Gonzo - Rum Barrel-Aged
Flying Dog Brewery

On draught.
A dark pour with a decent khaki colored head, and spotty lacing.
Dark toasted and malty, with caramel infused rum and well caramelized brown sugar flavors, and a substantial alcohol presence. Vanilla, chocolate and coffee notes meld well with the enjoyable earthy hops bitterness.

 

 

 

 

 

Poured from a 750 into a snifter, the beer is jet black, with a tall, foamy, clingy, light tan head. Aromas are booze forward, heavy on molasses, brown sugar, burnt caramel, chocolate, subtle charred wood, and vanilla. Very aromatic. Flavors are chocolate and rum forward, rich and sweet, but also pretty boozy. Subtle char and vanilla notes follow, with an earthy backbone. Bitter coffee highlights, and along with the char and earth, help to rough up all the sweetness. Vanilla cream overtones, with an overall darkly rich and roasted/toasted sweet aftertaste. The body is smooth and chewy, but with a dry undertone. Slick, smooth, slow finish, with a solid booze linger. Good beer.

 

 

 

 

Had this beer on tap at the FD Brewery. This beer has a nice subtle rum enhanced flavor. Surprisingly thin and light for 11.8%. Much smoother than the Bourbon Barrel Gonzo which clocks in nearly 2% lighter in ABV. Rum version also is not boozy at all. Again, comparing it to the Bourbon Gonzo (which I did a side/by/side at the brewery), it also lacks a little in vanilla and hop flavors and finishing punch. Still a very decent barrel aged imperial porter/stout none-the-less.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On tap.

This smells and tastes like strong acetone. The mouthfeel is okay but the taste and smell overwhelm anything else. Worst beer I've had from flying dog.