Flying Dog Extra Special Gonzo

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

Bottle shared by goldtwins: Near black pour, topped by a khaki ring. The aroma has some odd esters, plasticy phenolic characteristics. Brett is evident, giving it an earthy spiciness. Slick body. Some chocolate comes through the boozy body. The brett has a presence, giving it a late, oakey dry finish. It’s a little out of balance, flavors aren’t harmonious. I think it just needs a little time. Still tasty stuff though.

12 oz bottle shared by goldtwins. Dark brown with a thin tan head. Light herbal dill character, a touch of funkiness. Some light spice and vanilla over the rich chocolate that is typical of gonzo. Nice roasty finish, but it could definitely use a bit more time.

Corked and caged 750 ml bottle poured a nearly opaque brownish black with no head. Aromas of fruitiness, soy sauce, choclate some barnyard, some vinous notes and a hint of leather. Palate was light bodied crisp lightly tart and slightly dry. Flavors of cherries, grape, light soy, light chocolate, some vinous notes and a hint of leather with a crisp lingering tart finish.

From a 750 ml corked bottle that the Lawrence Brewers Guild BrewFest. The bottle was provided by Dustin, who is working on his internship at Flying Dog
The beer pours brown with a slight sign of tan head. No visible signs of carbonation.
The aroma is chocolate, raisins, oak barrel, and a distinct brett tart aroma.
The flavor starts chocolate roasted with a brett finish.
Medium/full body. Silk/velvet mouthfeel. Slight signs of carbonation. Dry finish. I really enjoyed this quite a bit.

[BCTC 07] Poured an opaque black color with a medium sized, tan head that left light lacing on the glass. Aroma of strong funky brett, dark fruits, roast, and chocolate. Taste was roasty, and chocolaty up front, with sour cherries, and a sour bretty finish. Hands down my favorite FD, and head and shoulders above any other version of Gonzo.

Bottle shared by MIBRomeo on 12/16/06: Pours a mostly opaque with dark brown edges and a thin, wispy dark tan head. Sweet and sour funky aroma has some fruity and chocolate notes. Starts with a tart, sticky earthy cherry flavor with some lingering dark chocolate. Interesting brew, but not quite as good of brett character as some Russian River beers.

Bottle from 7/31/2006. Smelled almost like fish sauce. Sour, but in a good way. There was the sour thing, the porter thing, almost no sweetness...a lot of things that aren’t present in almost all beers. A great experiment that I think could have benefited from a tertiary bottle fermentation, as it was pretty flat. A bit of work and this could be something that is more than special.

Opaque brown color with a small cover of tan bubbles. Aromas of dark chocolate, with a touch of citric zest and hopsack. Flavors of stewed raisins with a lactic and dry component. At times earthy at time sweet and fruity. Interesting. Thanks Chuck.