Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale

Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale
First thing about this beer: coloring is brown for a "pale" ale. Then the aroma. Nails you right in the nostrils as you lift to lips. The sip? Cracks you with IPA-level hops yet goes down nice and smooth. Elite beer. Underrated brewery. Bonus: Wonderfully quirky bottle art.
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The Pizza Project
Just a nibble: http://twitter.com/ThePizzaProject
Single slice: http://www.facebook.com/ThePizzaProject
The full pie: http://thepizzaproject.blogspot.com/

Looking Back at 2011: The Beers We Enjoyed Most (Haiku-Style)

10. Hitachino Nest White Ale
Intriguingly crisp.
Interesting spiced finish.
And world's best label.

Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Smuttynose Winter Ale

Smuttynose Winter Ale
For my first beverage back on American soil, I chose this seasonal beer by the Portsmouth, N.H., brewers. On a night where three intriguing beers were consumed, this was the clear winner. It was heavy on malt while subtly flavored with hints of cherry. Tremendous from first sip.

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The Pizza Project
Just a nibble: http://twitter.com/ThePizzaProject
Single slice: http://www.facebook.com/ThePizzaProject
The full pie: http://thepizzaproject.blogspot.com/

Booze ... In 50 Words or Less: River Horse Hipp-O-Lantern

This is THE pumpkin beer for any Belgian lovers out there. Nose and taste are only slightly pumpkiny compared to Weyerbacher or Smuttynose. At 9% ABV, I can definitely only handle one of these in a sitting. Reddish copper, slightly cloudy, quite smooth and very warming.

Booze ... in 50 Words or Less: Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale

http://smuttynose.com/beers/seasonal_beers/smuttynose_pumpkin_ale.html

Major head, hubby says it looks like a whipped cream-topped beer. Smells very much like pumpkin, tastes not so much. Overall flavor is more spicy than it is sweet. Hoppier than most pumpkin ales.  Probably a good fall choice for the IPA lover.

King of the Case: Smuttynose Brewing Company

Wherein I will buy a variety case and decide what the best beer in it is.

Smuttynose IPA
A crisp, hoppy offering with a fine finish. One of the best IPAs outside of the West Coast elite.

Robust Porter
I'm not a huge fan of porter beers, so I was a little disappointed when I found out that this was the "Brewer's Selection" on this particular occasion (no summer beer?). But the thing was pretty smooth despite its distinctive coffee flavor. I don't drink coffee and would rather my beer did not taste like it.