Laughing Dog India Pale Ale - Laughing Dog Brewing

Brenden

Ohio

3.99/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A clear brew that goes just beyond gold but doesn't reach amber, the head on this one is as close to white without being pure white as it gets. It reaches nearly one finger and keeps a steady, strong foam the rest of the way. It leaves a large area of densely spotty lacing down to about the middle of the glass with sparser spotting the rest of the way.
I'm a little surprised by the fruits and pine coming out of this one, both in aroma and flavor. It's not as weak as I've head some people say it is by any means. It is nicely balanced, which some hopheads might not appreciate, though it makes it technically better. I want lots of hops without being choked. This delivers, and gives me a nice caramel and honey biscuit sweetness beside. It does have a floral or slightly grassy aspect and, as it warms, something interestingly almost nutty comes out into the finish.
The mouthfeel is nice and smooth without compromising crispness. Carbonation is moderate. The body can't manages medium, though on the light side, but enough to provide support.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 19:33:16 | More by Brenden

hosehead83

Ohio

4.16/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a twelve ounce bottle into a standard pint glass
Clear gold in color, with a big, two-nch head of white foam
Aroma-Piney hops, spicy note
Taste-Piney hops, toasted malt that just manages to acquire a semblance of balance, followed by a long, lingering bitterness that follows to the finish. Bright and bitter this IPA would shine with a spicy food pairing.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 22:27:00 | More by hosehead83

Hopscat

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured to pint glass. Golden , clear with beautiful off white head and good lacing which sticks to glass.
This is my second LD brew and the spicy hops note is there again. Is this rye (?), probably need to check the brewer website for notes.
Taste is some fruity and some spicy hops with a nice malt balance.
This IPA feels great with good body medium to full with good carb. Very drinkable/sessionable. A solid IPA and I'll pick up again, though the price point is pretty high. Paid $2.80 for a single.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 17:34:04 | More by Hopscat

KomodoDragon

Virginia

4.05/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

A - Picturesque sunset gold, crystal clear, Uneven off white head.

S - Grassy. And a strong, yet welcomed, basil smell.

T - Immediate spice and some nut flavoring, crisp finish. I had to keep checking the ABV, cause there is a light feel. Great flavors, albeit a bit basic.

M - Wishing it was more creamy and smooth. It's not

Solid, simple, summer fare IPA. No WOW - delicious enough in winter. Why can't more breweries adhere to this approach?

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 04:51:47 | More by KomodoDragon

Bitter_Echo

Michigan

3.79/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

This one is new to me, and picked it up on a whim. Pours a dark, slightly hazy yellow with a dense super-foamy head. Smells interesting, maybe even a little funk (hope this isn't bad), like brett-like. Doesn't smell as hop forward as an IPA should be. Taste is malt-forward at first, then some hops, but a bit subdued suggesting slightly, only slightly old. This has got a weisen-like wheat and bread nose, and maybe even a bit of banana. Mouthfeel is high carbonation and creamy. OK for an IPA, but nothing bad and nothing really special. Fun to try and a slightly different feel to this, which makes it interesting and worth the price of admission.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 21:03:43 | More by Bitter_Echo

Murrhey

Montana

2.95/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Purchased a sixer at a gas station in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Reviewed live.

A- Three finger white head with large bubbles. Heavy carbonation in general. Fluffy head that leaves equally fluffy lacing. Caramel in color with high clarity. Moderately appealing beer.

S- Bold pine and citrus hops. Strong on the nose with a caramel malt body. Not super complex, but those hops are just reeking with hop oil. Take that as you will.

T- Strong hops with some pineapple, brown sugar, pine and citrus. Bold flavors, but again, hop-oil heavy. Almost drowns out the other flavors with the heavy hops. Not tremendously well balanced, but it does a serviceable job. Bitter linger.

M- Enough creaminess to help balance the hops on the tongue, but the acrid carbonation is not helping matters much. Surprisingly wet feel. Overcarbonated.

