Review - Smuttynose Brewing Company's Big A IPA
"It's the Return of the Son of the Killer Kielbasa. That's right, Stash Wojciechowski is back from winter training and ready to compete in the Alpha King Challenge. After working with our Lucha Libre friends in Oaxaca he meandered north to sample the great west coast hop offerings. Ever alert, looking for the edge, that minute detail that'll set him apart. How will he fare? We'll see in September.
Stash's judicious study has led him to feel it's all in the late hop additions, the dank aromas. We've been playing with our dry hop technique all winter and now feel we're close. By adding pellets into the fermentor after primary and then transferring onto whole flowers in the bright tank I think we've achieve the quality of aroma we've been searching for. The rest of the beer hasn't changed since last year. Still a very simple grist bill of Pilsner and Pale Ale malt. Bittering hops are the same with Warrior and Cascade. The flavoring and aroma hops are making all the difference. Centennial, Crystal, Amarillo and Ahtanum, can't ask and any better than that. Hopefully you'll enjoy this beer as much as we do. Cheers." -- Smuttynose Brewing Co.
Another in the line of the Big Bottle series, the Big A IPA continues in Smuttynose's tradition of big, bold beers. This one pours a medium amber color with a large, off-white head. Mostly diminishing, the head leaves behind fair lacing. Active carbonation in the body. Aroma is well-balanced, with an even blend of malts and hops. Medium strength flowery hops, and average strength sweet malts combine into a well-rounded nose. Alcohol is also present. Despite the well-balanced nose, the initial taste provides no safe-haven from the alcohol in this beer. A first light sweet, it quickly progresses to a medium bitter, spending an eternity on the palate. Oily mouthfeel at the finish.
Reviewed on August 8th, 2006.
| Type: | IPA |
| ABV: | 9.2% |
| Source: | 22 oz. Bottle |
| Score: | 20/30 |
