Dear Mr. Smuttynose and Finest Kind,

Yeah, I should reserve judgement on Earth Eagle as I have only heard mixed reviews on NE Gangsta. But I just can't get over the fact that he's brewing primarily gruit styles, and then mixing in an IPA.

I still call bullshit on Throwback's IPA being better than Smutty.

 

Everything I have had from Smuttynose has been average at best.

 

That's a pretty enormous qualification. Zing!

 

So did you join (or create another screenname) simply to post about Earth Eagle on this thread?

 

LOL no.

 

What would you suggest then? Torpedo 12 packs are about $12-13, nothing close in my area that can hang with SN price/value.

 

For starters, I think the beer that is the topic of this thread is far better.

 

I'd like to know what you think of their Baltic Porter.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/141/40674

 

I wouldn't give it top 3 in New England, nevermind east coast. Lets eliminate Vt. And look at other east coast beers you still have Lunch, Flower power,meadowlark, gandhi bot, 5 c's ipa, wyerbacher, victory, troegs all make a beer ahead of finest kind.

No hate on Smuttynose their baltic and robust porters, smuttinator, fresh big a, imperial stout are all great beers.

 

Flower Power i'll give you, but it should be readily avail. which means 5 C's is out and Meadowlark too.As for Wyerbacher, Victory and Troegs, they cant hold a candle to Smutty IPA, IMO...CHEERS
Do love that you like the big beer series by Smuttynose

 

This. I always grab a 12'er if I'm up in NH. Always in a Market Basket.

 

Great beer. It's no Two Hearted (duh ), but still.

 

Let me tell you about an IPA called White Rajah for $10 a six, after you have it we can talk again about SN Finest Kind.....

Cheers

 

Lest we forget this little gem of an East Coast IPA:http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/898/25755.

 

Lunch-No. Overrated, overpriced, IMO.
Flower Power-Yes.
Meadowlark-never tried, never heard. Pretty Things is pretty awesome, so it's possible.
Gandhi Bot-Double IPA, doesn't count. Their year-round single IPA, Sea Hag, is not as good.
5 C's-You're lucky to ever see this beer, as it's brewed rarely and not distributed. Hardly a fair comparison.
Weyerbacher anything-no.
Victory anything-no.
Troegs-They make a widely distributed single IPA? News to me. Perpetual IPA is a DIPA.

 

I swear I've seen 6'ers of this for 7.99. That's an incredible steal for a good IPA.

It's far from the best example of the style, but if I'm low on funds and I really need an IPA, I would absolutely choose Finest Kind.

 

I love the label, its hilarious.

Best 6 pack IPA in New England easily, and I can always get it fresh. One beer that I keep going back to over and over.

I really wish it would replace harpoon ipa as the standard non sam adams offering at any bar/restaurant.

 

I love the label!

 

FinestKind will always be a top IPA to me. I haven't had any problems with infection or inconsistency the many times I have had this beer. IMO it's just a great example of and East Coast IPA: Earthy, herbal, bitter and a nice amount of malt to round it out; it's not a citrus fruity IPA which I think a lot of people have an issue with.

 

Sounds like you haven't tried Hop Stoopid yet if you're talking about awesome budget IPA's.