 BrewDad (1691), Olympia, Washington, USA
May 12, 2008
5oz Taster - Fred Fest 2008 - Hair of the Dog Brewing - Portland OR
Aroma – Strong oak and fruit aroma with good malt background.
Appearance – Dark Amber in color, little to no head and clear.
Flavor – A huge strong beer with a great oak flavor there was a cherry essence and it was huge with the malt.
Palate – Great Mouthfeel, good texture with a dry finish.
Overall – Rich in many flavors this was a very well made beer. Loved the flavors. Fruit, malt and a red wine barrel flavor that was not masked at all.
DarkElf (2681), La Jolla, California, USA
Aug 8, 2008 19-Jan-08 (Draft: Connoisseur’s Session, 2008 Great Alaskan Beer and Barley Wine Festival in Anchorage, AK) 2005 release. Sweet, fruity and very earthy up front, intensely caramely in the finish. Slight citrus element running through it adds light sourness and bitterness for complexity and drinkability by breaking up the full-on earthy malts. There are even notes of coconut, sweet vanilla and oak. The nose is very earthy and malty with moderate oxidation notes, yet sweet and fruity in the background. Full-bodied and moderately carbonated with some tanginess for a lively palate. Hazy, ruddy brown in color with a very small, bubbly, filmy, light-tan head that fully dissipates within a few minutes. As a fan of aged beers, I think this is excellent. It’s one of the most interesting and enjoyable beers at this festival.
ratman197 (2344), Arvada, Colorado, USA
Jul 29, 2008 Updated: Aug 3, 20083 litre bottle 2005 vintage poured a clear dark brownish red with a small lingering amber head. Aromas of carmel, dark fruit, light cardboard, light wood and some sherry notes. Palate was medium bodied and smooth with a dry finish. Flavors of toffee, dates, carmel, spice, light cherry and a hint of wood with a smooth dry lingering malty finish.
ChainGangGuy (1602), Kennesaw, Georgia, USA
Apr 29, 2008 Bottle #49 from 2007.
Appearance: Pours a quite dark, reddish-brown body with a small, ivory-colored head.
Smell: Slightly boozey black cherry aroma with muted notes of malted grain and fine vintage leathers.
Taste: Sweetish dark caramel flavor with a splash of two of cherry cordial. Slight perceived bitterness peeks out from around the full flavors. Hints of leather and smoke. Cherryish finish with some tannic qualities to it.
Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Medium carbonation. Somewhat chewy mouthfeel.
Drinkability: Definitely a sipper, but a good one. If you can’t enjoy this one in front of a warm, cozy fire, at least sample it with the fine company of TheBeerCellar.
BossHossBikes (125), Tennessee, USA
Apr 27, 2008 Bottle at the after-Dark Lord Day tasting. Thanks to TheBeerCellar.
The pour is a dark ruby with an abundant light tan head. There is a good amount of cherries and bourbon in the nose. Not a lot of other aromas going on here, but the ones that are here are very dense, very pleasing. Just like the aroma, there are a good amount of cherries and a lightly smoky bourbon in the flavour as well. The finish had some slightly dry, bready qualities.
I’m disappointed in my comments for this beer because I’m not able to say much other than "cherries and bourbon," but it is so deliciously balanced yet intense in its flavours.
Much thanks, BeerCellar.
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