
Smuttynose Brewing Co. — Portsmouth, NH
Stats:
- Style: IPA
- Bitterness: 40 IBU
- ABV: 5.3%
- Malts: North American 2-Row, English Pale Ale, Aromatic, Valley Malt C-60
- Hops:
- Bittering: Bravo
- Flavor: 01210
- Dry Hop: 01210
- Sampled: 22 oz. bottle (provided by brewery)
Description: "ParadoX is a beer of the moment. It's a session IPA, brewed with an experimental hop variety (01210, it's really lemony) and a portion of New England grown malt. Our brewing staff has wanted to brew one of these for a long time and just about everyone in the company has been waiting to drink one." — Smuttynose Brewing Co.
Random thoughts: ParadoX is part of Smuttynose's Short Batch Series of experimental beers. Back in January, I tasted Durty, another Short Batch brew. ParadoX showcases 01210, an experimental hop variety planted on only 5 acres on the ENTIRE PLANET! Due to the rare nature of 01210, only 30 barrels of ParadoX were brewed. Of that, only 960 bottles (conditioned in January, 2013) were released. I got my mitts on bottle 743.
The tasting: Golden in color, slightly hazy, with a white head that dissipates fairly slowly. Aroma is full of citrus—grapefruit, lemon, and navel orange. The taste also starts with many of the same citrus notes, but there is also a strong dose of tropical mandarin orange. Underneath all the citrus is a layer of bready malt. While hop flavors are prominent, it's not as bitter as I'd expect for an IPA. ParadoX is light bodied and has a slightly prickly mouth feel. Alcohol is not noticeable in aroma or flavor. It finishes with flavors of biscuit and orange.
Rating: 4 star. Really Good! I want this again! The 01210 hop is supposed to be lemony, but orange is what I tasted. I don't recall tasting a beer with such prominent orange flavors. It's delicious and unique! When combined with low alcohol and the lack of intense hop bitterness, ParadoX is a beer you could easily enjoy for a session—make that an extended session!
Have you tasted Smuttynose's ParadoX or any of their Short Batch beers?