | More by C20Percent

Ruds

United Kingdom (England)

4.03/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Brewdog tulip glass to a hazy orange hue with a small white head.

Aroma is all about hops, grassy, floral, bitter orange and a mix of citrus fruits.

On the palate I get citrus fruits, primarily grapefruit and to a lesser extent a bitter orange flavour. Throw in pine resin, grass and a hint of sweet caramel verging on biscuity sweet malt.

Mouthfeel is good, moderate carbonation and a sticky mouthfeel which is great !

Overall - a good DIPA but not a world beater. Have had before on tap and will happily have again, up there, but not going to win the world cup !!!

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 00:13:10 | More by Ruds

FanofHefe

Illinois

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

Bottle poured into a Duvel tulip; best by 8/14/2012. Clear light amber body with a two-finger light tan head. Good retention and lacing.

Lighter aroma than I expected. Mostly piney hop notes with a little caramel malt.

The flavor is solid all around. The pine resin hop flavor is strong but not overly bitter. There is a bit of orange citrus flavor that helps blend with the sweeter malt flavor very well. Not extremely complex, but very tasty.

Medium mouthfeel with an oily hop texture. Glad this is in my area now as another great go-to DIPA.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 02:59:39 | More by FanofHefe

nrs207

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I've had this on tap a few times, and just felt I needed to review it because it is one fantastic big DIPA.

A - It's a golden yellow/orange. Has a nice fluffy white head. It leaves a decent lacing down the glass.

S - Not as strong as you'd expect after you've tasted it. It's definitely got a smell of strong hops. I feel like this thing is going to be hop forward, but nothing prepared me for the taste. I wish the smell lived up to the taste, but beer is for drinking anyway, right?

T - Holy hell this thing is hopped to the point of ridiculousness and I love it. Fresh on tap there are few beers I enjoy more than this. I had it at an open bar the first time on new year's eve. I had 6 of these. Needless to say I was in no position to review, but luckily I found it again recently and it was just as I remembered. I feel like I could eat raw hops I love bitterness so much, but by the 6th one of these my mouth was ruined. I absolutely love the taste, and for a Big Ass IPA it lives up to the name. The hop flavor was mainly citrus, but the bitterness is the main attraction here.

M - The best part is that you don't notice the alcohol in this beer. It's 9.6%, but it goes down super smooth with a nice amount of carbonation and a huge resounding bitter finish. Delicious.

O - I couldn't give this a 5 overall because of the slightly lackluster aroma, and the fact that it's a bit one note on the bitterness. But in my opinion, this thing is the ultimate bitter bomb and one that I'm so glad I got fresh to get the full effect. Don't get this if you don't want to get slapped in the face by hops. Beers that people find quite bitter like Ruination don't really compare to this in my opinion. Ruination doesn't even seem too bitter to me, but this will always satisfy my cravings for a bitter DIPA.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2012 06:40:23 | More by nrs207

hustlesworth

Ohio

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

A- crazy murky opaque orangish tan. The head is thick and cream colored and incredibly sticky. Wowsers. Lace comes off in chunks. The foam doesn't have the usual wrinkly shrivel as it settles. Still looks great, nice change of pace.

S- huge piney grapefruit and orange sweetness. There's a solid amount of malt behind the hops with a toffee marshmallow type character.

T- though it's insanely bitter, there's a nice balance to it as well. Hops completely dominate but somehow a fair amount of malt sweetness beams through. Grapefruit, mandarin, pine, mango, and rocket fuel. Finishes with a Lingering puckering hoppiness.

MF- full and squishy. I can feel the murkiness. Ample carbonation cuts through and keeps it from feeling too mich like mud puddle. But I still kinda does, and it's good. Dry and resinous on the cheeks.

D- alcohol is well hidden behind the hops. Very well hidden. This is a big nasty unfiltered brew. It looks like mud and that's awesome. It's harsh and pungent and everything hoppy. Nicely done.

Serving type: on-tap

01-29-2012 23:04:06 | More by hustlesworth

edb7

Illinois

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

This one let me down, having had other good beers from Smuttynose. Here goes;

The pour had me excited- it is a glowing orange color with particulate matter in suspension. The head wasn't too significant, although a small portion endured and the rest left typical lacing.

