Dog's Bollocks
Rushing Duck Brewing Company

Dog's BollocksDog's Bollocks
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From:
Rushing Duck Brewing Company
 
New York, United States
Style:
English Barleywine
Ranked #136
ABV:
9.5%
Score:
91
Ranked #7,769
Avg:
4.08 | pDev: 8.33%
Reviews:
18
Ratings:
81
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 25, 2023
Added:
Mar 20, 2013
Wants:
  8
Gots:
  12
Dog’s Bollocks is an English Style Ale, not unlike a classic Barleywine. To make this beer even more complex and flavorful, 25% of the beer has been aged in oak barrels that were originally used to age Bourbon. The base beer is rich and malty. It has a distinct caramel and biscuity flavors, and is balanced nicely with a nice dose of English hops. From there the barrel aging process helps smooth the beer out by adding vanilla, spice, oak, and bourbon notes to the beer. This beer is the “Dog’s Bollocks.”
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of CarolinaCardinals
Reviewed by CarolinaCardinals from North Carolina

4.51/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Received a Batch #1 750ml bottle from @mikexw 11-4-23 as part of the Barleywine/Stout BIF #1. Presumably bottled sometime in 2013; consumed 11-25-23.

Beer poured reddish-brown with a nice tan head which is surprising for such an older beer.

Nose is dark fruit forward with toffee and brown sugar. Not getting any bourbon.

Taste is sublime as the larger malt base gives notes of caramel, toffee, figs, raisins all topped with a touch of brown sugar. Finishes with a nice warmth and some balance provided by the subliminal bourbon barrel.

Mouthfeel is medium to large bodied with each sip being creamy smooth.

Overall this is such a treat to enjoy something that is 10 years old. Thank you, Mike, for the opportunity to enjoy; this is a home run!
Nov 25, 2023
 
Rated: 4.24 by Dougwillhike from New Jersey

May 18, 2019
Photo of MacMalt
Reviewed by MacMalt from New Jersey

4.24/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Batch #3 (2019). Poured from 500 ML bottle into a pint glass. It pours a beautiful honey-ruby color with a cap of light khaki head that dissipated quickly leaving a thin coating of creamy lacing. On the nose there is caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, raisin/fig, and subtle but noticeable bourbon. When first sipped, I taste the bourbon barrel but then the base Barleywine washes over the tongue with lots of caramel, toffee, butter, brown sugar, oak, and raisin. The barrel notes do not distract from the excellent Barleywine flavors. It's sticky and viscous with moderate carbonation, and the 10% ABV is warming. This ale highlights Rushing Duck's adept touch at big, barrel-aged beers. It's highly flavorful with just enough booze to enhance the overall experience. Like a fine English Barleywine, Dog's Bollocks is a sipper and perfect for dessert or relaxing by the fire with good conversation.
Mar 10, 2019
 
Rated: 3.6 by Moestavern from New Jersey

May 26, 2017
 
Rated: 4.16 by runeatdrink from New Jersey

Feb 27, 2017
 
Rated: 4.82 by aibkstaff from New York

Jan 11, 2017
Photo of Eamonn-Cummings3
Reviewed by Eamonn-Cummings3 from New York

4.24/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from 750ml bottle into a sixpoint tulip glass. Not sure of the vintage but at least a year old.

Looks is a hazy dark amber with a thing quarter inch head.

Aroma is dry fruity malt with a hint of vanilla from the oak.

Taste is dry and fruity which gives into an extremely dry oaky finish.

Delicious winter sipper.
Dec 10, 2016
Photo of brentk56
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina

4.24/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Pours a tawny brown color with ruby highlights; the ecru head fluffs over the liquid, leaving spotty lacing

Smell: Interesting aromatic blend of caramel, oak, bourbon, Rykola herbs and dark fruit

Taste: Caramel dominant, with the herbal Rykola and Bourbon tones arriving early; oaky, with dried dark fruit, through the middle; some earthy bitterness builds, after the swallow; though that just keeps the sweetness in check

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with low to moderate carbonation; some warmth in the gullet

Overall: Not your typical English Barleywine and more like a Strong Ale, truth be told; quite nice

Thanks, yankeepride, for the opportunity
Sep 29, 2016
 
Rated: 3.96 by cubbyZilla from New York

Jun 25, 2016
 
Rated: 3.96 by Kurmaraja from California

Apr 27, 2016
 
Rated: 4.5 by rojapa from New York

Mar 19, 2016
 
Rated: 3.84 by nmann08 from Virginia

Dec 20, 2015
 
Rated: 4.13 by TomMorris from Connecticut

Sep 19, 2015
 
Rated: 3.39 by Roze from New York

Jun 22, 2015
 
Rated: 4.21 by kwgduke from Pennsylvania

Apr 22, 2015
 
Rated: 3.94 by CraftFan5 from New Jersey

Mar 06, 2015
 
Rated: 4.1 by 31Sam13 from New Hampshire

Mar 01, 2015
Photo of utopiajane
Reviewed by utopiajane from New York

4.08/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a honey orange color with a lovely cloudiness. Hues of yellow to catch even the corners of your eye. Tan head of foam that I cannot speak to because I only poured a tasting glass worth. But it looks creamy and long lasting. Nose is malty and deep. A slight hint of bourbon under a nutty toffee. Dark dried fruits in the background come forward more and more as it warms. Light buttered toast, stiff caramel and spice. gentle hop herbal to remind you they are there.

Taste is layered with malt character. Molasses, dark dried fruits, raisin and lots of caramel to offer the palate. This beer has only mild esters from alcohol on the nose and on the palate the alcohol is smooth and offers a friendly bit of warmth to the swallow. The flavors are mellow and well blended. A ticklish bit of spice in the finish . The barrel seems to all but disappear on the palate and then it shows itself like a child that plays peek a boo bringing subtle hints of the whiskey and oak to the flavor without totally revealing itself. Light bit of treacle emerges as it warms.

Mouthfeel is full and creamy, chewy with smooth alcohol warmth. A moderate carbonation keeps this beer from feeling heavy or syrupy.
Mar 01, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by paulish from New York

Feb 26, 2015
Photo of Granuaile
Reviewed by Granuaile from New York

4.75/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Excellent brew from an excellent brewery. I'm a regular visitor at Rushing Duck, and I have never tasted a beer I didn't like, but this one is the best.
Feb 10, 2015
Dog's Bollocks from Rushing Duck Brewing Company
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 81 ratings