The Dogfather (Bourbon Barrel Aged)
Laughing Dog Brewing

The Dogfather (Bourbon Barrel Aged)The Dogfather (Bourbon Barrel Aged)
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From:
Laughing Dog Brewing
 
Idaho, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
Ranked #1,824
ABV:
10.85%
Score:
84
Ranked #22,429
Avg:
3.73 | pDev: 15.28%
Reviews:
191
Ratings:
524
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jun 07, 2023
Added:
Dec 21, 2009
Wants:
  24
Gots:
  111
Over 11 months in the making some of the Dogfather is bourbon barrel aged.

71 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by brownbeer:
Photo of brownbeer
Reviewed by brownbeer from Missouri

3.18/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2
The case says this is bourbon barrel aged but the label is the same as the Dogfather. I'll take Laughing Dog's word for it I suppose.

Pours thick and dark with a healthy brown head.

Aromas of charred bourbon barrel, a hint of vanilla, roasty to no end. Smells a bit too burnt for me.

Burnt, smokey oak, bitter coffee and chocolate dominate the palate. Noticable alcohol and a little rough around the edges.

I would hope a few years might add some finesse to this somewhat harsh stout.
Dec 21, 2009
More User Ratings:
Photo of Rug
Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Before I break into woemad’s third BIF box, it’s time to kill off this last bottle from the second box he sent me. This one is just a straight forward barrel aged Stout in a big ole bomber, really bringing the old school vibe. Let’s pop it open and see what it has to offer

Pours almost completely pitch black with 2 fingers of creamy tan head that slowly fades to a thin cap and leaves decent lacing

The nose is certainly aggressive, but in a charming old world way. I’m picking up on aromas of dark toast, charred oak, dark roast coffee, black cherry, burnt caramel, earthy hops, sweet bourbon, and a touch of smoke

Aggresive turns towards abrasive in taste, and it’s still good but it definitely loses something. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting burnt toast, molasses, dark roast coffee, cocoa powder, black cherry, earthy hops, sweet bourbon, and light smoke. The swallow brings notes of burnt caramel, earthy hops, charred oak, molasses, cocoa powder, raisin, brown sugar, and light smoke

A medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a slick beer. Finishes dry with a strong bitterness

Sure this is excessive in its roasty and bitter elements, but it’s pretty damn good all things considered. Certainly better than the ratings led me to believe
Jun 07, 2023
Photo of Drennett
Reviewed by Drennett from Utah

3.48/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
Poured a very dark black, looked great coming out of the bomber. Smelled of stronger bourbon from the barrel aging, but did not pick that up as much when tasting. Not much of a mouth feel for a barrel aged stout, very smooth and clean for a BAB. Solid beer, was hoping for a little more booziness, but would drink again.
Mar 29, 2021
 
Rated: 4.21 by chiefz1 from New York

Feb 16, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by Kolb from Montana

Apr 26, 2019
Photo of rjd722
Rated by rjd722 from Maryland

4.03/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From 2014
Apr 08, 2019
 
Rated: 3.96 by wisegreensoul from Idaho

Apr 06, 2019
Photo of Newbeergeek1
Rated by Newbeergeek1 from Maine

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nice solid brew from a brewery I have never heard of before. I even bought another one for a bottle share.
Feb 25, 2019
 
Rated: 3.75 by Scott_McCool from Florida

Feb 03, 2019
Photo of rarigney
Reviewed by rarigney from Washington

4.07/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a very dark brown with a light mocha head that shows good retention and lacing. Aroma is slightly smoky with dark malt and bourbon. Taste follows the nose with the addition of a subtle initial sweetness and a hint of vanilla. Medium bodied with minimal alcohol heat and a bitter finish.
Jul 17, 2018
Photo of HattedClassic
Reviewed by HattedClassic from Virginia

3.63/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Notes
The beer pours a nice, chocolatey brown head and leaves a nice lacing as the beer is drunk. The beer itself is a dark chocolate black.

The smell is decent. It has a moderate bourbon smell and sweet dark chocolate notes. The alcohol is fairly noticeable though.

The taste is decent. It has a strong bourbon note with roasty malts, and a moderate dark chocolate note. There is a wood chip note in the finish.

The mouthfeel is good. It has a heavy body.
Mar 19, 2018
 
Rated: 3.52 by buzzy from Pennsylvania

Mar 09, 2018
Photo of IvoryFoxhole
Reviewed by IvoryFoxhole from Virginia

3.84/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
22 oz bottle from 10/17. Allowed to warm and poured into Belgian ale glass.

L: 3F head with good retention. Leaves lots of light tan lacing and a cap and ring. Beer is dark black.

S: Roasted malts, some oaked bourbon barrel. Not a whole lot else.

T: Follows nose. You'd expect some additional flavors like coffee or vanilla to develop but they're really not there. It's pretty good, but it's also pretty straightforward and lacks subtlety. A little bit of a burned caramel finish with some alcohol heat.

F: Medium to full bodied, drinks pretty well. Light carbonation. Construction is OK if non-complex. Balance also OK. Alcohol heat definitely noticeable on finish.

O: It's not a bad RIS and now I've had a beer from Idaho. Everyone wins.
Mar 06, 2018
Photo of BergBeer
Reviewed by BergBeer from Hawaii

3.8/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Look: Opaque jet black with a thin mocha head. No activity visible.

Smell: Rich caramel and vanilla notes. Then subtle black coffee and oaky bourbon. Alcohol is smooth if pronounced.

Taste: Much like the nose. Rich caramel, toasted coconut, bitter black coffee, oaky spicy bourbon, dark bakers chocolate, burnt toast, a little green apple on the finish.

Feel: Full flavored if a bit thin. Big body with a dry finish. Medium alcohol. Medium bitterness.

Overall: A good barrel aged stout. It’s not flawless by any means but overall it’s solid stuff.
Feb 17, 2018
Photo of Bcurrie33
Reviewed by Bcurrie33 from Montana

3.94/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
Detected clove on first taste. Got me interested. First notes of licorice. Develops into smoky aftertaste often seen in bourbon barrel aged stouts. missing the vanilla I love from aging. Lacks the layers of flavor of well done imperials.
Jan 17, 2018
 
Rated: 3.77 by Jlang2012 from South Carolina

Jan 12, 2018
Photo of Roguer
Reviewed by Roguer from Connecticut

3.94/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Black brew with a strong dark brown head; fantastic retention and lacing.

Big roasty nose: char, oak, ash, burnt coffee, molasses, licorice, caramel, and bourbon. A heavy dark malt profile definitely takes priority over the bourbon aspects.

Flavor follows: waves of roasty malt - at times metallic - tinged with bourbon. Burnt coffee, bitter chocolate, dark fruit, and molasses.

Smooth on the palate; bitter and strong, but easy drinking for a double digit ABV brew.
Jan 08, 2018
 
Rated: 3.65 by tazzman from Florida

Dec 26, 2017
 
Rated: 4.5 by Nate139 from Virginia

May 29, 2017
 
Rated: 3 by StoutAtTheDevil from Alabama

May 18, 2017
The Dogfather (Bourbon Barrel Aged) from Laughing Dog Brewing
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 524 ratings