Smuttynose Brewing

Smuttynose Star Island Single

To my knowledge, this is the first time this Smuttynose brew has been available in Georgia.  Star Island Single is a part of the breweries full time lineup, replacing Portsmouth Lager.

Star Island Single derives it’s name from Star Island lying Continue Reading →

NEW RELEASE: Smuttynose Gravitation

Gravitation is a Belgian Quad by Smuttynose Brewing (Portsmouth, NH) first brewed in January 2009. 2010 marks it’s second release.  (First time in Atlanta I believe.)  Gravitation is the newest edition to Smutty’s Big Beer Series.

The Belgian beer uses lots Continue Reading →

Seasonal Return: Smutty’s Summer Weizen

Smuttynose Brewing’s (Portsmouth, NH) summer seasonal is back on shelves.  Summer Weizen, an American wheat ale follows Smuttynose winter ale.

Summer Weizen as described by the brewery –

“Light, tasty & full of character, our summer wheat ale is brewed with a Continue Reading →

Smuttynose Extravaganza & Cask Tonight!

On Friday, Feb 12th, Taco Mac Metropolis will be tapping a cask of Smuttynose Old Brown Dog.  But it doesn’t stop there!!  6 unique kegs with accompany the cask, including 2 rare oak aged versions of Smuttynose’s small batch big Continue Reading →

Smuttynose Winter Ale

Selling really well in Atlanta right now is Smuttynose Winter Ale.   Smuttynose hails from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, founded in 2004.

Winter Ale is a Belgian Dubbel.  Dubbel  literally means “Double” and it’s a naming convention used by Trappist beer brewers.   The Continue Reading →

Posted in New Releases, Smuttynose Brewing

Smuttynose Star Island Single

To my knowledge, this is the first time this Smuttynose brew has been available in Georgia.  Star Island Single is a part of the breweries full time lineup, replacing Portsmouth Lager.

Star Island Single derives it’s name from Star Island lying just off the coast of New Hampshire almost into the waters of Maine.  It’s a Belgian Pale Ale, brewed abbey style with the obvious Belgian yeast.   All in all an interesting lager replacement by Smuttynose.  It’s a little high for a session beer, but it’s close.  And a bit lower on the ABV when compared to other beers brewed in the Belgian style.   Here’s their description –

“Visitors to Smuttynose Island, peering across the dark waters of Gosport Harbor towards the ragged rocks of neighboring Star Island, are sometimes startled by the fleeting sight of mysterious, alluring creatures swept up from the Atlantic’s cold, inky depths.  Or so they tell us.

Our Star Island Single is an eminently sessionable, abbey-style ale offering a beguiling mix of flavor and refreshment. This medium-bodied golden ale features a slight residual sweetness from Honey Malt and hints of citrus and tropical fruits from the unique Belgian yeast it is fermented with, leaving a crisp dry finish. Enjoy it sociably while you savor good times, tall tales, friendly company & life’s unexpected pleasures.”

Taste Expectations – Citrus, lemon peel.  Light sweet malts. Some spice.  Comparable to a Belgian Blonde.

Availability – Year round. 12oz/6 pks & Draft.

5.6% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Releases, Smuttynose Brewing

NEW RELEASE: Smuttynose Gravitation

Gravitation is a Belgian Quad by Smuttynose Brewing (Portsmouth, NH) first brewed in January 2009. 2010 marks it’s second release.  (First time in Atlanta I believe.)  Gravitation is the newest edition to Smutty’s Big Beer Series.

The Belgian beer uses lots of dark Belgian malts, and over 200 lbs of raisin puree per batch.  From Smuttynose’s description –

“The resulting flavor is a viscous mix of dark fruit, rum, toffee and raisins balanced with aromatic fruitiness of the Belgian yeast.”

In 2009 the beer was 6.6% ABV.  This year – a whopping 12% ABV.

