Turbodog - Abita Brewing Co.

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.85/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass. Deep and dark brown color with two fingers of light tan head.

Smells of roasted malt, chocolate and caramel.

Watery taste at first, quickly moves to a nutty, roasted malt, balanced with a touch of bitterness which finishes it off.

Medium body, low carbonation.

Excellent drink.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 16:55:07 | More by Fatehunter

jjboesen

Maryland

3.48/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This is a great go-to beer if you should find yourself in the beer hell of Bourbon Street. It pours a dark tar color; the head is thin and quick to dissipate. There is minimal lacing.

The nose detects a few bits of caramel as the palate attempts to draw out a few scraps of chocolate, burnt toast and molasses; there is a subtle hoppy fade - Willamette, I believe.

Turbodog has a plaeasant, if sweet, mouthfeel to it; the light body being airy and over carbonated.

Still, it is a nice quaff for anyone subject to the swampy Louisiana summers.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 23:19:38 | More by jjboesen

Lonestar

3.9/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A--I'm not an appearance guy. I don't think beer should be judged on appearence, but rather what happens in the mouth.

S--It has a sweet and malty smell that gives a hint of alcohol.

T--It tastes possibly a bit too alcoholic. I prefer the maltiness to come through a bit more on a dark beer.

M--The mouthfeel is a bit thin for the taste and smell. I'd prefer a bit more body to this beer.

O--I actually like this much more than most Brown Ales. I think it would be better at about 1% less alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 05:33:33 | More by Lonestar

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

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

A-Pours a color that lies between crimson and brown. The light tan head leaves lacing specks and inconsistent rings along the glass.

S-Roasty and sweet. A bit nutty with some hops present as well. Nose isn't intense. Sweet with some backing from other areas.

T-Like the nose. Starts off sweet and roasty. Light chocolate and coffee. A bit of nuts and rich toffee. Mild hoppiness on the back end.

M-Lighter feel. Easy-drinking body. Good carbonation and no lingering flavor effects.

O/D-A nice beer. Something anyone could enjoy. Mellow but still flavorful enough to not be a bore.

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2012 15:34:28 | More by VelvetExtract

BarryMFBurton

Indiana

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

Random beer purchase strikes again; this time it was the name Turbodog. How could I pass that up? Plus, I head this is one of their flagship beers.

Best before date is more than three months after the date of this tasting (“BEST BY 08/29/12”).

A: A dark, ruby-colored brew, with a respectable amount of sandy-brown foam. The head stands pretty tall, spotted with bubbles all the way around; a nice bit of retention and lace bits, too.

S: What a unique roasted aroma: I’m getting big hits of burnt popcorn, medium-roast coffee, and toasted rye. Its most intense is the burnt popcorn, likely because there is a buttery sentiment to the toffee and lager yeast underbelly – even like caramel corn at times. There’s a lot of vanilla and burnt sugar that works to smooth out the big, bad char. And although there are Willamette hops in this particular beer (one of my favorites), they are just a glimmer of earthen pine in this nose.

T: Roasty and delicious: smoky peat, burnt popcorn (once again), and coffee with cream and sugar. Tasty, yes, but even better after the appearance of the Willamette hop bitters – astringent, flowery, and piney, but not too much. Sweet chocolate-toffee tastes, like Riesen candy, push the palate to a sweet finish: vanilla cream mixed with black cherry, Coke syrup, and a yeasty lager character, leaving a mild aftertaste.

M: The palate is mostly bitter and roasty, but the mouthfeel is fairly silky. Lots of carbonation, but not stinging; it’s more smooth than anything.

O: I love a brewery that has a unique flagship; I mean, come on, an English brown ale? And one that’s done well? Respect, Abita. Respect.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 22:26:25 | More by BarryMFBurton

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle into glass. Pours a deep amber brown with nich bubble head. Smells of sweet malts, caramel, and maybe somewhat nutty. Taste is deff of sweet caramel malts, a bit of hops, and a slight nutty flavor. Its a very good brown. Not the most amazing but a great brew to end my stay in Louisiana. One thing to say about Abita in general...people in Louisian love their local brew. While options are very limited here, I think its great how loyal they are with Abita and how "top shelf" they are regarded here. Cheers NOLA!

