Turbodog - Abita Brewing Co.

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

2.6/5  rDev -29.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: Pours a dark burgundy color with great clarity given its shade. I like its head - a three finger light tan color with nice retention, and excellent texturing. Even after a while, it still remains a half finger high, leaving very nice, thick lacing down the side of the glass.

S: Toasted caramel malts and chocolate. Very faint in general - there's nothing wrong with it per se, but it's so aromatically boring.

T: Again, not really flawed, but so damn mild and even watery. Chocolaty sweetness to start, a candylike midtaste, with a vaguely toasted finish. And that's about it. I can chug it, at least.

M: Clean, damn near bone dry, and thin. This makes it super easy to drink, but the watery factor detracts some. Good carbonation.

O: The ultimate in inoffensive beer. There's nothing bad or good here - really, it just exists in the market place like white bread exists in a grocery store. And money no object, would you rather have white bread or the artisanal 9-grain stuff? Thought so.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 22:54:59 | More by ThisWangsChung

TheCondor

Missouri

3.58/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Side poured with standard vigor from a bottle into a pint glass. Picked up as a mix and match six pack element.

Appearance - Pours a nice deep brown color with a solid, one finger head of tasty looking tan head that shows good lacing and retention. Pretty boring packaging, nothing really stands out about it.

Smell - Sweet malts, breads, a little caramel and some toast. There is a slight hint of something sweet, toffee perhaps. Nothing groundbreaking here

Taste - A little roasted caramel, some malts, breads, etc. Again, nothing really here to write home about. Relatively boring.

Mouthfeel - Finishes crisp, clean, and smooth. One of the better parts of the brew.

Overall - All in all, a boring beer. Nothing stands out here, nothing to really write about. Just a standard brown beer, bland. I wouldn't necessarily buy again. I would drink it though, for free.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 03:12:57 | More by TheCondor

pkalix

California

4.23/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

black beer, light around the edges. minimal head.
smells kind of bland, but some malts.
taste is a malt/hop mix up front with a semi-bitter hop finish.
overall, a decent brew. has a great semi-bitter taste, but easily could be sessionable. very light.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 03:22:23 | More by pkalix

fischerking

2.3/5  rDev -37.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Abita Turbodog from Abita Springs, LA.

This beer was not sweet, almost bitter, not hoppy, and honestly, didn't really have much of a taste. Disappointing, especially coming from Abita, which I normally like.

I drank it on-tap in a 6-beer sampler at The Casual Pint in Knoxville, TN on 12/14/2012.

No.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2012 01:13:39 | More by fischerking

rev3rb

Virginia

3.7/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottom Line Up Front: A very smooth, mild and drinkable brown ale.

Decanted 12oz into Guinness goblet.

Appearance: Nice deep brown color that pours a nice head. Head does dissipate rather quickly.

Smell: Smell of bread, roasted malts, bitter chocolate.

Taste: Roasted malts, chocolate, very smooth with the right amount of carbonation. Hops and malts are in great balance.

Mouthfeel: Beer has a nice smooth clean feel that I consider to be thin to medium on the palate.

Overall: This is a very drinkable brown ale that is smooth and balanced on all fronts. It doesn't grab your palate and brutalize it. It just allows you to experience and have a good time.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 20:34:11 | More by rev3rb

Cugabuh

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This brown ale will be a favorite for stout fans who are looking for something a little lighter.

As a dark, brown ale, one will immediately notice the chocolate & caramel flavor that’s prevalent in a lot of brown ales and stouts these days. Because of this, fans of lighter brown ales like Newcastle or Old Ellie’s shouldn’t expect another go-to brown ale. The flavor will be stronger and the body will be heavier.

This beer is the perfect dessert beer - creamy, yet light. I ate a slice of pound cake while I sipped this beer, and found myself smiling, right up ‘til the last drop!

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 22:02:37 | More by Cugabuh

Americanzero

Tennessee

3.18/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle to a Pint Glass.

Appearance was very dark, with a hint of light brown when held to the light. Poured about Two fingers of robust dark tan foam, which remained for the length of the glass. Very impressive lacing, leaving a notch at each sip. The aroma was lacking to me. Really not much at all into the nose. Taste was in the same vein as aroma. Found it had a good hop tingle, but it balanced well with the malt. Above average mouthfeel, clean with no lingering tastes.