Taste Expectations – Raisins & caramel.  Dark fruits & vanilla with malty sweetness helps balance the 12% ABV.  Faint apple, and clove mixed in also.  Fun one to sort out on your palette.  Other tasters mention figs, molasses, toasted malts, yeast.  Everyone’s different. It’s your adventure…

Availability – 22oz Bombers, and limited draft offerings.  None specified for the Atlanta market yet.  Late May – June. 2nd Annual release.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Seasonal Return, Smuttynose Brewing

Seasonal Return: Smutty’s Summer Weizen

Smuttynose Brewing’s (Portsmouth, NH) summer seasonal is back on shelves.  Summer Weizen, an American wheat ale follows Smuttynose winter ale.

Summer Weizen as described by the brewery –

“Light, tasty & full of character, our summer wheat ale is brewed with a combination of domestic and continental wheat and barley malts, lightly hopped & fermented with a Belgian wit yeast, resulting in a delightfully tangy & refreshing flavor.

This beer is brewed for warm weather enjoyment. Bring some to your next picnic, barbeque or Frisbee game.”

Availability – May – August. 12 oz/6 pks & Draft.

5.5% ABV (A little high for a session beer, but still light & easy drinking!)

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Casks, Now Tapping, Rare Opportunity, Smuttynose Brewing

Smuttynose Extravaganza & Cask Tonight!

On Friday, Feb 12th, Taco Mac Metropolis will be tapping a cask of Smuttynose Old Brown Dog.  But it doesn’t stop there!!  6 unique kegs with accompany the cask, including 2 rare oak aged versions of Smuttynose’s small batch big beer series.  Here’s your starting lineup —

Old Brown Dog CASK — Brown Ale, 6.7% ABV.  Dry Hopped with Willamette. Hoppy brown ale brewed with Willamette & Cascade. Full bodied, hoppy, with a nice malt backbone.

Baltic Porter — Baltic Porter, 8.7% ABV .  Creamy porter with hints of raisins, coffee, and chocolate.  Nice malty presence.  Usually released in 22oz bombers.

Imperial Stout — Imperial Stout, 10% ABV.  This stout has some noticeable hops, and coffee in the finish.   Carmel malts, and noticeable alcohol, but well balanced.

The Terminator G-Bock — Doppelbock, ?? %ABV.  Oak aged version of the offering.  Part of Smutty’s short batch series.  Full of caramel malts, bready malts.  Sweet in aroma, and some sweet in taste.  Lightly hopped. Drinkable.

Wheat Wine — Wheat Wine, 10.7% ABV.  Alcohol tones present in the barleywine reminiscent ale.  Citrus, fruity.  Some sweet and of course wheat.

Oak Aged Big A IPA — Imperial IPA, 9.6% ABV. Oak aged edition of this small batch big beer series.  Balanced IPA with grapefruit aromas and flavors.  Floral with some caramel malts.

Short Weiss — Berliner Weissbier, 3% ABV.  Strawberry aroma and flavor.  Fairly strong carbonation,  with some tart and some malts.  Also some citrus.  Somewhat sour — intentionally.

Cask taps promptly at 6pm, February 12th!

Taco Mac Metropolis

933 Peachtree St NE Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 904-7211

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Smuttynose Brewing, Uncategorized

Smuttynose Winter Ale

Smuttynose WinterSelling really well in Atlanta right now is Smuttynose Winter Ale.   Smuttynose hails from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, founded in 2004.

Winter Ale is a Belgian Dubbel.  Dubbel  literally means “Double” and it’s a naming convention used by Trappist beer brewers.   The first dubbel was brewed by Westmalle, a Trappist brewer, in 1856.  The term “Trappist” refers to beer brewed under the control of Trappist Monks.  Trappist yeast gives beer a fruity flavor.  Long story short, Westmalle brewed a brown ale.   The brown ale was reformulated again to be stronger years later, Dubbel or double the strength.

Smuttynose Winter is brewed in the trappist style, minus the high abv.  Winter is an amber ale brewed with Trappist yeast.  Fruity aromas are present from the yeast.   Crystal hops were used.   Dubbels focus more on the malty flavors in beer, hops being an afterthought, so expect malty/fruity goodness.

Available from late October until the end of January.   Limited draft offerings in Atlanta.

4.8% ABV

by Reid Ramsay