The smell was the first sign of a letdown; I detected more of an alcohol aroma than hops. When I drink IPA's, I want brewers to bring on the hops!

The taste continued that letdown. It isn't a strong a alcohol taste, but the flavor of alcohol is at the front when I sip this one. I realize that the alcohol % is rather high, but I still like to taste and smell the hops on the nose in a DIPA. The finish is smooth, but not hops. A lot of grapefruit to it, maybe some orange. After drinking it a for a bit, it did grow on me a little- the hop bitterness shows mid-taste, but is not there at the front or end.

Bottom line: For the price ($11 for a 4 pack), there are much better choices. It was just an OK beer for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 22:04:00 | More by edb7

TWStandley

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Chimay Glass -

Appeared a nice orange color, slightly see-through but mostly cloudy. When poured, produced a nice two finger head, which dissipated relatively quickly leaving minimal lacing.

Very sweet yet hoppy smell. A bit of citrus fruit, especially some orange, clementine, and grapefruit notes. Slight alcohol scent when you get your nose practically in it.

Tastes like a nice bitter IPA - good presence of grapefruit flavors - very manageable taste for an imperial. Alcohol is present but not overpowering whatsoever.

Mouthfeel - good carbonation - nothing notable.

Overall- this is a solid example of an imperial IPA. It is pretty tasty and the not-so-apparent alcohol taste could make it easy to put away a couple of these. Solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 00:15:30 | More by TWStandley

chilly460

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Muddled light orange with plenty of haze, two finger tan head settles into a cap. Decent lacing.

S: Very earthy hops with floral accents. A lighter sweet malt aroma in there as well, strange clean smell...like soap.

T: Bam, this beer doesn't play games. Big powerful bitter hops, astringent even, but somehow I like it. Hop bomb of the first order, IMO. I have no recollection of any balancing malt profile. Usually I enjory a balanced DIPA, but for some reason this appealed, tasty.

M: Nice medium body, moderate carbonation, somewhat creamy. The hops actually have enough pucker to give a "dry" sensation to the beer.

O: Well done "hop bomb" if you're in the mood for raw bitterness, but doesn't get into an acidic tone.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 15:50:32 | More by chilly460

bubseymour

Maryland

3.25/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - not the appearance I like in a beer. Very apple cider like coloring with small 1 finger head and lots of floaty stuff in the beer.

Smell - Very strong pine scent to this one.

Taste - Its a big beer all right. Good definition of an American Double IPA Very heavy, very piney bitterness, a little too bitter and lingering aftertaste for my pallet. Alcohol level is well disguised but you know its going to kick you later on.

Mouthfeel - As creamy and full bodied of an IPA as I've sampled.

Overall - An IPA this bold is nice to try every now and then to shock the pallet but 1 beer sampling for a while is all I can do with this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 21:36:15 | More by bubseymour

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.45/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

We pour a rich, tawny-orange brew. The head is brief and is made of white bubbles standing one finger tall. There is a thick cidery haze to the beer, with no chunks of sediment visible. Carbonation appears standard, and little lacing is left around the glass. The aroma is strong with sweet malts, and a lemony citric vibe. The malts also hold a spicy quality, and a deeper caramel component. With warmth comes rumbles of fusel alcohols, and a hot hop resin far on the back. As we sip, malts and citric hops compete for the front. There are mild acetylaldehydes and a faint toast to the malts as well. The middle shows a sweeter berry fruit, and a more bittering aspect to the malts. Here, the hops appear as pine, and continue with citrus and grapefruit. On the finish the malts stand strong, but have a fermented, rotting fruit air. The hops remain even here, and are citric and clean. The aftertaste breathes of big booze, bitter malts, fresh lemons, and stony metallics. The body is medium and the carbonation is medium. The feel is oily, and both slick and sticky. This affords good slurp and froth, despite a smaller head at the beginning. The bitterness dries the mouth slightly. The abv is appropriate and the beer drinks easily.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was the beautiful glowing color. Through the aroma and taste the malty inclusions were nice, but we wish the hops were able to pop more on the nose. That may have made the brew a bit more inviting. With warmth, the booze became almost overpowering to the rest of the flavoring, so that was ultimately a negative.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 21:35:55 | More by TheBrewo