Adam From The Wood
Hair Of The Dog Brewing Company / Brewery And Tasting Room
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- English Old Ale
Ranked #2 - ABV:
- 12%
- Score:
- 99
Ranked #182 - Avg:
- 4.5 | pDev: 8.89%
- Reviews:
- 178
- Ratings:
- From:
- Hair Of The Dog Brewing Company / Brewery And Tasting Room
- Oregon, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating
- Wants
- 1,481
- Gots
- 173
SCORE
99
World-Class
99
World-Class
Notes:
Our Adam aged in American Oak barrels. First released in 2000, and released again in November 2011 in 12oz bottles. This 12% beer has lots of the typical HOTD aromas: Caramel, brown sugar, tons of raisin and tobacco. Fig, date, and plum fruitiness in that order. This has a fairly strong earthy vinousness as well as oak vanilla.
Reviews: 178
| Ratings: 1,022
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Reviews by Stevedore:
4.3/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
12oz bottle of the 2015 vintage. Served in a snifter glass.
Pours a dark mahogany brown body, half finger white head with minimal retention, no lacing. It's pretty short-lived, but not to the point of clearly lacking any carbonation. Smell is rich dark fruit, bourbon, sweet chocolate malt, tobacco, touch of smoke, lots of oak. Complex and sweet, a touch boozy. Flavour is similar in its complexity. Dark fruit, a bit of smoke and ashiness, tobacco, char, chocolate, molasses, plenty of bourbon. Hefty bourbon presence is quite nice in mellowing out the rest of the beer which may otherwise be overwhelming. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, lower in carbonation but still reasonably carbonated. Mild bourbon heat on the finish. Very nice and complex beer with a lot of flavours going on here, and certainly superior to the Rye version from 2015. Not flat, but carbonation is not ideal either.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
12oz bottle of the 2015 vintage. Served in a snifter glass.
Pours a dark mahogany brown body, half finger white head with minimal retention, no lacing. It's pretty short-lived, but not to the point of clearly lacking any carbonation. Smell is rich dark fruit, bourbon, sweet chocolate malt, tobacco, touch of smoke, lots of oak. Complex and sweet, a touch boozy. Flavour is similar in its complexity. Dark fruit, a bit of smoke and ashiness, tobacco, char, chocolate, molasses, plenty of bourbon. Hefty bourbon presence is quite nice in mellowing out the rest of the beer which may otherwise be overwhelming. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, lower in carbonation but still reasonably carbonated. Mild bourbon heat on the finish. Very nice and complex beer with a lot of flavours going on here, and certainly superior to the Rye version from 2015. Not flat, but carbonation is not ideal either.
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More User Reviews:
4.74/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2018 vintage. Really excited to find this at the brewery while visiting Portland. As expected, absolutely no sound when the cap was taken off. Zero carbonation, which immediately seems strange. Pours a gorgeous dark brown. The nose is incredible. Reminds me of a 30 year old English barleywine. Tons of oak, caramel, alcohol-soaked cherries, leather, sweet molasses. This, to me, smells old and delicious. Taste is crazy. Immediately picking up strong nutty flavors. The lack of carbonation conveys a syrupy taste. Picking up lots of dark cherries, blackberries, toffee, burnt wood bitterness, leather, rubber, oak, and maybe a hint of soy sauce. Mouthfeel is creamy and thick - very bold. Overall, this is a mesmerizing beer with a deep hierarchy of flavors. Absolutely fantastic, and an experience I won't forget.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2018 vintage. Really excited to find this at the brewery while visiting Portland. As expected, absolutely no sound when the cap was taken off. Zero carbonation, which immediately seems strange. Pours a gorgeous dark brown. The nose is incredible. Reminds me of a 30 year old English barleywine. Tons of oak, caramel, alcohol-soaked cherries, leather, sweet molasses. This, to me, smells old and delicious. Taste is crazy. Immediately picking up strong nutty flavors. The lack of carbonation conveys a syrupy taste. Picking up lots of dark cherries, blackberries, toffee, burnt wood bitterness, leather, rubber, oak, and maybe a hint of soy sauce. Mouthfeel is creamy and thick - very bold. Overall, this is a mesmerizing beer with a deep hierarchy of flavors. Absolutely fantastic, and an experience I won't forget.
