This post is brought to you in partnership with Smuttynose Brewing Company. All thoughts and recommendations come from Mandy!
Happy March! The kick off of a new month (and kind of still the beginning of a new year. In March is the year still new? I think so!) is a great time to set intentions. And no matter when you read this, you can set goals at any old time, you don’t have to wait until the calendar changes.
All that to say, it seems like a good time to be kind. Kind to ourselves (who have been through A LOT since around this time in 2020). Kind to the community (like our local business owners who haven’t seen the ends of the ups and downs that come with each set of laws and regulations). And if you’re following along with Smuttynose Brewing Company in Hampton, New Hampshire, kind to veterans and animals, too.
For me, taking a little time to be kind to myself has often involved a Smuttynose Old Brown Dog (an absolutely classic example of an American Brown Ale, worth seeking out!). Their flagship Finestkind IPA is another beloved beer and classic example of American IPA. This year, Smuttynose has two new releases with good reasons to add them to your personal ‘treat yo’self’ list: Hazy Kind IPA and Double Kind DIPA.
Two New IPAs from Smuttynose Brewing
One reason to be on the lookout for these freshly released beers is that they support Smuttynose’s Be KIND initiative. This project partners with a new organization each month to support one of three charitable goals: being kind to veterans, being kind to animals, and being kind to the community.
Another reason, which I know my fellow homebrewers will appreciate, is that Smuttynose is explicit about the ingredients and brewing techniques they use to make each of their beers. So tasting them is a great way to get to know your hops and yeast styles.
I was thrilled to see the Hazy Kind is brewed using London Ale III yeast. (one of my favorites for making stouts, too!) This strain creates has those fruity cherry and apple English esters during fermentation and adds to the overall soft fruitiness of this beer style. For me to get anywhere near a New England style IPA it has to look like real beer (no beige opaque sludge in my glass!) and this one pours a vibrant gold with a thin veil of haze that just sets it off from clarity. The ripe melon notes will be really nice this summer sitting along the Hudson river.
A New Double IPA From Smuttynose
The Double Kind DIPA has everything I look for in an IPA, it pours clear and golden like an old school (dare I say West Coast about an New Hampshire brewery??) IPA with plenty of bright white head. This beer poured into a glass is absolutely stunning.
The brewers use 100% mosaic hops, which may make it sound simple but mosaic provides tons of complexity. This hop has contrasting flavors of both berry-like and sweet mango fruit notes as well as the earthy slightly dank aroma of dried pine needles. Get it, it’s called “Mosaic” because it’s a mosaic of flavors. You’ll never forget that name again!
The mosaic really shines because the yeast is the darling of homebrewers everywhere, California Ale Yeast. (Smuttynose refers to it as “Chico yeast,” a little nod to where it came from). This super clean ale yeast doesn’t create any fermentation flavors to compete with that bouquet of berry medley and forest perfume from the hops. Like any good IPA it has a bitter finish that is pleasant and clean.
I’ve always loved that Smuttynose is dedicated to brewing clean, classic, true-to-style beers and these two beers from the KIND series definitely fit that description. What’s even better than admiring a brewery for their beer, loving them for what they do for the community!! I’m really looking forward to seeing the Be KIND initiative unfold this year. (And hopefully making it out to New Hampshire myself!)
Cheers to a KIND-er 2022!!
We will have to try some of these! Thanks for your thoughts!