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Smuttynose Imperial Stout

Smuttynose Imperial Stout

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 Percentile 
99
overall
An Imperial Stout brewed by
Smuttynose Brewing Company

Portsmouth, New Hampshire USA

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
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 Ratings  Average  Score  Seasonal  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in  Advanced 
4473.97/5.03.96/5.0Winter10.1%77.5 Snifter P  Stats

Commercial Description:
After a one year hiatus the Imperial Stout is back in action. We figured that after catching a bit of flack for its absence we’d have it return with a bang. We bumped up the starting gravity from 20° P to 24° P. This allowed the beer to finish just over 10% ABV. Like this year’s Barleywine, we’ve decided to play with the hop character, specifically the dry hop presence. Trying to avoid the fiasco of my previous attempt at adding pellets to the fermentor, I did what any good manager would do: I made Charlie add them. He had the advantage of being able to add the hops directly through a top manway and so his besting me in this challenge is not necessarily a sign of his superior brewing skills but more a reflection of my adventurous, try anything spirit (or at least that’s the story I’m stickin’ to). The Charles added 44 lbs of Cascade, split evenly between two batches, or about half a pound per barrel. We then transferred the beer onto seventy-eight pounds of an even mixture of Centennial and Columbus whole flowers, about one pound per barrel. The beer is a little top heavy in terms of the hopping but it seems to be smoothing out a bit as it’s aging. I’d give it six months or so, if you can wait that long. If not, hey, enjoy it anyway.

Most RecentTop RatersHighest Ratings Who's Rated This?
 Derek881 (295), Frederick, Maryland, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/515/20
Jul 19, 2008  
I had the 2007 version of this beer on draft at Max’s Taphouse in Baltimore. The beer had a rich and full brown color with a big dark tan and creamy head that had great size and retention. The aroma was roasty and dominated by coffee and chocolate malt tones, but also had some floral hops to counter that effect. Its taste also featured a sweet coffee-chocolate character, with some caramel tones too; very little to no bitterness. The mouthfeel was very full and thick, with a creamy and heavy body that had ample carbonation, and a modestly dry finish.


 Ibrew2or3 (1613), Safety Harbor, Florida, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/105/517/20
Jul 17, 2008  
Courtesy of tpd975. Pours deep darkness with thin mocha head. The aroma is dark roastiness with some dark fruity esters, mild burnt malts and some toffee. The nose really gets nicer as it warms. The taste is dark roastiness, some burnt malts, dark chocolate and some sense of alcohol. Sweet roasty and decadent. This is real yummy.


 Imaena (175), Portland, Maine, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/518/20
Jul 13, 2008  
Bomber bottle 08.’ definetly a big beer with complex flavor. Black with small head. Bitter and citrus. Deep roasted malts, coffee, and wood smoke. Full bodied and delicious.


 StFun (265), Indiana, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/103/517/20
Jul 7, 2008  
Ok, I just rated Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball, which I didn’t feel was boozy enough, so of course it is now time to rate this one, which I feel is *too* boozy! Big thanks to GMCC2181 for sending this one my way. This is a really interesting Impy, which has a lot of wine characteristics to it. Not the traditional Big and Bold Impy, this one has a huge flavor or dark fruit and black licorice in it. Some nice malt and carmel too, with a generous flavor of hops. I missed the chocolate and grain thats usually found in Impies but hey, they are easy to come by, and its cool that this one is different. My only complaint is that the booze overpowered the deeper flavors, which hid a lot of the complexity. However, I am guessing this will change after some cellaring. Overall, this beer looks great, and I liked a lot of what I tasted, and am hoping it gets even better with time! I was really glad to have tried this one, and even happier that I have an extra one to cellar. Thanks for the hookup Gabe!!


 BigBen2120 (542), Gardiner(52 miles from Allagash), Maine, USA
4.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/510/104/518/20
Jul 6, 2008  
22oz bomber from Ron’s in Farmington. Pours an opaque dark black body with virtually no head. Citrussy hops are immediately noticeable, with much roastiness, resembling dark chocolate with coffee and molasses notes. A sweet chocolaty roastiness is immediately apparent, with strong berry notes also apparent, and a tinge of alcohol warming on the finish. Hints of grassy and citrussy hops are also present. A slight nuttiness presents itself on the finish. Full-bodied without being viscous, and with light to moderate carbonation, this one definitely is still a sipper for sure. Having said that, it’s sweet and complex, and very tasty. Makes a good dessert by itself I’d say. A superb example of the style, and one of this brewery’s finest offerings.




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