Dave
Hair Of The Dog Brewing Company / Brewery And Tasting Room

 

 

Glad to finally crack this one with some fine folks. I had low expectations, considering how the beer could have aged, but it ended up being quite an experience, and as the only owner of the bottle, at least I know it was stored properly.

Twisted the cap off without a sound, and gave it a little whiff. Expecting lots of oxidation, instead I was met with heavy smoky malt, and booze-soaked cigars. I knew right then that this held up well and was going to be good. The bottle was split between 9 glasses. Obviously completely still, translucent, dark molasses color, thick coating on the glass. Another surprise: absolutely no dregs in the bottle at all. I guess it makes sense considering the processing used to make the beer what it is, but I guess I expected some sludge or even a little residue after over 2 decades. But nope...totally clean.

As for the taste, this was pretty much like drinking a really good smoky Scotch. Big on booze, but very smooth, dark coffee roast, hints of peat, and lots of chewy cigar tobacco. I honestly didn't get any off-flavors from this, not even oxidation. Mouthfeel, again, hot but smooth, like good Scotch, nice in little sips, which is really the only proper way to enjoy this beer.

All in all, this exceeded my expectations greatly, and the experience was worth every penny, especially being able to share it with some good people.

 

Haven't reviewed on here forever, but there was this so here we go. Bottle, thanks to Alan. Shared with lots of other Bay Area tickers. Very dark brown color with minimal head. Aroma is smoky with roast, molasses, soy sauce, molasses, tobacco, and dark chocolate dark fruit, whiskey, port. Flavor is medium sweet, some spice, molasses, bitter coffee ground and cigar room finish. Palate is smooth, slick, with a carbonation level that would make Tomme Arthur blush (e.g., almost none). Not too hot for 29%, which is crazy. Full body, but not overly so. Very good beer, and the tick value is obviously f**king astronomical. Life goal achieved.

Sampled at the Tasting to Sink all Sea Shepherds. It's actually the beer which initiated it. Thanks a lot, Chris, for sharing this rarity! We had this just after Midnight Sun M and Sam Adams MMM.
A: Pours dark with no head to speak of.
S: Smell of alcohol and dried fruits with some raisins, grapes and cheesy flavors. No oxydation from the nose.
T: Taste is very boozy and bitter with some cheesy aftertaste. No oxydation from the taste either. Flavors highlight leather, chocolate, tobacco and dried fruits. Despite the fact it has held quite well for a 22 years old eisbock, it seriously lacks balance, which prevents this to be really good.
M: Oily and sweet. Huge amount of alcohol. No carbonation.
O: I somehow expected this to be oxydized which is not but I can't say I really liked this beer, it's too boozy and unfocused. A little bit disappointing. All the same, thx for sharing, Chris!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review #3250, and Had #3300. Served in a small taster glass, next to Wooden Hell and M. Wow, my life doesn't suck. Thanks to the guys for the opportunity to try this.

A - Still. Super dark brown body, with a hint of transparency to it at the edges of the glass. Obviously not expecting much at 29% and after nearly 20 years, but not as attractive as something like Utopias either.

S - Surprisingly boozy, even with so much age. Otherwise it tastes exactly like you'd expect Triple Adam from the Wood to taste: oodles of leather, dark fruits, oak, sherry, port-like oxidation, tobacco, a touch of soy. Still, it's a bit rough and quite the shock to the nostrils.

T - The taste is on the other hand quite excellent. Alcohol is significantly more restrained, and as a result the other flavors pop out significantly more: loads of sweet dark fruits, particularly of prune and raisin, oak, vanilla, port and sherry-like oxidation, some brandy-esque spirit, and a touch of smoke and char. Somewhere between beer and spirit in the flavor spectrum, but certainly complex and enjoyable.

M - Smooth, medium-full body. Oaky, tannic, and fairly dry, but with a mild lingering smoke and stickiness on the palate. Obviously no carbonation. Nowhere near as sticky or heavy as something like Utopias or Millennium. Not overly hot, which is a bit of a surprise.

D - Pretty delicious, once you get past the somewhat rough aroma. Could probably age for another dozen years with minimal ill effect. Worth $2,000 a bottle? Is anything? Still, a very unique beer and a memorable experience. I enjoyed my 2+oz quite thoroughly.

 

 

Finally had the opportunity to taste this little sucker!

Appearance was flat as expected with slight hint of carbonation when pouring. The aroma was sweet and malty with lots of brown sugar, toffee, and caramel; a little booziness on the nose even after 19 years. The taste was kind of like drinking a port/chocolate wine with some figs on the side. After the first couple of sips the tobacco, caramel, and dark fruits and turns into more tobacco. This thing really coats the mouth and lingers. Overall, I finally got a chance to try this and it was kind of what I expected; just a little bit of an over hyped beer. A cigar probably would have enhanced this beer but I will never get a chance to find out.