Barley Blog - A Beer Blog About Craft Beer

Upon learning of this relatively new trend in IPA tweaking earlier this year, I’ve kept my eyes open for it in my travels to the beers shops around town. Unfortunately, it’s taken almost six months for me to procure a bottle of the style for sampling. Actually, Laughing Dog’s Dogzilla is a two-for in the sense that I not only get to try this new style, but also get introduced to a new company.

Dogzilla was one of three brews that my local shop had from the brewery, but it was the one that intrigued me the most. I’ve heard mixed opinions on the introduction of dark malts to IPAs the past few months. Some folks seem to hate the style creep, while others are all about innovation. Personally, I’m all for pushing recipes in different directions. Even the smallest of tweaks can make for one hell of a beer.

That said, I have my own mixed reaction to Dogzilla.

Appearance

Dogzilla pours a dark, rich chestnut brown with a large light tan head. It’s definitely a dark beer, only allowing a few streaks of light to pass through it around the glass’ edge.

Aroma

It’s got a pretty decent aromatic hop presence along with some spicy notes. The darker malts are definitely there, adding a rich roast to the nose.

Taste

At first, the brew wasn’t nearly as hoppy as the nose alluded to. The darker malts definitely dominated the taste imparting a nice roasted flavor that was rather bold. The hops certainly make their presence known in the dry, slightly biting finish, but they really start to come through overall as the brew warms. There’s a slight bitter finish, but I think it’s more due to the darker malts than the hops.

Overall

Dogzilla is an interesting brew. Part of me loved it while another part wasn’t sure of the introduction of the darker malt into an IPA. Now, that could either be attributed to the beer’s recipe or the fact that this was my first black IPA. I can’t really speak too strongly to the style, I suppose, until I try a similar product from another company. Either way, Laughing Dog’s beer, specifically, is a pretty good brew that improves as it warms in the glass. I’d buy this one again when the mood for something different hits.

Rating: 3/5

This John Cleese hosted video actually aired back in October of 2004, but it’s been making the rounds recently after having been uploaded to Hulu. I’m not what I would call a wine drinker, but how can you not get sucked into watching all of this one with Cleese narrating.

All we need now is for the old Beer Hunter series to get uploaded. Or, at least a “Beer for the Confused.” Who would make the ideal host for that one?

I’ve only had the opportunity to try a couple of Harpoon’s brews (IPA, UFO Hefeweizen and Summer Beer), all of which were quite tasty. When I finally spied one of their Leviathan Series on the shelf the other day all, however, all thoughts of my previous encounters with the company were obliterated. I’ve been on the look out for their Imperial IPA for some time, but haven’t until now been able to find it.

Reading up on the beer, I was pleased to read that Harpoon “…used copious amounts of a variety of hops including Chinook, Centennial, Simcoe, and Amarillo at various points during the boil…” and then decided to dry hop at a rate of “… over 1lb…” per barrel. If that’s not mouth watering I don’t know what is.

Appearance

This Imperial IPA pours a golden amber in color with an inviting, massive white head — it faded very slowly leaving a resilient lacing along the inside of the glass.

Aroma

Heavenly notes of hops, citrus, grapefruit and pine mix with a peppery spiciness and sweetness. There’s a slight bit of alcohol in the nose.

Taste

Wow. At first you’re hit with dominating hop bitterness that fades wonderfully as the sweet malt comes in with the finish. I was expecting much more of a bitter character to the brew, but it’s actually quite well balanced and smooth — very smooth. The higher alcohol (~10% ABV) makes its presence known more as the beer warms in the glass.

Overall

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It’s hoppy, citrusy, piney and smooth. The beer’s well balanced nature and flavors make for one hell of a drinking experience. I will most certainly be getting more of this, providing I can still find it.

Rating: 4/5

Pomegranate is one of those fruits I’ve only had a couple of times in that past and I always come away with the same feeling — I could take it or leave it. It never wowed me. Nor did it ever disgust. So, it was with mediocre trepidation/excitement that I grabbed a bottle of He’Brew’s Origin last month and decided to try it out.

According to the brewer’s website, pomegranates have meaning to those of the Jewish faith. It only seems appropriate that a product like this would come from Shmaltz Brewing. That’s pretty cool, but I’m more interested in what effect over 10,000 pomegranates per batch have on an Imperial Amber brewed to celebrate the company’s second decade in business.

Appearance

Origin pours a reddish copper in color with a small off-white head. This is a good looking glass of beer.

Aroma

Sweetness and citrus dominate the nose at first while the pomegranate aroma comes in towards the end. The smell of this brew is definitely pleasant and balanced.

Taste

I suppose I was expecting more of a pomegranate punch, but the fruit’s presence is light at best. It really blends nicely with the hop and malt profiles that dominate the beer for the most part. Origin is light bodied, crisp and refreshing.

Overall

This one surprised me a good deal. i enjoyed it thoroughly and have since bought a couple more bottles of it. The light fruitiness to it along with its crisp nature make it perfect for a lazy, hot summer day.

Rating: 3.5/5

Wow. It’s been far too long since my last proper review/article on the site. Hopefully, we’ll be getting back to regular posting behavior now that some major projects have been delivered at the office.

At any rate… Founders Centennial IPA is a beer that the wife and I have been drinking fairly regularly since spying it on the shelves a couple of months ago. To say it’s tasty would be an understatement. The fact that it’s been in regular rotation is a testament to it’s well rounded flavor.

Appearance

The Centennial pours a light copper in color with a beefy, off-white head that left decent lacing.

Aroma

This one is quite floral with a wonderful citrus presence. A subtle pininess is also in there along with a mouth watering sweetness.

