Cherry 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 #4 - ABV:
- 13.5%
- Score:
- 96
Ranked #542 - Avg:
- 4.36 | pDev: 10.09%
- Reviews:
- 283
- Ratings:
- From:
- Hair Of The Dog Brewing Company / Brewery And Tasting Room
- Oregon, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating
- Wants
- 885
- Gots
- 172
SCORE
96
World-Class
96
World-Class
Notes:
Cherry Adam from the Wood is aged with locally grown black cherries in Bourbon and Sherry casks for 15 months.
First release - November 2008
Second release - November 2009
Third release - March 2011
Fourth release - November 2012
First release - November 2008
Second release - November 2009
Third release - March 2011
Fourth release - November 2012
Reviews: 283
| Ratings: 877
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4.51/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bottle of 2019:
Comes from the bottle like a dark black cherry soda, but nears black in the bowl of the glass. A deep ruby brown I’ll go with, with a matching red shading to the tan head. Each top of my glass leaves a sheet on the other side, but as a sipping beer, I don’t take enough liquid to avoid the body from reclaiming each bubble.
Nose is a tad deeper than regular Matt, even ignoring the specific additions that enhance the overall experience. Leather, tobacco, vanilla, cherry, and a bit of burnt toast char. Regular Matt is more earthy, while this has a variety of scents to wrap around.
In taste, where regular Matt has a toffee note with its earthy, peaty notes, this Adam has a bit more acidity and fruity notes from the cherry. A little bit of that cherry cola up front, with a bit of the peat sneaking through. Barrel joins the cherry, but the fruit itself remains the star. A little leather note in the end comes after the moderately prickly carbonation subsides.
Adam is transformed to a fairly different beast with the cherries. Different but equally enjoyable.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bottle of 2019:
Comes from the bottle like a dark black cherry soda, but nears black in the bowl of the glass. A deep ruby brown I’ll go with, with a matching red shading to the tan head. Each top of my glass leaves a sheet on the other side, but as a sipping beer, I don’t take enough liquid to avoid the body from reclaiming each bubble.
Nose is a tad deeper than regular Matt, even ignoring the specific additions that enhance the overall experience. Leather, tobacco, vanilla, cherry, and a bit of burnt toast char. Regular Matt is more earthy, while this has a variety of scents to wrap around.
In taste, where regular Matt has a toffee note with its earthy, peaty notes, this Adam has a bit more acidity and fruity notes from the cherry. A little bit of that cherry cola up front, with a bit of the peat sneaking through. Barrel joins the cherry, but the fruit itself remains the star. A little leather note in the end comes after the moderately prickly carbonation subsides.
Adam is transformed to a fairly different beast with the cherries. Different but equally enjoyable.
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4.09/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2019 vintage (I couldn't wait). Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark reddish mahogany brown, nearly opaque in the glass with a thin, fizzy head that dissipates quickly, but with a thick ring around the glass and light lacing. Aroma of lightly toasted and biscuit malt, cherry, light cardboard oxidation, bourbon mild dates and raisins. Flavor is biscuit malt, cherry, raisins, bourbon, hints of cocoa and oaky vanilla, oxidation and sherry notes in the finish. Medium bodied with sharp carbonation. As I popped this open, I wondered whether I should hold it for a year (regular Adam is quite nice with a year or two on it). While retrieving the glass, the bottle started to slowly bubble over with quite fizzy action and was a bit fizzy in the glass with active carbonation. I'm now glad I drank this right away; this amount of carbonation rarely turns out well with time, in my experience. And right now, it is exactly what I'd expect from the name, a cherry and bourbon barrel forward version of Adam, although the malt takes second fiddle to the brighter fruit flavors. There is a lot going on, with English barleywine style dark fruit, strong cherry, good oaky bourbon notes. I like this quite a bit, but old ales are one of my favorite styles and the malt here is completely subsumed into the cherry and barrel character. The old ale malt is detectable and actually does a decent job of supporting the brighter flavors, but I do miss the biscuity old ale malt of the base beer. I've been wanting to try this Adam variant for a very long time and glad I had the opportunity. The depth of flavor covers the ABV quite nicely. I'm on the fence, but I think I prefer this slightly over-carbonated HOTD than the sometimes still variations that often happen. Interesting and flavorful, as expected.