Dogma - BrewDog

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

BrewDog Dogma
22.4 oz. bottle; "best before 125 - 10 - 04 - 12"
$6.99 @ Joe Canal's Discount Liquor, Egg Harbor, NJ

Nice label. Nice bottle as well, I like the shape. And I like the writing about the beer and the quote from John Locke. It's obviously "Stone" inspired in general, but it's much more literate and witty than most of what Greg Koch has thrown together. Onward...

Brewdog Dogma is a feisty little bitch if I can gather anything from the opening "crack" of the cap. It pours a clear deep-amber body beneath a massive head of frothy, yellowed off-white foam. (I should note at this point that I sampled it at a cellar temperature). The head holds remarkably well. Tiny bubbles can be seen making their way steadily upward and it doesn't seem to have too much carbonation. Partial sheets of lace are left behind.

OK, here we go... smells malty and hoppy. Basic. Caramelish and leafy with a little bit of yeasty fruitiness thrown in. There's something else to it but I can't place it. It seems like a pretty basic beer in general, although I know from reading the label that it's got honey, kola nut, poppy seeds and guarana thrown in. I guess I can see the honey and the poppy seeds, but I'm not even sure what kola nut is except that it's a stimulant that's got more caffeine to it than coffee. And I guess the guarana goes hand in hand with that.

In the mouth it's medium bodied and fairly smooth with just a light tickle on the palate from the median carbonation.

The flavor reveals a lot more than the aroma does, but again, I'm not sure what I'm tasting. It's peppery; and there's a bitterness to it that I'm sure is not coming from hops. The somewhat sugary malt helps to balance that, but it lingers in the aftertaste. And I guess that sugar is coming from the honey. And I do find a bit of nuttiness to it which could be from the kola nut, or might just be from the malts. I also find it much more floral than the aroma suggested. It's a bit toasty and if I had to peg this with a style other than "herbed / spiced" I'd probably go with brown ale, albeit a bit on the lighter side.

So let's break it down. Basic, yet complex. Complex in a way that we're not used to. It's not that it's got depth of flavor, or multiple flavor components going on all together and combining or not combining, it's just that those flavor components aren't exactly clear to our inexperienced palates. And yet, it falls back upon being fairly basic. So, OK, very good, but it's not exactly the kind of beer you'd look to as a basic beer to drink - it's so much more. It's not a session beer. I wouldn't order this out at the pub with the mates; or should I, is that what I'm missing? Is this a kind of response to Red Bull? Is it an "energy drink" via beer? If that's the case, I'll pass, I don't need that gimmick. But I will say it's unique. And I'll say I enjoyed it. I'm still up in the air on the "why" and "what for", but I can still call it as it stands hedonistically: average for a craft beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2011 21:28:05 | More by NeroFiddled

champ103

Texas

3.45/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On cask at the Gingerman in Houston.

A: Pours a cloudy amber/red/brown color. At first a two finger white head forms from the cask pump. The foam sticks around for a minute, and leaves some lace behind.
S: Toasted malts with some honey sweetness. Floral and herbal aromas. Very soft, but enjoyable.
T: Again, very soft flavors. Caramel and honey sweetness. Lightly fruity with some floral/grassy flavors. All fine a dandy, I just wish all those flavors were a bit more pronounced.
M/D: A medium body that is low on the carbonation, even for a cask conditioned beer. Not hard to drink. I could have had another if in the mood.

Really one of BrewDog's better beers. Maybe the only one I would consider trying again, which is saying something. Worth a try, which is about the best I can say for BrewDog.

Serving type: cask

05-29-2011 22:56:13 | More by champ103

brystmar

New York

2.85/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Brown with tons of white head. Looks like a brown ale. Spicy in the nose, boozy, aged malts too.

