Yeah, I should reserve judgement on Earth Eagle as I have only heard mixed reviews on NE Gangsta. But I just can't get over the fact that he's brewing primarily gruit styles, and then mixing in an IPA. I still call bullshit on Throwback's IPA being better than Smutty.
What would you suggest then? Torpedo 12 packs are about $12-13, nothing close in my area that can hang with SN price/value.
I'd like to know what you think of their Baltic Porter. http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/141/40674
I wouldn't give it top 3 in New England, nevermind east coast. Lets eliminate Vt. And look at other east coast beers you still have Lunch, Flower power,meadowlark, gandhi bot, 5 c's ipa, wyerbacher, victory, troegs all make a beer ahead of finest kind. No hate on Smuttynose their baltic and robust porters, smuttinator, fresh big a, imperial stout are all great beers.
Flower Power i'll give you, but it should be readily avail. which means 5 C's is out and Meadowlark too.As for Wyerbacher, Victory and Troegs, they cant hold a candle to Smutty IPA, IMO...CHEERS Do love that you like the big beer series by Smuttynose
Let me tell you about an IPA called White Rajah for $10 a six, after you have it we can talk again about SN Finest Kind..... Cheers
Lunch-No. Overrated, overpriced, IMO. Flower Power-Yes. Meadowlark-never tried, never heard. Pretty Things is pretty awesome, so it's possible. Gandhi Bot-Double IPA, doesn't count. Their year-round single IPA, Sea Hag, is not as good. 5 C's-You're lucky to ever see this beer, as it's brewed rarely and not distributed. Hardly a fair comparison. Weyerbacher anything-no. Victory anything-no. Troegs-They make a widely distributed single IPA? News to me. Perpetual IPA is a DIPA.
I swear I've seen 6'ers of this for 7.99. That's an incredible steal for a good IPA. It's far from the best example of the style, but if I'm low on funds and I really need an IPA, I would absolutely choose Finest Kind.
I love the label, its hilarious. Best 6 pack IPA in New England easily, and I can always get it fresh. One beer that I keep going back to over and over. I really wish it would replace harpoon ipa as the standard non sam adams offering at any bar/restaurant.
FinestKind will always be a top IPA to me. I haven't had any problems with infection or inconsistency the many times I have had this beer. IMO it's just a great example of and East Coast IPA: Earthy, herbal, bitter and a nice amount of malt to round it out; it's not a citrus fruity IPA which I think a lot of people have an issue with.
Best IPA for the price. Always available, always on shelves and you cant beat the taste. This is and will (probably) always be my go to IPA when I need my fix but dont wanna pay a bunch.
Yup...It's an old school IPA. (old school meaning 10 years ago, not 150!) It's one of the few beers I buy 12 packs of any more. Easy to read date on the bottles and on the container.
Earth Eagle is making some nice IPA's. You need to check them out. In fact, they are making nice examples of all sorts of experimental ales and gruits. Throwback has an embarrassment of an IPA, no question. You really can't beat $10 12 packs of finestkind at Market Basket though.
I have never had it. If I see it in Hudson, WI sometime, I might try it. I will try almost anything once.
No DIPAs, just regular IPAs. Gandhi Bot is a DIPA. I'll give you Flower Power and that's probably it. Lunch? No. Good IPA, not better than fresh FK. 5c, Meadowlark? Never heard of them. Weyerbacher? Not even close with Last Chance IPA, Troegs no. I love Perpetual, but it's not as good as FK. This is my top 3. 1. Flower Power 2. Columbus IPA 3. Finest Kind Honorable mention: DFH 60 Minute. I still stinking love that beer.
I love me some Finest Kind, with that said it is the same price as Two Hearted in my area and I just happen to love me some Two Hearted a lot more, so I do not pick it up as often as I should, maybe I will go grab a sixer today!
One of my favorite IPA's for sure, and I love the label. I'd love to sit back and down a few with Cy and Paul.
That is truly high praise and I would respectfully disagree. If travel time has got you down, try Blue Lobster. Their Gold Claw smells very similar to a Hill Farmstead. While not a true IPA, I would guess they share a very similar technique between the two. Their wheat IPA is also fantastic.
Isn't the head brewer at Blue Lobster a former Hill Farmstead brewer? Would make sense that they share some similarities.
Fresh finestkind is pretty solid, but it seems to be a bit inconsistent at times. Whats up with one sixer being really hazy and full of particles, and another batch being nearly crystal clear?
Don't knock New England Gangsta' till you try it. Earth Eagle, while they are concentrating on the gruits, is also making a mighty fine IPA IMHO.
Hang on, guys. Apparently we aren't allowed to have opinions around here. What xanok says, goes. Fuck personal taste. Smuttynose is damn good but given the choice, I'd probably go with Torpedo most of the time also. Is that allowed?
This is a great IPA in every category other than appearance (just SO much sediment). It has lingering bitterness and flavor that too many of these newer fruity IPAs lack IMO.
Agreed. Love Hill Farmstead IPAs, but after drinking Susan (which everyone loves), I just kept thinking that I would love the beer if it actually had some bitterness or finish. Just too fruity and delicate.