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2019 vintage (I couldn't wait). Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark reddish mahogany brown, nearly opaque in the glass with a thin, fizzy head that dissipates quickly, but with a thick ring around the glass and light lacing. Aroma of lightly toasted and biscuit malt, cherry, light cardboard oxidation, bourbon mild dates and raisins. Flavor is biscuit malt, cherry, raisins, bourbon, hints of cocoa and oaky vanilla, oxidation and sherry notes in the finish. Medium bodied with sharp carbonation. As I popped this open, I wondered whether I should hold it for a year (regular Adam is quite nice with a year or two on it). While retrieving the glass, the bottle started to slowly bubble over with quite fizzy action and was a bit fizzy in the glass with active carbonation. I'm now glad I drank this right away; this amount of carbonation rarely turns out well with time, in my experience. And right now, it is exactly what I'd expect from the name, a cherry and bourbon barrel forward version of Adam, although the malt takes second fiddle to the brighter fruit flavors. There is a lot going on, with English barleywine style dark fruit, strong cherry, good oaky bourbon notes. I like this quite a bit, but old ales are one of my favorite styles and the malt here is completely subsumed into the cherry and barrel character. The old ale malt is detectable and actually does a decent job of supporting the brighter flavors, but I do miss the biscuity old ale malt of the base beer. I've been wanting to try this Adam variant for a very long time and glad I had the opportunity. The depth of flavor covers the ABV quite nicely. I'm on the fence, but I think I prefer this slightly over-carbonated HOTD than the sometimes still variations that often happen. Interesting and flavorful, as expected.
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3.91/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
$ 21.19 (including tax) for one 12 oz bottle ($ 1.77/oz) from Shangy’s, Emmaus, PA. Reviewed 4/27/19.
“YEAR 2018 MADE” on front label. Stored at 42 degrees and served at 55 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. Final temperature 58 degrees F.
Appearance – 4.
Body – Jet black and opaque, constant weak effervescence.
Head – Small (Maximum one cm, aggressive center pour), brown, low density and fizzy, gone within five seconds of completion of pour.
Lacing – None.
First pour – Dark brown, nearly clear.
Aroma – 3 – Weak “dark fruit”.
Flavor – 4.25 - Begins tart with raisins and weak tawny port, some subdued oakiness. No ethanol (13.5 % ABV) taste, no hops, no dimethylsulfide, no diacetyl.
Palate – 4 – Medium, oily, lively carbonation.
Impression and interpretation – 4.25 - Despite the lack of head and lacing, appearance of this black, seemingly viscous, pool of liquid is captivating. The aroma is mild – I must put my nose on the rim and really horn it in order to detect the “dark fruit”, although, at the 58-degree end, the odor intensifies – oh the difference a couple of degrees make! After the first slow swallow, napalm hits my stomach. Subsequent bombs are not even noticed: nothing is left to burn. The absence of cherry is disappointing – cherry is one of my favorite flavors – but this is still an excellent brew. I’m glad I finally found a bottle, but at the cost/oz I won’t be buying a second.
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
$ 21.19 (including tax) for one 12 oz bottle ($ 1.77/oz) from Shangy’s, Emmaus, PA. Reviewed 4/27/19.
“YEAR 2018 MADE” on front label. Stored at 42 degrees and served at 55 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. Final temperature 58 degrees F.
Appearance – 4.
Body – Jet black and opaque, constant weak effervescence.
Head – Small (Maximum one cm, aggressive center pour), brown, low density and fizzy, gone within five seconds of completion of pour.
Lacing – None.
First pour – Dark brown, nearly clear.
Aroma – 3 – Weak “dark fruit”.
Flavor – 4.25 - Begins tart with raisins and weak tawny port, some subdued oakiness. No ethanol (13.5 % ABV) taste, no hops, no dimethylsulfide, no diacetyl.
Palate – 4 – Medium, oily, lively carbonation.
Impression and interpretation – 4.25 - Despite the lack of head and lacing, appearance of this black, seemingly viscous, pool of liquid is captivating. The aroma is mild – I must put my nose on the rim and really horn it in order to detect the “dark fruit”, although, at the 58-degree end, the odor intensifies – oh the difference a couple of degrees make! After the first slow swallow, napalm hits my stomach. Subsequent bombs are not even noticed: nothing is left to burn. The absence of cherry is disappointing – cherry is one of my favorite flavors – but this is still an excellent brew. I’m glad I finally found a bottle, but at the cost/oz I won’t be buying a second.
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4.75/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2009 edition. A ten year old bottle on a random Friday night....
The pitch black mass with the faintest suggestion of deep, dark, beet red cherry juice was exactly what I had imagined from this elusive edition of good ol' Adam. The magnificent stillness, equally predictable and in the most odd of ways, exciting.
Oxidized? Yes, but still glorious. All the quintessential Adam traits... leather, stone fruits, tobacco, molasses, booze. Then the faint oak and still obvious cherry influence is simply mouthwatering.
With one sip, I wish I hadn't opened it. It's too magnificent to enjoy on such a mediocre night. But maybe that's the point. Every night is worth celebrating. Flavor overload, yet so simple to describe. Smoked figs wrapped in sopping, juicy tobacco leaves. Charred oak and brown sugar, worn leather, and finally, the literal cherry reduction drizzled on top.
The still, smooth, and rich body is exactly what this beer needs. Simplicity once again goes against the grain, and is still masterfully appropriate. No distractions. Just a smooth, booze, syrupy, sweet and smokey mass, undisturbed by bubbles and balance.
Sometimes, you just need to have something special. Sometimes, for no apparent reason at all. This bottle scared the shit out of me. I knew what to expect, and absolutely had no idea what to expect at the same time. Ten years later, this bottle still managed to blow me away.
Cheers.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2009 edition. A ten year old bottle on a random Friday night....
The pitch black mass with the faintest suggestion of deep, dark, beet red cherry juice was exactly what I had imagined from this elusive edition of good ol' Adam. The magnificent stillness, equally predictable and in the most odd of ways, exciting.
Oxidized? Yes, but still glorious. All the quintessential Adam traits... leather, stone fruits, tobacco, molasses, booze. Then the faint oak and still obvious cherry influence is simply mouthwatering.
With one sip, I wish I hadn't opened it. It's too magnificent to enjoy on such a mediocre night. But maybe that's the point. Every night is worth celebrating. Flavor overload, yet so simple to describe. Smoked figs wrapped in sopping, juicy tobacco leaves. Charred oak and brown sugar, worn leather, and finally, the literal cherry reduction drizzled on top.
The still, smooth, and rich body is exactly what this beer needs. Simplicity once again goes against the grain, and is still masterfully appropriate. No distractions. Just a smooth, booze, syrupy, sweet and smokey mass, undisturbed by bubbles and balance.
Sometimes, you just need to have something special. Sometimes, for no apparent reason at all. This bottle scared the shit out of me. I knew what to expect, and absolutely had no idea what to expect at the same time. Ten years later, this bottle still managed to blow me away.
Cheers.
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3.12/5 rDev -28.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Opened a 2014 in 2019. Totally flat. Way disappointing. Soy sauce. Unfortunately a drain pour. Really bummed. Would probably be ok with carbonation, but this is undrinkable
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look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Opened a 2014 in 2019. Totally flat. Way disappointing. Soy sauce. Unfortunately a drain pour. Really bummed. Would probably be ok with carbonation, but this is undrinkable
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4.46/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2015 vintage. From 12 oz bottle at Hair of the Dog taproom.
Pours ruby-hued dark brown, very little head
Nose: balance between bourbon and cherry dominates with subtle hints of dark chocolate and smoke.
Taste: Cherry up front along with bourbon, oak, and some roasted malt. Finish is pretty sweet with more cherry and bourbon.
Feel: extremely low carbonation which works well for the flavor profile. Full-bodied.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2015 vintage. From 12 oz bottle at Hair of the Dog taproom.
Pours ruby-hued dark brown, very little head
Nose: balance between bourbon and cherry dominates with subtle hints of dark chocolate and smoke.
Taste: Cherry up front along with bourbon, oak, and some roasted malt. Finish is pretty sweet with more cherry and bourbon.
Feel: extremely low carbonation which works well for the flavor profile. Full-bodied.
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4.72/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Now this is a dessert sipper! Very sweet, and high ABV. You better have it for dessert because a 12 oz. bottle of this will send you straight to bed with a smile on your face.
Have a 2018 12 oz. bottle. Bottle says it should be ageable, as all of their beers, but I have found cherry flavors to seem to fade quickly after bottling. Cherry flavor still comes through nicely, but I wouldn't save any for later for fear of cherry fade. If it did fade, you might still have a nice back-bone of a beer. Back-bone of beer is more like a dark fruity quad than an old ale, with cherry, wood, and malt flavors balanced and forward.
Very flavorful and excellent. High ABV gives it a nice dreaminess. Worth the premium price and wish I had more.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Now this is a dessert sipper! Very sweet, and high ABV. You better have it for dessert because a 12 oz. bottle of this will send you straight to bed with a smile on your face.
Have a 2018 12 oz. bottle. Bottle says it should be ageable, as all of their beers, but I have found cherry flavors to seem to fade quickly after bottling. Cherry flavor still comes through nicely, but I wouldn't save any for later for fear of cherry fade. If it did fade, you might still have a nice back-bone of a beer. Back-bone of beer is more like a dark fruity quad than an old ale, with cherry, wood, and malt flavors balanced and forward.
Very flavorful and excellent. High ABV gives it a nice dreaminess. Worth the premium price and wish I had more.
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4.43/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle share. Dark, flat pour. Big boozy aroma. Taste comes in big, cherries, malty, sweet. Doesn’t taste boozy, but sneaks up on you. Near perfect. 2012 sampled.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle share. Dark, flat pour. Big boozy aroma. Taste comes in big, cherries, malty, sweet. Doesn’t taste boozy, but sneaks up on you. Near perfect. 2012 sampled.
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4.38/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours brown. Bubbly non existent head.
Smells dark fruit, Caramel malt, cherry, bourbon and vanilla.
Tastes sweet cherry, vanilla, light roasted malt, dark fruit, bourbon, oaky and hints of bourbon. Finish is semi sweet with a malty linger. Full body and soft low carbonation.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours brown. Bubbly non existent head.
Smells dark fruit, Caramel malt, cherry, bourbon and vanilla.
Tastes sweet cherry, vanilla, light roasted malt, dark fruit, bourbon, oaky and hints of bourbon. Finish is semi sweet with a malty linger. Full body and soft low carbonation.
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4.53/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
2017 vintage poured from fridge temp. Zero carbonation. Very dark brown with no transparency. Nose is incredible. Cherries, vanilla, bourbon, and dark chocolate. Some smoke or burnt notes. Taste is out of this world. Dark chocolate and cherries, licorice, vanilla. Sweet, but a tad bitter on the aftertaste. Absolutely incredible beer with a crazy thick mouthfeel.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
2017 vintage poured from fridge temp. Zero carbonation. Very dark brown with no transparency. Nose is incredible. Cherries, vanilla, bourbon, and dark chocolate. Some smoke or burnt notes. Taste is out of this world. Dark chocolate and cherries, licorice, vanilla. Sweet, but a tad bitter on the aftertaste. Absolutely incredible beer with a crazy thick mouthfeel.
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4.7/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
2015 vintage
12oz bottle poured into a snifter
A- pours a deep brown color with a deep ruby hue around the edges, no head at all
S- opens with earthy leather and spicy tobacco, quickly followed by strong aromas of fig, brandy soaked raisins, caramel, molasses, wet oak, vanilla, a bit nutty. There's a consistent undertone of dark cherry & chocolate, so complex
T- opens up with sweet caramel & toffee notes, quickly followed by a slight cherry tartness. Notes of earthy tobacco follow, along with fig & raisin, spicy wet oak & brandy. As it nears the finish, flavors of molasses, vanilla, cocoa, even some port-like elements. The finish is sweet, with dark fruits and black cherry on the linger. The cherry flavor mingles effortlessly throughout, adding just enough tartness to cut through the sweetness of the malt, delicious
M- in classic HotD style, no carbonation at all, mouthfeel is silky and slightly viscous and hides the abv well
O- Adam FtW is an outstanding beer on it's own, but the cherry addition seems to compliment it perfectly, This is one that I'm taking my time on because I don't want it to end
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
2015 vintage
12oz bottle poured into a snifter
A- pours a deep brown color with a deep ruby hue around the edges, no head at all
S- opens with earthy leather and spicy tobacco, quickly followed by strong aromas of fig, brandy soaked raisins, caramel, molasses, wet oak, vanilla, a bit nutty. There's a consistent undertone of dark cherry & chocolate, so complex
T- opens up with sweet caramel & toffee notes, quickly followed by a slight cherry tartness. Notes of earthy tobacco follow, along with fig & raisin, spicy wet oak & brandy. As it nears the finish, flavors of molasses, vanilla, cocoa, even some port-like elements. The finish is sweet, with dark fruits and black cherry on the linger. The cherry flavor mingles effortlessly throughout, adding just enough tartness to cut through the sweetness of the malt, delicious
M- in classic HotD style, no carbonation at all, mouthfeel is silky and slightly viscous and hides the abv well
O- Adam FtW is an outstanding beer on it's own, but the cherry addition seems to compliment it perfectly, This is one that I'm taking my time on because I don't want it to end
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4.47/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
2009 vintage consumed 11/26/16
A: deep espresso to black. Deep ruby tints. No head at all. Platinum Tiny bubbles lace around like a string of pearls.
