Adam
Hair Of The Dog Brewing Company / Brewery And Tasting Room
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Old Ale
Ranked #7 - ABV:
- 10%
- Score:
- 95
Ranked #934 - Avg:
- 4.29 | pDev: 9.79%
- Reviews:
- 1,067
- Ratings:
- From:
- Hair Of The Dog Brewing Company / Brewery And Tasting Room
- Oregon, United States
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 618
- Gots
- 498
SCORE
95
World-Class
95
World-Class
Notes:
A re-creation of an historic beer style originally made in Dortmund, Germany. Adam was the first beer produced by Hair of the Dog.
10% alcohol by volume
50 IBUs.
10% alcohol by volume
50 IBUs.
Reviews: 1,067
| Ratings: 2,577
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mushroomcloud from Texas
4.5/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Batch 101, bottled 10-24-20. Opened 6-20-21.
1 finger beige head with a tight bead. Good retention and holds fast for a period of time at 1/4".
Darkest brown almost to black with some amber at the base with a light beaming through the beer. Clingy lacing.
Leather, spice, dark fruit, nuts, earth...lots going on here, complex almost wine-like nose.
I feel like I'm smelling some leafy hops at the tail end as well.
More leather in the flavor, earthy and spicy. Bitter cocoa, raisin, prune, fig, etc...layers of flavors.
Medium body and carbonation. A little hot but still creamy in the mouthfeel.
Lengthy malty finish with a touch of sweetness.
Pretty sure I could have opened this in 2025 for a treat...wanted to dig in now - it's a doozy.
Amazing - World Class.
Jun 21, 2021
4.5/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Batch 101, bottled 10-24-20. Opened 6-20-21.
1 finger beige head with a tight bead. Good retention and holds fast for a period of time at 1/4".
Darkest brown almost to black with some amber at the base with a light beaming through the beer. Clingy lacing.
Leather, spice, dark fruit, nuts, earth...lots going on here, complex almost wine-like nose.
I feel like I'm smelling some leafy hops at the tail end as well.
More leather in the flavor, earthy and spicy. Bitter cocoa, raisin, prune, fig, etc...layers of flavors.
Medium body and carbonation. A little hot but still creamy in the mouthfeel.
Lengthy malty finish with a touch of sweetness.
Pretty sure I could have opened this in 2025 for a treat...wanted to dig in now - it's a doozy.
Amazing - World Class.
Jun 21, 2021
bret27 from California
4.52/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
$5 Shelfie at casknflask San Jose.
No bottle date.
A: Very dark brown-black, minimal to moderate light tan head.
S:leather, roasty, vanilla, black liquorice, brown sugar, raisin, smoke.
T: moderately sweet with notes of leather, caramel, dark fruit, raisins, smoky, tobacco. Booze is hidden.
F: Medium-thick, smooth.
Overall: Surprised I hadn’t had this before. It’s apparently HOTD’s first beer. Pretty impressive and so complex.
It’s classified as an old ale or adambier. Either way it’s not a commonly attempted style.
Mar 20, 2021
4.52/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
$5 Shelfie at casknflask San Jose.
No bottle date.
A: Very dark brown-black, minimal to moderate light tan head.
S:leather, roasty, vanilla, black liquorice, brown sugar, raisin, smoke.
T: moderately sweet with notes of leather, caramel, dark fruit, raisins, smoky, tobacco. Booze is hidden.
F: Medium-thick, smooth.
Overall: Surprised I hadn’t had this before. It’s apparently HOTD’s first beer. Pretty impressive and so complex.
It’s classified as an old ale or adambier. Either way it’s not a commonly attempted style.
Mar 20, 2021
Sigmund from Norway
4/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
355 ml bottle, from Ølkonsortiet, Aalborg. Batch # 71. ABV is 10%. Very dark reddish brown colour, moderate beige head. Vinous aroma, notes of dark dried fruits and oak, also some initial notes of dust. Sweet and vinous flavour, notes of old port, dark dried fruits and oak, hints of chocolate and smoke, decent hops in the finish. Very good.
