Old Brown Dog Ale...I say Bad Ass Brown Dog Ale

Smuttynose Brewing Company

Old Brown Dog Ale - 6.5% ABV

I have said it before and I will say it again...nothing like feeling a little "smutty" sometimes and Smuttynose does the trick.  I have had the Robust Porter so why the hell not the Old Brown Dog Ale. 

The color was slightly brownish and it dressed the top of the glass with a small white head.  It quickly dissipated and it left the scent of sweet roasted malts rising from the brew.

Old Brown Dog Ale had a smooth caramelized malt taste which is a classic "American Brown Ale" characteristic. If you are use to an English Brown Ale this beer will be a bit more full bodied with more hops. I know, I am a "Hop Hater" and my hops radar not was screaming back away from the beer!  I even looked up the IBU and it was listed at a mear 15 IBU's.  Now, that's my kind of beer.  Gab on the other hand,  loves to pull hair out of her chest when she tosses back a beer with 80 or more IBU's.  I can not fathom it...it is just wrong.  The ABV is also dead on for a typical Brown Ale, which most fall between 5-6%. Old Brown Dog rings in at a respectable 6.5% which in my book, makes a perfect beer.  Perfect in drinkability and perfect in I am not wasting my time drinking a 4% Nancy beer.

After drinking this fine brown ale I was inspired to take a crack at my own label.

Yeah, that's right...she is all Bad Ass and not afraid to show it!

Cheers!

~K~

Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale...ehhh



Smuttynose Brewing Company

Pumpkin Ale - 6% ABV

Do you see that color? It pours a cloudy orange color with a beautiful off white head.  It smelled of all the usual suspects...cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.  The head quickly dissipated and left you to see the carbonation slowly moving up the glass.

The flavor was not what I expected at all.  This is not all that uncommon with the pumpkin ales.  It was hoppy.  Yes, hops.  I hate hops.  The body was medium to light with a spicy kick.  I tried another sip and passed it right to my husband.  It had a bit of a malty flavor but the bitter citrus hops dominated my pallet. I had to pass. 

Smuttynose has some great products like the Robust Porter and Old Brown Dog Ale.  Overall the brew was not terrible and the hops was not all that bad either.  I just have no tolerance for hops...none!

So, my fellow beer lovers I say...Ehhh to Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale.  Don't fret...I have a few more beers up my sleeve and look out for a blog entry from Gab and I.  We had a liquid lunch with a side of tomatoes a few days ago...sigh.  

Cheers!

~K~ 

Cool Labels...Great Beer

Smuttynose Robust Porter - 5.7% ABV

Kath: Since I have been reviewing fruity ales I wanted to go back to one of my favorite types of beer.  The PORTER.  I trolled the craft beer isle until my eyes were intrigued by the unusual label and name.  If you have read anything in our blog you know I enjoy a good porter and low and behold...I found one!!!!  

I was not disappointed when I opened this gem.  It was mahogany in color. Super smooth going down and had a chocolaty finish. I was in a porter's paradise. 

Gab: I love this beer. A little malt, a little cocoa, lots of gorgeous, rich color. Fantastic porter! I would give you a GBF but Kathleen made such a wonderful salad for lunch I was a little full when we uncapped it!

If you're looking for a very drinkable porter (and by drinkable, I mean the lower ABV), this is your beer. Enjoy!

Cheers!

~K & G~