Smuttynose Big A IPA

Brewed by Smuttynose Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Portsmouth, New Hampshire USA

After reviewing the high ratings on Big A IPA its evident I did not get the "gist" of this Double IPA. Pine aroma, nice golden color, adequate foam, but a dominating alcohol zing that I could not shake from my lips. Bitterness is there, but my impression leaned more towards a Malt Liquor than a 2XIPA. After receiving this bottle in early December from Secret Santa I cellared it for almost three months. Even though it was bottle conditioned maybe I should have drank right away. If I come across another bomber of Big A IPA I’ll re-reate. Promise.

Poured from a bomber. The aroma and taste are quite good but but quite unimpressive for a double IPA. Sure it’s pretty bitter, but not as citrusy as I wanted. There is some earthy dirt flavor that you have to get used for the first third of the beer. For some reasone I thought the strong points of this beer were the quality of its manufacturing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bottle conditioned beer more appetizing than this. The first half of the bomber was crystal dark gold color with a lush head of fine bubbles. Then I poured out the rest of the bottle in it’s entirety and the yeast was not in chunks but effortlessly in solution with the rest of the bottle. Making the experience no less attractive. The texture was quite smooth and delicious.

Bottled. 22oz. via trade w/zathrus13. Pours a soft pale copper color with a white head that leaves heavy lacing. Oranges dominate the aroma but there’s also some pine, malt and even a little alcohol. OOOH... That’s BITTER. More oranges, honey, some flowers, pine, lemon grass. Big on malt as well but overly sweet. A little hot. Long bitter finish.

Light pour. Clean color. Sweet smell. Good clean taste. Smooth. Great aftertaste

Pours pale with a medium sized white head. The aroma is loaded with caramel and pine. The flavor is a nice balance of caramel, toffee, and grapefruit. The mouthfeel is smooth and slightly chewy.

Bottle: Poured a slightly hazy yellow color ale with a quite big foamy head with excellent retention. Aroma of citrus and floral hops is dominant and quite enjoyable. Lots of semi-sweet malt is distinguishable at first when tasted and then the citrus and bitter hops do a good job to the aftertaste. Body is above average without being too full and alcohol is well hidden. This is probably one the best IIPA I’ve had the chance to try and the only fault I can find is a little peak of metallic / ester hops which is not something I usually love in a beer.

Now that’s what I’m talking about...Huge grapefruit and pine assualt on my tonsils...but restrained somewhat by a very substantial malty caramel backbone that seems pretty well balanced. Very much a sessionable brew.

(22 oz., 2005 bottle) Hazy light golden with a white head that holds pretty well. Powerful hop aroma. Some fine lacing. Mouthfeel smooth. Well-balanced, smooth taste. Pretty mellow, not overly sweet at all. Alcohol well-hidden. I like how the bitterness keeps the perfumy, sweeter hops from overwhelming the beer. Much prefer this to DFH 90 or 120.