Mar 19, 2021
4/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
355 ml bottle, from Ølkonsortiet, Aalborg. Batch # 71. ABV is 10%. Very dark reddish brown colour, moderate beige head. Vinous aroma, notes of dark dried fruits and oak, also some initial notes of dust. Sweet and vinous flavour, notes of old port, dark dried fruits and oak, hints of chocolate and smoke, decent hops in the finish. Very good.
Mar 19, 2021
MikeWard from Pennsylvania
4.19/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12oz bottle Into a goblet. Batch 98, but since HOTD'S vintage list only goes to 85, no #$÷!$&! help in determining age.
Looks very good in the glass. Deep, deep burgundy body. Small off white head dissipates to a ring and faint covering. Very little in the way of lacing.
Sweet and dark fruit aroma.
On tasting, a lot going on and I will try and do it justice. Warm, dark fruit, a touch tobacco, quite bitter. Collectively a very good taste.
Mouth close to full, finish warm, sweet, with a bitter touch.
Overall, an enjoyable sipper while watching an Eagles team I haven't seen all season.
Dec 14, 2020
4.19/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12oz bottle Into a goblet. Batch 98, but since HOTD'S vintage list only goes to 85, no #$÷!$&! help in determining age.
Looks very good in the glass. Deep, deep burgundy body. Small off white head dissipates to a ring and faint covering. Very little in the way of lacing.
Sweet and dark fruit aroma.
On tasting, a lot going on and I will try and do it justice. Warm, dark fruit, a touch tobacco, quite bitter. Collectively a very good taste.
Mouth close to full, finish warm, sweet, with a bitter touch.
Overall, an enjoyable sipper while watching an Eagles team I haven't seen all season.
Dec 14, 2020
MaltyPythonsHopCircus from Canada (BC)
4.5/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Big pillowy tan head, dark fruit and tobacco on the nose. Slight burnt sugar sweetness among the smoke, leather and wood notes. Lovely old ale that I will seek out again and again
Mar 01, 2020
4.5/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Big pillowy tan head, dark fruit and tobacco on the nose. Slight burnt sugar sweetness among the smoke, leather and wood notes. Lovely old ale that I will seek out again and again
Mar 01, 2020
EMV from Pennsylvania
4.27/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Dogfish Head tulip
L: Dark, dark pour... nearly black with massive foamy tannish head. Crazy sticky lacing.
S: Rich, sweet, and malty. Dark sugars and dried fruit.
T/F: Sweet and creamy... brown sugar, toffee, and vanilla. Prune, baked raisin, and dark chocolate. Tobacco and leather. Medium to thick bodied... super creamy carbonation. Warming and a bit boozy.
O: A delicious dessert beer.... and a slow sipper. Really complex flavors and glad I got ahold of this one. Unmarked/undated bottle so no idea what the age is, but it's at least a few years. Good stuff here.
Dec 09, 2019
4.27/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Dogfish Head tulip
L: Dark, dark pour... nearly black with massive foamy tannish head. Crazy sticky lacing.
S: Rich, sweet, and malty. Dark sugars and dried fruit.
T/F: Sweet and creamy... brown sugar, toffee, and vanilla. Prune, baked raisin, and dark chocolate. Tobacco and leather. Medium to thick bodied... super creamy carbonation. Warming and a bit boozy.
O: A delicious dessert beer.... and a slow sipper. Really complex flavors and glad I got ahold of this one. Unmarked/undated bottle so no idea what the age is, but it's at least a few years. Good stuff here.
Dec 09, 2019
unlikelyspiderperson from California
3.48/5 rDev -18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Pours a dark ruby/walnut brown, very still, little to no head other than a thin rim of off white foam and a thin veil of bubbles.
Nose is big and boozy with raisins and prunes front and center, accented by tobacco and oaky woodland leaflitter as well as subtle chocolate and dark rustic black bread.
Taste is deceptively light after the bombastic nose. Somewhat like watered down brandy and prune with some of the lighter floral tobacco notes. The flavors of the aroma are here but taste very watered down, can't figure out the dating but this is batch 95 and it appears it might be from sometime in 2013 or 2014 so that might explain it. But, you don't date your bottles I have to assume it's how you intended it. Very muted taste.
