Gonzo Imperial Porter - Flying Dog Brewery

DoubleSimcoe

New York

3.53/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Gonzo on cask at Pony Bar in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, served in a 14-oz pint. I've had this beer in many different servings (tap, nitro, bottle, barrel-aged) but never cask. Let's see...

Appearance: Super cask-y head, like a souffle rising in the oven. Then it goes down and settles into just a mantle of bubbly mocha head. Serious lacing, decent retention, super dark looks.

Smell: Strangely aromatic, sort of like a bed of spring flowers submerged in fresh tar. Essential oils, rosemary, Herbes de Provence. Enticing and different, but way weird for an Imperial Porter. Cheap men's cologne from Wal-Mart, lemongrass.

Taste: Again the herb-and-perfume thing. WTF! Country ham, smoke, spices. Indian food cooked with Kentucky bacon, that's it. Very rosemary-y at the end. None of the roastiness and presence of "regular" Gonzo. This is more like a dark beer geared for women and processed in a lavender field in Provence.

Mouthfeel: Fine for cask, with low carbonation, full lavender-smoky flavor and a creamy finish. Not too dry.

Overall: I liked it enough, but if you're coming here thinking you're going to get Gonzo, forget about it. This is pretty much an entirely different beer.

Serving type: cask

04-19-2012 22:03:46 | More by DoubleSimcoe

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.3/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On firkin during the real ale festival at the Pratt Street Alehouse.

The beer pours the expected blackish brown color with OK head retention and minimal lacing. The beer doesn't look all that impressive, but then I took in the aroma. Mama mia! On the nose, this beer is just outrageous, smelling more like a black IPA then any porter I've ever tasted. There is a wonderful hoppy, perfumy, citrus aroma, coupled with coffee and licorise. On the palate, this beer is a beauty. Flavors replicate the nose, except I get more of a dark chocolate flavor profile to go with all the hoppy bitterness in the finish. There is some initial sweetness in this beer, but it's quickly pushed aside by the dry, bitter, hoppiness. Mouthfeel is medium bodied I guess, but there's plenty of flavor in this beer, and it has a long, bitter finish. The flavor from this excellent beer really lingers on the palate. Drinkability is likewise pretty good, with the alcohol well disguised. If you're a hophead, this is a very easy to drink porter.

OK. Couple of thoughts. I've had this beer on a number of occasions, and while it's been good, the version I had today was extraordinairy. Sorry flying dog, but you just can't convince me this is the normal recipe, just out of the firkin. This tastes like one of the finest black IPA's I've ever had, and I just wish it were more available. Excellent beer, but I'm still not convinced this wasn't something extra special I got to try today. Bravo!

Serving type: cask

03-20-2010 20:57:59 | More by johnmichaelsen

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

2.7/5  rDev -33.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 5 | overall: 1.5

Again, no mistake - I was drinking three different cask-conditioned ales as part of Lititz's General Sutter Inn's monthly Cask Night. This was the third of the three. How fitting for my 900th Beer Review in this site! For Dr. H. S. Thompson, this review's for you!

This was presented with a solid finger of dense deep-tan head with excellent retention. Color was a deep, dark, inky brownish-black with zero light penetration. This might have leaked out of the Exxon Valdez. Nose was redolent with dark chocolate and dark-roasted coffee. Mouthfeel was full, thick, silky smooth with a burnt wood taste on the tongue. Hmm. Dr. Thompson was cremated to ashes and intermingled into fireworks, but I begin to fade when it it this intense in its smokiness. Man, I just cannot get behind this beer. Too smoky and too charcoal driven for my taste. If they could just dial the roasting back a bit ...

Serving type: cask

11-25-2009 23:41:52 | More by woodychandler

capra12

New York

3.7/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed at the Gotham Cask festival on 9/12/09 from notes taken.

Appearance: Poured jet black with no head.

Smell: Dark chocolate and malts.

Taste: Opens malty as fresh coffee takes over from the middle to the end as a weird licorice flavor comes on at the finish leaving a weird coffee-like aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with minimal carbonation but smooth.

Drinkability: I would have this again but on another night... the licorice finish is something I was not a fan of.

Serving type: cask

11-05-2009 04:16:58 | More by capra12

carps12

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On cask at rattle and hum NYC. Smell of booze and malt with some chocolate. Taste is very boozy with sweet malt and a whole lot of roastiness. Goes down pretty easy, but the alcohol taste gets to you. Not my cup of tea. Mouthfeel is slick leaving a burnt malt alcoholic aftertaste.

