Hair of the Dog Doggie Claws (2001-2002)

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

Whats with the head on this thing? I managed a 1oz pour (60-65 deg in snifter) plus a 6 inch head protruding from the snifter. I was gradually able to pour the whole bottle, but only by drinking some from the glass bit by bit. The head was ginormous, foamy/creamy, extra thick and stiff holding its shape above the lip of the glass, leaving heavy lace and lasting all the way until the end, and yes, there was still foam at the bottom of the glass a few hours later. Otherwise a hazy copper color. Intense hoppy aroma with grapefruit and lemon rind, some grass, but curiously the hops take on a different character in the mouth, with a strong peppery and herbal flavors. Hops are presented smoothly (no harsh bite) alongsidea mellow and surprisingly light malt body. Perhaps the heavy carbonation carries the malt making it seem lighter? In any case, its amazing for a 10% beer and is not lacking in mouthfeel for it. Pleasant bitterness. Nice balance and outstanding drinkability - I still can't believe its 10%. Now one of my favorite barleywines.

5/23/03: bottle.
very heavy lacing with a nice orange body. pleasant honey nose with some hops. very hoppy flavor with a tinge of dirt.

12-oz. bottle, 2002 vintage. Almost like a cross between a Tripel and a West Coast IPA. Light copper color, ridiculously abundant and persistent beige head which perches amusingly over the rim of my snifter until I take a sip. Aroma of herbal-floral hops, Belgian-like yeast, and some alcohol. Flavor herbal-grassy hops, bread yeast, spices, pleasingly lingering resiny bitterness. This stuff has some chutzpah.

2002; 12 oz: Light copper. Mountainous, dusty-white foam. Earthy, airy aroma of cookie, iron, cane sugar, faint fig, mint, caramel, tea, ash, melon, and nutty yeast notes. Underyling cream, phenol, wood, and white pepper. Starts lovely with a gentle sappiness, which is quickly muffled by the overly-expansive carbonation. Mild initial nuttiness, proceeded by caramel, tangy Styrian-like rounded, juicy fruitiness, and a dash of iron. Obscure acidity. Trace of lemon zest, soil, leather, and star anise. Finishing leafy bitterness matched with herbal flavors and clean bready yeast traits. I loved the manner in which Alan paired the earthy hops and subtle raw malts with this firm, clean, bready yeast. This abounds with world-class, other than the abundant levels of carbonation.

Beautiful cloudy orange ale with a huge, huge, huge off-white head that fades to great lacing. Taste is certainly not a barley wine! I get clovey spice and yeast, not honey/sugar and alcohol and bubblegum. Alcohol certainly well balanced for a 10% beer. More like a Belgian tripel, except that the finish is more like an American ale, with a long bitter finish of American hops. Great stuff, and surely more complex and more interesting than a barley wine. Pity about the price, though, but that seems to be typical of the new pricing on Hair of the Dog. And it teaches patience; you can not pour the beer slowly enough to avoid the huge head, so you just have to wait before you can drink it!

Dark and murky amber body with a very full, lush ecru head. Bitter hoppy bite to the flavor, not altogether pleasant. It seems a bit out of balance, but don't get me wrong, it is definetly drinkable, even fairly likeable. Not as sweet as most barleywine's I've had. Smells citrusy, and it's particularly citrusy for a barleywine in the flavor as well. Interesting.

Very much a West Coast barleywine, very hoppy. Hops are fruity and full of pine. Strong, but still very drinkable. Grassy. Has some peachy fruit and toffee. Nice palate, good creaminess.

Very murky ugly orange. Extremely lively head. Nose of peaches and CARROTS! Wonderfully and surprisingly smooth. Great malt depth. Nice, soft mouthfeel. The alcohol is evident but not beating me over the head.