Mouthfeel is also a bit thin for such a 'big' beer.
Overall I'd be really curious to try to find a fresh bottle of this because I see potential, but this is a bit of a dud. Nose is there in spades but the flavor and mouthfeel both seem muted and watery. better luck to me next time
Nov 09, 2019
3.48/5 rDev -18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Pours a dark ruby/walnut brown, very still, little to no head other than a thin rim of off white foam and a thin veil of bubbles.
Nose is big and boozy with raisins and prunes front and center, accented by tobacco and oaky woodland leaflitter as well as subtle chocolate and dark rustic black bread.
Taste is deceptively light after the bombastic nose. Somewhat like watered down brandy and prune with some of the lighter floral tobacco notes. The flavors of the aroma are here but taste very watered down, can't figure out the dating but this is batch 95 and it appears it might be from sometime in 2013 or 2014 so that might explain it. But, you don't date your bottles I have to assume it's how you intended it. Very muted taste.
Mouthfeel is also a bit thin for such a 'big' beer.
Overall I'd be really curious to try to find a fresh bottle of this because I see potential, but this is a bit of a dud. Nose is there in spades but the flavor and mouthfeel both seem muted and watery. better luck to me next time
Nov 09, 2019
Spikester from Oregon
4.25/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Very dark almost black with two fingers of tan head. A good amount of lacing.
Smell is dark roasted malts.
Taste is dark roasted malts with stone fruit molasses very sweet some herbal hops.
Mouthfeel is medium with decent carbonation. Finish is balanced and leans toward the sweet.
Overall a really big beer. Easy drinking for a 10% abv beer.
Sep 27, 2019
4.25/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Very dark almost black with two fingers of tan head. A good amount of lacing.
Smell is dark roasted malts.
Taste is dark roasted malts with stone fruit molasses very sweet some herbal hops.
Mouthfeel is medium with decent carbonation. Finish is balanced and leans toward the sweet.
Overall a really big beer. Easy drinking for a 10% abv beer.
Sep 27, 2019
Bluecrow from New York
4.43/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
-ebony bottle pour with a soft tan foam cap that persists. The aroma is of deep molasses, leather and a bit of smoke. The flavor is very rich and layered. Toasted malt, maple syrup, toffee and a bit of burnt cherry are noted. The finish is silky and the mouthfeel is full. This is a truly superb brew on tap or from a bottle.
Jul 26, 2019
4.43/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
-ebony bottle pour with a soft tan foam cap that persists. The aroma is of deep molasses, leather and a bit of smoke. The flavor is very rich and layered. Toasted malt, maple syrup, toffee and a bit of burnt cherry are noted. The finish is silky and the mouthfeel is full. This is a truly superb brew on tap or from a bottle.
Jul 26, 2019
RyanK252 from California
4.28/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
On tap at Hair of the Dog
A: Pours dark brown with a frothy khaki head that settles to a light layer and leaves some spotty lacing.
S: Beautifully roasty, dark chocolate, a little char and coffee, dark sugar, a little leather, and a hint of dark fruit.
T: Roasty, earthy, dark bittersweet chocolate, a touch of coffee and light char, leather (probably the first time I've used that descriptor), dark sugar, molasses, and the faintest hint of dark fruit.
M: Full body, mild carbonation, creamy smooth.
O: Been wanting to try this for a while, super happy to get to try it from the source.
Apr 19, 2019
4.28/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
On tap at Hair of the Dog
A: Pours dark brown with a frothy khaki head that settles to a light layer and leaves some spotty lacing.
S: Beautifully roasty, dark chocolate, a little char and coffee, dark sugar, a little leather, and a hint of dark fruit.
T: Roasty, earthy, dark bittersweet chocolate, a touch of coffee and light char, leather (probably the first time I've used that descriptor), dark sugar, molasses, and the faintest hint of dark fruit.
M: Full body, mild carbonation, creamy smooth.
O: Been wanting to try this for a while, super happy to get to try it from the source.
