Hair of the Dog Doggie Claws (2003-)

Brewed by Hair of the Dog Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Portland, Oregon USA

"Poured a cloudy brown, small head. Aroma was of dark fruits some cherries. Flavor was much the same little sweet, cherries and some hops. Mouthfeel was a little syrupy. Good but needed better balance."

(Bottle from 2003 at Akkurat, Stockholm) Pours extramely beautiful red. Perfect barley wine aroma of dried fruits, Sweet heavy malt and some citrusy tones. Marzipan, glue and fiery in nose. Notes of raisins and dried plums. Toffee and spices in flavour with hints of coffee beans. Leavs a perfect well balaced lingering sweetness of toffee and fruits combined with a sharp aftertaste from the alcohol. Medium to high, rasiny bitterness. Some gingerbread and cinamon. Thick and smooth mouthfeel. Pretty big body. A well handcrafted, nerly perfect barley wine.

’04 bottle from notalush via beer swap. Actually not quite as hoppy as I was expecting. They certainly are there, but the malt covers us the majority of the hop flavor. There is certainly a good bit of bitterness left over. Harsh, strong bitterness all over the back of the mouth. Otherwise, caramel, toffee, brown sugar, oak and vanilla. Prunes and dates. Buttery, smooth palate. Lots of alcohol at times, leaving it very hot. I only get excited about a barley wine when it’s hoppy as hell, and this one comes close. I’d love to try it younger and see how those fresh hop flavors come out, but as it is, it’s still a real good beer.

mostly clear ruddy amber color. frothy & foamy tall medium tan head. aroma is hoppy for a barley wine, dried grapefruit rind, a bit of dried cherries too. flavor is bitter like a IIPA and some alcohol heat like a fairly clean vodka. strong malt is there, but more on the dry side. some dark fruit flavors in the background, but also more citrus rind. heat is not too bad but it’s there. I normally don’t like hoppy BWs but this is done well. dry hoppy bitter finish and a little spicy heat in the aftertaste.

Big ups to after4ever for this one. Sad that it was also my first gusher. I was able to salvage about 2/3 of it so no worries. Cloudy copper color. Intense aromas of caramel and apple. Taste is slightly alcoholic. Nice sweet sugary caramel tastes as well. Reminds me a little of molasses with how thick this drink is. Very complex, very good.

Ah, toasty malt aromas, chocolate , toffee, hops. Beautifully balanced flavors except for a little yeast bite but I poured it a little fast so there is some floatings. A great big beer.

Had this at HotD on July 28th, 2006. This one seemed different from the last time I had it. It was a lot lighter than before. Golden in color. Very balanced. Great Winter Warmer!!! +10%!!! Recently had the 2007... Medium amber color. (much darker than then the 2006) Slight haze. Big P/NW Hop Bomb of flavor. Cheers!

Amber color- tan head – malt, hop, mint, brown sugar, tobacco nose - malt, chocolate, tobacco, slight sour, over ripe apple - medium body- aftertaste malt, earth