Hair of the Dog Ruth

Brewed by Hair of the Dog Brewing Company
Style: American Pale Ale
Portland, Oregon USA

Additional 1/10/08 commentary: actually comes across as a crisp, bubbly, pilsnery Belgian golden ale; that’s what I’d conclude from a blind tasting, I think. There was a bountiful head this time around.

More sediment than a typical APA should be allowed to have, no head to speak of, I should say I feel I’ve been screwed out of some high percentage of $2 on this one, which is to say no big loss, but better luck next time in the future. And the flavor comes out ahead of these other factors anyway, so we’re in more promising territory. Even for a mediocre Hair of the God beer, this turns out to be solid craftsmanship asserting itself. Within two minutes, my opinion shifts from ’disapointing" to "good stuff." Name 5 brewers who can do that for you, I dare you. HoTD has some kind of characteristic orange hop that gives things a butterscotchy kick. Right on.

Hazy golden pour, white head that stays big and leaves lots of lacing. Aroma is fruity, with belgian spices, yeast and honey. Flavor is much the same a big candi sugar taste with spicy yeast and lots of honey. Really honey is the main flavor and the more it warms the sweeter and better it taste. Lots of belgian malt crispness and a good hop flavor and bitterness makes this probably the best blonde ale I’ve had yet.

12 oz. bottle into a shaker glass. Aroma of banana, strong malt, slight alcohol. Golden yellow, lots of bubble and sediment. floating around. Pillowy white head. Very sour and alcoholic in the taste. Also tastes of bread and slightly of hops. Palate is decent, tingly as well okay carbination. Average beer. I’d probably drink it again if I was tasting more HOTD at once.

Pours a pale yellow with a fizzy head. Lots of banana/ phenol in the aroma and flavor, a bit sweet but not overwhelming. A bit too much carbonation on the palate, but enjoyable.

Date: 04/04/2001
Mode: Bottle
Source: Belmont Station, Portland

hazy yellow, thin fine white head, slightly sweet biscuit malt aroma, medium body, balanced malt flavor, hint of bitterness, short finish, not much flavor or excitement
-------- /> Date: 05/19/2007
Mode: bottle
Source: tasting
Score: 2.4 to 2.6

hazy dark gold, dense foamy white head, lots of lace, light sweet spicy malt aroma, lots of tart lemony flavor with balancing phonolic spices and a touch of hops,

Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 11/20
Rating: 2.7/5.0
Drinkability: 6/10
Score: *4

12 oz. Bottle - Pours a deep gold with hints of orange/amber (reminds me of orange-blossom honey). It is very cloudy and pours with a very thin white head that quickly fades to nothing. The aroma is very grainy and is hoppy with a distinct herbal note and some citrus. The flavor starts malty and sweet with a very nice touch of citrus (oranges and honey). The middle of the tongue picks up more hop flavor and bitterness and an interesting, malt profile - lots of sweet, sticky flavors combined with nice, mellow fruit, and a touch of yeasty fresh bread. The finish is thick, fruity, and distinctly hoppy - but not very bitter.There is a general grassiness and a strong herbal character throughout - and I swear I taste wheat in there, too (though supposedly there are, in fact, none). The mouthfeel is very full. The carbon dioxide has a strange, seltzer-like quality that provides stinging bubbles, but doesn’t provide much in the way of creaminess or levity. Overall, this is an interesting and quite drinkable ale.

Bottle. Cloudy light amber with fizzy head. Aroma is wheaty with spices, orange zest and grapefruit. This beer had a strong flavor even though it was a low alcohol beer. Finished with a slight bitterness to the flavor. This was a pleasant surprise of a brew.

Smells like a bakery’s garbage cans. Wheat combined with a sweet and sour trash smell. Finishes quickly. Not a terrible beer, but surely, not one of my favorites. It is drinkable, but I found myself not wanting to. Very subtle flavor (if there at all).