Has Smuttynose Finestkind changed?

Well, I had one for the first time pretty recently and thought it wasn't very good (not very hoppy, weird malt), but I haven't had it in the past for comparison's sake.

 

I have fond memories of my first Finest Kind and that shit had floaties galore. Last time I had it, seemed like it was at the very least somewhat filtered/floaties were not there, but it was still hoppy and enjoyable.

Contact the brewery and see if you get a response...

 

I used to really like it - I don't know that anything changed other than my palate. To some the Centennial hops shine through in a big way, but to me it heavily favors the malts (I feel the same way about Two Hearted and 60 Minute.) I know I'm in the minority here - they are all well crafted beers - they're just not for me right now.

 

Over time I've found it to be an extremely inconsistent beer. Everything about it can vary from one case to the next. I don't feel like they have ever nailed it down, sometimes it's amazing sometimes it's meh.

 

I threw it into a blind tasting of 8-9 IPAs earlier this year. It scored the worst. I think it has to do with palates changing to be honest. I used to love the beer but now I feel it doesn't stack up with other offerings.

 

Wow, would love to know what the other beers were if Finest Kind was the worst.

 

I hadn't had this until a few months back when I decided to attempt to have all the beers of fame list. So far this has been the least impressive out of the 50ish beers I've had from that list and I can think of many not on the list that are much better. The sixer I got was only 3 weeks old and it really reminded me of some 6 month old two hearted I accidentally bought last year.

 

I'm as big a fan of Smuttynose IPA as there is, and I've also been less enthused with the last few 12-packs I've purchased. I used to live in NH and could get it within 1-2 weeks of bottling, now I'm getting it 3-4 weeks out. Still very fresh, but the bitterness that I love hasn't been there.

 

I had a similar experience recently. Bought a sixer and thought the bottles tasted skunky & had some weird malt taste.

 

Only tried this beer a year or so ago. It was ok. I have had a few six packs since then and its ok. Bought a fresh six pack last week for $9( a good price to me) and it was a bit different but not bad. Had a more citrus smell than the other bottles. All were only a few weeks old. This beer is a maltier beer than many are used to now for IPA. I am sure when it was released it was considered amazing.

Hop Devil falls into this category for me too. I had it on tap at my wedding in 1996 and it was crazy good. I do not remember any other IPA back then but 60 minute. Hop Devil is a much maltier beer compared to other IPA now. Still a great beer but not the same as newer IPA. 60 Minute falls into this category as well for me.

I prefer more Citrus/Grapefruit IPA now but it does not mean the old stand by IPA is bad/different recipe. Just a change in your taste. Stop drinking IPA for a few months and I bet your old standby taste just as it did years ago.

Enjoy

 

maybe the store you get it from is selling an old case.