Big Dogs Alpha Dog Double Red

From the Jug at the GABF Colorado Convention Center, Denver 11/10/2008 Amber coloured strong in alcohol and hoppy with pine fruit flavour. Crisp malt and hop finish.

A surprising find at PP Carlsbad. I recognized the brewery name, but couldn’t remember where they were from. Dark, reddish brown in color. Aroma was very floral to the point of being too much like perfume. Faint notes of caramel and bread. Flavor was a bit more balanced, but still a bit one dimensional. Tons of perfumy flowers. Still it was actually quite tasty and easy to drink, for such a perfumy flavor.

On tap at Pizza Port Carlsbad. Pours a dark amber/red with off-white head. Sweet caramel malt, dried fruit, toasted bread, and citrusy hops. Nicely balanced, but I’m not a big fan of red ales.

On tap at the 2008 Strong Ale Festival. Poured a deeper amber color with a small sized off white head. Aromas of citrus, pine, and I was getting some toastiness. Tastes of citrus, pine, and some caramel.

Tap at the Draft House. Nice hop aroma with a big malt background. Much more hops than I would’ve anticipated. Taste of hops, some citrus and pine with big caramel malt to back it up. Something tastes a little off, but I can’t figure it out. Heavy beer, I can only have one or two of these, but it is enjoyable.

Much hoppier than malty in the aroma, and miles above their original amber ale in hop quantity. The taste is noticeably alcoholic from the first w/a stringent biting first sip. The grainy hoppiness continues into the finish, but has enough maltiness to not be confused with a pale ale or IPA. In my opinion (but not my wifes) this is much better than the original.