Apr 19, 2019
thebeers from Pennsylvania
4.21/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours a ruddy, almost purple-tinted brown with a finger of short-lived tan head. It leaves a wisp across the top and thin sheets of lacing.
Mild, but complex aroma of plum, leather, chocolate, light smoke, vanilla wafers and earthy hops.
These elements continue to the taste. Sweet plum and fig show very clearly, again with a hint of vanilla. It’s much smokier and meatier mid-palate than the nose implies. Chocolate, leather, tobacco and earthy moss fold into the finish, leaving a moderately bitter aftertaste.
Somewhere between sticky and oily slick, with tight fizziness, in the mouthfeel.
This is a bit smokier than I prefer, but still a marvelously layered beer. The balance between the fruit and the earthy flavors is fantastic.
Apr 17, 2019
4.21/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours a ruddy, almost purple-tinted brown with a finger of short-lived tan head. It leaves a wisp across the top and thin sheets of lacing.
Mild, but complex aroma of plum, leather, chocolate, light smoke, vanilla wafers and earthy hops.
These elements continue to the taste. Sweet plum and fig show very clearly, again with a hint of vanilla. It’s much smokier and meatier mid-palate than the nose implies. Chocolate, leather, tobacco and earthy moss fold into the finish, leaving a moderately bitter aftertaste.
Somewhere between sticky and oily slick, with tight fizziness, in the mouthfeel.
This is a bit smokier than I prefer, but still a marvelously layered beer. The balance between the fruit and the earthy flavors is fantastic.
Apr 17, 2019
Buck89 from Tennessee
4.41/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a hotel glass. A fairly clear chestnut brown color with a medium-sized tan head. Aromas of bread, plum, caramel, biscuit, and honey. The taste was at another depth. The first thing that hit me was a smoky tobacco flavor that set the tone for the brew. Caramel, molasses, and ripe plums joined in, making a delicious and complex beer. Full bodied and luxurious in every way. Love this one.
Apr 11, 2019
4.41/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a hotel glass. A fairly clear chestnut brown color with a medium-sized tan head. Aromas of bread, plum, caramel, biscuit, and honey. The taste was at another depth. The first thing that hit me was a smoky tobacco flavor that set the tone for the brew. Caramel, molasses, and ripe plums joined in, making a delicious and complex beer. Full bodied and luxurious in every way. Love this one.
Apr 11, 2019
mschrei from Illinois
4.37/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Gift from @lingenbrau. Dark brown, thinning on the edges to tan. Creamy head, plentiful lacing. Malty molasses smell. Slight astringent boozey notes. Taste is sweet malt. Dark fruit notes. Slight molasses. Feel is thinner than expected. For a ten percent abv, the booze is disguised well with a little tangy burn on the underside. Gets thicker, better as it warms. Was hoping for more, but still pretty tasty.
Mar 11, 2019
4.37/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Gift from @lingenbrau. Dark brown, thinning on the edges to tan. Creamy head, plentiful lacing. Malty molasses smell. Slight astringent boozey notes. Taste is sweet malt. Dark fruit notes. Slight molasses. Feel is thinner than expected. For a ten percent abv, the booze is disguised well with a little tangy burn on the underside. Gets thicker, better as it warms. Was hoping for more, but still pretty tasty.
Mar 11, 2019
tigg924 from Massachusetts
2.38/5 rDev -44.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.25
Pours opaque, dark brown in color with 1/3 inch head. Taste is tobacco, caramel, smoked malt, and earthy hops. Dry, cloyingly sweet at times, heavy bodied, low carbonation. Way too sweet for me. A drain pour. Sorry cannot finish this.
Feb 19, 2019
2.38/5 rDev -44.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.25
Pours opaque, dark brown in color with 1/3 inch head. Taste is tobacco, caramel, smoked malt, and earthy hops. Dry, cloyingly sweet at times, heavy bodied, low carbonation. Way too sweet for me. A drain pour. Sorry cannot finish this.
