Adam - Hair of the Dog Brewing Company / Brewery and Tasting Room

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4.49/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: dark, baked wood-meat color... interesting sort of chestnut or chocolaty brown hue... somewhat turbid and primitive.... some foam on the pour, but it took a nap

S: cocoa-dusted coffee cake... measure of toasted bread crumbs... mild phenolic mist coming through the cracks, floral-wood.... superb balance of the elements

T: like a smoky doppelbock - immediate comparison to a slightly silkier Celebrator, but with an almost cherrywood-smoked melanoidin-caramelized quality.... but clean... undeniable salivatory concentration of flavor, but floats wonderfully atop the smooth phantom-fruity alcohol

M: the core is concentrated on the top, soft fresh water carries it.... not as dense a malt foundation as it suggests.... still solid, hardly meek... surprised how clean the finish is.... it sits on the palate momentarily before quietly washing off....

O: I don't see how you can call this an "Old Ale" - it's an old style, I'm sure.... straddles a few styles.... excellent and more or less unique for what it is

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2013 19:38:29 | More by Bouleboubier

chaint

California

4.33/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Dark chocolate brown color with a creamy head. Light carbonation, but a huge chocolate aroma...quite nice. Very sweet and deep flavor that coats your mouth and remains long after your sip. Big, big flavor, but still quite smooth. This is a great beer in this variety.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2013 00:15:40 | More by chaint

stoutluvr420

Vermont

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Dark brown-orange with a medium creamy brown head. Nice lacing. Aroma: Smokey, caramel, dark fruits, chocolate, and some leather. Taste: Smokey, malt, caramel and dark fruits. Good bitterness in the aftertaste (long duration), but not overwhelming. Body is rich. Overall: Very complex and well balanced.

Serving type: on-tap

09-16-2012 22:35:39 | More by stoutluvr420

KDawg

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had from tap at HotD. Poured into a pint glass and pours a dark brown color with a small head.

Rich, but balanced, aromas of espresso beans, chocolate, caramel and some warm toffee aromas. Very pungent and very good complexity.

Full bodied and extremely smooth. There isn't even a hint of the alcohol on this. Great depth and polish with wonderful notes of toffee, warm caramel, dark chocolate and some bits of smoke notes as well.

This was killer stuff. One of the best brews on my trip to portland and I was damn glad I finally had a chance to try it.

Serving type: on-tap

06-27-2012 19:39:54 | More by KDawg

TheEarl

Washington

3.83/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I had two tulip glasses of Adam at the brewery on 6/15/2012.

Appearance: Adam is a dark, opaque brown with a very faint head.

Smell: Aroma is dominated by lots of dark fruit, malt, yeast, and a slight vegetable note.

Taste: The taste is very similar to the smell with lots of fruit (plum, prune, berries), yeast, and a candy sugar sweetness. However, there is very apparent alcohol present.

Mouthfeel: Adam isn’t as heavy feeling as I expected from the appearance. The mouthfeel is, on balance, very smooth and well carbonated.

Overall: Adam is a solid beer but, to be honest, I wasn’t blown away. I really enjoyed the complexity but I found the alcohol and candy sugar sweetness upset the balance of the beer a bit too much. That said, I did order a second pour so I obviously liked it.

PS: The bartender that served us at the taproom was really rude. We were trying to have a couple of beers on a sunny Friday afternoon and she kept snapping at us and grunted one-word answers at my questions.

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2012 17:54:52 | More by TheEarl

Mar02x

Netherlands

4.28/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I had this beer pored in by Alan Sprints himself during the Alvinne Craft Beer Festival. What a fantastic moment.

A - A dark brown, but clear beer with a off white head that turns slowly to fluffy.

S - A fruity sweet scent.

T - There is definitely some smoke malts used in this beer, but is totally not overwhelming and the sweet fruitiness catches you quite easily.

M - A soft carbonation and no bitterness. This beer is easy to drink and enjoyable.

O - A pleasant ale to drink, a real sipper.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2012 19:45:35 | More by Mar02x

writerLJBerg

Oregon

4.38/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Last vintage from the old facility, on tap at the tasting room on 2-24. Reviewed from notes.

A: So brown it's black. Coats the glass.

N: Subdued, but I get a hint of malt, caramel, toffee, and smoke.

T: This is amazing. It's a mixture of chocolate, leather, tobacco, and a smokiness that's reminiscent of a Coal Islay Scotch. And I love me some Laphroaig. Alcohol is practically non-existent.

M: Smooth and silky. I could take down a lot of this if it wasn't 10%.

O: This is an awesome batch. Really, the only reason I don't put this as 5's across the board is because I don't want to be too huge of a fan boy. But this is, IMO, a standard by which other beers are judged.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2012 00:30:22 | More by writerLJBerg

ZombiesAteMyDog

Indiana

4.38/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had one of the last pours of this at Gravity Head 2012 on 02/25/12.

