Smuttynose Zinneke - Smuttynose Brewing Company

dpianka

Connecticut

4.88/5  rDev +29.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

date of tasting: 4/4/2013
place of tasting: Barley Vine - Bristol, CT
beer: Zinneke
brewery: Smuttynose
brewery location: Portsmouth, NH
type: Ale
style: Strong Dark Belgian Ale
abv: 8.4%
ibu: 50
glass: mug w/appearance test in tasting glass
temperature of beer: 55F

Appearance: gorgeous clean roasty black. It isn’t quite opaque, I can see through it a bit when held up to the light, when I do the color is an extremely dark amber. Head pours thick, heavy and creamy but doesn’t last long.

Smell: I get the typical vanilla and coffee, though the coffee is not very strong in intensity yet still strong in character. The chocolate is bitter, reminiscent of somewhere around 75% cacao. A little bourbon booze bite faintly hit me at the end

Taste: sweet malty bready vanilla up front. The bourbon barrel smoothness comes through with very faint rich vanilla cream and toastiness.The hops are prominent yet not offensive, they work their way through the malt enough to balance out the sweetness. Hops are green and grassy. The mocha leans more towards dark french almost burnt coffee with that 75% cacao.

Mouthfeel: smooth, medium to light bodied, slightly creamy.

Overall Impression: An awesome beer for sure. I love what the belgian yeast did to this beer. Generally when I’ve tasted something aged in bourbon barrels there is a huge sweetness that tends to also be present. I’m delightfully surprised that isn’t here. I mean there is sweetness but it’s very well balanced.

Food Pairings: fondue with little mushroom skewers, BBQ with a heavy rich bbq sauce, I kind of want to reduce this and pour it over strawberry gelato. Gingerbread men sandwiches stuffed with a vanilla bourbon cream. lamb in a bicuit, roasted pork belly, hearty chilli with sour cream.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2013 03:09:38 | More by dpianka

j37geogaddi

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +26%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This is, easily, one of the most interesting beers I've ever tried. Period. Maybe one of the very best beers I've ever tried.

Pours dark brown, not black, and small amount of lace in the glass when the foam drops.

Smells like a Belgian Brown, and maybe some hints of coffee and Banana.

Taste is very complex. Starts out like a Belgian Brown, but then the coffee and chocolate come through. What separates this beer from others, is after all of that, the flavor of Oak-ey Banana and Vanilla is present towards the finish. There's more going on, but those are the most obvious characteristics. Mouthfeel is a bit light, but if you can get past that- this is a standout beer.

I'm honestly confused by the lackluster reviews here... Yes, its thinner than some heavy Stouts- if you're looking for a regular Imperial Stout, this isn't one... But it does have enough alcohol and flavor complexity to make up for that and then some. Take it for what it is- a unique take on the Belgian Stout, and one of the most delicious beers around... If you ask me.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 23:40:20 | More by j37geogaddi

barnzy78

Illinois

4.51/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle poured into a 25oz snifter, the ale is near black and topped with a frothy tan head that holds excellent retention. Aromas are fruity, chocolate, roasty, bourbon, and boozy as it warms. Tastes are beautifully complex and balanced with notes of toasted grain, dark fruit - raisin, fig, date, chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, oak, some faint coffee, and Belgian yeast. Mouth-feel is full with nice carbonation, while finishing just dry enough for the palate to want another sip. At 8.4%, there actually was better drinkability, as opposed to some higher ABV stouts & strong ales. Overall, I loved it! One of my favorites out of the Big Beer Series.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 11:56:01 | More by barnzy78

Chickenhawk9932

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours black as midnight oil with a tall head of coffee colored foam - good retention.

Smells of coffee, chocolate, plumb, earthy, woody, nutty - a beautifully complex nose.

Creamy mouth with a chocolate coating and a robust body big on coffee flavor. The dark fruit/plumb notes are subdued in the background but come forward with some sweet caramel malt notes. A chewy malt mouthfeel with a lingering woody fruit finish. This one is full of flavor all over the place = a very tasty brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 01:17:50 | More by Chickenhawk9932

puboflyons

New Hampshire

4.4/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From the 2012 big bottle. Sampled on December 15, 2012.