Feb 19, 2019
Greywulfken from New York
4.5/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dark brown-black-looking beer, basically opaque, with a fat tan finger of head on top... Rich and malty, earthy and almost peaty, with heavy sweet bread and molasses, caramel, tobacco, leather, and booze-soaked dark fruits... Big-bodied and smooth, sweet and only slightly bitter... Has a bit of heft and chew as is shellacs the palate... A real killer...
Feb 17, 2019
4.5/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dark brown-black-looking beer, basically opaque, with a fat tan finger of head on top... Rich and malty, earthy and almost peaty, with heavy sweet bread and molasses, caramel, tobacco, leather, and booze-soaked dark fruits... Big-bodied and smooth, sweet and only slightly bitter... Has a bit of heft and chew as is shellacs the palate... A real killer...
Feb 17, 2019
Gajo74 from New York
4.43/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Pours a hazy dark mahogany color with visible carbonation. A very large foam head retains beautifully, looking soft and pillowy. Ring like lacing clings to the glass as the head finally begins to recede, while a thick layer of leathery cream retains and can be described as somewhere between film and head.
Complex aromas of sticky bready and biscuity malt, honey and dark fruit. Aroma notes of dark chocolate and chocolate liqueur begin to develop. There is a hot and peppery like spice aroma throughout, that hints at a boozy drink to come; additional notes of smoke, peat and leather.
The first few sips reveal a lush, sweet and boozy beer, full of richly flavored amber malts, toasty and biscuity, caramel, toffee, and brown sugar. Strong alcohol spices, smoke and peat add to the complexity, as do flavors of raisin, figs and a tiny hint of cherry. Yet, it soon becomes apparent that this is well hopped, with a bold bitterness in the finish. As the hops balance the sweetness, a creamy bittersweet chocolate flavor, with a bit of roasted malt, floats above everything and rounding out the complexity of flavors.
Full bodied, rich, and decadent in the first phase. As the moderate carbonation begins to ease up, a creamy and soft mouthfeel begins to take over. Big alcohol, spicy and hot finish; this also begins to ease up as a dryness and hops bitterness develops.
Masterful complex and dynamic brew that came in so many phases. I really grew to appreciate this one. One of the best big beers I’ve had in a while.
Feb 02, 2019
4.43/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Pours a hazy dark mahogany color with visible carbonation. A very large foam head retains beautifully, looking soft and pillowy. Ring like lacing clings to the glass as the head finally begins to recede, while a thick layer of leathery cream retains and can be described as somewhere between film and head.
Complex aromas of sticky bready and biscuity malt, honey and dark fruit. Aroma notes of dark chocolate and chocolate liqueur begin to develop. There is a hot and peppery like spice aroma throughout, that hints at a boozy drink to come; additional notes of smoke, peat and leather.
The first few sips reveal a lush, sweet and boozy beer, full of richly flavored amber malts, toasty and biscuity, caramel, toffee, and brown sugar. Strong alcohol spices, smoke and peat add to the complexity, as do flavors of raisin, figs and a tiny hint of cherry. Yet, it soon becomes apparent that this is well hopped, with a bold bitterness in the finish. As the hops balance the sweetness, a creamy bittersweet chocolate flavor, with a bit of roasted malt, floats above everything and rounding out the complexity of flavors.
Full bodied, rich, and decadent in the first phase. As the moderate carbonation begins to ease up, a creamy and soft mouthfeel begins to take over. Big alcohol, spicy and hot finish; this also begins to ease up as a dryness and hops bitterness develops.
Masterful complex and dynamic brew that came in so many phases. I really grew to appreciate this one. One of the best big beers I’ve had in a while.
Feb 02, 2019
PatrickCT from Connecticut
4.59/5 rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Batch 99 is the shiznit. Thanks Phil.
Deep cocoa color, nice mahogany hue held up to the light. One finger foamy off white head dies down to a ring with a wispy cap.
The aroma is rich roasted malts, sweet brown sugar, molasses, oak and leather with a nice whiff of alcohol. Very full. Very balanced.
The taste is a bit more intense than the aroma but every bit as balanced. Roasted malts, strong black coffee, molasses, very oaky, very alcoholic. Subtler notes of sweetness from dark stone fruits, a touch of leather, a touch of smokey tobacco.
Rich, smooth mouth feel with just enough carbonation. Dry finish.
Jan 11, 2019
4.59/5 rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Batch 99 is the shiznit. Thanks Phil.
Deep cocoa color, nice mahogany hue held up to the light. One finger foamy off white head dies down to a ring with a wispy cap.
The aroma is rich roasted malts, sweet brown sugar, molasses, oak and leather with a nice whiff of alcohol. Very full. Very balanced.
The taste is a bit more intense than the aroma but every bit as balanced. Roasted malts, strong black coffee, molasses, very oaky, very alcoholic. Subtler notes of sweetness from dark stone fruits, a touch of leather, a touch of smokey tobacco.
Rich, smooth mouth feel with just enough carbonation. Dry finish.
Jan 11, 2019
MNAle from Minnesota
4.34/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
12 oz Batch 98 bottle picked up in a recent trip to Portland. (No date; those with the secret decoder ring can probably tell from the batch number - even their irritatingly pretentious "vintage guide" only goes to batch 85 - but I find this too gimmicky and irritating. Just put a date on there, for crying out loud...) Poured into a pint tulip. Aroma of alcohol, leather, dark fruit. Short tan head, disappearing fairly quickly to a bubbly cap and ring. Leaves a tan coating on the glass as you tip to drink. Deep, dark brown color with tan sediment. Thick, almost chewy, body. Taste is a bit sweet in the beginning, with flavors of raisins, leather, roasted malts and alcohol with a moderately bitter finish and aftertaste nicely offsetting the sweet malts. The alcohol taste lets you know this is a big beer. A wonderful sipping beer.
Nov 17, 2018
4.34/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
12 oz Batch 98 bottle picked up in a recent trip to Portland. (No date; those with the secret decoder ring can probably tell from the batch number - even their irritatingly pretentious "vintage guide" only goes to batch 85 - but I find this too gimmicky and irritating. Just put a date on there, for crying out loud...) Poured into a pint tulip. Aroma of alcohol, leather, dark fruit. Short tan head, disappearing fairly quickly to a bubbly cap and ring. Leaves a tan coating on the glass as you tip to drink. Deep, dark brown color with tan sediment. Thick, almost chewy, body. Taste is a bit sweet in the beginning, with flavors of raisins, leather, roasted malts and alcohol with a moderately bitter finish and aftertaste nicely offsetting the sweet malts. The alcohol taste lets you know this is a big beer. A wonderful sipping beer.
Nov 17, 2018
patre_tim from Thailand
4.4/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Dark brown and hazy with no visible carbonation, and a half finger of beige head.
It smells of leather, dark toasted malts, vanilla, black liquorice, brown sugar,
The taste is moderately sweet with notes of leather, caramel, dark fruits, cherries and raisins.
Medium, foamy body that is smooth as silk.
Got in Petaluma, CA, last week, drinking in Redding, Sept 9th, 2018. One of the most anticipated beers I've had, it does not disappoint. Excellent all round!
Sep 10, 2018
4.4/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Dark brown and hazy with no visible carbonation, and a half finger of beige head.
It smells of leather, dark toasted malts, vanilla, black liquorice, brown sugar,
The taste is moderately sweet with notes of leather, caramel, dark fruits, cherries and raisins.
Medium, foamy body that is smooth as silk.
Got in Petaluma, CA, last week, drinking in Redding, Sept 9th, 2018. One of the most anticipated beers I've had, it does not disappoint. Excellent all round!
Sep 10, 2018
Fordcoyote15 from Kentucky
4.52/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Never seen such thick frothy head. Maybe because I set it outside on the porch for a few minutes to warm up?
Smell is big and fruity. Raisins and alcohol dominate. Reminds me of jw lees harvest ale. Nice toasted malted behind the sweetness.
Oh the balance. Oh the islay scotch peatiness! I'm an islay scotch lover and had no clue this beer mirrored those flavors! This tastes like it was aged in laphraoig barrels.
Feel is nice and thick and chewy.
Overall 4.5/5 bordering 4.75.
Sep 01, 2018
4.52/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Never seen such thick frothy head. Maybe because I set it outside on the porch for a few minutes to warm up?
Smell is big and fruity. Raisins and alcohol dominate. Reminds me of jw lees harvest ale. Nice toasted malted behind the sweetness.
Oh the balance. Oh the islay scotch peatiness! I'm an islay scotch lover and had no clue this beer mirrored those flavors! This tastes like it was aged in laphraoig barrels.
Feel is nice and thick and chewy.
Overall 4.5/5 bordering 4.75.
Sep 01, 2018
hman43 from North Carolina
4.24/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Look: It pours dark brown with a tan head. Head retention is low. It is also clear.
Smell: There are a lot of rich malt aromas. It has a bit of molasses, nuts, and toffee. There are also some dried fruit notes with alcohol and very slight port.
Taste: The flavors are led by molasses and nuts. There is a bit of smoke in the background. There is also a bit of dried fruit and some vinous elements.
Feel: It has a full body with smooth alcohol warmth. Carbonation is low.
Overall, this has a quality complex combination of malt and ester aromas and flavors.
Jul 22, 2018
4.24/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Look: It pours dark brown with a tan head. Head retention is low. It is also clear.
Smell: There are a lot of rich malt aromas. It has a bit of molasses, nuts, and toffee. There are also some dried fruit notes with alcohol and very slight port.
Taste: The flavors are led by molasses and nuts. There is a bit of smoke in the background. There is also a bit of dried fruit and some vinous elements.
Feel: It has a full body with smooth alcohol warmth. Carbonation is low.
Overall, this has a quality complex combination of malt and ester aromas and flavors.
Jul 22, 2018
von_kaiser from Connecticut
4.5/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Phenominal beer! Must have when out west. Rich, oak, sweet candy....opens tremendously when brought to warm temperature. Gonna be hard not bringing a few home.
Jul 03, 2018
4.5/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Phenominal beer! Must have when out west. Rich, oak, sweet candy....opens tremendously when brought to warm temperature. Gonna be hard not bringing a few home.
Jul 03, 2018
ChrisCage from Canada (AB)
4.68/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Mine was brewed at Brouwerij de Molen....is this a normal thing? I don't know.....
A- Pours a super yeast hazed brown muddied soil color that is impossible to look through except for a little light peering through right under the top of the liquid. The head is thin to begin with but does have excellent retention, is caramel in color and has a soapy appearance. The lacing is modest, with rather an oily film covering the inside of my glass and there are very small foamy patches clinging as well. A nice looking brew....not spectacular but nice....
S- A medley of aromas happening here, with milky chocolate, rummy raisins, oak barrel, wet leather, plenty of caramel/toffee malt sweetness and fruit character that borders tropical (bananas, prunes and figs). The finish is sticky sweet, slightly smoked and deep....
T- This is very rich indeed, with a huge dose of dried fruits (plum/prune/raisin), banana, fig and even chocolate covered cherry hints! There is a heavy milk chocolate richness that borders creamy, sarsaparilla root, slight red licorice, smoked chocolate malt, caramel/brown sugar/toffee/blackstrap molasses all mingled together, and woodsy leather. The finish lingers with deep dark fruits, slight booze and a hint of spiced malt....I was thinking a bit peppery but others describe cinnamon.....I can go along with that too!
M/O- This is fantastically smooth! The carbonation is low in this thick bodied Old Ale and is full of wonderfully balanced flavors. The alcohol is hidden to the point that one doesn't really know that it's 10%, and the drikability factor is very high. I love the charm and old world feel....I can envision sitting in an old German pub 100 years back, heavy wood beams across the ceiling and at a big chunky bar, enjoying good company and great beer! Well worth the taste and the score it has earned....Cheers!
Jun 18, 2018
4.68/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Mine was brewed at Brouwerij de Molen....is this a normal thing? I don't know.....
A- Pours a super yeast hazed brown muddied soil color that is impossible to look through except for a little light peering through right under the top of the liquid. The head is thin to begin with but does have excellent retention, is caramel in color and has a soapy appearance. The lacing is modest, with rather an oily film covering the inside of my glass and there are very small foamy patches clinging as well. A nice looking brew....not spectacular but nice....
