Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter

Brewed by Flying Dog Brewery
Style: Imperial/Strong Porter
Frederick, Maryland USA

Pours with a basically black color and quite a big head. Head retention and lacings are quite impressive considering the relatively high ABV in this one. A round and nicely composed smell. Lots of malts with a prominent chocolate character. Notes of dark fruit and vanilla. A pleasant hop kick. The alcohol becomes noticeable as the beer warms up. The flavor has lots of malty sweetness with just as much sweet dark chocolate. Big notes of vanilla. Some notes of dark fruits. Very restrained when in comes to roasted malts, which is the main thing setting this one apart from the imperial stouts. Quite a lot of spicy hops. The finish is quite bitter with gentle notes of soy sauce, wood and more somewhat spicy hops. As in the smell, the alcohol becomes more noticeable as the beer warms up. In general, it seems like the flavors get slightly rounder towards the end and the different components seem to get a better fit after a while. Full-bodied, nice smooth mouthfeel and an almost semi-dry finish, but it still manages to leave a sticky feeling in the mouth after a while. I like this beer, I just think it’s tasty. However, I’ve had the opportunity to try the older version a few times, the one with a higher ABV, and it was way better. The older version where more potent, more living and daring, and it had much more character. It’s a shame they turned it down a notch, doesn’t seem to be in line with the Hunter S. Thompson way of life. Wonder what he would have thought about such rerouting of a bold departure. Serving type: bottle (Copy of old Beer Advocate review)

Bottle vintage 2009. None more black, with brownish, purplish head. Some hop aroma, which is rare for the style. Rich body, chocolate malt and a touch of roast. Some citrusy late hops. I wouldn’t guess 85 IBU, but there’s lots of malt to keep it in balance. So the hops dry it out, but don’t really make it bitter. They could have called this a stout.

Bottle- thanks Will. "Vintage 08" printed on the side. Aroma of cherry, chocolate, coffee. Color is black as night. Very fluffy head. Flavor is bitter and rich, heavily roasted malts. Great body. Smoky malt dominates- not much nuance here, but good nonetheless.

Pours deep black with good head retention. Can smell the roasted malts well on the nose. Dark and smooth on the tongue, not much carbonation but good amount of mouthfeel.

Pours a black brown color with a medium sized light brown head. Notes of dark chocolate, mint, dark syrup, and roasted malt. Not very complex but still pretty tasty.

An exceptional porter. There are nice deep berry flavors to compliment the toasty malts. Nicely bitter as well, with a lasting finish.

Black with red edges and a medium brown head. For some reason, it smells ’red’ to me (or maybe ’burgundy’). Enoumously sweet and rich coffee-malt flavour and a large bitter hop finish. Very smooth in the mouth. Brutal, yet complex. Very nice.

Can’t fault the impenetrable black with permanent, creamy, beige head. Rich chocolate and eggy cream with hints of smoky wood. Terribly smoky but light and vibrant. Meaty yet citric. Crisp and heavy, this is a perfect little porter. Amazing.