It pours a dark brown to nearly black with a small tan head that fizzles quickly.

The aroma is rich with sweet dark malts, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, cherry, smoke, and a little hard liquor.

The body is better than medium but it has a slight astringency.

The taste starts sweet with caramel and bourbon and then evolves into a moderate lingering bitterness. The wood barrel is more noticeable in the taste than in the aroma. But overall this is a fine beer from Smuttynose.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 23:07:16 | More by puboflyons

chanokokoro

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a "The Smuttynose Big Beer Series" branded snifter

Pours a dark espresso brown with a two finger beige sea foam-like head that is reminiscent of heads found capping Belgian dubbels and quadrupels. Fades fairly quickly. Big fruity Belgian yeast, vanilla, cocoa power, hints of oak and bourbon booziness. Dark chocolate covered plums, fig, caramel maltiness, vanilla, and toasted oak. Very light bourbon accents appear midpalate. Finishes pleasantly dry with dates and black cherry and some continued chocolate accents. Medium, very drinkable body. Slick, with lively carbonation. Consider me impressed as this brew delivered a level of complexity that wasn't expected. Very drinkable, complex, and extremely unique. Not to mention, at $5.99 a bomber the value for the quality this brew delivers is fantastic. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 05:42:42 | More by chanokokoro

CloudStrife

New York

4.23/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle split and poured into snifters. Bottle conditioned in 2012.

A: Pours a very dark brown with a 2 finger slightly tanned head. Takes a minute or two to settle down to a thin covering. A good amount of yeast settles to the bottom of the glass. No real lacing.

S: Has a fruity aroma that I was not expecting from such a dark beer. I'd say its a cherry mixed with a yeastiness. If you look for it you can get some of the bourbon notes.

T: The two snifters taste very different with one having the yeast poured into it. The start of the bottle holds much more bourbon and roasted malt while the bottom of the bottle is fruitier and has a tart bitterness. Nice and complex.

M: Medium bodied with a good warming feel, a little slick toward the back end. Very drinkable for a bourbon stout.

Overall this one is certainly worth a try. Complex and different. Imagining this would age very well and hope I can snag another bottle.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 01:02:32 | More by CloudStrife

tkelley

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

BIG BEER series... 22 oz bottle poured into a tulip glass.

A -- Very dark black with a toasted marshmallow (toasted, not burnt!) head. The head has very very fine bubbles, which almost look like the head on a nitro-stout.

N -- subtle, sexy desserty scents fill the nose. Dark roasted malts.

T -- Like the bottle promises this beer blends chocolate and caramel from the malts, fruit from the Belgian yeast, and some really smooth vanilla flavors from the bourbon. I usually dont like really strong bourbon flavors, but this one hits the right notes. Really good.

D -- Smooth, silky. The alcohol hits you pretty quick even though its not in the taste too much.

O -- Love it. Really good. Good blend of different flavor profiles.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 00:24:23 | More by tkelley

brewtechnik

New Hampshire

4.2/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2012 bomber slightly chilled, poured into a snifter...

This beer looks awesome...dark brown with minimal tan head lasting only a few minutes until dissipating into a consistent outer ring. Very clean and clear...nice lacing as well.

I smell raisins, vanilla, wood/bourbon, tad bit of Belgian yeast character (but not over done).

The taste starts with hops and toned down Belgian yeast flavor (low phenolics), transitions into chocolate, vanilla, wood and little bourbon, and finishes with dark fruits, dark chocolate and hop bitterness mixed with a little ethanol twang.

This beer is fairly light bodied with perfect medium carbonation...more of a porter in comparison, but right in style for a Belgian dark. Easy drinking, not very filling...I would have no problem finishing a second bottle.

Overall I would like to see this beer a little heavier in body, with a larger percentage (possibly even 100%) aged in bourbon-oak. This is another solid beer from Smutty that I'll definitely buy again, perhaps even age some for half year to bring out more of the chocolate and dark fruit character. Good buy at $7 regardless!

