Hair of the Dog Doggie Claws (2003-)

Tasted @ Higgins in Portland.
I’ve had the Hair of the Dog Doggie Claws 2007. Very nice barleywine. Orange colored. Aroma is sweet, hoppy and fruity. Herbal, hoppy, creamy, sweet caramel flavors. Flavor shifts during tasting, very nice smooth brew.

Bottle from PC Market of Choice in Ashland, OR. I bought another bottle of this because I was excellently trashed (on our 13th serious brew of the night) at the time. All I remember is this one had a beautiful, sweet tinge to it that was awesome. I wrote that it smelled almost lambic and fruity, and it had a sweet and malty backbone. I’m aging my other bottle.

This was 2007 12 on bottle. This was special evening as I also reached my 1000th rating with Brew Dog Paradox Macallan. Interesting....two "dogs" in one night. As good as the Brewdog was I think I liked this even better.Got this from Market of Choice in Ashland. Poured a cloudy orange color with moderate off-white head with good lacing. Very powerful nose of citrus and floral hops. Smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Very flavorful, with grapefruit, oranges, lemons, and everything citrus. Finish is both bitter and sweet. I love it when that happens. A simply remarkable brew.

2007 bottle. Pours a hazy golden amber with a one-finger off-white head that lingered for quite a while leaving decent lacing. Smell starts with a big citrus hop aroma with grapefruit up front giving way to the caramel malt and toffee background. There is also a big sugar sweetness throughout the nose. Taste is a bigger version of the nose with the hops up front in the form of grapefruit and lemons. The sweetness takes over right after that burst with molasses and caramel. There is a hint of the booze as well on top of a ton of raisins and dates before the citrus hops come back for a slightly bitter finish. Mouthfeel is unbelievably creamy with strong carbonation that prickles the tongue. Alcohol is present but not overpowering in the least. This is a fantastic and original take on the style and one that I enjoyed immensely. Another great brew from HotD. Highly recommended!

Bottle from PC Market of Choice in Ashland, OR. 2007 Vintage. Poured a orange color with a hint of red. Almost no head and very little carbonation. Smelled like summer fuits and flowers. Thick a creamy, but smooth and went down easy. Probably the best barley wine I’ve had to date.