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4.6/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
12oz Bottle
2018 Vintage
Big, huge, giant thanks to Phil for this beautiful son of a bitch. Adam from the Wood is the darkest of browns, bordering on black. It's much darker than the original. It's also still, like many of the newer HotD special releases. A hard pour produces a couple fleeting bubbles here and there but this puppy is flat. It's worked in past iterations so let's see where it takes us here.
The nose is off the charts. I love regular Adam, it's complex and dense. The wood aging puts this one over the top. Old dry leather and tobacco kick it off. A little soy adds umami. Handfuls of prunes and dates and figs. The tobacco is sweet like grandpa's pipe tobacco. What the 3 year barrel aging does is wrap that whole, beautiful complexity in a big giant bear hug of oaken vanilla. It's comforting and rich and elegant and decadent and perfect. This stuff smells absolutely amazing.
Nothing can touch that nose. With that said, the flavor ain't none too shabby. That sweet pipe tobacco gets things started and is met with the prunes and dates. They soy is fleeting but there. The leather is old and well worn. Quality cocoa powder lingers on the swallow. Again, all this is surrounded by a rich, luxurious, oily oaken vanilla. There are so many layers of flavor and they're all in such perfect harmony that it's mindblowing.
Though this beer is flat I think that bubbles would actually ruin the experience. And an experience it is. This beer is full bodied and plush with a velvety feel. As full bodied as it is, the tannins from the extended aging dry up with finish and leave very little residual stickiness. As robust and decadent as this beer is the alcohol is almost non-existent. It's a sipper but one that gets sipped often.
Adam from the Wood is just about as near perfect as you can get. The barrel aging has added amazing qualities to an already amazing beer. This beer is as comfortable as old slippers, as a roaring fire in a winter cabin, as a snifter of cognac on a bearskin rug, old well fingered books, a labrador with your nightly newspaper.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
12oz Bottle
2018 Vintage
Big, huge, giant thanks to Phil for this beautiful son of a bitch. Adam from the Wood is the darkest of browns, bordering on black. It's much darker than the original. It's also still, like many of the newer HotD special releases. A hard pour produces a couple fleeting bubbles here and there but this puppy is flat. It's worked in past iterations so let's see where it takes us here.
The nose is off the charts. I love regular Adam, it's complex and dense. The wood aging puts this one over the top. Old dry leather and tobacco kick it off. A little soy adds umami. Handfuls of prunes and dates and figs. The tobacco is sweet like grandpa's pipe tobacco. What the 3 year barrel aging does is wrap that whole, beautiful complexity in a big giant bear hug of oaken vanilla. It's comforting and rich and elegant and decadent and perfect. This stuff smells absolutely amazing.
Nothing can touch that nose. With that said, the flavor ain't none too shabby. That sweet pipe tobacco gets things started and is met with the prunes and dates. They soy is fleeting but there. The leather is old and well worn. Quality cocoa powder lingers on the swallow. Again, all this is surrounded by a rich, luxurious, oily oaken vanilla. There are so many layers of flavor and they're all in such perfect harmony that it's mindblowing.
Though this beer is flat I think that bubbles would actually ruin the experience. And an experience it is. This beer is full bodied and plush with a velvety feel. As full bodied as it is, the tannins from the extended aging dry up with finish and leave very little residual stickiness. As robust and decadent as this beer is the alcohol is almost non-existent. It's a sipper but one that gets sipped often.
Adam from the Wood is just about as near perfect as you can get. The barrel aging has added amazing qualities to an already amazing beer. This beer is as comfortable as old slippers, as a roaring fire in a winter cabin, as a snifter of cognac on a bearskin rug, old well fingered books, a labrador with your nightly newspaper.