Overall, I found it was a good beer. I didn't find it mind blowing by any standard, but it was a solid dark Ale. Would buy again, but I don't think i would drive out of my way to get it.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 00:36:33 | More by Americanzero

dictatorial

4.13/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is pretty good. Had it in a stein, poured from a bottle. The initial appearance is very, very dark - almost opaque with a red tint. The smell was lacking, but that could just be me. The taste is at once very strong, with a bitter bite, only to immediately smooth out into a really delicious taste. The mouthfeel was especially nice with strong carbonation in a tight space - almost reminiscent of Dr. Pepper. Overall, a fantastic beer!

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 01:15:04 | More by dictatorial

AmitC

Indiana

3.6/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Very much like Newcastle brown ale.

Pours dark brown in color. with a very thin less than a finger thick head. Head is deep tan in color and soon dissipates. Leaves excellent lacing on the glass

Smells of caramel, faint toffee and roasted malts. No hint of hops. All sweet malty smell.

Taste is bland malt. Nothing much to discern. Seems complex. Only roasted caramel malts are prominent to some extent. Some off coffee flavors towards the end. Nice balance. it does not feel sweet. i would assume Willamette hops did a good job.

Mouth feel is medium bodied. little chewy. Medium carbonation which does not hurt.

Over all a fitting beer for the style it represents. But nothing rave about it.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 00:45:11 | More by AmitC

mgironta

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This brew poured with a one finger off white head, which dissipated quickly and left no lacing on the glass. The body was a dark brown with moderate visible carbonation on it. The nose had notes of coffee (even Aly picked this up) and chocolate with a bit of roasted malts. The taste on the brew was almost exactly like the nose, except the coffee overwhelmed the other flavors a bit. The roasted malts and chocolate were detectable, but definitely took back seat to the coffee. The finish lingered with the coffee flavor. The body was moderately thin, decently carbonated and the alcohol was obviously on the lower end. As I sipped the beer, I may have gotten a hint of sweetness as well, but it was very difficult to detect. This was a very flavorful brown ale that I would definitely have again.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 23:18:01 | More by mgironta

DoubleJ

California

3.53/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Rosie McCann's in Santa Cruz, CA. On to the beer:

Wood polish brown mixed with orange and red hues. Good webbed lacing clings to the glass. The nose is nutty, offering up notes of toffee crisp too. And Turbodog's flavor is nutty as well. Nutty with a side of graininess, a kiss of hops, and a vague crispness. With a lighter medium body, this ends up as a respectable, working man's brown ale.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2012 04:52:21 | More by DoubleJ

Mojo

Alabama

4.18/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This is my first beer from Abita. It pours up a nice deep brown with a fluffy two finger caramel head. There is decent retention and plenty of lacing. The nose is roasted barley, bread, nuts and coffee. Mouthfeel is full with the carbonation not at excessive levels. Taste basically follows the nose. I detect toffee, cola, licorice, chocolate, coffee, and some bready qualities. Not much of an aftertaste and not a tremendous amount of hoppiness for a beer of this nature, but definitely a satisfying beer. I'm looking forward to some more of Abita's offerings.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 02:39:07 | More by Mojo

BlackBearForge

Florida

3.63/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Abita Turbodog looks more like a porter in the glass than a brown ale. It is a dark brown ale, nearly opaque with a little maroon around the edges. A nice light tan head forms and leaves slippery foam in it's wake.

The aroma is of fresh chocolatey malt and dark toasted bread.

The flavor is on the sweet side, chock full of chocolate malt taste and a nutty caramel. There is a slight bitterness from the hops on the finish but overall this is a sweet beer. As is usual flavor develops more as it warms and more tones from the roasted malts come out.

Mouthfeel isrelatively light, smooth and moderatly carbonated.

A nice beer, a bit on the sweet side for me but I like the nutty chocolate character.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 21:44:41 | More by BlackBearForge

beergoot

Colorado

3.63/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes taken about two weeks ago. Served at Springs Orleans in Colorado Springs. I first had this beer many, many years ago in Biloxi, MS and have had it off-and-on throughout these years.

Dark yet clear amber body with a very thin tan head. Nothing distinctive in the smell -- slightly sweet malt notes; no discernible hop presence. Taste came across roasty and nut-like with a slight bitterness. Light, clean, dry mouthfeel.