Taste

A great mixture of hope characteristics is the first thing you get from each swallow (piny, citrus, slight bitterness). The brew is well balanced with decent malt notes that wrap up the finish with a not too bitter, lingering flavor. The IPA has the perfect carbonation and body to make this one an easy drinker.

Overall

Reviewing my notes on this one, all I wrote was, “Must get more.” I think I’ll leave it at that.

Rating: 4/5

I love it when new products make their way onto the limited shelf space of my local shop. I know absolutely nothing about Duck-Rabbit, except for the story behind the brewery’s name.

Described as a “…traditional full-bodied stout…” this brew was anything but full-bodied. The taste and aroma were spot on for the style, but it was quite lighter than most milk stouts I’ve had.

Appearance

The beer pours like cola with not much of a head. For a stout it was fairly transparent.

Aroma

Lactose, roasted malt and sweet, this one certainly has that aspect of the style correct. It’s aroma also contains a light bit of cocoa.

Taste

As far as the taste goes, Duck-Rabbit have got it in line with what one would expect from the style, but the beer is a touch too light in feel for my liking — I personally would like more of a chewiness to a stout. The flavors include lactose sweetness, a light roasted malt and cocoa in the finish. There’s a nice coffee presence that doesn’t have the typical bitter finish.

Overall

While I found this one too light for what I would expect in a stout, it is quite drinkable. The flavors are good and when combined with the lighter mouthfeel, the beer goes down well — almost too well. I went though the several bottles I had of this one quickly.

It’s a decent beer that would serve as a nice introduction to stouts for those afraid of something too robust and chewy.

Rating: 3/5

Check out the keynote speech from Stone Brewing’s Greg Koch from this years Craft Brewers Conference.

Cheers to Beernews.org for the heads up.

The local shop I frequent has just recently been carrying a few products from Michigan’s Founders Brewing Company. Having not seen any of the brewery’s products in this area before, I snatched up a couple of bottles with a quickness. I’ve read a good deal bout this company in the past and can only hope that I am able to see more of their products locally.

The first of the batch I purchased is their Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale. Labeled as the brewery’s flagship beer, this one certainly lives up to expectations with its bold and robust presence.

Appearance

Dirty Bastard pours a dark amber with a rusty, copper edge. The head was light tan in color and faded rather quickly.

Aroma

Oh man, this smells good. I doubt I would be able to distinguish between the ten varieties of malt used in the brewing process, but I can certainly say it’s got a wonderfully sweet, malty aroma. There’s a light peat character along with mellow brown sugar and wisps of alcohol.

Taste

There’s a good deal more hops than I would have expected for the style, but they don’t detract from the overall experience. The hop presence adds a nice bitterness to the otherwise malty sweetness of the beer. The finish has light caramel and spice notes to it. The brew has a medium bodied smoothness to it that, in conjunction with the 8.3% ABV makes you want to sit back and sip this one slowly.

Overall

I thoroughly enjoyed this beer. I love the hop presence within this scotch ale that adds a little something extra to the already complex palate. Enjoy it cold out of the bottle or as a sipper, Dirty Bastard is a pretty versatile brew that will certainly be making repeat appearances in my fridge.

Rating: 3.5/5

Wrapping up my trio of reviews for Boston Beer Company’s latest Imperial Series is the brewery’s Imperial Double Bock. While this one was tasty, it wasn’t my favorite of the bunch — the Imperial Stout holds that honor.

Being a big fan of Ayinger’s Celebrator, this latest offering from the Sam Adams brand had some serious competition standing in its path. While the throne isn’t in any danger, the Boston Beer version of the brew is still good in its own right.

Appearance

The Imperial Double Bock pours a ruddy brown in color with a light tan head that faded slowly.

Aroma

This one definitely smells like a bock. It’s malty and sweet with light fruit and nutty aromas. There’s not much a hint of the 9.5% ABV in the nose.

Taste

This is a pretty decent double bock. It’s got the requisite sweet maltiness with a touch of nuttiness in the finish. There’s a nice caramel flavor in there as well. In terms of mouthfeel, it’s on the fuller side of a medium bodied beer.

Overall

The Imperial Double Bock joins the stout and white in surprising me with their overall impression. It’s a decadent brew that I would love to have on a consistent basis in the fridge, but its price tag probably won’t allow that too often.

Rating: 3.5/5

Sam Adams doing a beefed up version of a witbier? Really? Sweet.

At least, that was my reaction after enjoying the surprisingly good Imperial Stout from Boston Beer. The Imperial White is another in the company’s Imperial Series and is, yet again, a surprise in it’s own right.

I was initially skeptical of this one as I eyed in on the shelf. Sam Adams and I haven’t always seen eye to eye when discussing their wheat based beers (Cherry Wheat, I’m looking at you). Lucky for both of us, this wasn’t a product destined for the sink.

Appearance

This one pours a hazy amber with a nice orange tint to it. The creamy off-white head faded slowly.

Aroma

Orange zest, a grassiness from the wheat and spices (clove and coriander, perhaps) dominate the nose on each sniff. I didn’t get a whole lot of banana as is typical of the style.

Taste

First off, the mouthfeel on the Imperial White is much thicker, more viscous than any other witbier I’ve had. It’s full of malt sweetness, wheat, spices and fruits. A light orange and banana combination comes out more as the beer warms. At 10.3% ABV this is one brew you want to take slow.

Overall

This brew was not at all what I was expecting. Due to the higher alcohol and its thickness i would almost expect this to be something I would sip in the winter, but the spices and fruit remind me of hot summer days. Perhaps I’ll try and save some for the winter and see how they hold up over time. Sam Adams Imperial White is a unique take on a witbier — one that I thoroughly enjoyed and, despite the price tag of a four pack, will be buying it again.

Rating: 3.5/5