Smuttynose Hanami Ale pours to a hazy cherry red color with a light,
semi-creamy head formation and an enticing sharp fruity nose. Extra credit
for those of you who guess which fruit. Taking a sip, I get a good, solid
malt body underneath. It's a tad biscuity, and even toasty if you roll it
around the tongue and consider it for a moment. And the reason you have to
consider it, of course, is because the malt is really a subcomponent to the
real player here: cherry.
The fruit is apparent immediately upon sipping, and quickly takes over for
the rest of the ride. Dark, luscious black cherry flavor simply dominates
the whole affair, with perhaps a hint of vanilla, too. The amazing thing is
how dry Hanami is-it's not at all sweet or cloying and has a decidedly tart
finish, making it very refreshing, indeed. A hint of grassy Goldings hops
poke through there, too.
If you think you don't like fruit beers, think again. The fact that this is
not a wheat beer helps to make it a bit firmer in body and more substantial.
Being that it is Smuttynose's spring seasonal, that makes sense, as it's not
too light for still cool spring evenings. And yet as I sip it in late April,
the refreshing, dry cherry flavors make it a perfect refresher on a very
warm evening.
This is a delightful little beer, and a fine example of how fruit beers
should be done.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft