Hair of the Dog Cherry Adam from the Wood

Brewed by Hair of the Dog Brewing Company
Style: Traditional Ale
Portland, Oregon USA

Serve in Dimpled mug, English pint, Stein, Yard

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Pours basically black with no lasting head whatsoever. Just some beige bubbles kicked up from the pour, but not a real head. Smell is smooth and rich bourbon and oak, mainly and is quite nice. Taste is a touch tart and perhaps fruity, but not cherries per se, and of course some bourbon and definite wood character. Tart fruity malt flavor but only a very faint actual cherry flavor, even when looking for it. Some very light alcohol in the flavor and its a touch warming. Beer is flat after 5 minutes in the glass which kills the beer for me, and once again another overpriced and over hyped HOTD beer with a huge bottling flaw... At about 15 dollars for a 12 ounce bottle plus shipping this is ridiculous. This is not something I would buy again if it were 3 bucks.

bottle from suzygreenburg. adam was one of my first favorites micros, so i was looking forward to this one. actually, this is one of the best and most complex brews ive had in awhile. bourbon, oak, vanilla, sweet cherry. very good. my new favorite.

UPDATED: APR 9, 2010 UPDATED RATING: I just pulled an 08 from the cellar and this one has actually improved to my tastes. The flavors have melded to create better harmony on the palate, and does not finish as hot.

OLD RATING: Bottle courtesy of Ross via his connection in Portland. Many thanks to all who got this shit to my door. Pours a deep dark brown, with no head. Aroma is very nice, like black cherry and red wine. Rich and full bodied with very little carbonation. Flavor is pretty complex here. Black cherry and merlot dominates the flavor, but I get accents of chocolate, vanilla, sherry, and hops. Finish is a tad hot, with lots of oak and cherry pit, as well as some acidity. This is at its best toward room temp. Good, but needs some more time in the bottle. Not as good as Adam. 3.9

Sampled on 12/5/08. A big thanks to WeeHeavySD for sharing this one at the 2008 San Diego Strong Ale Fest. The traditional Ale pours a dark black color from a 12oz bottle. Small sized white foamy head. The aroma is cherry, malts, dark fruits and oak. A medium bodied ale. The malts are caramel and sweet. The hops are floral. The cheery flavor is sort of subtle, but very intense and focused. Nice smooth finish. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

12oz Bottle. Aroma comes barreling out in mostly heavy roast malt alcohols. Sweet and a touch syrupy. However, some really interesting red character starts to blend in. Kirsch, tamarind, and light nutmeg. A faint waft of smoke. I can tell there is a tart edge in there somewhere. Pours a red mahogany, with a brown fringe and a swirl in tan. Low carbonation. Flavor is complex and hot, hot, hot. Woah. Is this pure brandy? Honestly, I do not get a hell of a lot of black cherry. In my opinion, black cherry is not the best cherry for beer. I do get a load of bourbon heat. There is a firm run of oak tannins and then some of the deeper roast and caramel of the base Adam. Big, bold, and brash. I can see the extreme beer community really getting lit up about this. One redeeming factor is that I do not feel like I am eating a handful of Black Forest chocolate cake. It is not too dense. I get the feeling that the black cherry liquids thinned out an otherwise sweet beast. The barrel, cherry and age are all brought together well and the beer does not feel disparate, but it is just a little too angry and hot for me. Thanks Darrell for the hook up!

Bottle from acrdz. Huge thanks for this. Ive been desperately wanting the love this the entire time its been in my glass, desperately wanting it to reveal itself. I poured it fridge temp and hoped itd come into its own as it warmed and breathed. While its gotten better, it hasnt become the mindblowing beer Id hoped. Oh well. There is a definite sherry presence in the nose, with a lot of alcohol burn, some chocolate and coffee and malt. Its complex but its not too special. The flavor is chewy and sweet, woody with only a touch of cherry, mostly some scotch and nut and oxidation. Again, complex but not desirable. This went down easy, maybe too easy. Thanks MJ for the bottle. Ill be sticking to regular Adam in the future.

Bottle from WeeHeavy opened at the 2008 Strong Ale Festival. Very good. Nice aroma. Very smooth and easy to drink. Cherry flavor is subtle. Not tart, but rather sweet cherries.

A big thanks to WeeHeavySD for sharing at the 2008 San Diego Strong Ale Fest. Dark brown with a reddish tinge, soime nice cherry and wood notes in the flavor. Tasty.

Bottle, from DA. Pours dark browm, with a redish tinge. Aroma is Bourbon, cherries, sherry, wood , chocolate, malt, and fruit. Flavor is cherries, sherry, bourbon, fruit, wood, leather, and a little smoke. Medium body. Amazing. Fantastic. I want more.

Bottle from trade with Dubbercody. Thanks Jamie. Pours a dark hazy brown color with almost no head at all. Aroma is magnificent with many different smells. Cherries, oak, bourbon, chocolate, dates and toasted malt. Taste was just as complex and wonderful. All of the things you smell you also get the flavor of. Very nice and enjoyable experience. Has long lasting delicious finish. This is an outstanding brew. Cheers Alan.