Hair of the Dog Fred

Brewed by Hair of the Dog Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Portland, Oregon USA

Bottle, #65. It looks gorgeous in the glass, with it’s amber body and a appropriate small, beige head. There’s a lot of yeast and a small amounts of small floaties in it, and it also has a little carbonation going on. The label said to pour gentle to avoid the yeast to enter the glass, but yeast is good for you, so don’t listen to that, and it also gives an extra dimention to the experience. Aromawise, it’s one of those beer I almost can’t get myselves to quit sniffing and start drinking. There’s a lovely combination of mellow maltyness and lots of hops, and to top it, there’s a touch of alcohol in the background. Fruityness, sweetness, citrusy and piney notes, some cellar and yeast. Still I think there’s something missing, but I can put my finger on it. In the mouth, it’s quite silky, with enough carbonation to break through most of the sweetness. The malts are not overpowered by all the hop varieties, giving flavors of caramel, prunes, dried figs, dark sugar, beef-stock and a little roasted hint. The hoppy flavors are sure present as well, but far from as present as I expected from a PNW BW, and they give the beer a balanced citrusy and piney touch with some canned pineapple blending in, and there’s also enough alcohol to give warmth in the mouth. The finish is enduring, with sweet maltyness and hoppy bitterness, as well as some alcohol that warms my cheeks for a long time. Sure a potent brew, and a really beauty. Pity the bottle was so small and lonely, I could use another one right away. Points deducted for the beer being a bit on the sweet side, even though I really like sweet beers. There’s also too much carbonation for a barley wine in my opinion, but I also think it needs it. Some might say it’s too much alcohol in it too, but hey, it’s a BW goddammit. (080304)

Batch 63. Raw umber in color, with a modest tan head. Not much retention or lacing. Lots of sediment in the glass. Aroma is yeasty with some sweet fruitiness. As it warms, toasty malt and toffee emerge in a big way. Flavor is hugely malty, with an overriding caramel note. Rye malt is apparent in the mild spiciness, and the bazillion different hops used in this beer come out as an even bitterness and some grapefruity citrus. There’s a hint of alcohol but it’s mostly hidden by the sweetness. This beer is smooth and sweet. Perfect level of carbonation to power through the substantial body. The hop bitterness in the finish encourages you to take the next sip to get that nice sweetness back.

Batch 54. Pours a murky dark caramel with a medium beige head. Unfiltered, with lots of hops abound. Aroma of caramel, dates, figs and brown sugar. Taste of caramel, dates, figs with a hoppy bite to it. Leaves a slight bitter orange peel aftertaste. Very nice.

Tangy, hoppy aroma of flowers, citrus, and alcohol. Dark honey/orange appearance with a modest head and lacing. Soft and smooth mouthfeel. The flavor is a robust mix of orange, honey, and bitter hops. A fair amount of alcohol warmth and kick is present as well. Fred is a little bit rough and inconsistent - the flavors are impressive, but they stand apart from each other and don’t really blend together that well - but it is still an unusual and interesting brew. 12 ounce bottle from batch 68.

Bottle. Pours a cloudy orange with a thin white head. The aroma is mostly yeast, fruit, and a sweet malty aspect. The taste is a bitter hops, but not overly bitter. A sweet malty and fruity taste also. Some honey and maybe wheat also. Overall, a really good beer. Warm and smooth. Leaves you wanting more. Nice!

Bottled. Aroma has peach and orange/mandarine, some yeast, bit vinous. Muddy, orange coloured with a thin, off-white head. Taste is bitter, very fruity, bit sweet with yeast. Bitter, dry palate. Quite full bodied.

Poured a dark gold copper color with a thin off white head.Smells of bread, alcohol slight sweetness waft nicely. On your palate is a thick syrupy very smooth sensation. Flavor is all about complexity in a great tasty way. Lemon citrus hoppiness; toffee maltiness and rye.The finish is incredibly long and intriguing. Fantastic beer!

Very sweet aroma - with a distinct sweet yeasty smell. Pours a golden-to amber in a snifter. The flavor hits you in the face, flat out. There’s everything here: warming alcohol, hoppy bitterness, notes of sour apples and raisins. Ends on a nice IPA-ish bitterness from the hops. Very good!