Smuttynose was my gateway brewery into the wonderful world of Craft Beer. It all started around 6 or 7 years ago when I had my first sip of their Finestkind IPA. I was hooked immediately and have never looked back. I immediately started exploring the rest of their line-up and quickly added them to my list of go-to Craft Brewers.
While the subject of this review, the Big A IPA, was always on my list of Smuttynose beers to try, for whatever reason, I never got around to it. During a recent trip to WineWorks in Marlton, NJ, I saw this beer on the shelf and decided to finally pick up a bottle.
Here is what Smuttynose has to say about their Big A IPA:
Ever since Stash Wojciechowski, the “Killer Kielbasa,” created this Imperial IPA for our Big Beer Series, Big A IPA has gotten a lot of attention. Lauded by the New York Times and Men’s Journal Magazine, it’s been one of the most talked-about beers around. Brewed in very small quantities, it has also been one of the hardest-to-find. Until now.
Big A IPA has everything you’d want in an India Pale Ale, only more: more hops, more malt & more flavor. Now it’s available year-round, so you can enjoy this big, flavorful beer any time you want. Na zdrowie!
Let’s find out what I’ve been missing all these years and if this beer was worth the wait…
- Appearance: Light orange color. Cloudy with lots of sediment floating throughout the beer. Very little head and moderate lacing.
- Aroma: Sweet biscuity malt. Honey tangerine like citrusy hops. A hint of sweaty funk.
- Taste: Lightly carbonated with a smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Sweet maltiness at the onset. Honey and citrusy hops kick in towards the middle. As you approach the finish, the bitterness intensifies, but gets solid backing from those sweet malts. Astringent and moderately bitter finish with the alcohol finally showing up to let you know it’s there.
- ABV: 9.7%
As I said at the beginning of this review, I have been really curious to try the Smuttynose Big A IPA for a really long time, but for whatever reason, I never got around to it. All I can say is that it was truly worth the wait! This beer has everything that you want in an Imperial IPA, i.e. you get a solid hit of bitter hops, but you also experience a firm malt backbone that gives this beer a delicious balance of sweet and bitter flavors. Smuttynose has also managed to hide it’s high ABV really well, so if you do happen to stumble upon this beer, do yourself a favor and don’t suck this down too quickly. Much like the boxer on the label, this beer packs a wallop! Sip and savor my friends. Sip. And savor.
Categories: Brew Review, Smuttynose
AMKrouse
The Alemonger
G-LO
limpd
The Wookie
The ROK
Sarah -BeautifulTangibleThings
The Astounding Prism
It's just the booze dancing... 
Little know fact – when I was in porn, my screen name was “The Killer Kielbasa”…
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You’re a marketing wiz kid! Good thing you didn’t go with Mr. Cocktail Weiner.
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Yeah, it came down to “K.K.” (as the ladies called me) or “The Sausage Hammer” which I felt really set expectations a certain way and would make me into a one dimensional performer. I mean, sometimes you gotta be tender, you know?
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There’s an interwebz rumor out there claiming that Bangers and Mash was inspired by one of your early feature “films”.
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As was the Harlem Shake that time I co-starred with Aretha Spanklin…
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“Shama Lama Ding Dong” has also been credited to you. Madness!
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I would NEVER shame a lama with my ding dong!
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I didn’t start the rumor (Idaho is the origin supposedly). I’m simply making you aware of it is all.
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I think you got the wrong brother, G-LO, and if I recall correctly, no one shamed a llama, but someone did indeed scold a burro.
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Understandable given how ornery a burro can be. Just be careful when you reprimand a rhinoceros or cajole a cheetah.
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Don’t worry, mostly he just slaps at snakes. 🙂
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Makes sense. I mean, what else is there to do in Idaho? 😜
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Mine wasn’t. I’m a Jew. Killer Cocktail Weenie didn’t have the same panache.
Cheers!
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Aw, I’m sure the ladies would challah for your matzoh balls whatever name you used.
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Another great review! It’s not often that review makes me want to go out and grab the brew (especially one I’ve already had – and already like) but I see a pit stop at Canal’s sometime this weekend.
After all, I need to arm myself for the 7 girl slumber party that’s invading the house this weekend.
Cheers!
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Grazie Dr. Alemonger! This is high praise from El Snarkador.
Also, given the siege by the girl mob, me thinks yer gonna need a bigger beer fridge. One must be well prepared for battle!
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No need for the beer fridge. Just keep the stash outside and then disappear as the pandemonium ensues.
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Think we can pull that off at Bingo Night?
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Not a chance. There is a big difference between pandemonium and sheer chaos. Plus, with all of the baskets to raffle, there will undoubtedly be a need for our wallets. The moolah will be missed by the Benevolents.
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Damn kids!
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Nice review but the comments section needs a little work (and I thought the Monger was a bit off!).
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I agree – G-LO brings out the worst in people! 🙂
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I do! I do! There’s a reason they call me The Enabler.
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Oh, let’s not start another pseudonym thread, especially under limpd’s comment saying we went too far.
That would make you less of an enabler, and more of an entrapment artist, like that devious Chris Hanson fella.
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That’s why we call him the Enabler! Oh and nice use of the emoticon and best wishes for your Sweet 16!
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You sound cranky. I have a cure for this…
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OMG! Ha ha – Sweet 16! LOL! I luv it!! 😀
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He’s definitely cranky. Gonna have to bring a couple flasks to Bingo Night.
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You got to try it finally! Woo! Incidentally if you can find it on cask it is even better (No seriously, absolutely awesome) great beer any which way and great review.
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Ohhhh! I shall seek out the cask! Sounds delicious. I loved this beer and will definitely try it in all forms when available. And many thanks for the compliment!
Cheers!
G-LO
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I was going to question why you didn’t address the Killer Kielbasa, but Jim beat me to the punch. So, I will feign offense, tell y’all to get your minds out of the gutter, and agree with your love for Big A IPA.
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