Smuttynose Brewing Company - Finestkind IPA

Smuttynose’s Finestkind IPA has become one of the brewery’s signature offerings, embracing the juicy, expressive qualities that helped make New England IPA one of the country’s defining modern beer styles. Pouring a hazy golden-orange hue beneath a thick cap of creamy foam, this IPA immediately bursts with inviting aromatics. Expect vibrant notes of orange juice, ripe mango, pineapple, peach, and tangerine, supported by softer impressions of citrus blossom and a touch of pine. On the palate, Finestkind delivers plenty of juicy hop flavor while maintaining a smooth, rounded mouthfeel. Tropical fruit notes lead the charge, while bright citrus zest and hints of stone fruit add complexity throughout. The malt backbone remains soft and lightly bready, providing enough structure to support the expressive hop profile without introducing excessive sweetness. Bitterness stays moderate and approachable, allowing the fruit-forward hop character to shine from start to lingering finish. For pairing options, spicy dishes work exceptionally well here, especially buffalo chicken, fish tacos with mango salsa, or Thai-inspired coconut curry dishes. 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.