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
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Clown Shoes Miracle India Pale Ale

Clown Shoes Miracle India Pale Ale
On label of this beer by the Ipswich, MA, brewery, it's detailed how percentage of item's profits goes to Clown Shoes Minor Miracle Fund, which benefits people in ways that aren't described. Makes it hard to say the beer is decent but pedestrian. Heavily hopped, but lacks additional flavor. Sorry!
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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Stoudts Smooth Hoperator

Stoudts Smooth Hoperator
Was miffed when I put two and two together, realizing this beer was bock variety. Don't love bocks. Wish there was type identification to go with beer name (and effectively cheeky label). Where this beer succeeds is hops surplus to go with healthy malts. Perfect balance. The result? Stellar doppelbock.
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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Full Pint Brewing Company Chinookie IPA

Full Pint Chinookie IPA
Wasn't nice to buy Pittsburgh beer while Flyers take on Penguins in NHL playoffs. Oh well. Never liked hockey. Don't like sports with players whose names I can't pronounce. I was paid back though. Stale, musty smell. Dark, murky color. Hops subtle and overwhelmed by harsh flavor. Aftertaste. Poor experience.
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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Samuel Adams Whitewater IPA

Samuel Adams Whitewater IPA
Latest from brewery that's turning around my opinion of them. Has major hop flavor and citrusy kick in finish. Might be a bit of a miss because it's supposed to be hybrid IPA/white and I'm getting mostly IPA. Still, despite muddy color, would give most East Coast IPAs trouble.
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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Bear Republic Red Rocket Ale

Bear Republic Red Rocket Ale
As I write, I'm listening to the Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street. Are there any beers that would taste bad while taking in such gritty, dirty, devilish audio? I taste hops. I taste oranges. I taste smoky malt. Just spent 30 seconds inhaling it. Another treasure from the CA.
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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Lagunitas Maximus IPA

Lagunitas Maximus IPA
For 2011's last beer purchase, wanted to pick up an IPA. Figured, "Why not make it a Double?" Then thought, "Why not make it one by the best brewery currently working in America?" Doesn't disappoint. Intense, beefy hop flavor. Scent of citrus and sugar. Majestic copper color. Perfect beer experience.

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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: River Horse Brewing Company Hop-a-lot-amus

River Horse Brewing Company Hop-a-lot-amus
Something about this double IPA from the Lambertville, New Jersey, brewing establishment keeps it from entering the upper tier of hop-filled beers. There's tons of hops, but the mixture doesn't result in a distinctive pop. It's a little murky and static. Needs a flavor to offset the ample hops.

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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Dogfish Head My Antonia Imperial Pils

Dogfish Head My Antonia Imperial Pilsner
The wife bought this 25.4-ouncer at Whole Foods in Plymouth Meeting. I had no idea what an imperial pilsner would taste like. I do know that the label said "continually hopped," and sure enough the thing was extremely hoppy, close to the level of an IPA. Tremendous label art.

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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Firestone Walker Double Jack IPA

Firestone Walker Double Jack IPA
Tried this the other night when a friend brought it to a Halloween party. Like Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA only with double the hops. Duh! That's what a double IPA usually is. So if Union Jack is great, it makes sense that Double Jack is twice as enjoyable.

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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA

Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA
Another in a long line of great California IPAs. While hops jump out immediately, there's also a fruity flavor in there somewhere. Despite heavy hops, goes down surprisingly easy. Also a fan of the classy bottle art, even if I'm not sure who would win, the lion or the bear.

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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Lagunitas Lucky 13 Red Ale

Lagunitas Lucky 13 Red Ale
After experiencing rare Lagunitas misstep Hop Stoopid, decided not to turn my back on the brewery, but to get back on the horse. Loyalty, meet reward. This gem looks beautiful, features a crisp, uber-hoppy bite, and a kick that reminds one of citrus. A delectable treat for the tastebuds.

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