S: booze. Oak. Dark fruits. Candied cherries. Bourbon. Brown sugar.
T: bourbon. Oak barrel. Cherries. Maraschino cherry syrup. Brown sugar. Dates. So much black cherry.
F: thick like motor oil. Full coate on the palate. Boozy on the younger. Finished smooth and soft like a fine cognac.
O: outstanding. 7 years of age On it and glorious.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
2009 vintage consumed 11/26/16
A: deep espresso to black. Deep ruby tints. No head at all. Platinum Tiny bubbles lace around like a string of pearls.
S: booze. Oak. Dark fruits. Candied cherries. Bourbon. Brown sugar.
T: bourbon. Oak barrel. Cherries. Maraschino cherry syrup. Brown sugar. Dates. So much black cherry.
F: thick like motor oil. Full coate on the palate. Boozy on the younger. Finished smooth and soft like a fine cognac.
O: outstanding. 7 years of age On it and glorious.
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4.53/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
looks like cola. not appealing at all...but then you smell it, whoa...cherries, oak, smoke, bourbon, simple syrup...taste in line, very nice. dessert beer for sure. feel is thick, mouth coating full. little syrupy but with a 12 oz format and cherry, bourbon, and sherry i am good with that. overall very nice. wouldnt pay the price i paid for 12 oz again but glad
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look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
looks like cola. not appealing at all...but then you smell it, whoa...cherries, oak, smoke, bourbon, simple syrup...taste in line, very nice. dessert beer for sure. feel is thick, mouth coating full. little syrupy but with a 12 oz format and cherry, bourbon, and sherry i am good with that. overall very nice. wouldnt pay the price i paid for 12 oz again but glad
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4.45/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2014 bottle
A: Very dark brown, still, no head
S: Bourbon, vanilla, brown sugar, molasses, dark cherry, sweet dark chocolate, brownie batter, chocolate rum cake
T: Bourbon, molasses, maple, dark cherry, dark chocolate, vanilla, fudge, dark fruit, caramel, fig, dates
M: Flat, medium-heavy, hidden alcohol
O: This is reminiscent of bourbon county. The barrel blends perfectly and the aging has hidden the alcohol and not added any noticeable oxidation. Tons of flavors going on here although I wish there was just a hint of carbonation
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2014 bottle
A: Very dark brown, still, no head
S: Bourbon, vanilla, brown sugar, molasses, dark cherry, sweet dark chocolate, brownie batter, chocolate rum cake
T: Bourbon, molasses, maple, dark cherry, dark chocolate, vanilla, fudge, dark fruit, caramel, fig, dates
M: Flat, medium-heavy, hidden alcohol
O: This is reminiscent of bourbon county. The barrel blends perfectly and the aging has hidden the alcohol and not added any noticeable oxidation. Tons of flavors going on here although I wish there was just a hint of carbonation
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4.45/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Murky brown color with a reddish hue, no head. Aroma is really intense with dark fruits, caramel, brandy, toffee and fudge. Taste follows with cherries, plums, figs, toffee and oak. Heavy, flat body. Really complex overall, lots of dark fruits and toffee. A bit of carbonation would do wonders though.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Murky brown color with a reddish hue, no head. Aroma is really intense with dark fruits, caramel, brandy, toffee and fudge. Taste follows with cherries, plums, figs, toffee and oak. Heavy, flat body. Really complex overall, lots of dark fruits and toffee. A bit of carbonation would do wonders though.