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 00:25:09 | More by brewtechnik

Bung

North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz. Nearly opaque black pour, thin frothy layer of cream head. Retention ok, minimal lacing.

Aroma, healthy molasses and chocolate candy. Some vanilla, banana and yeasty spice.

Taste, Large chocolate and larger roast malt presence than I was expecting. Vanilla, some earthy spice, peat. Vanilla and molasses as well. Stork chocolate resin finish.

Pretty solid mid body, carbonation in check enough to make this quite drinkable. Coating and nicely sticky. Alcohol barely shows.

A dessert beer and one of the best "Belgian" style stouts I've had. Not overwhelmed by yeast notes and carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 03:03:50 | More by Bung

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.15/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap 11/25/2012 at Track 84 in Warwick, RI, served in a tulip glass.

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

S: The aroma contains chocolate, coffee, some dark fruit and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out with a strong chocolate flavor with some coffee, dark fruit and licorice in the background. Then a hearty roasted malt character and a good Belgian yeast breadiness come in. The hops presence is very mild but complementary and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and very smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Tasty, goes down very easily, not too filling, good kick, good representation of style, it’s a very nice dark Belgian beer to drink for a long time.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2012 21:47:00 | More by TheManiacalOne

emerge077

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Jet black body, sturdy billowing soufflé head, long lasting and creamy in texture.

Nutty dark chocolate, banana and plum esters from the Belgian yeast.

Chocolate, cocoa, bitter roast in the aftertaste. Lingering dried fruit traces of dates and plums. Smooth supple feel, medium bodied and slightly chewy. A little bit of dry woodiness in the aftertaste, but otherwise not much overt bourbon presence. Dry bitterness lingers in the finish. Nicely blended and well integrated. Smooth and warming on a cold winter afternoon.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 22:55:05 | More by emerge077

brewtus

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A- poured into tulip, big foamy tan head that lingers for a little bit
S- Belgian yeast, chocolate, cinnamon, oaky, some vanilla
T/m- dark chocolate, Belgian yeast, some dark fruit, slightly oaky, milky texture, pretty easy drinking
O- I'd love to have more oak, there is a lot of chocolate and Belgian flavors. It's very unique and is a great balance between the flavors. If you made it an imperial stout, it would really make it an excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 00:57:27 | More by brewtus

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.1/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a solid dark brown/black color with a smallish tan head that shows good retention and spotty lace. Smells of roast, caramel, chocolate, brown sugar, dark dried fruits, a bit of lactose like sweetness, spicy Belgian yeasty esters, and a mild bit of vanilla. The flavor is actually quite complex. Mild chocolate and dark sugary sweetness up front that is almost immediately pushed aside for some peppery yeastiness. Juicy and lightly tart dark fruits come around next and meld with a bit of chocolate and roast before a touch of vanilla, oak, and ethanol show up. Long lingering sweet tart fruit sugar and chocolate finish last long after every sip. Medium to thick body with a light to moderate level of carbonation and a sweet sugary mouthfeel. Wow this one impressed me. It might be a hair on the sweet side, but I enjoyed the hell out of this brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 01:08:08 | More by johnnnniee

Kinsman

New Hampshire

4.1/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a beautiful dark and rich body thats capped by a large and sticky tan head. Not sure how you improve on this one. Roasted malts right up front on the nose with a nice mix of dark fruits and some wood and vanilla hints as well.

Nice roasty stout flavors on the palate with a sweeter side than normal. Chocolate and vanilla mix in with a some fruity flavors as well. A bit lighter on the mouth than many stouts but it certinaly doesn't hurt the beer. Makes it all the more drinkable.

Not sure why this had so many lackluster reviews. Anyone expecting a big bold imperial stout clearly doesn't know how to read a beer label. A relatively moderate 8.4% ABV makes for a nice midweek drink and the Belgian yeast certainly adds a nice fruity quality you don't find in Smuttys other stouts/porters.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 01:00:13 | More by Kinsman

Digimaika2

Ontario (Canada)

4.09/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(3.75) A: Black with a crimson tinge and a tall bubbly mocha coloured foam head. Blanket recedes promptly to a ring with minimal lacing.

