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

tavernjef

Minnesota

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

Whoa Nelly, this is an amazing beer.

Batch 52 - Bottle Conditioned 12 oz.

Color was not what I was expecting, so it was a nice surprise to see it pour into the glass very dark brown, very thick and creamy looking, its almost black. Growing tannish head with lots of divets and thick foaminess.

Smells of a heavy roasted malt, deep chocolate with some spicey hop notes. What a sniffer, you also smell the strong % of alcohol. Put spiced vodka in with a chocolate - chocolate chip cookie mix and you'd get this smell. Well maybe.

Taste is outstanding. Super complex. Super smooth and syrupy. Is very earthy and deep. Hugely done, heavily roasted malt, giving the all around chocolate taste a deep, sweet feel of a dark chocolate. Has a bit of spice from hops that balances well.

Has many levels of feel, but I think earthly creamy/syrupy is the overall on this bad boy. Has some dryness and sweet tingley things going on in there as well. Complex city.

Its a sipper, its very strong in its flavors and alcohol, and takes some getting use to.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2003 06:24:23 | More by tavernjef

49degrees

British Columbia (Canada)

4.3/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

BATCH 54 :: One of the most intriguing and style-dodging brews I've ever encountered. Incredibly complex in its presentation, its called an Adam style, which I'm not exactly up to snuff on; however, if comparison can be made, it would be a stunning interpretation (and blend for that matter) of a Porter, Stout, and Barley Wine. It's a real pleasure to both drink and study.

Adam has the most superfluous heads I've ever seen. I was never able to pour the entire bottle into the glass as the head was so incredibly large and slow to disapate that the beer would have been warm before I had the chance to drink it. I've writing this after savoring the glass for nearly 45 minutes now and there is still a 1" thick, tightly packed foamy head sitting atop the brew and roughly a 1/4 bottle left to enjoy,

Adam is a very deep, dark brown, almost black in color, slightly syrupy in complexity and presents and extremely large, brown colored foamy head. Aroma wise there's suggestions of bitter chocolate, coffee, earthy tones plus a slight hit of spice on the nose.

This is a very palette pleasing beer with relaxing chocolate suggested, roasted malts, a slight spicey (almost peppery) flavor that is somewhat reminscent of a spicey Merlot or Shiraz wine. At 10% abv, there is a definitive alcohol hit on both the nose and palette, but its not overwhelming thanks to nice blends of hops and malts. For a heavyweight beer, this is very drinkable but will likely catch up on your quickly if you're not paying attention.

Highly recommended. Would make for a great after dinner drink and a winter warmer.

[ STATS:>> 12 oz bottle / ABV: 10% abv / PRICE: $3.39 USD ]

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2003 16:26:16 | More by 49degrees

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I review this beer, like I do all others, without checking the classifications or other reviews, and am subsequently bewildered by what the heck this is supposed to be! It's utterly unique, and in a class of it's own.
Color is a dark mahogany, with a full, thick, sturdy, creamy head. Aroma is nutty, creamy, and sweet. Palate? Unparalleled!!! Marvelous, magnificent, with layers upon layers of malt. Hops give a cameo, not much screen time at all. So strong, so full of flavors, it's hard to know where to begin! Where, oh, where to start, where, oh, where to stop? A toffeeish flavor comes through on the palate, but before long everything is overtaken by smoke! Loads and loads of malt, rich and warming, earthy, chocolatey flavors peek through, but the notes of smoke and tobacco become dominant. Profound. Rich,and thick, and continually smokey, though the main flavor is a suggestion of being encased inside a nut. This is a true American classic.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2003 00:48:40 | More by feloniousmonk

Dogbrick

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Batch 54: Finally able to get this in Ohio. Pours a motor-oil dark brown, and 9/10 glass light beige foam to start out. I barely noticed the foam creeping out of the bottle in time to keep it from ending up all over the table while I was waiting for the foam in the glass to die down. That was kind of irritating. It is never good when it takes you longer to pour a beer than it does to drink it. Head took forever to dissipate. Aroma was a great blend of roasted nuts, raisin, malt, and alcohol. Flavor is an earthy concoction that doesn't even bother to try to hide the alcohol content. Very complex, with flavors of malt, fruit, caramel, vanilla, chocolate, and a myriad of other things. Great beer, but the crazy foam attack needs to go.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2003 07:02:09 | More by Dogbrick

comat0se

Colorado

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

Batch 48

Aroma:
Slight coffee, multitude of fruits, alcohol

Appearance:
Massive, 2 inch tan head even when poured very carefully. Dark brown with garnet highlights.

Mouthfeel:
Full with active carbonation and alcohol warmth, perhaps even over carbonated.