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2012 22:33:05 | More by DrinkSlurm

RandyWood

3.45/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A-Dark amber, almost black with an off white head (thickness dependent on aggression of pour). Head dissipates quickly with minimal lace left around glass.

S-Smokey, with hints of chocolate and caramel.

T-Smokey and bitter up front with hints of caramel finishing.

M-Heavy and rich, with light carbonation,

O-This beer is great with a good steak off the grill. I will buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 01:47:53 | More by RandyWood

hopsgirl36

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

I brought the turbodog from a bottle shop in palmerton I tryed the purple haze and loved there light razz taste so I wanted to try the others out there.

Apperance: a dark ale with a heavy head.

Aroma: reminds me of a moca coffee burent with malty caramel scent. Little hop aroma

Taste: roasted barly with a hint of sweet coca the bitterness is there but the maltyness of the caramel fades it to bittersweetness.

Mouthfeel: a medium-bodied has a very smooth roasted finish.

Overall: these beer go's great with wild game roasting on an open flame. Great for camping.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 20:30:17 | More by hopsgirl36

swampski

Louisiana

4.4/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

As I am from Louisiana bayou country, I consider this to be my main local microbrew. A very hearty and filling concoction that is the absolutely perfect choice to go with spicy boiled crawfish (or any other spicy Louisiana cuisine!) There is a hint of chocolate (maybe even coffee?) and well toasted biscuit. along with other ingredients that I can't pick out, but know they are there. It's called a brown ale, but it seems like a porter to me.

Some have said that this is a good session beer. Unless the session includes spicy food, I would have to respectfully disagree. I find myself having to carefully alternate this beer with a lighter beer, less the lingering aftertaste completely dominate my palette (I find Hoegaarden to be an excellent intermediary.)

The bottom line is that if you are visiting Louisiana and dining on a spicy seafood dish, you should wash it down with this local product. I am away a lot, and I never feel like I've arrived back home until I can get this into gut.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 17:33:30 | More by swampski

kylehay2004

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: single finger head on a dark brown cloudy body.

S: mild roasted malt, burnt toast, smokey. Some oak and a nice amount of chocolate.

T: I find some of the Abita beers to be a little watery affecting flavor and mouthfeel. More smokey, malty flavor with sweet caramel and woody notes.

M: light to medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: Another somewhat watered down like flavor from an Abita beer. I think the flavor and aromas of their beers are fairly good but they lack on the body/mouthfeel of their beers.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2012 00:51:41 | More by kylehay2004

mwilbur

Minnesota

3.9/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tasting note from 4/11/12.
Poured from 12 oz bottle into shaker pint glass.
A: Pours a very dark brown with 1 inch tan head that quickly dissipates.
S: Nice roasted caramel and chocolate malts. Pleasant nutty aroma in the background.
T: Very nice nutty roasted chocolate malt up front. Toasted caramel malt too.
M: Medium-light body. Creamy feel. Drinks heavier than the feel which is always a plus in my book. Mild and pleasant roasted bitterness.
D: A very nice session brew. A solid offering from Abita.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 02:51:12 | More by mwilbur

WMEugene

Virginia

4.08/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a dark brown with a thick beige colored head, which dissipated over time to a thin layer. Great lacing.

S - Rich notes of toffee, chocolate, and roasted malts. Some spices. Faint note of hops.

T - Sweetness, toffee, and chocolate. Can pick up the roast quality of the malts. A little bit of spice and earthiness, but the sweet toffee flavors are the main attraction here.

M - Medium bodied, extremely smooth and drinkable. A nice little note of bitterness at the finish which prevents the sweetness from overwhelming. Strikes the right balance for this type of beer.

