Lotta Sap
Smartmouth Brewing Company

 

Good piney "old school" IPA. Poured from a 16 oz. can into a pint glass. This beer is hazy, medium density muddy brown in color. A lot of yellow and some red light shows through when held up to a light. The antique white/cream color head is about medium in size with good retention. Thick bands of foamy lacing appear on the glass. This is a fairly balanced IPA. Lots of dry biscuity malt up front with resinous piney hops in the follow-up. Both flavors are pretty strong. This is a robust, tasty ale. Mouthfeel is crisp and rich. Malt dominates and contributes to the richness. There is enough bitterness to make the beer crisp and refreshing. The pine and "spruce tips" are what makes this beer be called a "holiday" beer. Thankfully, the brewers didn't ruin it with fake holiday spices!!!! A good IPA, not just a holiday effort.

There doesn't seem to be any date on the can.

Appearance: The beer has a dark brown body that is completely opaque. Hints of orange and red make it through the corners of the glass. The head is medium-sized with a variety bubble sizes, ranging from densely packed ones to some medium ones that form craters as they pop. The can does say "SPRUCE TIP IPA" and it looks very dark for an India Pale Ale.

Aroma: A light aroma of dusty caramel comes through with a light bit of hop resin and some alcohol. It smells a bit like a faded Double IPA.

Taste: Up front there is a light bit of pine character. A light woody note joins in towards the middle of the mouth. There is a slight mineral taste to the beer. The back of the palate is pretty non-eventful but there is a light grapefruit character in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Wet and medium-light bodied. Low bitterness. It feels a bit lackluster in overall character.

Overall: As a whole the beer felt very subpar. The can stated that this is a "SPRUCE TIP IPA" but it didn't have much spruce character at all, and the hops flavors and bitterness felt too mellow. The appearance of the beer is much darker than one would expect for an IPA but that's not much of a concern when you consider the rest of the beer. It is still a drinkable beer but it's not something I would pick up again or recommend.