Flavor:
Hints of roasted malt, smoke, coffee, chocolate, overwhelmed by rush of complex, sweet dark fruits, full mouthfeel, prickly carbonation, and alcohol sting. Finish is light roasted malts, drier and moderately astringent from grain bitterness.

A very nice, complex old ale. Definitely one I'll get again.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2003 22:45:10 | More by comat0se

cretemixer

Indiana

3.55/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Batch #41. Pours a deep, deep auburn color with no head , hence no lace. Extremely sweet and fruity aromas; figs, raisins, caramel and alcohol. Brandy like on the nose. Slightly bitter taste, coffee, deep roasted malts, alcohol. Suprisingly dry with a thick mouthfeel, almost no carbonation. Hop presence comes through mid glass, but takes a back seat to the alcohol. Finishes flat. I didn't see any other reviews for this batch so I don't know how it fared compared to their other batches.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2003 05:45:30 | More by cretemixer

marc77

California

4.55/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Batch 54. Frenetic bubbling. The apparent overcarbonation precludes a simple pour into my favorite "Schwenker" glass. 1/8 beer, the rest foam. Ridiculously thick tan, creamy and sticky head. I used two glasses at first. Quite manageable after a short deliberation to allow both me and the beer to calm down. The head is seemingly molten like in viscosity. Lightly murky deep crimson hue. Ripe pear esters, woody oak, with a robust, leafy tobacco - like dark fruit and earthy hop nose combination upfront in aroma. Mellow beechwood smoked malt and butterscotch are secondary. Hint of bittersweet chocolate. Absolutely unique, rich overall and intriguing aromawise. Combination of chocolate and dark caramel laced sweetness initially in flavor is ceded by assertive fruitiness comprised of sugary plums and dried dates, with mild banana esters emerging late. Rounded, judicious smoked malt complements the malt character well. Hop bitterness is moderate and non descript, but offsets malt sweetness enough to aid in the oddly quaffable nature of this brew. Full in body and dextrinous, with the high CO2 levels lingering, lending a paradoxically crisp, yet rich mouthfeel. Finishes lightly smokey, with quasi black patent like malt bittersweet note pleasantly lingering. Adam is a flabbergasting brew. It's reminescent of Schelkerla's Rauchbock / Anchor Old Foghorn hybrid. Absolutely delicious, but somewhat perplexing. This fine beer is certainly worthy of a 750 ml portion.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2003 19:26:31 | More by marc77

francisweizen

Australia

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

Re-rare: Now-a-days I like this brew a lot more. It's still a dark brown colour with a small white head. Aromas are of smoke, leather, roasted malts, brown sugar, and more. The taste is very smoky, boozy, complex (leathery and earthy) and also a bit musty. It has a very warming finish and a nice medium bodied-thick mouthfeel. Nice., new scores are my current views of this brew.

A good beer but not one of my favs. I'm just really not the biggest fan of this 'old ale' style and this beer was not one of my favorites. However it did pour a very nice dark brownish colour with almost no head. This had some nice aromas of caramel and dark chocolate malts, but to me it tasted too 'earthy' for my liking(allot like 'skullsplitter')This did have a nice full mouth feel though but for me this is still a beer with a pretty low drinkability. Perhaps I will grow to appreciate this style more, in time, but for now this is not one of my favorite brews.
Oh Well...
Cheers anyway!
F

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2003 23:09:52 | More by francisweizen

sinistersteve

Oregon

3.68/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

*Batch 54*

Way too much head with this beer, even with a gentle pour. Albeit a thick head; I do hate having to wait to drink my beer. The beautiful lace in the glass was the only reward from this foam Bitter sweet aroma. Bitter, yet smooth flavor. As with most Hair of the Dog brews, this as a very unique taste to it. At 10% abv, I'll definately get rewarded for my patience.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2003 20:57:22 | More by sinistersteve

DarthMalt

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thick, dark amber, almost stout territory. Smell is heavenly. Strong apple and caramel aromas along with a nutty, creamy yeast undertone. Also, a little d-bock melanoidin or two swimming in there.

Tastes fabulous! Imagine your favorite d-bock/borderline eisbock transported in a leather tankard, through the Scottish highlands, on horseback--all those groovy tannins, oily extracts....mmmmmm!

Pretty fab old ale from this side of the pond.

