Flying Dog Extra Special Gonzo

Brewed by Flying Dog Brewery
Style: Imperial/Strong Porter
Frederick, Maryland USA

Pours a darblack with a thick dark brown head. Aroma of strong sweet vanilla and chocolate roasted malts. Very strong vanilla taste up front that finishes with a dry/ bitter chocoate maltiness. Also has a strong alcohol taste providing a strong warmth that doesn’t mask the high abv. very well. I prefer the regular Gonzo Imperial Porter.

Black color. Smell is very awesome. coffee/sepresso/chocolate smell. alcohol is a lttle present. has a coffe/chocolate taste. a little disappointing. expected more. but still a good beer. way too carbonated. other then that it’s good. will age really well.

Name: Gonzo, Extra Special
Date: 11/14/2007
Mode: Bottle
Source: Brewery

Appearance: black, fine brown head, streaks of drippy lace,
Aroma: woody cobweb aroma on top of dark chocolate and a fruity tartness,
Body: creamy body,
Flavor: rich dark chocolate flavor, lots of creamy oak character, touch of tartness, nice balancing bitterness, light alcoholic fumes,
-------- /> Name: Gonzo, Extra Special
Date: 11/16/2007
Source: tasting

picking up more bret character in the flavor but it is still mild enough to be an accient to bring out the oak and bitterness,

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 8/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 8/10; Overall: 15/20
Rating: 3.7/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **4

Bottle at 6 months old. Pours a very deep chestnut brown with inky black tinting, not entirely opaque. A thin chocolate brown head is quickly and fully diminishing. The aroma is intensely chocolatey. Medium-full roast signifies the resistance of the original brew to the inevitable attack of Brettanomyces. The Brett is strong - it resembles bold vinous structuring with webbed intricacies. Whiskey and coffee notes are light and complimentary, even if a bit out of place. Hops are mellowed by so much else in each inhalation. Minor plummy and jammy notes disperse as they reach the depths of the olfactory senses. Alcohol is well hidden. The flavor is solid, an amicable blend of a good base beer and some minor funky tweaks. Fully roasty and chocolatey, sweetness is medium amongst a backdrop of still-strong vinous character. The Brett is soft and glides past the tastebuds, only pausing briefly to greet the tongue with hints of tartness. Bitterness is light, unintrusive. Mild smoke lingers in a silky smooth finish that once again eludes to jammy characteristics and sultry chocolate. The mouthfeel is full bodied, lowly carbonated and agreeable. I can’t wait to rerate another bottle with some more time under its belt.

Courtesy kp. Thank you sir for sharing this rarity! Pours oily black, with a tiny light brownish head. The brett is really potent and obvious in the aroma. Jumped out at me right away. Almost a mintiness to it that was also intriguing. The flavor was really unique. It pretty much tasted like what it is. A hoppy porter with brett. The roastiness and light chocolate really come through up front, with the brett being more noticeable in the finish. Made for a cool beer to drink. Thanks again kp!

Thanks KP. Poured an inky black color. Aroma is roasted, with a touch of cocoa. The brett is there, but is still fairly mild. Flavor is roasted and the alcohol is very evident. Seems a touch disjointed, but is still a delight to drink.

Thanks to goldtwins for sharing - man, we sure Daned it up on this one, didn’t we? - dark brown pour - slightly vegetal aroma, with notes of dill and celery, black cherry in the mix - very faint, young brett character that hasn’t really started to take hold yet - dried herbs and cocoa - alcohol is fairly present - some flavors of chocolate-covered fruits - mild acidity - needs more time so the brett can take hold.

Thanks goldtwins. This is basically a beer in a transitional stage in life. It’s not sure if it wants to be a slick roast chocolate porter or a funky lightly brett wild beer. So it kind of takes on both characteristics but none to a great length. What you have left in the end is a nice idea and a perfectly fine beer but also a 12 oz bottle that 8 people at a tasting could not even finish (ouch, now that I realize that I need to deduct a point).
12oz bottle, St. Paul tulip/snifter glass.