(4.5) S: Very aromatic dark fruits (plums, dates, raisins), dark chocolate, black licorice, variety of tropical fruits (banana and peach), and generally quite a herbal (anise-like) aroma. Waves of mellow and boozy whiskey. This is excellent stuff. Diverse and fruity-herbal aromas that are very enticing.

(4.0) T: Similar to aroma with those bold and boozy dark fruits upfront (mostly figs, plums, cherries) that transition to tropical fruits (mostly banana) and roasted malt flavour (dry cocoa) on the backend. Flavours of molasses, anise, and clove compliment the primary tastes well. Fairly bitter and dry with smooth bourbon and oaky notes. Very good.

(4.0) M: Full bodied with a moderate carbonation. Oily and chalky with a boozy warmth.

(4.0) D: Very good. Stout characteristics are interesting in this with a dry roasted malt flavour coming through, but works very well together with more belgian strong dark ale qualities.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 03:53:22 | More by Digimaika2

TubaManJack

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

So according to the beer menu it's a belgian stout with a 50-50 split between fresh and burbon barrel aged. Needless to say I am intrigued.

Appearance - black as night and opaque. An almost tan grey head.
Smell - a mixed bag of dark malt, a touch of burbon, mild Belgian yeast
Taste - an interesting dichotomy of fresh and aged. There was a mild sweetness of unfermented sugar rounding out the taste. This was more of a malt and yeast exhibition than burbon.
Mouthfeel - light for many of the belgian stouts I have had and the lower abv helps support this

Overall - I liked it and its a nice change of pace and a good hybrid to try when you get a chance.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2012 01:58:49 | More by TubaManJack

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

4.05/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a snifter, the beer pours a dark, rich, ruby highlighted blackish coloring with a tall, frothy, light tan colored head that quickly settles into a sparse surface coating. Aromas of berry fruit highlighting a rich and roasted chocolate backbone. The initial light, fruit sweetness has a great contrast on the nose with the rich sweetness of the backbone. Smells tasty. Flavors of roast, followed quickly by a fruit characteristics that I can only liken to boiling fruit down when you are preparing it for jams or jellies. It's that concentrated sweetness that still has a light characteristic. Again, the fruit has a strawberry/raspberry profile to it, and that is quickly enveloped by a dry roasted and baker's chocolate backbone, with a subtle bitterness that grows into a strong roast and bitter blend in the aftertaste. There are also some boozy qualities in the palate that slowly build, as well as a warmth. This is a dynamic brew, and the layers continue to develop as you drink. Let this one warm in the glass before you drink in order to fully appreciate it. Smooth, dry finish, with a slight bitter chocolate linger. Very tasty.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 21:28:51 | More by GarthDanielson

Immortale25

Florida

4.05/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Due South Brewing Co. snifter. Notch on label says Bottle Conditioned in 2012.

A- Pours a fully opaque black color with a 1/4 inch light brown head that doesn't retain long before becoming a thick ring around the edge of the glass and spotty surface foam. Semi-resilient lacing leaves a thin ring behind on the glass.

S- Big dark roast aroma with nice notes of chocolate and a bit of Belgian candi sugar.

T- Flavor is more straightforward with a heavy thrust of dark roasted malt, a bit of sweetness and not much else. The sweetness is the only thing that stands out as Belgian-esque to me. Notes of chocolate, caramel and some raisin. I don't sense much of a barrel presence.

M- Thick and chewy but smooth. Medium carbonation and a robust body.

O- Not one of my favorites from the Big Beer series but still very tasty.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 01:34:24 | More by Immortale25

oline73

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on-tap at Churchkey during Zwanze Day. Served in a tasting snifter.

Appearance: The beer pours black with a thick layer of off white head that fades to a ring around the glass and leaves some mild lacing.

Smell: Lots of roast and dark chocolate here. I'm getting a mild bourbon note and some dark fruit as well.

