Gonzo
Flying Dog Brewery

 

Solid dark brown appearance. The small tan head recedes to thin layer while leaving plenty of lacing. Chocolate malt is persistent in the aroma along with some roasted coffee beans on the backside. Earthy taste of bittersweet chocolate, toffee and chicory. A light herbal touch from the hops shows up late. Softly carbonated, full-to-medium bodied mouthfeel.

This is 8% per the bottle, so I don't know if this is the imperial porter that I'm rating or maybe they've changed it. But there's no 8% regulation porter from Flying Dog listed here on BA, and since Gonzo's been around forever I have to think it would have its own entry by now. Thus, I'm reviewing it here.

It's good.

Poured from a 12oz bottle into pint glass in December 2025. There was no bottled on date on the bottle. I drank it within two weeks of purchase.

Appearance: Very dark black with a little dark tan head. Head was less than 1 finger high, and lasted a minute. It left very little lacing on the glass, and ended with a thin tan head still on the beer.

Smell: Aroma of coffee, and roasted grain.

Taste: There is a strong coffee flavors, with roasted malt flavors. I also taste some chocolate flavors. There is only a small amount of bitter hop flavors to enhance the taste. There is a nice alcohol presence, which matches the 10% on the label.

Mouth-feel: Medium-Full body, but also smooth. It has a little edge, as an Imperial Porter should.

This is a very good Porter, and I enjoyed the variety of flavors. The balance of flavors is good. Even though it is a medium/full-bodied beer, it is still smooth and enjoyable to drink. I would buy this again.

 

 

Transfer from RB

 

 

 

 

there is no date on the bottle. The pour is cola colored. The taste is roasted malt, black licorice, and some earthy medicinal notes. In addition to, the 10% abv is well hidden. Cheers! A-

 

 

12oz bottle stamped VINTAGE 22 poured into a tulip pint glass at fridge temp 10% ABV. The beer pours dense, dark brown with light brown head. The head recedes to a thin ring and island leaving behind a web of lacing. Aroma is mild with dark chocolate. The taste is bittersweet malt with a dark toasted, but not roasted touch. Hints of chocolate and coffee. Moderate bitterness. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, very good.

 

12 oz bottle poured into a hotel coffee cup.
Long rating short: this is a beautiful example of the way an Imperial Porter is supposed to be - on all levels.
Buy the ticket and take the ride.,.

 

Pours dark. Tan foam. Oaky aroma. This one is interesting. Heavy roasted malt body followed by a big hop presence. Slightly sweet chocolate finish. Big bold flavors. It's a little muddled but not bad.