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4.6/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Really an incredible beer. Almost like Dark Lord with cherries. Not quite as thick, but an amazing nose and solid palate. Dark bourbon and molasses cherries. Luckily I got three. Don't care what everyone says about aging beers being a joke. Obviously not for everyone, but then again, most people drink wine far too young too!
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Really an incredible beer. Almost like Dark Lord with cherries. Not quite as thick, but an amazing nose and solid palate. Dark bourbon and molasses cherries. Luckily I got three. Don't care what everyone says about aging beers being a joke. Obviously not for everyone, but then again, most people drink wine far too young too!
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4.54/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours dark with a tinge of red around the top. No carbonation (as stated on the bottle). Smells faintly of nuts and cherries, but nothing overpowering at all. Very close to the smell of a good wine. The taste is outstanding - rich cherries with sweetness and some oak lending savory flavors. A friend of mine mistook the oak for chocolate at first. The feel is somewhat thick but not too syrupy as can be a problem with some old ales. Overall, a great, decadent beer. If I get another bottle, I would drink it by a fire during cold weather or with a good steak.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours dark with a tinge of red around the top. No carbonation (as stated on the bottle). Smells faintly of nuts and cherries, but nothing overpowering at all. Very close to the smell of a good wine. The taste is outstanding - rich cherries with sweetness and some oak lending savory flavors. A friend of mine mistook the oak for chocolate at first. The feel is somewhat thick but not too syrupy as can be a problem with some old ales. Overall, a great, decadent beer. If I get another bottle, I would drink it by a fire during cold weather or with a good steak.
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4.56/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dark brown pour, almost black. No head or lacing or any type of carbonation visible, no matter how vigorously you pour. The smell is complex and beautiful: roasted walnuts, chestnuts, tons of cocoa, macerated cherries, maple syrup, sherry, bourbon barrel, vanilla and oak, figs. The taste - amazing. A boatload of cherries up front, figs, walnuts, sherry and vanilla oak, bourbon, and underneath it all a nice, hot spiciness. Smooth and creamy texture, but not the kind that chokes, with a warm and cherry-intense aftertaste.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dark brown pour, almost black. No head or lacing or any type of carbonation visible, no matter how vigorously you pour. The smell is complex and beautiful: roasted walnuts, chestnuts, tons of cocoa, macerated cherries, maple syrup, sherry, bourbon barrel, vanilla and oak, figs. The taste - amazing. A boatload of cherries up front, figs, walnuts, sherry and vanilla oak, bourbon, and underneath it all a nice, hot spiciness. Smooth and creamy texture, but not the kind that chokes, with a warm and cherry-intense aftertaste.
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4.73/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Absolutely delicious, a beautiful beer.
Murky red
Barely any carbonation, just enough to say it's beer and sherry.
Sweet chocolate cherries and sherry.
Creamy and almost thick
Something I have never had before, really nice all around.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Absolutely delicious, a beautiful beer.
Murky red
Barely any carbonation, just enough to say it's beer and sherry.
Sweet chocolate cherries and sherry.
Creamy and almost thick
Something I have never had before, really nice all around.
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3.8/5 rDev -12.8%
look: 2 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.75
Tasted 14 August 2015.
Pours a nice opaque deep reddish brown, mahogany. A lot of floaties and bits despite a delicate pour. Looks oily on the surface. No head at all, as it’s completely uncarbonated.
Smell is fantastic. Rich cherry, slightly tart. Strong sweet bourbon and vanilla notes. And solid, rich, sweet malts to support all that other stuff. Super rich, super sweet, and packed with variety. Some leather and tobacco. A light herbal bite.
Taste is strong, rich cherry. But it loses a lot of the complexity and delicacy of the smell. It has a bite, from the alcohol clearly, but more than I’d expect. It’s like pulling two elements from the smell, blasting me with them, and the subtlety is lost.
Feel is a downer. I know the bottle says it’s flat, but that only gives warning, and doesn’t make improve the experience. It’s heavy and chewy. To be honest, it could be totally awful, and it’s not.