S- A medley of aromas happening here, with milky chocolate, rummy raisins, oak barrel, wet leather, plenty of caramel/toffee malt sweetness and fruit character that borders tropical (bananas, prunes and figs). The finish is sticky sweet, slightly smoked and deep....
T- This is very rich indeed, with a huge dose of dried fruits (plum/prune/raisin), banana, fig and even chocolate covered cherry hints! There is a heavy milk chocolate richness that borders creamy, sarsaparilla root, slight red licorice, smoked chocolate malt, caramel/brown sugar/toffee/blackstrap molasses all mingled together, and woodsy leather. The finish lingers with deep dark fruits, slight booze and a hint of spiced malt....I was thinking a bit peppery but others describe cinnamon.....I can go along with that too!
M/O- This is fantastically smooth! The carbonation is low in this thick bodied Old Ale and is full of wonderfully balanced flavors. The alcohol is hidden to the point that one doesn't really know that it's 10%, and the drikability factor is very high. I love the charm and old world feel....I can envision sitting in an old German pub 100 years back, heavy wood beams across the ceiling and at a big chunky bar, enjoying good company and great beer! Well worth the taste and the score it has earned....Cheers!
Jun 18, 2018
WesMantooth from Ohio
4.34/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Batch 97 courtesy of the Brau known as Lingen
This liquid state substance is a dark brown walnut casket color, bordering on black, with a dreamy (I meant creamy, but that too) tan head that hangs around, like the freeloading teenager in my basement, as a frothy film.
I am going to say it smells like chocolate covered raisins, leather, chewing tobacco, cherry, ashy charred grains, caramel/toffee, and citrus because I think that will put me in the lead with at least 9 things.
Initial flavor is rich. Not Bill Gates level rich. More of a President of a major University level. A lot of caramel, followed by raisins/dates, chocolate, and some smokey char and tobacco. A lot of dark malt. There’s a spicy, grapefruit like citrusy hop at the end with a building bitterness too.
Getting toward the end. The film is still there, and so is that gallon of stain I bought for my deck last year. The body is creamy and soft. It’s like drinking a pillow, I imagine. If you could liquify one. Blades in the blender would probably get locked up.
I liked this beer quite a bit. Would love to sit on one for a couple years to see which of us ages more gracefully.
May 15, 2018
4.34/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Batch 97 courtesy of the Brau known as Lingen
This liquid state substance is a dark brown walnut casket color, bordering on black, with a dreamy (I meant creamy, but that too) tan head that hangs around, like the freeloading teenager in my basement, as a frothy film.
I am going to say it smells like chocolate covered raisins, leather, chewing tobacco, cherry, ashy charred grains, caramel/toffee, and citrus because I think that will put me in the lead with at least 9 things.
Initial flavor is rich. Not Bill Gates level rich. More of a President of a major University level. A lot of caramel, followed by raisins/dates, chocolate, and some smokey char and tobacco. A lot of dark malt. There’s a spicy, grapefruit like citrusy hop at the end with a building bitterness too.
Getting toward the end. The film is still there, and so is that gallon of stain I bought for my deck last year. The body is creamy and soft. It’s like drinking a pillow, I imagine. If you could liquify one. Blades in the blender would probably get locked up.
I liked this beer quite a bit. Would love to sit on one for a couple years to see which of us ages more gracefully.
May 15, 2018
57md from Pennsylvania
4.36/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours a chocolate brown with a thin layer of head. The key word here is "malty." The nose and flavor are both indicative of a deeply malt forward offering. The under current of sweetness makes this very enjoyable as a disgestif.
.
May 07, 2018
4.36/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours a chocolate brown with a thin layer of head. The key word here is "malty." The nose and flavor are both indicative of a deeply malt forward offering. The under current of sweetness makes this very enjoyable as a disgestif.
.
May 07, 2018
Adam from Hair Of The Dog Brewing Company / Brewery And Tasting Room
Beer rating:
95 out of
100 with
2577 ratings
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