Taste is overly bitter. Hard to differentiate the ingredients, not a particularly balanced brew. Thin body, plenty of carb, more alcoholic warmth than expected. This one just isn't for me.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 03:34:14 | More by brystmar

brentk56

North Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +24.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a cloudy amber color with a very nice head that sticks and laces like a champ; very impressive

Smell: Caramel, fruity/sweet elements (maple, honey, cola, poppy, vanilla) with a piney hop balance

Taste: A bit of caramel on the front end, followed by a range of unusual fruity/sweet flavors (maple, cola, honey, poppy and vanilla); by mid-palate, the piney hop adds balance; after the swallow, the sweet and bitter flavors blend together nicely

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation

Overall: Not sure what to expect but I really enjoyed this beer; the bitterness is not unusual but the sweet flavors are really interesting

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2011 23:42:56 | More by brentk56

Boneheadmx

California

3.95/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured out to a hazy, reddish tan with a beautiful cream colored, 2-finger head that lasted throughout the drink.

Smell is very fruity, with hints of honey and prunes. Very hard to detect any hops.

Taste is very malty with a balanced bite of hops. Very surprising as I didn't notice it very much in the smell. The bitterness lingers a bit and gives way to a pleasant and subtle warm sweetness.

Mouthfeel is fairly thick, with just the right amount of carbonation (very little).

Drinkability I would say isn't super high, but overall is still a very solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2011 07:56:36 | More by Boneheadmx

spree92

New Brunswick (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

BrewDog talks a lot and has a great imagination when it come to brewing different styles. A vibrant golden amber with a pretty good head. All the ingredients that went onto this and not one of them stand out. They blend together well though. The taste is similar but at the same time has lots if character. Tastes like an IPA with funky, tasty profiles. Medium body with a full flavor. As it warms in the glass, flavors expand and grow into their own. The honey is a bit more noticeable.
I have had other BrewDog beers and most are decent. This is comparable. Worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2011 19:23:48 | More by spree92

McNealc31

Ohio

3.7/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

The color is orange and a bit cloudy, like iced tea. The head is huge and fluffy. Smells floral with honey and hops. Flavor is quite bitter with hops, honey, pepper, and more floral notes in the finish.

There's a lot going on, but I think I can't figure it out since there are ingredients I am unfamiliar with.

Complex, but very tasty!

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2011 23:51:20 | More by McNealc31

seanyfo

United Kingdom (Scotland)

4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1/2 pint served into tulip glass at brewdog bar in Edinburgh

A- Amber body with a haze, tan head, which is 2 fingers, tight and creamy with average retention but good lacing.

S- malt forward brew, toffee, I get a hint of a floral perfume which i would pin down as the Heather.

T- hit of sweetness, detecting Munich malt and the honey/caramel sweetness meeting a semi dry finish with a subtle hop bite. Alcohol heat is barely noticeable.

S- medium body and carbonation.

D- probably more going on in this beer than I could detect, before I read the description I thought this resembled a belgian dubbel! Interesting flavour profile!

Serving type: on-tap

04-23-2011 21:59:16 | More by seanyfo

KingPuuChuu

Arizona

3.95/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Crazy beer.

Pours a beautiful copper with a rich head, that dies down after a few sips, but never goes away.

The aromas are amazing. Heather and honey hit the nose the hardest, and upon sipping, a peppery smell comes out. Flavors include nut, pepper, and honey. A hop bite finishes, and doesn't linger, which is nice.

Also, the mouthfeel is dry, which is appreciated. Alcohol is there, but in a warm way versus a stinging way.

All in all, this is a lovely beer. Definitely not a session, but I could see myself rocking another.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2011 02:04:10 | More by KingPuuChuu

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy, dark amber color. Moderate head that settles to single layer of bubbles. Leaves a good blanket of lace.

Brown sugar malt with a mild, floral hop bitterness. Light woodsy smell. Smells like a darker American pale ale.