Served too cold which probably explains the lack of appreciable aroma. Flavor saves this beer, brings out a distinctiveness and decent taste. Served at a proper ale temp may bring about a better rating, but a good enough beer as presented. and liked it then. I'm sure the quality and potential for a more favorable impression remains; I'll have to review it served from a 12 oz bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

08-14-2012 23:55:09 | More by beergoot

CraftBeerTastic

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Ba Review #207
Served On: 08/09/2012
Glassware: Tumbler Pint
Labeled ABV: 5.6%
Date/ Code: -

This was in a mixed 12 pack.

Look: Appearance was of a deep caramel with no transparency at all. The head was a thick coating of tan foam. Somewhat picturesque of a good porter. Carbonation bubbles were plentiful.

Smell: Aroma was of biscuit and nutty toffee. Some dark chocolate was also present.

Taste: First was a carbonation bite followed by a smooth coffee note and some toasted malts. The finish was a faint bitterness and more of the toasted character. Mouth feel was rather light.

Over all this was a solid brown with some high drinkability. It seemed more like an entry level brew, but definitely well crafted and very tasty.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 22:04:14 | More by CraftBeerTastic

rickyleepotts

Arizona

2.98/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I have had this beer before, and all I can remember is the label (the name rather) and the coffee at the finish. I really dig dark beers that have a chocolate and a coffee flavor… and this one has both! It's cheap, too. I have had a few beers from Abita, but this one stand out among them all. Let's start drinking, shall we?

In the Glass: It's dark in the glass. Looks more like a porter than an American brown ale. It has a nice head, too, and produces a thin lace when I swirl it around in the glass. Based on the tasting notes, I can't wait to smell this thing!

Nose: The nose is just loaded with malty notes. It doesn't have an impressive nose, and for as dark as this beer is, you expect more. You do get some toffee-like notes in the aroma, and the dark chocolate is definitely there. Not smelling the coffee… but you just wait!

Flavor: You start with some dark chocolate notes, then the bubbles take over and turn your palate upside down. Then you get hit with the coffee flavors that leak into the aftertaste. After a few swallows all you can taste is coffee. Imagine taking a pile of coffee beans, grinding them up, and tossing that on your tongue. That is this aftertaste. I like it… not bitter, but just a nice balanced coffee flavor.

Mouthfeel: It starts almost flat, but as you swallow the bubbles overtake the middle of the tongue. Then it ends with a smooth and balanced malt character. I would like this beer, based on the aftertaste, to be a bit thicker… but it will do.

Aftertaste: Can you say, "coffee"? Holy cow is that a crazy coffee aftertaste. It doesn't hit you at first… you have to swallow a few times before the coffee notes start to stick out. But once you do, man… what a flavor. The aftertaste is really the best part of the beer.

Not a huge fan of this beer, but I really dig that aftertaste. That, and I like the name. I don't like dogs though… go figure. This is the only Abita Brewing beer in the book, but this is their most well known. If you like an easy drinking malty beer that packs a punch (pretty decent ABV, too) then grab a six pack of Turbodog. Bottoms up, people!

Turbodog - The bottle says: "Turbodog is a dark brown ale brewed with pale, caramel, and chocolate malts and Willamette hops. This combination gives Turbodog its rich body and color and a sweet chocolate, toffee-like flavor.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 05:49:58 | More by rickyleepotts

obrike

Texas

3.85/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I think this is the best offer from Abita that I've tried...it was part of the mix twelve pack I picked up in Round Rock HEB.

Pretty beer in a pint glass...brownish black with hints of deep red...a fluffy head that disappated slowly...very good lacing on this one.

The aroma was good, but a bit light...sweet malty cocoa, milk chocolate, cream, and very subtle roasted malt. Wish it was bigger!

Taste was pretty impressive...followed nose to the T and then some. Really liked the milk chocolate and sweet malt...not very bitter at all.

Somewhat thin for the scent...not quite watery but wish it were a bit heavier. Still, this is one I could offer friends willing to try a dark beer that actually has flavor. I'm not a big Abita fan, but I'd pick this one up again for sure. Very easy drinking, tasty English Brown Ale. Give it a try.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 22:39:49 | More by obrike

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.25/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Review from 8/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a dark. dark red brown. Light head with a little lacing. Looks nice. Aroma a bit off, with vegetable elements. A strong malty start with a flat grassy flavor, malty middle and finish. Close to an interesting flavor, but misses the mark. Light body and low ABV. OK, but not noteworthy.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 21:48:04 | More by LiquidAmber

kangarooAdam59

Wyoming

3.74/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Into a nonic pint glass:

A: deep dark brown body that gave a foamy tan one finger head that lasted a good minute, some light lacing was left

S: based around some sweet malts with a toastiness that comes out as well. Some light coffee came out too.