A really nice beer despite being totally uncarbonated. Smell is spectacular, taste is really good. It’s just got some pieces missing.
1,058 characters
look: 2 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.75
Tasted 14 August 2015.
Pours a nice opaque deep reddish brown, mahogany. A lot of floaties and bits despite a delicate pour. Looks oily on the surface. No head at all, as it’s completely uncarbonated.
Smell is fantastic. Rich cherry, slightly tart. Strong sweet bourbon and vanilla notes. And solid, rich, sweet malts to support all that other stuff. Super rich, super sweet, and packed with variety. Some leather and tobacco. A light herbal bite.
Taste is strong, rich cherry. But it loses a lot of the complexity and delicacy of the smell. It has a bite, from the alcohol clearly, but more than I’d expect. It’s like pulling two elements from the smell, blasting me with them, and the subtlety is lost.
Feel is a downer. I know the bottle says it’s flat, but that only gives warning, and doesn’t make improve the experience. It’s heavy and chewy. To be honest, it could be totally awful, and it’s not.
A really nice beer despite being totally uncarbonated. Smell is spectacular, taste is really good. It’s just got some pieces missing.
1,058 characters
4.21/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
355ml bottle poured into mini cognac tulip 12/9/15
A looks dark brown but has a maroon glow when held to the light, not much for head or lace but its a timy pour
S lots of tobacco, some burnt wood, leather, sherry, oak, faint bourbon, a little cherry, lots of leather, smells interesting
T its an old ale alright, a little oxidation but it works, cherries come out a little stronger, heaps of tobacco, a little bourbon, not fr from the nose I suppose
M has some weight, low carbonation, a little tannin like grit, woody finish
O had a fair bit working for it but I'm not sure I'd let it age any further, might've peaked already
Thanks Matt for this one, I can't think of anything similar I've had recently and would love to try a fresh bottle
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
355ml bottle poured into mini cognac tulip 12/9/15
A looks dark brown but has a maroon glow when held to the light, not much for head or lace but its a timy pour
S lots of tobacco, some burnt wood, leather, sherry, oak, faint bourbon, a little cherry, lots of leather, smells interesting
T its an old ale alright, a little oxidation but it works, cherries come out a little stronger, heaps of tobacco, a little bourbon, not fr from the nose I suppose
M has some weight, low carbonation, a little tannin like grit, woody finish
O had a fair bit working for it but I'm not sure I'd let it age any further, might've peaked already
Thanks Matt for this one, I can't think of anything similar I've had recently and would love to try a fresh bottle
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4.2/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A: Dark, dark brown with some reddish hues on the periphery. Limited lacing around the edges. Almost reminds me of mulled wine, in a way.
S: Smells of dark fruit, woodiness. Smoke. Red wine. Leathery.
T: Quite good. As I get used to it, I'm enjoying it more and more. Flavor is largely in line with the aroma. Absolutely no hint of the massive ABV.
M: Very smooth, almost no carbonation to speak of. In line with many other brews from HotD.
O: Really good. Glad I have another bottle to let age. Can't wait to see what this turns into.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A: Dark, dark brown with some reddish hues on the periphery. Limited lacing around the edges. Almost reminds me of mulled wine, in a way.
S: Smells of dark fruit, woodiness. Smoke. Red wine. Leathery.
T: Quite good. As I get used to it, I'm enjoying it more and more. Flavor is largely in line with the aroma. Absolutely no hint of the massive ABV.
M: Very smooth, almost no carbonation to speak of. In line with many other brews from HotD.
O: Really good. Glad I have another bottle to let age. Can't wait to see what this turns into.
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4.13/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle purchased at the Healdsburg Cigar And Beverage Emporium
Notes from 02/14/2015 with my Lost Abbey stemware
2014 release
A: The pour is a deep deep cola brown with a muddied look and virtually no head taking form. Has a few squeaky bubbles hitting the surface however the beer is fairly still and flat looking in the teku. No noticeable stick with exception of some alcohol legs running down the glass wall.
S: Smells of black strap molasses, sherry and soy sauce, leather notes, assorted dark fruits, baker’s chocolate, and cherry juice. Man this has such a deep and complex roasted malt character it just naturally expresses that “Old Style”. I get some lesser notes of toasted coconut, vanilla, and earthy charred wood to it and the cherries, while not too prominent, are a nice compliment to all the other aromas.