O- Not stand-out in anyway that is readily apparent to me. For a $7 six-pack, one could do worse. Too strong with the hop oil.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 04:58:07 | More by Murrhey

metter98

New York

3.63/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Rattle n' Hum, New York, NY

A: The beer is clear yellowish amber in color and has no visible carbonation. It poured with a quarter finger high white head that gradually died down and left a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface and lacing running down the sides of the glass.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of citrusy hops in the nose along with some notes of pine resin hops and slight hints of caramel malts.
T: The taste is similar to the smell except that the caramel malts are much more prominent and there are associated hints of sweetness. There is a light to moderate amount of bitterness.
M: It feels medium-bodied and crisp on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This IPA is relatively easy to drink and has a nice combination of citrusy and piney hops.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2012 17:14:12 | More by metter98

superspak

Michigan

4/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into pint glass, bottled 8/15/2012. Pours lightly hazy golden amber color with a nice 2 finger dense white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Nice soapy lacing clings down the glass. Aromas of big orange, grapefruit, pineapple, peach, floral, herbal, and light pine. Very nice aromas with good strength and balance. Taste of orange zest, pineapple, peach, grapefruit, herbal, floral, bread, and light pine. Moderate amount of herbal bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of citrus, peach, pineapple, herbal, and light pine on the finish for a bit. Nice balance of hop flavors with a good bitterness/sweetness balance as well. No cloying flavors after the finish at all. Medium carbonation and body; with a fairly creamy and crisp mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a damn nice IPA. Well balanced with nice hop flavors; extremely smooth and easy to drink. Really enjoyed this.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 02:54:29 | More by superspak

Josiah2729

Tennessee

3.53/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into pint glass

Appearance: Orange with creamy white head, nice lacing

Smell: Citrus Hops, some pine hops, slight sweet malt

Taste: Citrus, pine, sweet malts, nice balance with hops up front, followed by sweet malt

Mouthfeel: Creamy with medium carbonation, medium thickness

Overall: Delicious IPA

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 07:02:12 | More by Josiah2729

sommersb

Tennessee

3.48/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Tasted On: 08-02-2012
Freshness: Bottled on 04-10-2012
Packaging: 12 oz. brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Signature glass
Purchased: Single from Frugal MacDoogal, Nashville

Cracked this one open to celebrate IPA Day

A: Color is a semi-clear orange-yellow. The head is a couple of fingers and off-white. Both lacing and head retention are very good.

S: Aromas are of big grapefruit and citrus hops, plus some pine.

T: The taste is all about the hops -- very bitter and hoppy with spicy and citrus hops. I get a little malt in the background, but this one is mainly a big hoppy ale.

M: Finishes mostly dry and bitter, medium-bodied and with an average amount of carbonation.

O: Overall a pretty good IPA. A bit more malt would have been beneficial, though.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 00:06:30 | More by sommersb

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I am incredulous that I have not previously reviewed this beer. I was in Idaho in July 2007 and drank a lot of Laughing Dog beers on-tap. This must not have been one of them. I think that this one came to me courtesy of local IP trader, tone77.

Loads of carbonation evident! I popped the cap and was getting some foam coming up through the neck, then when I began my pour, the foam was massive, forcing me to back off. I had another massive French Vanilla-colored head, resembling the top of an ice cream cone. Color was a hazy orangish-amber. Nose was redolent with grapefruit/citrus hops. Mouthfeel was medium with a big citrus hop presence up front, underlain by a caramel malt sweetness. Finish was dry, hoppy, very satisfying. Why does the dog have to laugh at me, though?

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 17:12:46 | More by woodychandler

Aml42000

Washington

3.95/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Clear copper with a white head. Excellent lacing down the sides of the glass.

S- Could be my favorite component of the beer. Like walking through a forest of pine trees along with some citrus and peach aromas. Layers of aromatics made me almost forget to take a sip.

T- Balanced hop and malt flavors. Apricot and a hint of caramel at first quickly yield to grapefruit and bitter hop flavors. Again, good complexity.

M- Medium bodied and refreshing. The hops from the finish simply linger and the perfect level of carbonation tie it all together. A bit oily.

O- A delicious NW IPA. I really love finding this type of balance which makes it a refreshing drink, yet a great complement to food. I would buy again and often.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 21:55:37 | More by Aml42000

smakawhat

Maryland

3.35/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass. Oh shoot this is looking a little old (March 16 2012).

A simple off white head, makes barely two fingers to settle nicely, kind of foamy even a bit creamy in appearance. Body color is a nice classic orange amber with dark yellow brass hues, not bad.