Not sure if I got a bum bottle, but the fizz was real low on this guy.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2002 19:43:37 | More by DarthMalt

maxpower

Missouri

4.33/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Batch number 26. Dark ruby-black in color, not much carbonation, thin head, woody-liquorice aroma. Full body, very smooth soft, creamy mouthfeel. Oak and smokey sweet chocolate flavors, nice warming alcohol feel, beautiful.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2002 06:17:56 | More by maxpower

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

Gusler

Arizona

4.45/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

"Yo DAWG", the pour looks more like a "Guinness", deep brown, as my vision is still blurred from the “Fred”. The head is Brobdingnagian in size, creamy in consistency, with lace that adheres to the glass in oversized sheets. Nose is caramel, deep earthy malt, smoky or better yet a peat and musky aroma, fresh "Black Walnuts" also come to mind. Front is malt, the top is middling in mouth feel, finish is penetratingly acidic, scrumptiously hopped and the aftertaste dry. The alcohol hits you like your 5 "X" spouses looking for their back alimony! One damn fine beer, and I need to find a local source for “Hair Of the Dog Beers”, as they are “Magnificent” in their robustness, and as you know, I like these mean spirited beers.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2002 15:54:14 | More by Gusler

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

rastaman

United Kingdom (England)

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

Deep brown to black (garnet) colour ( a bit murky), Off-white head, which sticks around, but is very thin. Hugely malty aroma, with some citric hops as a backdrop, winey, touches of oak, some anise, the nose smelt quite acidic, fruity (raisins) and a bit of fruitcake or something, some alcohol aswell. First thing you notice when you take a sip is the fruity/chocolatye sweetness (yes, hugely malty), leading into some nice coffee roastiness, then quite a bitter acidic finish with some piney/citric hops, a touch winey, a touch oaky, a touch citric, a touch of spice, even a touch smokey and perhaps a bit earthy. yep its complex, the palate wasn't as round as i would have liked, but theres so much good stuff happening in here, that it didn't really take off to many marks. Satisfying bitterness to back up the sweetness. Unlike anything that i've tried, but contains so many different characteristics from different styles of beer, hardcore. Man, i'd love to age a few bottles of this. Also noticed that the price was still on the label, $1.99 at Trader Joes,, i reckon that a pretty top deal for a beer of this calabre. Thanks Andrew for this, a top brew!!!

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2002 04:29:36 | More by rastaman

Jon

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Batch Number 48. Pours an opaque brown with absolutely no head, which lets one know that this one is big on ABV. Definitely some bottle conditioning by-products floating about. Smell is diverse with a variety of characteristics. It's rather sweet and fruity with some notes of chocolate. First sip indicates the plethora of flavors that are part of this ale. Adam attacked my palate with notes of raisins, figs, alcohol, chocolate, bittering hops, and more. Mouthfeel is rather syrupy and oily. The alcohol content presents itself toward the bottom of the glass, decreasing drinkability a bit. It's good now, but it can certainly stand to mellow out a bit with some cellaring. Sip and enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2002 21:46:53 | More by Jon

dolem98

Idaho

4.88/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I sampled batch #53, I'm gonna put one of these guys away and try it again in a year.

Pours syrupy with no head, especially if one follows the directions on the bottle indicating to pour slowly, and I am a sucker for directions on the bottle. Color is incredibly dark brown, completely opaque. Leaves a slight lace as one slowly sips this beer down.

Smell is quite complex and sorting it out completely is above the ability of my paltry nose. I would describe it as a sweet and slightly fruity (think figs, raisins). The enigmatic smell seems to call out drink me, and so I listen.

Overtones of alcohol do not seem to affect the complex flavor, even though you do feel your BA levels rising as you sip this bad boy down. It seems the smell did not lie, as the taste of the beer is itself sweet and slightly fruity (again I'm thinking of figs and raisins), but there seems to be even more to sort out. There is a bitterness which comes initially and seems to be countered immediately by the sweet flavor described earlier. Finally, at the end of the sip one nutty and coffee flavors resonate and the mild bitterness is back.

Overall:
Easily the most drinkable double digit ABV beer I have had. Not for beginners, like Stone Arrogant Bastard, this beer just wants to kick your ass. My suggestion is to let it.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2002 23:58:30 | More by dolem98

aracauna

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Big malty aroma with a hint of belgian yeastiness, but not really. Flavor is big on the malt with chocolate and other dark flavors predominant. Not much in the way of hops, but what was there fit in nicely. Surprisingly you get a bit of burn from the alcohol despite the fact I've had stronger beers that left no burn.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2002 23:52:14 | More by aracauna

BeerManDan

California

4.15/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Dark brown in color with very little foam on the head. When I first tasted Adam it had a sweet and smoky taste on the palette. Complex in flavor, but the sweetness and the smokey after taste was a bit to much for my palatte.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2002 16:16:22 | More by BeerManDan

