Hair of the Dog Dave

Formerly brewed at Hair of the Dog Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Portland, Oregon USA

10/28/04. Poured out of 12 oz. unlabelled bottle, sampled at Stuffed Sandwich in San Gabriel, CA 10/28/04. Pours a deep, dark brown with small, suspended, black flecks. No head. Aroma is richly figgy and raisiny with dates and other dried fruity oddities Really interesting. Very sweet nose with huge malt and some alcohol burn, sort of a Samichlaus-like dark dessert liquer caramel richness. Flavor has brown sugar, huge alcohol glow, and dark malts, incredible rich nuttiness and burnt malt. Slick and thick with lingering sweetness and some kind of "rubber" that’s a bit off-putting. Tons of lasting, sticky dark roast/caramel-- it’s amazing how the two are intertwined. Very long finish with very elegant dark malt medley. Very full, oily texture and body. Very good stuff. I don’t know how long ago it was, but Sam at the Stuffed Sandwich said this sample was hand-bottled and given to him by Alan Sprints himself. I’d love to try the stuff that is still gaining wisdom at the brewery to see how the experiences differ. This really didn’t seem like 29%, but the alcohol WAS present. I’d have put it somewhere in the high teens if I had to guess.

Head is initially small, frothy, light brown, fully diminishing. Body is medium/dark brown. Aroma is moderately malty (caramel, molasses), with notes of sherry, dates, brown sugar, wood, and alcohol. Flavor is heavily sweet, lightly acidic. Finish is moderately sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter. Full body, syrupy texture, soft carbonation, moderately alcoholic. Although it was enjoyable, especially considering the weight, I may be the only person on the planet that wasn’t blown away by this. Perhaps partly because of the oxidation in the nose (makes me cringe every time), partly because it’s too sweet for me to drink more than a few sips of. And the aromatic components, ignoring the oxidation, weren’t terribly intriguing or enticing for me. Bottom line, there are other barleywines (and eisbocks in the lager world) that I enjoy more. Amazingly unguessable alcohol though...it’s certainly in the nose and burns the throat a bit, but it sure as heck doesn’t seem like it’s over 15%, much less 25%. Fun beer to try, but not something I’d purchase. Now Fred of the Wood, that’s a different story!

Deep and dark ruby-red. Intensely smooth body and carbonation. Extremely complex malts with a lot going on ... seared raisins, baked brown sugar, caramelized prunes, Boston baked beans, roasted caramel, rich toffee, dark chocolate, and sweetened bourbon. Warming, but alcohol was hidden unbelievably well. Masterfully done.

I really don’t have words to describe what is here. Thanks to Allen for all his work and his generosity sharing this beautiful brew.

Thank you Alan. This was easily the smoothest drinking 58 proof drink I’ve ever experienced.

Tap @ HotD Tour for RBSG 04’
Holy crap, this is good. Almost oily appearance, not much residual carbonation left with some prune sweetness and very low alcohol notes. Tons of everything else you can think of in the finish. Very complex and strong but not too burning.

Tap at the brewery. 9 years old! Clear ruby with a foamy manilla head, it really sticks to the glass. Aroma is chewy fruity malts and molasses. A hint of alcohol but hardly any at all considering the ABV on this monster. The flavor also contains a hint of alcohol but that is all. Roasted malt and sweet molasses/sugars along with some dark fruit. A truly amazing brew from a truly amazing brewer. Thanks Alan!

Triple icebock of Adam. Dark brown color. Medium head. Aroma is brown sugar and molasses. A medium to full bodied barley wine. Malts are fruity, sweet, touches of brown sugar, dark fruit and molasses. Very smooth taste. There is absolutely no trace of the 29% alcohol is this one. I was sure it would be there, but nothing.. AMAZING…Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slight sweet.