Initially, I detect brown ale malts--roasted nuts, biscuit and toast. The moderate hop level gives this beer a dry mouthfeel. Decent body with an appropriate carbonation level. The finish is lightly bitter and not long lasting.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2011 01:11:25 | More by smcolw

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy copper to amber color with a light tan head. In the aroma, nutty and fruity, with some honey like notes. In the taste, nutty and honey, with some nice fruit in there too. A small bite and a medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry nutty aftertaste. Nutty and fruity, hides the 7.8% alcohol, nice and a solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2011 18:21:51 | More by OWSLEY069

petacutlasaurus

Maryland

3.65/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed this beer recently - one of BrewDog's cheaper offerings. Greater than average carbonation, a little bit of foam in the head, dark, honey brown color. On tasting, it was surprisingly refreshing. The nut and honey tastes are blended in well with the medium to light body and the even lighter fruit tastes. Maybe it's the guarana, but the beer's got a nice little bit of kick that sets it apart from similar tasting brews. Overall, I enjoy it, but I'm not sure it's balance is spot on. There are a lot of flavors here that are all great in their own right, but together, it seems like they're reaching too many different directions.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2011 22:59:53 | More by petacutlasaurus

Nerudamann

Arizona

4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

Look - light copper-ish/amber in color, a bit murky, with a lot of khaki-colored foam that dissipates somewhat slowly.

Smell - fairly hoppy. A bit of the honey can be found, and maybe the guarana, but I don't know about the poppy seeds.

Taste and Mouthfeel - still fairly hoppy, but with little bitterness until the end. Nice, smooth sweetness from the honey in the middle. The start has a bit of a muskiness to it, which also seems to stay in the aftertaste. Texture is pretty well-balanced.

Overall - Not a bad brew at all! Nice and complex...typical of this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2011 05:28:14 | More by Nerudamann

theboozecruise

Louisiana

3.7/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured into an imperial pint glass... it's a slightly hazy brilliant amber color with a ridiculous beige head. Phenomenal retention and lacing... good looking brew.

It definitely smells spiced, with an amber ale base. It's hard to pick out the exact spices, but there's definitely some honey in there. The label says "honey, kola nut, poppy seed, and guarana" so I don't feel bad anymore, I'm not familiar with any of those other than honey really! It's tasty though, pretty good.

The nuttiness comes out strong in the taste, more than any other flavor. I'm not familiar with kola nuts but it's pretty obvious that's what's up. It's also very boozy, tasting way stronger than 7.8% to me. The other flavors are there as well, just mostly unfamiliar to me.

The booziness throws off the mouthfeel for me, but other than that I really like this one. It's certainly something interesting and new to me, and I'd definitely try it again to get a better handle on all the flavors.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2011 00:12:50 | More by theboozecruise

Boitnott

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I went to my local beer seller and and asked for an odd beer. I wanted something intriguing and inspiring and this one caught my eye. Brewdog has a limited offering in my area, and if there is something then it is over $8 for a 12-oz. I picked this one up and poured into a DFH Snifter.

At first glance it has a dark orange color with creamy inch high head that dissipates quickly. The lacing is nice, but does not last throughout. Upon a taking a sniff, I began to wonder if this was a Wild Ale. Of course it is not, and this smell largely comes from the guarana. A faint smell of honey also persists, and I can best describe this as unique.

The nose does not have much going on with it. Some faint tastes of the guarana and poppy in the nose but not enough to enlighten the palate. However it really blossoms in the finish. The guarana adds wonders to the overall taste and the notes of honey balance out its harshness. The only issue is the tasteless nose. Without a distinguished opening this beer fails to excel to greatness.

The ABV is unnoticeable with the guarana and other flavors. The carbonation is slightly lower than I would like, but not enough to make it a bad drink. Overall I am pleased with Brewdog's attempt to be unique in beer world that at times overrun with IPAs and typical stouts. Not a bad brew if you are feeling risky.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2011 03:36:38 | More by Boitnott

SkeeterHawk

Texas

3.03/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: Pours a slightly cloudy burnt orange color with a solid 1" head of off-white bubbles that was quite creamy looking. There are tons of bubbles rising to maintain the head and it was every bit as bit as it was initially at least two minutes after the pour. So far, this is a pretty nice looking beer.