Nose is sweet toasty malts, with a subdued hop presence. Yup this has faded I am guessing but there's a nice toast action behind this.

Still quite a simple pine hop presence, but a weak and watery body. Sharp finish of hinting alcohol it seems even for 6.5% which seems odd.

Overall, I am not sure how much better this would be fresh, but i'ts kind of lacking either way a bit. Still drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 19:53:27 | More by smakawhat

Scotchboy

Idaho

3.68/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap @ Lindy's Restaurant Boise ID. Served in a chilled mug.

A: Clear golden honey, decent fluffy off-white head with good head lacing.

S: Pretty balanced hop-to-malt ratio, good sharp fruit notes caramel sweetness underneath, floral notes, and soft white fruit flesh.

T: Follows the nose, not really sweet or bitter, somewhere in between. Floral and faint herbal notes, bready malts, hint of a spiced citrus hop notes, and a touch of pine needle.

MF: Creamy and medium bodied, a bit of dryness on the back end.

O: Decent drinker. Balanced, but doesn't stand out with flavor and aroma.

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2012 14:30:15 | More by Scotchboy

IPAguy2009

Oregon

4.08/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked this 6 pack for about $9.50, very reasonable price for a 6 pack of headys. I really enjoy this brewery and loved their 10.85% imperial IPA devil dog that sold for a stunning $3.79! Sadly the store I got that from no longer carrys it...anyways here we go!

A- pours a hazy deep yellow orange coppery color. Looks thick and tasty. Not too much lacing, but then again I used a frozen stein mug.

S- it smells just like the devil dog! Hard to describe as it has its own very original laughing dog smell. Smells amazing! Yeasty and sweet bready malt! Slight pine

T- pretty much the smell of this beer is what it also tastes like with late bittery hops sticking around.

M- actually pretty thick feeling, I wouldn't grab this beer for a thirst quencher. Pretty light carbonation. This beer is a bit of a meal.

O- great great IPA! Not an IPA that will punch u in the face w/hops (not that that's bad) but yet an IPA that focuses more on the malt side. Anyone know the abv?? Why is it a mystery? Haha. Yet another big thumbs up from me! Pick it up!

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 06:04:49 | More by IPAguy2009

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Just as I leave Alberta they start to get more selection from Laughing Dog. Good thing I got a western connection!

A - Pours a hazy copper colour with an orange hue, finger of head with some solid retention and nice sheeting lacing.

S - A tad mild but the earthy cedar and pine come through alongside a lemon tea citrus scent.

T - A nice mild earthy hop presence, some peat notes, and citrus bitterness come through nicely alongside a caramel backbone and a touch of graham cracker.

M - Nice medium carbonation level, goes down smooth and finishes wet.

O - An easy drinking IPA with a solid, but nicely balanced, hop presence. Could easily tackle a 6-er of this stuff without the fear of overwhelming the palette.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 20:30:23 | More by andrenaline

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - impenetrable hazy burnt orange, tall fluffy head dissipated with random lacing left
S - resiny, bready, slightly woody, and tropical fruit
T - interesting hop mix of dank resin, peppery spice, and mild citrus, with a solid bready malt backbone, and just a tease on alcohol heat late in the finish
M - much lower carbonation than anticipated, a creamy body with a medium bitter and a juicy finish
O - a full flavour IPA without being over the top, easily sessionable and very well balanced

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2011 04:12:13 | More by joemcgrath27

vkv822

Oregon

3.45/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12oz bottle into tulip snifter.

Pours a clear dark golden color with very light orange hues and a foamy, fairly short-lived off white head that leaves a pleasant web of lacing.

The nose at first is of pleasant citric and pine hops upfront that are quickly balanced out by sweet caramel malts. As the beer sits the malts become a bit more prevalent than the hops.

The taste is fairly malty upfront. The citric hops are there, but definitely taking a backseat to malty caramel notes. I'm starting to think I may have gotten a slightly older bottle?

The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with slightly prickly, active carbonation.

This was a decent beer that I enjoyed, though I'm not really sure how to grade this as I do think I got an older bottle as the malts really came through more than the hops. Or perhaps this is just an odd IPA?