O - I found the Turbodog to be a delightful beer and one of the strongest in Abita's normal line-up. It's a tasty, sweet beer - one that I would recommend!

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2012 13:38:01 | More by WMEugene

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle from the cost plus world market palm springs ca for 1.99

Appearance - Dark brown colour with a large size fizzy beige head. There is a high amount of carbonation showing and there is some fairly good lacing. The head lasted for a few minutes.

Smell - Malts, chocolate, brown sugar

Taste & Mouth - There is an average amount of carbonation and I can taste malts, chocolate, and just a hint of coffee. There is also a bit of a grain/bread flavour and a touch of cola. It ends with a malty light chocolate aftertaste.

Overall - A decent flavour and very drinkable; but not very exciting or different. Just a standard well made english brown. I would probably reach for something else next time in hopes of finding something extraordinary.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2012 23:06:23 | More by spinrsx

StonedTrippin

Colorado

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

interesting brew. like a hybrid between a dry irish red ale, a malty english porter, and an american brown ale, its got a little something for everyone. pours a flat looking brown color with just the slightest amber glow to it. minimal off white head. smells malty and sweet, english malts, milk chocolate, bittering hops only. flavor is really strange because of all the malts in here. its sweet above all else, but it isnt heavy. its a very easy drinking beer, but could probably stand a bit more carbonation. went pretty well with a smoked brisket sandwich, but its not howd i would classically define an english brown ale at all.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2012 18:28:54 | More by StonedTrippin

rlee1390

Indiana

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

A-Clear deep ruby/black in the glass, one finger head.

S-Roasted malt, cinnamon, other spices, some vanilla

T-Roasted malt, some cinnamon, good bit of vanilla, nutty flavors. In a way similar to a winter warmer.

M-Watery and a little thin, some carbonation.

O-A nice little brown ale, drinks more like a winter seasonal to me though.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2012 05:05:10 | More by rlee1390

MonkeymooTJ

California

3.18/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance:

Deep, dark brown with an illuminated rusty hue when held up to the light. One finger cream colored head rapidly receded

Smell:

A malty nose of spice is accompanied by a nutty caramel essence.

Taste:

A healthy dose of nutty malt is evident. A bit of spice is detected as well as a considerable caramel backbone. A hint of dark fruit (plum) is also in the mix. A mild spicy bitterness does complement the sweetness

Mouthfeel:

A fairly light body that is surprisingly thin on the palate. A lower than average carbonation level also adds to the thin feeling

Overall:

I was a little disappointed with this beer. Nothing horrible about it, however, I was expecting it to be more dynamic. All the pieces seemed to be there, but nothing stood out. Color was amazing and the flavors that did come through fit the style. It just seems like it could have been more pronounced.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2012 17:54:59 | More by MonkeymooTJ

mpcrump

Indiana

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz. bottle.

A: Slight brown head. Hazy reddish brown pour.

S: Roasted malts with some lively hops. Hints of chocolate, dark fruits (raisin, plums) and maybe even toffee.

T: Malts with spicy hops. Malts were medium to dark. Caught a hint of coffee with the chocolate and again a hint of something like toffee. Mildly sweet.

M: Very medium or middle of the road. Very drinkable.

O: Nice. A bit more agressive than others in the class but not overly so.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 23:13:00 | More by mpcrump

thain709

Pennsylvania

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

A - Served with a chestnut brown body that had some clear edges...the head was off white in color and stood just over one finger tall...it fell to a solid ring and left behind some lacing

S - Overall the smell was rather light...but it did present chocolate, toffee, caramel, vanilla, and a roastiness

T - The first sip provides a balanced flavor of chocolate and toffee with a hint of nuts...it reminds me of a turtle chocolate actually...I didn't get the nuts in the aroma but they have a bigger presence on the palate...they never become overpowering because of the roastiness of the chocolate and the sweetness of the toffee and vanilla...these flavors play with each other back and forth throughout the beer