Aroma: I initially got some dark toffee-like sweetness in there along with a subtle spice that is also sweet. The foam is thick, so it is hard to get much more right now. As the beer warms up some the aroma is getting much more medicinal.

Taste: The spice comes out a whole lot more in the flavor than it did in the aroma. It is adding a bit of astringency that is a little weird, but is mixing pretty well with the toffee notes. The flavor is earthy to say the least. Man, this is so unusual that I wish my palate was better trained to appreciate it or something as even the burp has a kind of medicinal taste to it. I am also getting heat in a weird place on the back of my throat...so I am guessing that it is the spice and not any alcohol or anything.

Opinion: I don't know about this one. It is getting a little bit easier to drink as I am about 1/4 of the way through the beer. I just don't think that I am appreciating this beer, so I will leave it up to you. It is an interesting taste nontheless and I am glad that I am trying it. That said, I don't think that there would be any way in hell that I would drink another one of these myself as I am going to do good to finish it.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2011 08:49:12 | More by SkeeterHawk

soze47

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +17%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Glad I picked this one up. Unique beer for sure and reasonably priced at $8.

Appearance: Orangey and brown, almost like low-grade pancake syrup. Lots of frothy head that goes away somewhat quickly, but leaves nice lacing.

Aroma: Malty and caramel first and fore most. There are hints of other flavors here too (this is brewed with kola nuts and poppy seeds), but it is almost hoppy tones that I'm picking up. Floral, herbal, and citrus rind smells are there.

Taste: Curious taste. First flavors are definitely malty and caramel sweet, but before that becomes too much, the hops bill and spices balance it nicely. I can really get the kola nut flavors too, but the hops are really what play a subdued, yet substantial role in the beer. Starts malty sweet, but all the other members of the party show up to keep it from taking over.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability: The mouthfeel is surprising light for a near 8% brew. It feels like a pale ale or lager in body style when drinking. Also, the flavors grow more complex as you drink. The nuts, herbs and hops continually grow to help tamp down the sweet malt.

Overall: I really like this brew, but can understand why other may not. It does have an almost cola taste to it at times, but don't worry. This is a beer with notes of subtle flavors that are all over the map in a great, unique way and a perfect body to carry the flavors.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2011 05:37:04 | More by soze47

generallee

New York

3.7/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Presentation: It was poured from a brown 660ml bottle into a tulip glass. The label lists its abv at 7.8% and it has a very short description of the beer.

Appearance: The body has a reddish orange amber color with a slight haze. From the aggressive pour I got just a small soapy head. This head fades quickly leaving just a thin lacing on top.

Smell: Its aroma is very sweet and fruity with little citrus and herbal hops in the background.

Taste/Palate: The flavor has a big juicy fruity character with sweet and tart ruby red grapefruit notes over a light/thin malt base. Its finish brings a little spice and some herbal hop notes with a firm bit of hop bitterness. The palate has a light to medium feel with light fuzzy carbonation.

Notes: This beer has a border line soda pop like character but is still interesting.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2011 12:54:12 | More by generallee

WeissbrauMeister

Michigan

3.55/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a 20oz. snifter.

A- Dark amber.

S- It has a "herby" scent with a hint of raisins.

T- Very smooth at first. Proceeded by a taste of herbs and poppy seeds. Finishes with an alcoholic flavor and a dryness (no doubt from the honey).

M- Feels lighter than a 7.8% abv beer. Good carbonation.

