Big A IPA - Smuttynose Brewing Company

Big A IPA

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Portsmouth , NH

Overall: 8.50/10 by 2 dudes

Standard Deviation: 0.5 or 5.88%

Trend: 8.50/10 over past 5 reviews

Style: Imperial/Double India Pale Ale

ABV: 9.60%

Season: One-time

Have Another: 100%

370 beers rated with a 7.94 average
  • 9.00/10 have another
  • A: 9.0 | T: 9.0 | L: 9.0 | M: 9.0 | O: 9.0
  • sDev: 5.88% Color: Medium Amber
  • Quick review: First Smuttynose I've had the chance to try, thanks to Big Scots 'beer swaping' activity. Really liked this brew, it's everything a Imperial IMP should be. Very nice hop profile and leans towards the citrusy fruits (orange, lemon, grapefruit...that I like). Extremely well balanced hops, malts, and alcohol. Beautifyl orange hued color. Just have been drinking some Bell's Hopslam, and this compares very favorably to that high benchmark. Seek out this brew.
  • 472 characters
  • Reviewed: Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 19:52:52
  • Tasted: Saturday, February 20, 2010
  • $0.00 for 12 oz. bottle
1,470 beers rated with a 7.84 average
  • 8.00/10 have another
  • A: 8.0 | T: 8.0 | L: 8.0 | M: 8.0 | O: 8.0
  • sDev: 5.88% Color: Deep Gold
  • Pours slightly cloudy with some small floaties. Foam is white and about a finger in height. Retention is faster than lightning while the lacing does have a splotch here or there.

    Aroma starts from the opening of the bottle. Beautiful and big citrus and floral hops abound. Caramel is there mildly. Alcohol comes on a bit strong once it has decanted for a couple of minutes in the glass. Almost becomes the predominant aroma after a while.

    Taste is big. Sweet caramel malt are well balanced with big floral, citrus, with pine hops becoming a players. Some bitterness in the finish with a heat on the tongue and throat.

    Body is medium if not bigger with a healthy dose of carbonation that is needed. At times was creamy and a touch viscous.

    A nicely balanced DIPA that seems more "west coast" than east coast. The flavors are well balanced and I would probably rate higher if it wasn't for the nose hair singeing alcohol presence on the nose. Still really good. Enjoy!
  • 992 characters
  • Reviewed: Thursday, February 04, 2010 at 21:09:05
  • Tasted: Thursday, February 04, 2010
  • $0.00 for 12 oz. bottle
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