A – Lightly translucent, slightly cloudy brown. Very little head, but with a thin lacing which stuck around.

S – Caramelized grainy malt, slight cherry, and alcohol.

T – Follows the nose, but with less alcohol. Slightly fruit sweetness, caramel, and a bit of hops. Well balanced with a chocolate finish.

M – Full bodied and very smooth. Bit of a burn in the finish, but not as high as I’d expect for a 10% ABV. Very drinkable.

O – One of the better Old Ales I’ve had, and one of the brews I was looking out for at Gravity Head 2012.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2012 20:07:52 | More by ZombiesAteMyDog

zaphodchak

Virginia

4.55/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at HotD.

The original reason I wanted to go to HotD (found it once in NYC, hadn't heard of it).

My taster head was gone by the time I tasted it, but mega lace remained. Chocolate brown/black body.

Rich, roasty malt nose.

Smoke, leather, significant hops in the taste, kinda herbal.

Super rich and smooth.

Remarkable beer of a forgotten style, unfortunately distribution is sparse. I regret not trying Adam from the Wood while there, but time didn't allow.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2011 20:04:31 | More by zaphodchak

unclejazz

New York

4.63/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Lucky that my 'hood beer hole got a keg of this in.Thank you Sunswick

A-Dark Brown body with a 1 finger head that goes away pretty quick.

S-Malted note with prune chocolate and a bit of oak.

T-earthy pine note until I get whacked by raisin, cocoa, and the roasted malt.

M-good body, not too carbonated. Lingers in you mouth the way a good bourbon does, very nice finish.

O-glad this came around. I have been intimidated by the price tag, but might pick some up for a special occasion. Look out other Oregon breweries, here I come!

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2011 21:13:44 | More by unclejazz

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-very dark brown with a sticky cream colored head

S-smoked chocolate malts. some hops. roasted flavor. some dark fruits. complex but very faint smell.

T-comes in with a very full and high quality flavor of burnt chocolate and amazing dark fruits. this is good and unique! its strong and it lasts! definitely has a smokey flavor to it. after-taste is matching and short

M-thick medium carbonation with a dry finish

O-a very good and unique beer though the flavors seem to escape me, the more i drink it. this isn't for the long run! i wouldn't want more than one at a time, not because of the alcohol, but because of the thickness of the beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2011 18:47:35 | More by AdamBear

brystmar

New York

3.65/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

On draft at Barcade's Vintage Beer Night, despite being a 2011.

Pours unexpectedly dark brown/black; looks like a porter but without head or lace. Surprisingly roasty in the nose. Taste follows suit; boozy warmth follows it down. A touch watery in flavor, and significantly so in mouthfeel. Extremely light on body, even for an Old Ale.

Really needs more boldness of flavors and significantly more body. A few years of age would be great too.

Serving type: on-tap

08-12-2011 01:59:36 | More by brystmar

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Comes out of the tap an opaque sable with a yellowish pale tan head. Aroma is mainly malty and has a chocolaty undertone.Malty flavor is somewhat sweet and has a chocolate tone plus nutty and coffee undertones. Texture is thick, smooth and subtly fizzy, on the heavy side. Definitely worthy!

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2011 01:28:15 | More by Cyberkedi

smakawhat

Maryland

3.88/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Adam the flagship beer at Hair of The Dog, consists of a very dark brown color. The nose on the beer was predominant of molasses, giving away to some faint bitter chocolate.

Taste was of some leather, but giving way to a tobacco afterfinish. Not a personal favorite due to the big molasses front, but it could appease other drinkers I think very easily.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2010 05:02:58 | More by smakawhat

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.4/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Was pleasantly surprised to see this on tap at the Horsebrass the other night.

Adam pours a dark cola color with very good head retention and considerable lacing. The beer looks impressive, and is a presage of what's to come. On the nose this beer smells almost sinfully good. There is considerable chocolate, but with some underlying vanilla, golden raisans, coffee and light licorice. On the palate, this beer is every bit as good. It's fairly sweet of course, but the melange of sherry, wood, vanilla, cherry liquer, dark chocolate and light licorice (in the finish) keeps me coming back, wanting more and more, after every sip. Fresh Adam also seems to have some noticeable hoppy bitterness in the finish that helps to counter and balance out the sweetness as well. Mouthfeel is full with a long, drawn out finish in this richly delicious beer. Drinkability is pretty good, though I'm aware of the 10% abv. in this beer as I go along. Hard to imagine having more than one of these at a sitting, but nevertheless, this is just an exceptional, well made beer, and an absolute treat to have on tap. Yummy!!!

Serving type: on-tap

08-21-2010 15:00:17 | More by johnmichaelsen

Amalak

New York

4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had at The Diamond in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
A- It's basically black with limited head and good lace.
S- Nice, nutty malt scent.
T- It has a very fine chocolate stout/lager taste. It's malty. It has a strong alcohol taste, but not overbearing. It has the feel of a stout/porter, but there is a lager taste toward the end. Confused. But good.