Taste: This beer is quite bitter up front with some dark chocolate and roast. I'm getting dark fruit and smooth bourbon notes. The finish is a bit peppery with some alcohol heat and a bitterness from the roast.

Mouthfeel: The body is medium with tingly carbonation and a finish that is very dry.

Overall: The old and new beer blended works quite well here. You got interesting notes from both. I would have more in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2012 02:37:51 | More by oline73

elgiacomo

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

22oz bottle, 2012 vintage. Served at cellar temperature.

Pours black with red highlights and a two finger brown head that leaves some spots of lacing and recedes to a small cap.

Aroma is definitely that of a Belgian-style stout...roasted malts, coffee and chocolate paired with dark fruits and a strong yeast presence. The bourbon barrel impact is quite mild, mostly just picking up notes of the oak and not much more. Very good overall strength.

Flavor is roasted malts, chocolate, coffee, bourbon, vanilla, oak, dark fruits, Belgian yeast. Nice to see the barrel come through more here, but still mild overall compared to other barrel-aged stouts. Somewhat sweet, minimal bitterness, mild alcohol.

Mouthfeel is medium-plus bodied, sticky, good to sharp carbonation.

Pretty good, but I’d prefer their regular Imperial Stout, to be honest. Nice balance of Stout and Belgian characteristics, could have used more barrel influence.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 04:42:01 | More by elgiacomo

Bierman9

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Swung over to Smutty today to pick up my case of this... Enjoyed one out in the 'Zebo as Fall slowly ebbs away...

Poured into a small tulip, it was a deep, dense, opaque brown. Only when held up to the sunlight was I able to see some ruby highlights...Head was creamy and beige, thinned rapidly and left just trace amounts of lace. Nose was on the mild side, with some roasty choco evident.. Body was a good medium, and it was a carbo-lacking smooth on the tongue.

Flavor had some light sweetness, with choco and roastiness present. Also found were some dark fruit notes, a la raisin and figs. Vanilla and subtle bourbon characteristics are also noted here, and the bitterness was quite restrained. Solid all around! Zum Wohl!!

4/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

1540

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 21:39:17 | More by Bierman9

BEERMILER12

Maine

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2012

A: Pours a very dark mahogany color with a fingers worth of light brown head

S: Very fruity and estery from the Belgian yeast, along with some toffee, light toasted malts, and a hint of wood from the barrels

T: Starts off very BSDA-like, with plenty of dark fruits and esters from the yeast. Moves into stout territory with some nice dark chocolate, toffee, and toasted malts. Don't get a lot from the barrels (no bourbon presence at all), but there is a light presence of vanilla and wood. Alcohol is well hidden and goes well with the fruitiness

M: Medium-full bodied with plenty of carbonation

O: A solid Belgian stout with a great influence from the Belgian yeast strain(s). I know only a portion is aged in bourbon barrels, but there really isn't too much of an influence to be found. I'd like to see how the base beer stands up to the barrel aged portion. Regardless, this is a solid brew with plenty of Belgian and American character

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 08:53:14 | More by BEERMILER12

ksimons

New York

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-very dark brown, almost black, with a fingers worth of light tan head that sticks to the glass

S-rich malt, dark fruits, light chocolate and molasses, and light bitter coffee

T-Black coffee, dark chocolate, roasted malt with some breadlike qualities. As the beer warms I'm getting more of the Belgian yeast and dark fruits.

M-medium body, medium carbonation, a dry roasted flavor is left

Overall as the beer warms I get more of the Belgian qualities of the beer, though I don't get much of the bourbon flavor that the beer is supposed to be aged in. Overall I like it and would have it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 22:24:27 | More by ksimons

oberon

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a chalice pretty much black except when held close to the light there is some deep brown that barely shows,a thinner beige head atop.Caramel and toffee notes stick out most in the nose along with some Belgian yeasty spiced notes.A nice mix of earthy roasty stout,vanilla/barrel, and yeasty spiced Belgian Dark on the palate,not overly sweet and it's pretty earthy in the finish.Comparing this to the Thirteenth Hour Stout this wins because it's more complex and not overly sweet,it's just good.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 23:14:35 | More by oberon