T: sweet malts combined very nicely with the roastiness leaving the coffee to faint a bit more than in the smell.

M: medium and was a bit watery, crisp, carbonated correctly

O: this is a good beer that I would welcome again. I'm glad to have found a bit of Lousiana up here in Maine and wouldn't mind trying some other products of Abita.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 13:43:59 | More by kangarooAdam59

TappaKeggaBrew

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Deep mahogany, but clear when held up to a bright light source. Head was tan, but lackluster in its volume; lacing was decent.

S: Sweet and acrid toasted malt. Dried fruit. Faint coffee?

T: The sweet malt is there, but less strong than I was expecting based on the nose. This fades into a tart, fruity flavor (I can't quite decide which fruit it's closest to), then into a medium-bitter hops finish, with the faintest hint of fatty acid lingering on the palate afterward.

M: Moist initially, with good, crisp carbonation. The finish is dry, with just a little astringency.

O: Not great, but quite good -- a solid English style brown ale. The flavors balance well, with none overpowering. I'd certainly pick up another pack, as long as it's reasonably priced.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 21:00:57 | More by TappaKeggaBrew

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.88/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into pint glass

Appearance – Pours a hearty deep brown color with a huge tan head. When held up to the light a reddish hue comes through the glass. The head fades slowly to give a medium level of lacing.

Smell – The smell is of chocolate, roasted coffee and some caramel. Mixed with this is a light spicy hop aroma with a somewhat peppery spice.

Taste – A semi-sweet milk chocolate flavor meet the tongue. Hints of caramel and some lighter coffee flavors are mix nicely with the chocolate malt flavor. As the taste advances the caramel fades with some very light hoppy flavors that come in. Overall it leaves a lightly spiced chocolate flavor on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The carbonation level is on the lower side with the body slightly above normal. Both suit the chocolate and roast flavors nicely, really allowing them to soak into the tongue.

Overall- A rather tasty and enjoyable brown ale. It has a nice slightly sweeter flavor and a good mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2012 00:49:27 | More by Darkmagus82

atr2605

New York

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-pours a very dark brown with a sudsy tan head with pretty good retention
S-caramel and toasted malt, no hop profile
T-caramel, toasted malt, and a hint of unsweetened chocolate in the finsish
M-medium bodied high carbonation
O-not a bad brew, would definitely get it again

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2012 02:23:25 | More by atr2605

rangerred

Tennessee

3.58/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle into a pint glass.

An aggressive pour yields a two finger tan head with really good head retention and large clumps of lacing clinging to the sides of the glass.

Aroma has some coffee and milk chocolate along with roasted malt. Some spicy hops are also present.

The flavor really nice with a lot more biscuit in there than I was expecting. A touch of coffee and chocolate but it is quite restrained. Some light hop flavor and bitterness bringing up the finish.

Overall this is really quite a pleasant beer. A different take on an English Brown Ale that really holds up. Something I would definitely seeks out again.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 03:34:25 | More by rangerred

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served from tap into an RJ Rockers/Cribbs Kitchen shaker. Poured a dark red-brown with a half finger light tan head that subsided to a minimal amount slowly. Maintained phenomenal lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, milk chocolate, powdered chocolate, cream, and very subtle roasted malt. The flavor was of sweet malt, milk chocolate, roasted malt, and cream. It had a light feel on the palate with mild carbonation. Overall this was a decent brew. It was really nice what I found going on in the aroma in this one. However, I was disappointed with the flavor that I found as it was nowhere near as complex as the aroma. While the aroma was complex, it still wasn’t in the next tier for the style. Worth trying if you are in a pinch, but it wouldn’t be my first choice out at a bar.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2012 10:54:36 | More by thagr81us

TheSixthRing

California

3.63/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance - Pours a near black, ruby brown color when held up to light. Tan, finger width head, average retention, resulting in a thin lace.

Smell - Faint aromas of sweet malt... and that's about it. Not a very aromatic brew.

Taste - Hints of chocolate and light coffee, with a sweet caramel undertone. Good balance; hops do well to keep this from getting too sweet.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied. Fantastic carbonation lends itself to a nice, aggressive bite. Goes down smooth and drinkable.

Overall - A solid brown ale. Easy to drink. Quite sessionable. What it lacks in aggressive flavor it makes up for in lively mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 06:33:31 | More by TheSixthRing