M - Medium bodied...smooth, sweet, sometimes thin

O - I had this beer during Mardi Gras 2012...it made me feel "in the spirit" as I paired it with some Jambalaya...a sessionable brown ale with pronounced chocolate flavors, sweet toffee and caramel, and a slight nuttiness

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2012 14:53:32 | More by thain709

acevenom

Louisiana

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

Poured into a pint glass. Pours dark brown with an abundant tan head. The aroma is of dark roasted chocolate malt and toffee. The flavors of dark chocolate and the sweetness of the malt come through. There's some bitterness and herbal flavor of the hops which helps balance this beer's flavor profile. The body is medium and the carbonation is average, which helps this beer drink very well. This was always one of my favorites from Abita and it still is. This is an excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 21:00:12 | More by acevenom

secondtooth

Indiana

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

Pours a deep ruby/amber, with substantial head and superb lace.

Nose says chocolate malts. Very enticing!

Taste is mild, sweet, and with hints of chocolate. Hops come in near the finish, but it's negligible.

Tasty enough as a session ale, but not one I'd look for, either.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 17:00:39 | More by secondtooth

SickGnar

Pennsylvania

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

A: Dark chestnut and light ruby when backlit. Large, light tan head. Clear, but almost no bubbles are seen rising. Big bubbled foam collapses fast to a small ring and leaves some acceptable lace.

S: Toffee & chocolate on a faintly nutty base with additional touch of malty sweetness & a hint of roast. All fairly light and thin though. A good number of nice things going on, but a bit lacking for umph.

T: Nutty base malt is more forward on the palate. Toffee & malt sweetness up front, chocolate in the middle, and roast increasing into the end and finish with just a soft hint of coffee. Nice flavors, but depth is to be desired. Background spicy, woody, & herbal hops. Overall, it has a nice beery chocolate malt balls impression.

M: Medium-light body with average carbonation that has good texture. Semi-sweet up frunt with a few sticky sugars & a moderately drying finish that slowly fades.

D: An interesting profile, but a bit lacking for richness and depth. But then, that does go along with it being easy to drink. I am not sure it is really cult following worthy, but it is a fairly nice little brown (if somewhat different).

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 00:42:33 | More by SickGnar

tjsdomer2

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: This is an awesome beer. 1-2 fingers of tan foam. This almost looks like a porter or a stout. Solid brown overall.

Smell: Mostly molasses. I get the feeling this is from fresh Louisiana sugar cane, so I like the local touch.

Taste/Mouthfeel: A bit smoky, and pretty sweet. This is quite an enjoyable beer. This would go great with barbeque.

Overall Drinkability: Definitely a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2012 19:43:42 | More by tjsdomer2

JupiterJesus

California

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

Classic fruity english aroma and flavor but with a bit more American 'heft': more roast, more chocolate, more body and even some American hops. Like a newcastle on steroids. Lower carbonation, medium body and just the right intensity of flavor make this super drinkable/sessionable. Delicious brown, I'd probably put it over Downtown Brown.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2012 03:36:53 | More by JupiterJesus

BasementBer

Manitoba (Canada)

3.15/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

great head poured with decent lacing. Very clear with a nut brown hue. poured into a hotel plastic cup, pure class.
Slight cinnamon notes in the smell but thats all im getting. least appealing quality.
Mouth left dry with a bittering and yet soft as a brown should be.
I dont prefer this as a goto brown, nothing is terribly unique. but it does the job.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 02:57:57 | More by BasementBer

SteveS1

New York

3.78/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Look: Pours dark brown, near-opaque mahogany when put to light. Light tan 1-finger head. Good retention, nice lacing.

Smell: Chocolate and toffee, roasted-malt/coffee.

Taste: Sweet and sugary on the tongue, but dark and bitter roasted coffee towards the back. Roasted malts dominate the aftertaste.

Feel: Light in body and carbonation.

Drink: Very drinkable! The lightness of an english brown with the robust flavors of a stout. I figure it would be great as a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 00:42:55 | More by SteveS1