Serving type: cask

08-29-2009 00:12:06 | More by carps12

ReadyFireAim

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had during a sampling tour of their brewing facility in Frederick, MD. The first beer I tried of theirs before the tour started was their tripel. It was decent, but didn't exactly hit the spot. Right before the tour started the bartender asked us for last orders (so we'd have something to sip on while the tour guide walked us around the facility). I chose their cask-conditioned Gonzo - what a treat!

I had tried their Gonzo before and thought it was pretty good (good - not great); however, this beer is something else. The earthy, vanilla, and bright coffee flavors that the barrel aging process gave this beer sat very well with the rest of the beer's profile. A very malty brew with rich chocolate notes, and the vanilla/coffee edges help sum up the beer quite nicely and deliver a very neat package to the belly. Also, the aromas are heavenly. Wonderful!

It's quite strong (if I remember right it was about 10.5% ABV) so I could only see having a couple of these unless I was planning on chilling awhile somewhere to let the alcohol run its course.

Overall very pleased with this one. Probably the best that Flying Dog has hit me with (their double IPA coming behind in a close second place).

Cheers!

Serving type: cask

09-30-2008 18:54:58 | More by ReadyFireAim

aerozeppl

New York

4.68/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Was wonderfully surprised to find this on cask at the Lazy Boy in White Plains. Best part only $6 a pint!

A: Jet black in color with one finger of tan head. The lacing on this beer was incredible. I was able to count how many sips it took me to finish the beer.

S: Roasted malt, Warm alcohol. Chocolate.

T: So complex. The first rush is all sweetness/bitterness from all the roast. Then you get the chocolate. Finally a toasty finish.

M: Thick and chewy. Typical cask carbonation which really worked well for this beer.

D:No hint of ABV and every sip was a pleasure. This beer is great in the bottle. On cask it was Earth shattering. While drinking it I remarked that it was perfect and it was. If near White Plains please go and get this before it is too late.

Serving type: cask

02-05-2008 13:49:21 | More by aerozeppl

BlurryVisi0n

New York

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

Served in a Sam Adams signature pint glass,.

Appearance: A very dark brown, like a maple syrup pour with a tan head bubbling up to over a finger's length.

Smell: Malty smell with slight chocolate and bits of sugar/caramel...starts off potent but leaves the nostrils just as quick as it comes in.

Taste: Pretty good, but in my opinion somewhat simple. Light chocolate that feels definitely dark and light malt. Could use a little tweaking. Maybe the barrel aged version is better, who knows?

Mouth: Medium bodied, bitter chocolate at the and somewhat dry. Not bad wish it was more sticky.

Overall: Picked up a six pack on w whim, just to try it overall not bad but wouldn't categorize it on the team of the elite. Still good to have doesn't hurt to split a pack with a friend. Salud!

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 18:57:58 | More by BlurryVisi0n

tewaris

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A dark brown with good clarity, great dark tan head, and good retention. Smells sweet and chocolaty without the coffee element some of its kind tend to take. Tastes malty and smooth with a restrained kick of roast at the back. Medium feel and somewhat high carbonation.

This beer is superior to many talked about imperial porters and stouts. I like it and the barrel aged version is fantastic as well.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 05:18:34 | More by tewaris

Burkbom23

Connecticut

4.23/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

A- Dark Brown almost black in color, nice frothy tan head, fair ammount of lacing. S- Sweet chocolatie aroma with strong smell of dark fruit, raisens, prunes. Did get a hint of soy sauce in the nose. T- Sweet malty flavor, a lot of chocolate coming through. Some coffee and smokiness. M- Creamy medium body, little on the light side for a porter. Would have liked more from the feel. Did leave a warming feeling from the alcohol. O- Definitely leans towards the sweet malty side of things. After a couple i think the sweetness would be too much, but still a drinkable beer, especially for 9.2 abv.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 01:20:43 | More by Burkbom23

Neorebel

New Jersey

3.89/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours a completely opaque jet black color. Although the carbonation is minimal at best, there is a frothy tan head sitting on top. The retention is fairly long with some of the head clinging to the glass on the way down.

The aroma suggests that the beer will be very sweet, with sugary malts and dark fruits outweighing any roasted aspects by a large margin.

This assessment above proves to be 100% correct after a taste. Raisins, some milk chocolate, and a super sweet candied flavor dominate. The finish sneaks in a little roastiness and a huge hop bitterness.

