Hair of the Dog Blue Dot Double IPA

Brewed by Hair of the Dog Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Portland, Oregon USA

Serve in Snifter, Tulip

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UPDATED: JAN 18, 2009 Fall 2008 Release; Sampled December 2008
A reasonable pour into my 25cl tulip glass gets me a three-finger thick head that overflows the rim of my glass just a bit. The head has quite a bit of staying power, is quite fluffy, leaves a nice layering of lace on the sides of my glass and forms some interesting structures as it slowly recedes. The beer is a honey / light amber color that shows a clear, bright copper color when held up to the light. The aroma is nicely hoppy, though it has me noticing that my nose is not quite working as well as usual). Aromas of pine, a touch of menthol, as well as a light herbal note are noticeable up front, but there is a solid, citrus-like backdrop of grapefruit, bergamot, lychee and lemon zest.

The beer is nicely hoppy tasting, much more so than my nose was able to tell. Notably, the beer is also not infected (like my last bottle of this), which is really quite nice. The hop character is fresh and punchy with ample flavors of grapefruit, bergamot oil, and lychee up front; it finishes with a sharper, more herbal focus of tongue clinging pine and hemp oil, with a touch of menthol there as well. There is a nice, solid, and up front, clean bitterness throughout the flavor profile, it gets a little dirty (in a good way) towards the finish as the more herbal hop components kick in. The beer is nice and light bodied for a beer of this strength, which is perfect for the way I like my Double IPAs; it does have some body to it though and is able to carry the ample hop character quite well. There is a touch of alcohol noticeable in the finish, it provides a touch of warming as well as a peppery bite.

This is quite nice when it is not infected, I am quite glad I was able to get another batch of this.

Purchased: Liquid Solutions

Rating from January 2007
Total 3.5
7/4/7/4/13
Disturbingly over carbonated, this beer ends up with

On tap to a 3oz taster Wonderful flowery aroma, my favorite. The taste is good, but disappointing compared to the aroma.

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle. A great DIPA. Huge hop presence, citrus, floral. Not much in the way of grassy or pine/resin characters. One of three best DIPAs I have had.

Local for me, and available seasonally on the shelves, this is one of my favorite DIPAs hands down. Intensely aromatic with citrus, grapefruit, pine, hop resin and just straight up juiciness. Lots of malt flavor with a bit of spice and hop bitterness. This is deliciously mouth watering and quenching. Drinks very easily. Great mouthfeel and aftertaste. Can’t stop drinking this!

Light amber to orangish cloudy pour. Aromas of a citrus, with some rye notes. Very nice flavor with the rye prominent and the citrus popping through. Overall, this is a damn good beer with tons of flavor and well balanced.

On tap @ Horse Brass. Amber orange pour with lots of lasting white head. Big time hop aromas - citrus and pine. Flavor has a good amount of malt making this quite balanced - bready malt and more citrus.

Tap at Soirée des Grands Crus, Siboire (Sherbrooke). Appearance: Hazy golden, almost no head but a small white lacing. Aroma: Hops, citrus and floral/herbal notes. Taste: Hops and strong fruit notes (grapefruits and pinapple). Heavy bitterness. Dry the palate. Overall: Nice balance and high drinkability. Great refreshing beer.

Bottle, cloudy golden pour, big hop nose, resiny. & piney. big aggressive hop flavor. Shows its 10% proudly. Big yet. Alanced. Good DIPA

Bottle shared in Seattle. Strong hop aroma, smooth sip, very bitter end game.

Pours murky orange/brown, small head. Aroma of grapefruit, pine resin, pineapple, dark fruit, toffee. Taste is fairly malty, pine, dark fruit. I was expecting a little more.

22oz bottle from HotD brewpub. Pours a hazy amber color with a white head and nice lacing. Aroma is hoppy, citrus, grapefruit. Medium on the palate with average carbonation. Flavor is sweet, malty, the rye is very noticeable, hoppy, citrus, grapefruit, with a crisp, hoppy finish. Very tasty.