Smuttynose Brewing Company - Cold Shoals Light Lager

Cold Shoals Light Lager is Smuttynose’s crisp and highly refreshing take on the classic American light lager. Pouring a pale straw-gold color with brilliant clarity and a lively cap of white foam, this beer immediately signals easy-drinking refreshment. On the nose, look for delicate grainy malt tones, hints of fresh cracker, and soft floral hop notes, all delivered with a very clean fermentation profile. The palate stays bright and snappy, offering subtle cereal grain character alongside a touch of light breadiness before finishing dry and crisp. The carbonation provides plenty of lift, making this lager especially thirst-quenching without sacrificing flavor. At just 4.0% ABV, Cold Shoals is built for long afternoons, backyard cookouts, beach trips, and easygoing sessions with friends. For pairing options, think classic pub and summertime fare: grilled hot dogs, fish tacos, fried chicken sandwiches, or a simple cheeseburger all fit beautifully. Cheers!

Founded in 1994 along New Hampshire’s scenic Seacoast, Smuttynose Brewing Company has long been regarded as one of New England’s pioneering craft breweries. The company was founded by Peter Egelston, who helped introduce many drinkers throughout the Northeast to the emerging world of American craft beer during a period when independent breweries were still relatively rare outside of the West Coast. Named after Smuttynose Island, part of the rugged Isles of Shoals just off the coast between New Hampshire and Maine, the brewery embraced a distinctly maritime New England identity from the very beginning.

Smuttynose initially brewed its beers in Portsmouth, NH, earning an early reputation for flavorful, traditional ales that balanced innovation with drinkability. As the craft beer movement accelerated throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the brewery grew steadily, expanding distribution across the Northeast and beyond while collecting numerous awards for its beers along the way. In 2014, Smuttynose opened an ambitious new brewing facility and campus in nearby Hampton, New Hampshire, complete with a tasting room, restaurant space, and event grounds that reflected the brewery’s growing stature within the region’s beer scene.

Throughout its history, Smuttynose has remained known for producing approachable yet characterful beers spanning a wide variety of styles, from crisp lagers and classic pale ales to modern hop-forward IPAs. Their Finestkind IPA, in particular, has become one of the defining examples of New England-style IPA produced in the Granite State. Today, Smuttynose continues to honor its independent craft brewing roots while evolving alongside the ever-changing American beer landscape. For more information on their brewery and tasting room, visit www.smuttynose.com.