Wildman

Ohio

4.47/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch #53: This beer poured a very dark brownish black color. No light is getting through this one. It didn't form much of a head, but maybe I had it a too cold or didn't pour it right. It was a light tan color and did leave some lace. The aroma was of raisins and cherry, malt and some chocolate. Interesting flavor of a smokey fruit. It has a medium body and a glossy, somewhat burnt finish. A hint of the alcohol when it goes down. A nice beer that is probably better at a warmer temp. and with some aging.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2002 18:46:27 | More by Wildman

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

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

Batch #53. Hazy, but surprisingly clear for this beer, with a very deep mahogany color and burgundy highlights. The head needed to be coaxed but came up tight, thin and tan (like Guinness) - and held well through most of the glass, eventually receeding to a collar but also leaving a bit of Belgian-lace. The aroma is complex: fruit (berry, cherry, raisins), smoke, dark malts, a hint of sherry and some slight hop in order of intensity. A gentle, natural carbonation combines with a medium-full body to give an astoundingly soft and creamy mouthfeel. The flavor delivers more than the aroma suggests with bold, complex fruit flavors of grape, raisin, raspberries, and cherries up front, leading into notes of dark chocolate, light espresso, licorice and sherry. It finishes with a solid smokiness and roasted quality, and a display of alcohol and hop bitterness. The dry aftertaste is also complex, with some light rye-like spiciness and earthy and woody notes. The alcohol is warming but not agressive in the taste or aroma.
An excellent beer although Batch #53 seems to need to age a little bit. It's nowhere near as round and supple as it can get.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2002 18:37:23 | More by NeroFiddled

cokes

Wisconsin

4.9/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Batch 52
Whooo... Gotta take a deep breath before trying to explain this one.
Pours a delightful glass of muddy brown fluid. I love it. Not clean-looking in the least. Borders on a crimson blackness when not held to light.You know it is huge just by looking it it. Beige head retains wonderfully.
Nose is packed full of berry, wood and chocolate aromas. Plenty of hops on the nostrils, as well as with a good deal of smokiness.
Taste is something else. Big, rich fruitiness. Lots of grape and raisins floating around. Berries and cherry too. Malty caramel/toffee/butterscotch is in full effect. Add some lovely vanilla flavors. Turns darker with the expresso and dark chocolate kicking in. Then does an about-face and throws some scotch-like hues. Smoky and delightful with some lovely woody notes. Yeast is evident, and throws in some spicy and earthy tones. Somewhat belgian-esque, as many HotD brew are. Hopping is obviously huge, but just enough to balance this overwhelming load. Turns spell-bindingly dry on the finish. Just some lingering woody dark chocolate and fruit. So balanced it is not even funny.
Velvety smooth and creamy in the mouth. No rough edges whatsoever. Oh..this is a joy to drink. Dangerous is an understatement.
I loved every second of this one. One of my all time favorites.

Thanks for the treat, Bighuge. I'd drive the 250 miles anytime for a 6er of this. I wish Hair of the Dog was available down here in Madison. I am very impressed with their product.

Update 6/29/03: I was playing with my ratings and saw that this is one of my top 5. I wasn't quite sure of that, so I popped one for validation (courtesy, once again of Mr. Bighuge himself). Conclusion? This is the real fucking deal right here. One of the best in the States.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2002 23:59:15 | More by cokes

Bierman9

New Hampshire

3.95/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Well, this is quite the different bier! Poured out very chocolate-like, especially so when the yeast poured in and made it cloudy. Had a tan head, thin, tightly packed, and a minimal bit of lace. Nose was rich, sweet, almost mocha-like. Also picked up some yeasty aromas, as well as a bit of hops. Body quite well-rounded, and pretty smooth on the tongue. Taste starts out by warming your belly! Seems like a big combo of dark fruit, perhaps cherries also, smothered in sweet chocolate, like a milk-shake. Some hop fruitiness showed up at the end, too. Interesting bier; good for 1, perhaps 2 glasses, no more. Thanks to Murph for the Adam!

overall: 4.00
appearance: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | mouthfeel: 4.5 | drinkability: 3.5

282

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2002 15:38:29 | More by Bierman9

ADR

Pennsylvania

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

Great dark, dark brown color, excellent firm head with rings of "mountains". Murky, with lots of sediment chunks. Burly aroma, with raisin and cherry tones. Deep flavor, like a java with prune liquor and some complex grassy tastes. Taste is somewhat like a better-controlled Bell's Batch 5000 without the smoke. Hops are very flavorful, together with lack of heavy carbonation, add to a long lasting and changing flavor. Just dang interesting in the mouth. Alcohol is notable but the brew is more heavy than sticky. Excellent beer!

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2002 08:15:59 | More by ADR