Double Kind DIPA
Smuttynose Brewing Company

A: crystal clear; deep gold in color; 1 finger ivory head that receded to a wispy cap; very nice lacing;

S: fruit cocktail;

T: fruit cocktail from start to finish;

M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish; a touch boozy;

O: unfortunately, this doesn't remind me of Finest Kind in any way;

L - poured hazy deep-golden with a two-finger frothy white head. Really good lacing, with rings throughout the drink.
S - different fruit notes, but mostly apple juice/cider, and pineapple (like a light Martinelli’s).
T - followed the nose but nothing else stood out (for me).
F -medium mouthfeel and maybe a little flat. Slightly sticky/dry finish.
O - kind of reminded me of more of a west coast IPA. Pretty easy drinker, though, despite the ABV.

This was another beer that I picked up at the Total Wine in Totowa late last year, as I never had this before. While this didn't measure up to their Findestkind IPA, this wasn't that far below it as it was an enjoyable Imperial IPA that wasn't overly strong, hoppy, or fruity as there was plenty to enjoy here for those willing to take the time to appreciate it.

Golden, murky, and bubbly, this wasn't a bad-looking beer as it was topped off with more than enough head. Two well-defined rings of lacing remained near the top of my glass as there were a few dispersed dots of lacing below that. Lots of fruit cocktail, dank weed, white chocolate, and booze were in the nose as the taste was plenty hoppy, outdoorsy, heavy, and sticky as this had such a rough and rustic left-coast feel to it. A bit of turbid berry, aged pine, and hemp emerged in the taste once this fully warmed up as this had a homemade feel to it as this was completely fitting for rural New England or California as there was some vegetable soup and spicy tea in the aftertaste. Both of those ensured that I'd finish this off pretty quickly!

For a beer of this style, the alcohol was spot-on as it was on par with the range of flavors that were present. Dated 4/1 of *last* year on the can, this held amazingly well over the last year as there wasn't any skunk to be felt or sediment to be seen. I miss the Old Man in the Mountain but thankfully, this beer carries on that spirit as well as that of the Granite State as it's one of their better offerings that I've had as of late. Enjoy this for what it's worth, knowing that it's something to be savored during a long session.

 

 

 

(12 oz can, HH BREWED 02/02/22; purchased single off shelf... poured into a fat tulip)

L: clear, yellow-amber liquid with a mild haze; inch-tall, tight, bouncy, cratered foam sponge... thin, broken cap; little lacing

S: pineapple liqueur, fruit cocktail juice... spicy booze slowly emerges... golden aromas... honey-kissed pine... moderate intensity, washed-out expressivity

T: tropical hop swell, spicy ethanol blush follows; no line between the hops and cakey pale malts, all one soup... remarkably little expressions in the aftertaste; not diluted, just curiously mellow, including the alcohol... fruit blossoms, pine water, barley tea

F: spiked air; mist upon the palate... flicker of a peppery prickle with a big gulp (and it's easy to slug)... just dull all around: heat, sharpness, carbonation... hmm

O: nice beer, though I can't say it immediately reminds me of my beloved Finest Kind... drop the abv in this recipe, and I fear this would fade away to nothing; so delicate in its attack... they could've easily made the OG recipe more potent; what and why is this? (1941)

Picked-up a six pack of cans at Luke's in Plymouth for about twelve dollars. My seventh brew reviewed from these guys. Finestkind used to be my favorite beer, this does not measure up.

Finest Kind is one of my go-to single IPAs, so I just had to try this one when I saw it on the shelf.

Appearance is exactly the same as its little brother. The nose is outstanding - melons and tangerines abound. The flavor is somewhat a downer. There is some citrus and piney notes but there is also a bit too much burn from the alcohol.

I'll stick to the Finest Kind and leave my DIPA choices to another brewery.

Look...Copper tan with a carbonated white head almost completely clear.
Smell... Melon hop citrus pith hop melon apricot. More faint than I like nowadays but very pleasant.
Taste....For me not very reminiscent of the original for me. Lacks the bitter bite at the end. Melon orange and peach with a bitter following. Nice taste just not what i remember from the original.
Feel...Slick not juicy with a pretty solid lacing the entire drinking time.
Overall... a very solid beer but with my expectations it was going to be a mountain to climb. I was such a loyal fan of the original it would probably never be possible in my mind to go to that mountain top.

Can from Market Basket,
Mostly clear light golden color with a thin frothy white head that persists. Mango and pine with bits of earth pine and pithy citrus. Not bad.