Samuel Adams Nitro IPA

American IPA | Year-Round | United States

By Michael McGuire

Judges Rating: 92
Aroma: 23
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 37
Mouthfeel: 9
Overall Impression: 17

This beer poured clear orange with a very thick white nitro-enhanced head. The aroma was full of fruity (pear) esters and hop notes including some initial grassy ones. The intensity of the aromas was a pleasant surprise since some hop-forward nitro beers have their aroma suppressed by a thick blanket of nitrogen bubbles. The flavor was well-balanced with strong contributions from hops and malt getting through the creamy head unperturbed. Mouthfeel is where nitro-dispensed beers typically excel and this was no exception, with smooth creaminess extending through to the finish with non-astringent hops coating the palate. In sum, this was a well-brewed IPA enhanced, rather than lessened by, its gassy delivery.