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2011 05:47:25 | More by vkv822

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.03/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Poured a deep reddish orange with good carbonationa and a nice white cap

S: Deep oily pine hops, varnish alcohol, and a good thick sugary malt base.

T: Big caramel malt upfront with grapefruit and citrus, good dose of hops, bitterness is spot on

M: Sordove oily, not to tasty, lighter body

O: Average

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2011 15:32:11 | More by barleywinefiend

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.3/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Another 12oz bottle picked up for a little more than a buck in a grocery store in Idaho, when buying it here at home means well more than a Johnny Mac for a sixer. Fresher, too, one would hope.

This beer pours a hazy medium golden orange colour, with two fingers of foamy, rocky pale beige head, which leaves some nice frilly lace around the glass in its wake. It smells mildly of citrus and pine hops, with a floral/herbal undercurrent, and equally soft bready malt. The taste is bitter citrus rind, some funky herbal, and astringent pine hops, on top of a restrained bready caramel malt backbone. The carbonation is moderate, the body medium-light in weight, a little cloying, but generally smooth. It finishes in kind, the bready sweetness tempered by bitter herbal, weedy hops.

Not the standard, fresh, quaffable west coast IPA that I remember from the area - too muddled, and not enough crisp citrus to keep my attention.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 02:13:22 | More by biboergosum

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into pint glass 5/26/11

A golden yellow with lots of tiny particles being moved around by a few bubbles that float up to a thumbs width of head that leaves a few patches of lace

S some citric hops with a little pine and a faint floral aspect

T a little caramel added to what I smell but its toned down just a little compared to the smell

M a little watery but it has just enough bubbles to give it some life and it has just a little bite on the finish

O another decent beer that I'm not blown away by but had nothing to complain about

The booze is well concealed so that should count for something and the 12$ price tag may appeal to quite a few beer drinkers in my part of the world. good brew for the price and I could see myself drinking this again

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2011 05:49:03 | More by wordemupg

olmatty

Oregon

2.38/5  rDev -34.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Appearance- Pours an amber orange beer with a slight chill haze and thin yet persistent white head.

Smell-Mild citrus aroma with a hint of malts in the background.

Taste-Citrus hop and malts come early and pungent, but are followed up by a rough bitter ending that leaves an enpleasant flavor.

Mouthfeel-Thin and watery

Drinkability-Nearly a drain pour. So, needless to say drinkability is low. Other than bad flavor I have o reason to believe this is not representative of the typical beer, but in fairness I'll try this again and see if the review matches this outcome.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2010 08:12:28 | More by olmatty

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.03/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Good vibrant orange and gold pur, just the right amount of head chills on the lip of the pint glass. Aroma is sweet, almost pink grapefruit.

Taste, hoppier than I remembered, solid bitterness and hop mouthfeel, cascade, maybe even Amarillo or simcoe in not huge amounts. Caramel but not the weight of it in a heavy sense.

A solid ipa, decent price 7-8$

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2010 02:23:10 | More by Beerandraiderfan

kbeals

Florida

4.03/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- 12 oz. bottle reviewed from notes. Poured into a pint glass reveals a cloudy orange brew with 1.5 fingers of fluffy white head. Great head retention and a good solid wall of lacing on the side of the glass.

S- Piney, earthy hops. Has a solid caramel malt backbone to it. Very well balanced.

T- Once again, piney hops, very fresh smelling. Not much of the malt backbone shows up, but it is there. Very tasty.

M- Light-medium body, very fizzy. Smooth and easy to drink.

D- Very smooth, very well made, easy to drink. A solid example of an IPA. I really feel this brewery is pretty under-rated. I wish they distributed in MI, very reasonably priced as well.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2010 15:34:00 | More by kbeals

beertunes

Washington

3.75/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in straight pint glass. Poured a semi-hazy deep yellow/light gold color with a tall, fluffy, white head that had great retention and lacing.

The aroma was solidly pine and floral hops, with a hint of citrus at the back, built upon a solid malt foundation. Across the tongue the sharp, citrus hop flavors dominate, giving way to pine on the finish.

The body was good, a little more solid than a lot of IPAs around right now. Drinkability was also very good, for all the hop flavors, this isn't an immediate palate wrecker.

Overall, a very good IPA. Worth your time to try.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2010 21:12:32 | More by beertunes