Smuttynose "Finest Kind" IPA revisted

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Beertsipper, Apr 21, 2012.

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  1. Beertsipper

    Beertsipper Pooh-Bah (1,707) Nov 18, 2008 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    Revisited SN's Finest Kind yesterday after about a year of not having it. Two weeks fresh 12 pack. Now I am reconsidering taking a trip to VT for some Heady. That's how good the fresh Finest Kind was. Now, I know they have different flavor profiles, but I am guessing Finest kind is heavier on the hops and bitterness?? But, boy.... the two bottles I had went down quick! Very, very tasty!

    I still may have to get me some Heady to see what all the fuss is about. :grinning:
     
    #1 Beertsipper, Apr 21, 2012
  2. ShogoKawada

    ShogoKawada Initiate (0) May 31, 2009 Pennsylvania

    When it's fresh, it's scathingly bitter. It really doesn't get much better. I'd take a fresh FinestKind over a Heady Topper any day.
     
    #2 ShogoKawada, Apr 21, 2012
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  3. BlueRogue

    BlueRogue Initiate (0) May 1, 2011 Maine

    I've never had Heady Topper but I love Smutty's IPA.
     
    #3 BlueRogue, Apr 21, 2012
  4. dukes

    dukes Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2012 Maryland

    Finestkind is so good. I say still take the trip. Heady is an experience you shouldn't pass up.
     
    #4 dukes, Apr 21, 2012
  5. Fitshaced

    Fitshaced Initiate (0) Feb 29, 2012 Colorado


    I would put down the crack pipe... I known its preferance but please. They aren't even in the same league
     
    #5 Fitshaced, Apr 21, 2012
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  6. imbrue001

    imbrue001 Zealot (673) Aug 6, 2010 Pennsylvania

    How fresh does finest kind need to be?
    I know they use a best before date so.. when was it bottled, 6 months prior?
    I think mine twas a month old and seemed really weak flavor wise. :/
     
    #6 imbrue001, Apr 21, 2012
  7. deleted_user_570457

    deleted_user_570457 Zealot (728) Feb 21, 2011

    Yep you proved it alright.

    Q.E.D.
     
    #7 deleted_user_570457, Apr 21, 2012
  8. beerFool28607

    beerFool28607 Initiate (0) Feb 22, 2012 North Carolina

    I buy more finestkind than any other beer.

    About the best bang for your buck out there...and available in pretty much any grocery store!
     
    #8 beerFool28607, Apr 21, 2012
  9. Chickenhawk9932

    Chickenhawk9932 Pooh-Bah (2,855) Jul 19, 2010 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I thought Finest Kind was awesome - one of the best IPAs out there.
     
    #9 Chickenhawk9932, Apr 21, 2012
  10. Beertsipper

    Beertsipper Pooh-Bah (1,707) Nov 18, 2008 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    If Heady Topper were as readily available as Stone IPA, Finest Kind, DFH 90, etc., do you think it would still garner the lofty ratings, like, let's say a Duvel?
     
    #10 Beertsipper, Apr 21, 2012
  11. Fitshaced

    Fitshaced Initiate (0) Feb 29, 2012 Colorado


    Without a doubt
     
    #11 Fitshaced, Apr 21, 2012
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  12. ShogoKawada

    ShogoKawada Initiate (0) May 31, 2009 Pennsylvania

    You're right, HT does fall quite a bit short, it's great and all but FinestKind is on a whole other level.
     
    #12 ShogoKawada, Apr 21, 2012
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  13. ShemRahBoo

    ShemRahBoo Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2010 New Jersey

    I love the smutty, but has anyone noticed a lot of variation with it at all in the last year. Last time I bought a sixer it was under a month old but seemed like a dud. Hard to blame the store because all my beer from them is always great. O well, probably going to pick up some next time I find it fresh I remember it being one of my favorites.
     
    #13 ShemRahBoo, Apr 21, 2012
  14. Fitshaced

    Fitshaced Initiate (0) Feb 29, 2012 Colorado



    Yep and the overall reviews reflect that:wink: I don't even think i saw Finest kind in the Top 50 IPAs, Rightly so...
     
    #14 Fitshaced, Apr 21, 2012
  15. ShogoKawada

    ShogoKawada Initiate (0) May 31, 2009 Pennsylvania

    I don't care what anyone else thinks, my tongue knows the truth!
     
    #15 ShogoKawada, Apr 21, 2012
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  16. Beertsipper

    Beertsipper Pooh-Bah (1,707) Nov 18, 2008 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    Yeah, I don't go by reviews. I'll try HT probably next month after I go to VT, but I'll be sure to bring back some Finest Kind also. Damn this stuff is good. Will make for a good comparison.
     
    #16 Beertsipper, Apr 21, 2012
  17. BB1313

    BB1313 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,290) Jul 16, 2009 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Even though Finestkind isn't my fave, it's a "no gimmicks" kind of IPA and I understand why people love it. Have you ever tried Sixpoint Bengali Tiger? I think it's identical to Finestkind. I'm going to do a side by side with those two one day so I can really compare..
     
    #17 BB1313, Apr 21, 2012
  18. Beertsipper

    Beertsipper Pooh-Bah (1,707) Nov 18, 2008 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    Sixpoint is readily available. I'll try them side by side as well. Thanks. Do they both use the same type of hops?
     
    #18 Beertsipper, Apr 21, 2012
  19. BB1313

    BB1313 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,290) Jul 16, 2009 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'm not exactly sure of the hop profiles. Both seem to have Amarillo in the mix though. They're both great examples of what a real "east coast IPA" is all about, IMHO.
     
    #19 BB1313, Apr 21, 2012
  20. Beertsipper

    Beertsipper Pooh-Bah (1,707) Nov 18, 2008 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    I equally appreciate west coast IPA's. The only regular I can get here in NY is Stone's IPA. But I ain't complainin' :wink:
     
    #20 Beertsipper, Apr 21, 2012
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