T: Dark toffee with a deep molasses note and some umami soy likeness take the fore front. Mix in some bitter chocolate and vanilla bean sweetness with dark fruits like date and plum. There is an earthy presence surfacing as well with a mild woodsy element and a stiff whisper of toasted coconut and cherry in the finish. The beer has a moderate to lower amount of actual bitterness to it and more than anything I find the alcohol to be incredibly well masked for 13.5% here. That said the balance and layering of flavors here is awesome.
M: The body is moderately heavy on account that the beer is completely flat. Somehow it still manages a nice creamy texture that keeps things sort of in balance. Finishes a touch dryer but somewhat tacky with a sleek sticky coating across the palate.
D: The flavor profile here is very good. Dark, rich, and utterly complex with a nice cherry fruit accent to it. No doubt these guys have nailed the Olde Ale style. I just really wished this were more carbed. I don’t quite understand the intention of putting out a flat brew but somehow HotD gets away with it while others are chastised for the same. I was really looking forward to this one but the overall experience was lessened a bit for me.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle purchased at the Healdsburg Cigar And Beverage Emporium
Notes from 02/14/2015 with my Lost Abbey stemware
2014 release
A: The pour is a deep deep cola brown with a muddied look and virtually no head taking form. Has a few squeaky bubbles hitting the surface however the beer is fairly still and flat looking in the teku. No noticeable stick with exception of some alcohol legs running down the glass wall.
S: Smells of black strap molasses, sherry and soy sauce, leather notes, assorted dark fruits, baker’s chocolate, and cherry juice. Man this has such a deep and complex roasted malt character it just naturally expresses that “Old Style”. I get some lesser notes of toasted coconut, vanilla, and earthy charred wood to it and the cherries, while not too prominent, are a nice compliment to all the other aromas.
T: Dark toffee with a deep molasses note and some umami soy likeness take the fore front. Mix in some bitter chocolate and vanilla bean sweetness with dark fruits like date and plum. There is an earthy presence surfacing as well with a mild woodsy element and a stiff whisper of toasted coconut and cherry in the finish. The beer has a moderate to lower amount of actual bitterness to it and more than anything I find the alcohol to be incredibly well masked for 13.5% here. That said the balance and layering of flavors here is awesome.
M: The body is moderately heavy on account that the beer is completely flat. Somehow it still manages a nice creamy texture that keeps things sort of in balance. Finishes a touch dryer but somewhat tacky with a sleek sticky coating across the palate.
D: The flavor profile here is very good. Dark, rich, and utterly complex with a nice cherry fruit accent to it. No doubt these guys have nailed the Olde Ale style. I just really wished this were more carbed. I don’t quite understand the intention of putting out a flat brew but somehow HotD gets away with it while others are chastised for the same. I was really looking forward to this one but the overall experience was lessened a bit for me.
2,098 characters
4.59/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
Pours dark brown with no head.
Nose shwos chocolate fudge, raisins, rum notes, woody oak, vanilla. Pretty amazing.
Very similar flavours, more chocolate fudge, rum, raisins and woody oak but with some soft sweet cherries and a little booze creeping in.
Awesome stuff.
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look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
Pours dark brown with no head.
Nose shwos chocolate fudge, raisins, rum notes, woody oak, vanilla. Pretty amazing.
Very similar flavours, more chocolate fudge, rum, raisins and woody oak but with some soft sweet cherries and a little booze creeping in.
Awesome stuff.
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4.52/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Ugly turbid deep brown. Light bubbles but like it was poured from a beer engine. Aroma is highly complex, yet accessible. There's leather, bourbon, vineous notes, dark cherry, malt heavy. A slight hint of oxidation. Definitely tastes like an old ale.. In the best way possible.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Ugly turbid deep brown. Light bubbles but like it was poured from a beer engine. Aroma is highly complex, yet accessible. There's leather, bourbon, vineous notes, dark cherry, malt heavy. A slight hint of oxidation. Definitely tastes like an old ale.. In the best way possible.
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Cherry Adam From The Wood from Hair Of The Dog Brewing Company / Brewery And Tasting Room
Beer rating:
96 out of
100 with
877 ratings
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