Big A IPA
Smuttynose Brewing Company

Big A IPABig A IPA
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Smuttynose Brewing Company
 
New Hampshire, United States
Style:
Imperial IPA
ABV:
9.7%
Score:
89
Avg:
3.96 | pDev: 10.86%
Reviews:
896
Ratings:
1,725
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Nov 14, 2023
Added:
Jun 16, 2002
Wants:
  100
Gots:
  161
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. Na zdrowie!

120 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Fahz:
Photo of Fahz
Reviewed by Fahz from New York

3.41/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Picked up a growler from Craft Beer Exchange in Albany, NY $16.99 More expensive than I had hoped but I was into giving it a try. Poured into a pint glass same day as purchase 1/18/13.

A golden yellow with an orange hue. Held up to light the appearance is cloudy with an aggressive pour the head was more than I expected. A couple fingers reduces pretty quick some lacing on the glass. The growler appears more orange with the pint glass more yellow.

It has the smell of an IPA slighty fruity having trouble getting anything specific as a smell.

Taste at first is good refreshing makes my mouth water but then the bite a bitter taste hits. Some sweetness maybe an orange taste then a bitter grapefruit taste followed by some lemon & acidic pine.

Generally I associate the grapefruit as good in an IPA this reminds me more of a unsweetened white grapefruit a more bitter piney taste with an an oily feel. Definitely an alcohol burn at the end.

DIPAs are stronger, this is, but something just isn't right. Was interested in trying but probably will not be a repeat purchase. The more I drink the more I wish I had of picked up something else, too bad.
Jan 19, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by seakayak from Massachusetts

Nov 14, 2023
 
Rated: 4.35 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania

Apr 12, 2019
 
Rated: 3.81 by mothmanscott from Georgia

Jan 02, 2019
 
Rated: 3.68 by acurtis from New Jersey

Jul 13, 2017
 
Rated: 3.36 by willcumbie from Virginia

May 10, 2017
 
Rated: 4.5 by BeerTest from Florida

May 04, 2017
 
Rated: 3.9 by Timtac from New Jersey

Jan 29, 2017
Photo of josanguapo
Reviewed by josanguapo from Spain

5/5  rDev +26.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
From Miguel. In Teku glass. Playing Broken Sword 5. Superb mixing of tropical fruits sweetness with high bitterness and very well hidden ABV (in taste/nose, but you stand up...)
Nov 17, 2016
Photo of Ciocanelu
Reviewed by Ciocanelu from Romania

3.8/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Bottle says 8.2% ABV. Slightly hazy golden color with off-white head. Aroma is quite malty but I also get oranges, sweet orange peel, overripe tangerines and also some booze. Taste is quite balanced. Malty but not sweet, earthy, citrusy, piney hops, medium to harsh bitterness on the finish and lingers on the aftertaste with grapefruit flavor. Medium body and carbonation, feels quite smooth. Overall it's a classic double IPA with a solid malt backbone and a good amount of bitterness.
Sep 27, 2016
 
Rated: 3.87 by GFD400 from New York

Aug 29, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by VonZipper from New York

Aug 09, 2016
 
Rated: 3.97 by Jodio from Texas

Aug 01, 2016
Photo of richj1970
Reviewed by richj1970 from Alabama

4.1/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from 12 oz bottle dated 6/22/2016.

A: Clear sunshine yellow with one finger dense white head with lasting retention and leaving some moderate lacing.

S: Fresh pine, grapefruit, tangerine, and pineapple combined with lightly sweet pale malts.

T: Tropical citrus with grapefruit, pineapple, mango, and peaches offset with just the right amount of pale cracker malt.

M: Medium body with average carbonation. Slightly creamy but crisp at the same time. Alcohol is extremely well hidden here.

O: Very nice DIPA with a nice range of aromas and flavors. Definitely something I would revisit anytime I can find fresh.
Jul 17, 2016
 
Rated: 4.32 by bigpoppa67 from Wisconsin

Jul 10, 2016
 
Rated: 3.99 by mcthfg from Korea (South)

Jul 06, 2016
Photo of Sabtos
Reviewed by Sabtos from Ohio

3.34/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Yellow with a medium, soft white head.

Primarily limey hops takeover the nose.

Taste is spicey pine, lime, and fresh hops.

Soft but thin and refreshing.
Jun 29, 2016
 
Rated: 3.7 by clarknova from Germany

Jun 21, 2016
 
Rated: 3.77 by entenduintransit from Tennessee

Jun 03, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by skones123

May 30, 2016
Big A IPA from Smuttynose Brewing Company
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 1725 ratings