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4.68/5 rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.75
2015 vintage
poured into a snifter
A- pours a deep murky brown color with just a wisp of fizzy head that disappears immediately, leaving nothing behind
S- tons of dark fruit and oak on the nose. Strong raisin, fig & date. Also plenty of earthy tobacco & leather that mixes with a sweet caramel, toffee & brown sugar character. The three years of oak aging brings out strong woody notes that give aromas of wet oak, earth & a hint of vanilla. Incredibly complex
T- the flavor lives up to the aroma in complexity. Opens with tons of dark fruit; fig, raisin, date & plumb. Mid-palate brings lots of earthy flavors of tobacco & cocoa. As it nears the finish, plenty of oak kicks in with flavors of wet wood, vanilla, caramel/toffee and a hint of chocolate on the close. The linger extends to dark fruit flavors long after the finish
M- as with most HOtD beers, carbonation is virtually zero, but the mouthfeel is thick enough to match up to the abv. Velvety throughout, with just a hint of abv warmth on the linger
O- one of the best old ales I've had. The complexity of this beers is insane and goes down way to easily. World class for sure
1,154 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.75
2015 vintage
poured into a snifter
A- pours a deep murky brown color with just a wisp of fizzy head that disappears immediately, leaving nothing behind
S- tons of dark fruit and oak on the nose. Strong raisin, fig & date. Also plenty of earthy tobacco & leather that mixes with a sweet caramel, toffee & brown sugar character. The three years of oak aging brings out strong woody notes that give aromas of wet oak, earth & a hint of vanilla. Incredibly complex
T- the flavor lives up to the aroma in complexity. Opens with tons of dark fruit; fig, raisin, date & plumb. Mid-palate brings lots of earthy flavors of tobacco & cocoa. As it nears the finish, plenty of oak kicks in with flavors of wet wood, vanilla, caramel/toffee and a hint of chocolate on the close. The linger extends to dark fruit flavors long after the finish
M- as with most HOtD beers, carbonation is virtually zero, but the mouthfeel is thick enough to match up to the abv. Velvety throughout, with just a hint of abv warmth on the linger
O- one of the best old ales I've had. The complexity of this beers is insane and goes down way to easily. World class for sure
1,154 characters
4.87/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2015 vintage Uncarbonated in true HOD style. Fig, raisins, chocolate, bourbon, oak, almost a tootsie roll sweetness. Taste is more of the same, with extremely well hidden alcohol. Body is amazingly light for such a sweet beer. Excellent dry-ish finish that lingers. Pleasant, interesting coating of the tongue. Excellent beer by all means. Don't miss the carbonation at all. Can't wait to see how it ages.
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look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2015 vintage Uncarbonated in true HOD style. Fig, raisins, chocolate, bourbon, oak, almost a tootsie roll sweetness. Taste is more of the same, with extremely well hidden alcohol. Body is amazingly light for such a sweet beer. Excellent dry-ish finish that lingers. Pleasant, interesting coating of the tongue. Excellent beer by all means. Don't miss the carbonation at all. Can't wait to see how it ages.
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4.02/5 rDev -10.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Brown appearance without a head. Aroma is a dark fruit caramel that is slightly sweet. Taste is also a dark fruit and raisin with some caramel that is a little hollow.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Brown appearance without a head. Aroma is a dark fruit caramel that is slightly sweet. Taste is also a dark fruit and raisin with some caramel that is a little hollow.
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4.79/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dark muddy brown. Short tan head with short retention. Slightly oily.
Big rich nice nose. Pretty boozy smelling. A bit of rich dark fruit. Dark molasses, caramel and smoky maple syrup. Chaw like tobacco.
Big great flavor. Maple syrup, caramel, a touch a vanilla, rich fruit. Lovely.
Surprisingly medium bodied. Low carb.
Overall a fantastic beer. Great all around. Easy to drink actually.
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look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dark muddy brown. Short tan head with short retention. Slightly oily.
Big rich nice nose. Pretty boozy smelling. A bit of rich dark fruit. Dark molasses, caramel and smoky maple syrup. Chaw like tobacco.
Big great flavor. Maple syrup, caramel, a touch a vanilla, rich fruit. Lovely.
Surprisingly medium bodied. Low carb.
Overall a fantastic beer. Great all around. Easy to drink actually.