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2010 17:11:06 | More by Amalak

djbreezy

Washington

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured into a snifter at Bailey's Taproom in Portland, OR

appearance - dark brown and thick, decent lacing

smell - unique wood and malty notes

taste - very complex and bold, woody, molasses, malt and raisins become dominant as the temperature increases

mouthfeel - fairly thick and somewhat creamy

drinkability - a very complex and enjoyable beer but quite heavy and not so easy to drink a lot of

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2010 05:11:52 | More by djbreezy

Brianmerrilyn

New York

3.4/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Sample at David Copperfields in Manhattan NY from owner, fellow Bronxite.

A: Red & black, not sure about head and lacing as small sample.

S-Sweet candies, unable to discern which however.

T- Malt first followed by hops. High ABV noticable very quickly but too strong, it is 10% after all. Not sure of the brew date but nothing like a Old Ale i've tasted prior.

M- Medium with heavy carbonation.

D-A good desset wine but not my style.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2008 22:05:01 | More by Brianmerrilyn

sstackho

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz glass enjoyed at Redbones in Somerville, MA - along with some good BBQ. Pours black, with no head. The aroma is smoky with some hops, but overall not that strong. The taste is a lovely, rich and deep. Tastes more like an typical imperial stout to me - although I haven't had all that many, I must say. Nice balance of malt and hops.

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2007 22:29:28 | More by sstackho

gentlebubbles

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

on tap at Redbone's

Deep smooth chestnut with low, dense tan head. Caramel scent. Thick caramel with smoky tones that take on a touch of creosote toward the end. The smoke makes it intriguing, but I'm not interested in having another. A hair on the syrupy side. Subtle warming that's just what you need on a freaking cold evening.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2004 03:04:08 | More by gentlebubbles

beernut7

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Folks, if you're planning on tasting others beers in the same night, do this puppy last. Taps with a nice faomy head and deep amber-golden color. The striking aroma wafts heavily with malt of earthy character. The heavy smooth body supports flavors of heavy malt and earthy, musty grape tones. The warming effect is undeniable. A sipper for sure. A beer that drowns the senses for quite a period of time post-taste.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2002 08:14:58 | More by beernut7

CharlesRiver

Connecticut

4.38/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured very dark with no head at all. The smell is the best part as you can find apple,sherry and some great fruity flavors. The taste is much the same as the smell with a mild chocolate flavor coming through. Sip this after dinner but watch out because this one could hurt.

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2002 14:49:31 | More by CharlesRiver

Jason

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap @ Redbones.

Murky brown colour with a thin lace and decent head retention to boot. Aromas of ripe figs, caramel and husky grain.

Figgy sweet, layer of caramel, hints of husk and yeast, and struggling hop balance. Full bodied and very creamy on the tongue off of a moderate carbonation. Higher alcohols are merely in ester form and somewhat get lost in the malt in a very deceiving way. Sweet finish with a slow warming feeling.

Overly drinkable barleywines can be a dangerous thing, this beers name is dangerous. Goes down some smooth and creamy, with layers of sweetness that are no cloying at all caress the taste buds to bring them closer to heaven. Highly recommended especially on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2002 18:01:21 | More by Jason

FondueVoodoo

British Columbia (Canada)

4.34/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to lazarus25 for bringing this up north.

Batch 87

A: Pours torched oak colour - Deep brown with tan-yellow highlights. Just a whisp of sandy head, that really there just to prove it's not a wine. The ale is murky and appears thick in the glass - full of sediment & rustic.

S: Full of alcohol esters with smooth vanilla & dark dried fruits, cherries, plums and raisins. Sweet chocolate with a solid presence of oiled leather and fresh wet wood. Overall sweetness of buckwheat honey shines through.

T: Molasses and smooth vanilla with nuts that give way to grains and finishes earthy and rustic. Alcohol vapours is noticeable on the tongue, but lacks any burn or fire breath.

M: Thick and chewy with a syrup feel on the palette. Offers some puckering dryness at the mid point and on the finish that support the flavours.

O: A sophisticated drink that might pair well with cigars and smoking jackets, in a formidable leather wing back chair with your hounds in front of a crackling fire recounting that day's pheasant hunt.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 04:01:57 | More by FondueVoodoo

yankeepride

New Jersey

3.84/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Pours a deep brown that has a ruby tint that comes out with a light behind it, with little foam or carbonation. Smells of an alcohol burn with deep, rich fruit notes like figs and currants. Rating to style, I can really see why people would love this beer. The flavors are strong and bold, and close out with just a slight bit of bitter on the back end, which all fades away into a smooth blend. For me personally, these aren't flavors I enjoy, so liquefying and fermenting them isn't going to change that.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 00:45:00 | More by yankeepride