D- The alcoholic finish limits the it to one.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2011 03:04:12 | More by WeissbrauMeister

scroteau

Connecticut

4.38/5  rDev +22%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

First time I've tried this beer and am very impressed. The clarity is surprising considering the malts and other adjuncts used in this beer. Mouthfeel is clean and velvety almost like you know there's honey here but not quite sure if it's really there. 7.8 abv are you kidding me there isn't a hot spot in this beer. The 65 ibu's and the malt/honey sweetness is well balanced not at all cloying like Midas Touch. There is definitely a spicy aroma, but again it's a pleasant alomost peppery aroma that sets of the sweet aroma of the crytal malts really well. There is a slight acridness in the finish probably from the roasted barley. The finish reminds of a sweet imperial stout. I'd drink this beer any time.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2011 01:44:18 | More by scroteau

ferrari29

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Beer poured from bottle into tulip glass

A - Beer has a orange, cinnamon look to it the beer is cloudy, almost like an apple cider; small amount of white head came with pour; not much visible carbonation

S - Sweet cider smell; apple; herbal-fig scents; citrus aroma on the back-end

T - Slightly liquorish; tart front taste on the lips and tongue; lingers well into the palate and down the hatch; middle of the tongue catches a herbal honey taste; subtle taste of figs and dates

M - Beer is thin and effervescent; leaves a dry feel over the top of the tongue, but still feels very smooth

D - Great beer with a very nice wild fruit, fig taste to it; I enjoyed it unique smell that was complimented by a taste that is unmatched by very many beers; I would highly recommend to others

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2011 18:28:40 | More by ferrari29

aasher

Indiana

3.03/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer pours a reddish auburn in color with little to no head. What does remain laces the glass. It smells VERY spicy and is very heavy on the malt. The flavor too is intense on the spices. A little too much. It's hard to define the spices, but it's crazy spicy. It's hard to define the spices but it's "insert spice rack here". It drinks fine. It's whatever, nothing special, nothing revolutionary. It's ok. I've had it before but I won't necessarily buy it again. Meh.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2011 10:14:35 | More by aasher

RockyTopHeel

North Carolina

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

Pours a cloudy amber, with a short, lacy off-white head. Aroma of caramel malts and a touch of bitterness.

For a beer brewed with honey, kola nut, poppy seed and guarana, I'm not getting much of anything here. Some slightly cloying sweetness, a touch of herbal hops. A very faint honey character emerges at it warms.

A solid beer and enjoyable, but for so many interesting ingredients there's not a lot going on here. Oh well.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2011 03:06:53 | More by RockyTopHeel

coldmeat23

Oklahoma

3.1/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

GLASS: BrewDog Signature Glass (Stemmed Tulip/Flute Hybrid?)
TEMP: Cellared @ approx 45 degrees
BATCH: 247 BEST BEFORE: 02-09-11 (Sept. 02, 11?)
Mailordered from BrewDog (Glass & Beer)

This is a dark shade of amber, until you backlight it, then it reveals itself to be very light in hue. It has some light crimson tinting. It produces a two-finger head of loose, beige colored, foam. The retention is quite good and the lacing is in thin, yet sticky, strands.

The nose is very floral and has a good deal of honey presence, as well. Very nice bread notes and hints of spices. Good showing of caramel malts. Mild hint of hops.

The flavor starts out as very floral, with a light touch of breadiness. It breaks into some big notes of herbal spice-iness and hops bitterness, sprinkled with some fusel alcohol notes. The finish is very dry and has a very slight metallic note.

Medium-bodied with a light-to-medium level of carbonation. Feels nice and smooth with a light touch of crispness.

I'll try this one again, when I get the chance. Just to make sure that this isn't an 'off' bottle. I don't think that it is though.
That being said, This is an okay beer, but it's my first letdown from BrewDog.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2011 03:48:32 | More by coldmeat23

TheKingofWichita

North Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Pours a deep, pretty amber with burgundy highlights and a thin white/brown head and tons of lacing. Smells of Belgian yeast and a little malts. Tastes of malts, some hops, and plenty of poppy, some black pepper, a little honey and maybe even some kola nut. Mouthfeel is medium with a nice thick body and a tiny bit of carbonation. Drinkability is sort of low.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2011 23:46:59 | More by TheKingofWichita