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4.68/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.25/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.5/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle thanks to my 2011 SecretSanta. Dark, hazy brown pour, red highlights with no real head. Aroma contains strong bourbon notes, vanilla, lots of sweet malty port like aromas as well, dark fruits, woody, multi layered and complex. Traditional tobbaco notes, very ashy. Taste is sweet, dark fruits, fruity with a lot of vanilla/bourbon and tobacco, slightly boozy finish. Palate is heavy, low carbonation, warming alcohol finish which makes it even more decadent. Really nice sipper.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle thanks to my 2011 SecretSanta. Dark, hazy brown pour, red highlights with no real head. Aroma contains strong bourbon notes, vanilla, lots of sweet malty port like aromas as well, dark fruits, woody, multi layered and complex. Traditional tobbaco notes, very ashy. Taste is sweet, dark fruits, fruity with a lot of vanilla/bourbon and tobacco, slightly boozy finish. Palate is heavy, low carbonation, warming alcohol finish which makes it even more decadent. Really nice sipper.
485 characters
4.36/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Vintage 2011 Thanks for sharing MrVonzipper
Look: Pours a very dark muddy brown in color with traces of red. A fairly small head and ok retention with some spots of lace
Smell: Upfront is quite a bit of tobacco leather and brown sugar. If you search hard enough you can find some vanilla notes and even a touch of bourbon
Taste: For me it is very similar to the nose with copious amounts of tobacco and leather. The level of flavor does not end there behind that is some nice maple syrup brown sugar and bourbon
Mouthfeel: The body is pretty thick and heavy and chewy
Overall: I strongly suggest trying this at some point it is one of the best old ales I have ever had. I personally prefer the Cherry adam to this one but this is one is still exceptional
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look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Vintage 2011 Thanks for sharing MrVonzipper
Look: Pours a very dark muddy brown in color with traces of red. A fairly small head and ok retention with some spots of lace
Smell: Upfront is quite a bit of tobacco leather and brown sugar. If you search hard enough you can find some vanilla notes and even a touch of bourbon
Taste: For me it is very similar to the nose with copious amounts of tobacco and leather. The level of flavor does not end there behind that is some nice maple syrup brown sugar and bourbon
Mouthfeel: The body is pretty thick and heavy and chewy
Overall: I strongly suggest trying this at some point it is one of the best old ales I have ever had. I personally prefer the Cherry adam to this one but this is one is still exceptional
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4.79/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.5/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.73/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
12oz bottle poured into HotD tulip at the tasting room - 2011 bottle
Inky blacked out pour, completely opaque in color with a thin layering of tanned head. Collar of film retains with some streaking of legs on the glass while drinking.
Rich, sweet and boozy in the nose with a peppering of dark fruits including raisins, dates and figs. Soft smokiness coupled with bourbon warmth, vanilla and oaky char. Truly wonderful.
I immediately wanted to dive headlong into the glass - rich layering of sweet bourbon tones, roasted dark malts and candied fruits. Booze-soaked dates and figs with raisin and pleasantly understated leathery smoke. Heavily layered malt, warming and chewy throughout while drinking. Finishes with alcohol, oak and vanilla.
Fuller medium body, softer carbonation, chewy and soft on the tongue. Holy crap, these barrel-aged HotD beers are seriously out of this world. Between the Cherry Adam and this I was reeling, immediately fawning all over the place, telling people how great it was. Complex, warm and explosively flavorful. I want more.
1,067 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
12oz bottle poured into HotD tulip at the tasting room - 2011 bottle
Inky blacked out pour, completely opaque in color with a thin layering of tanned head. Collar of film retains with some streaking of legs on the glass while drinking.
Rich, sweet and boozy in the nose with a peppering of dark fruits including raisins, dates and figs. Soft smokiness coupled with bourbon warmth, vanilla and oaky char. Truly wonderful.
I immediately wanted to dive headlong into the glass - rich layering of sweet bourbon tones, roasted dark malts and candied fruits. Booze-soaked dates and figs with raisin and pleasantly understated leathery smoke. Heavily layered malt, warming and chewy throughout while drinking. Finishes with alcohol, oak and vanilla.
Fuller medium body, softer carbonation, chewy and soft on the tongue. Holy crap, these barrel-aged HotD beers are seriously out of this world. Between the Cherry Adam and this I was reeling, immediately fawning all over the place, telling people how great it was. Complex, warm and explosively flavorful. I want more.
1,067 characters
Adam From The Wood from Hair Of The Dog Brewing Company / Brewery And Tasting Room
Beer rating:
99 out of
100 with
1022 ratings
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