Smuttlabs Board Walk
Smuttynose Brewing Company

Smuttynose Brewing Co. "Board Walk Blackberry Saltwater Taffy IPA"
16 fl. oz. can coded "NH BREWED ABV 5.5 07/23/2109:00". Sampled on 12/12/21.
$4.99 @ Total Wine & More, Cherry Hill, NJ

Notes via stream of consciousness: "INDIA PALE ALE BREWED WITH BLACKBERRIES, LACTOSE AND SEA SALT". It's poured a cloudy pinkish-purple beneath a short head of white foam. The aroma is berry-like but not specifically blackberry. At the very first part of the sip I get the salt, followed immediately by a strong note of blackberry, and then it sweetens up a bit with malt across the middle and into the lingering finish where I get more salt. It's somewhat acidic but not quite tart, and there's not a lot of bitterness to it but the acidity is enough to dry it. I guess the salt helps as well. In the mouth it's medium bodied and creamy smooth, no doubt due in great part to the lactose. I wasn't expecting a lot from this but it's surprisingly good. I'm not sure why it's labeled as an IPA though. At just 5.5% it makes the cut for strength, but not by much. There's no hop flavor or aroma to it though, and I think without that the alcohol doesn't matter. Neither does it have any serious bitterness. It seems like a fruit beer to me, and not even a strong one at that - Budweiser is 5% after all. My guess is that they've used the term IPA to help sell it as IPAs are currently so popular, OR the Board Walk is intended to be a revolving brand that changes but 'always' falls under the IPA style and this one just misses. In the end I don't really care what any particular beer is labeled as, only what it tastes like, and this one is pretty good.
Review #7,614

Canned 7/23/21

This is a weird one here. A blackberry saltwater taffy (inspired?) NEIPA. I question because I’m not sure if they used actual taffy in the brewing process. Whether they did or just used a combination of ingredients, this looks to be one hell of a unique beer. Let’s see what it’s all about

Pours an opaque purple/maroon with 3 fingers of pink head that slowly fades to a cap and leaves decent lacing

This honestly just smells more like a kettle sour, there’s not much really tying it to a NEIPA or an IPA at all really. I’m picking up on aromas of tart blackberry, sea salt, crackery malt, white pepper, and light grassy hops

The sour aspect carries over into the taste, but it’s certainly more interesting than the aroma. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting jammy blackberry, tart lemon, blueberry, crackery malt, and a touch of peppery hops. The swallow brings notes of jammy blackberry, creamy doughy malt, sea salt, candied lemon, and grassy hops

A medium body pairs with gentle tingling carbonation, resulting in a rich and chewy beer. Finishes slightly sticky with a subtle tartness to cut through

This one is super weird, but it’s a fun little experiment. I was more than happy to have tried it

Can from Greg and Jane's
Pour a viscous purple color with an off white head that slowly recedes. Fruit smoothie aroma and flavor with hints of earth and tart to counter. Is this an IPA or a kettle sour, I'm confused? Decent tasting though.