I could stand for the mouth feel to be a bit more full, yet the beer seems a little 'boozy' nevertheless.

Overall worth a try if you are a fan of Belgian strong dark ales (no joke). The sweetness and perceived strength of this really took me by surprise!

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 05:47:29 | More by Neorebel

jjchristiano

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Seemed more like a BIPA to me with the hoppiness. Didn't get any of the malty chocolate flavor but just overwhelming hoppy flavor. The high ABV wasn't apparent at all.
Maybe I should not have had a Russian Imperial Stout just before this, because the hops hit me after the sweet chocolate maltiness of the Stout. I like hoppy beers and would probably like this one if not for the order drank.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 03:46:55 | More by jjchristiano

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.4/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Surly Darkness chalice. Label says vintage 12JJ.

Appearance: Pours a oily pitch black. Moderate amount of bubbles and a solid three fingers of tan head with decent retention. Leaves a lot of creamy lacing around the glass.

Smell: A robust aroma of dark roasty malts with some fruit hints and herbal hops. Dark roasted malts up front with big hints of chocolate, coffee, vanilla, cream, toasted bread, biscuit, caramel, toffee, yeast, nuts, and smoked malt. Sweet molasses and a hint of anise licorice spicing. Hints of dark cherry, raisin, and prune. A fair amount of herbal and earthy hops in the background. A pretty rich and nice aroma.

Taste: Like the smell hints, a rich and roasty taste of dark malts and creamy chocolate. Rich roasted malts with a taste of chocolate, coffee, cream, and vanilla along with some toast, caramel, toffee, biscuit, yeast, smoked malt, and nuts. A fair amount of molasses sweetness. A little anise spice. Undertones of dark fruit including raisin, prune, dark cherry, and fig. A nice dose of earthy herbal hops provide some drying bitterness towards the finish. A really good taste that is more like an imperial stout than a porter.

Mouthfeel: Fairly full bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Very creamy and somewhat slick. Alcohol heat is hidden very well.

Overall: A really good imperial Porter. Nicely rich, dark, and creamy with a solid hop backing.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 07:26:49 | More by MattyG85

Greywulfken

New York

4/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: into a pint, opaque black body with a fat light brown head of stiff mousse; nice lacing

S: about all I really got was dark roasty chocolate malts

T: following nose, predominant dark chocolate and roasted dark malt flavors, slight espresso coffee flavor - I found it very mild and fairly refreshing; hints of smoke

M: smooth, creamy, remarkably light feeling

O: I've only had a few Baltic porters, and there seems to be some leeway to the style - they come off light light stouts - somewhat unassuming, very drinkable for such a dark-looking beer, and with no hint of the high abv they're packing. I found this to be a fairly unremarkable representation of the style, but certainly good-tasting and easy-drinking.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 02:44:56 | More by Greywulfken

arlingtonjoe

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

a: dark brown opaque body and doughy head, nice lacing

s: dark fruits, roasted malt and chocolate

t: raisin, bitter coffee, chocolate and a slightly dry finish from the hops

m: full bodied and sticky

o: one of my top five porters and will be sorely missed when they no longer allocate to illinois

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 06:14:27 | More by arlingtonjoe

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Thanx to Myrik for this one, and congratulations to the Baltimore Ravens for just winning the Super Bowl (here's to Maryland):

Into a nonic:

A: black colored body leaving a one finger white foamy head that fades fairly quickly to a film covering the top of the body. Minimal lacing is left.

S: some coffee, chocolate, alcohol and light malts up front.

T: bitter and boozy with the coffee and alcohol coming in strong. It leaves a dry aftertaste and has a bitter finish.

M: medium with nothing harsh on the tongue, very smooth and rich for the most part

O: I like this as a Baltic Porter. I'd have this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 04:01:19 | More by kangarooAdam59

I_Love_Beer

4.33/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First time I've enjoyed this beer, Found it on tap at a local restaurant. Bartender offered a sample and it was good so I ordered a 22 oz. Draft

A: Very dark almost black color, 1 finger head which lasted nicely

S: Strong roatsed malts, coffee bean, the smell is overall nice

T: This is is hard to describe but it as a nice taste, definitely taste the coffee and espresso, as I read in another review it tastes almost as if you crunched down on a coffee bean. It's a nice strong malty beer and you can tatse the 9% ABV but its not overpowering.

M: Smooth mouthfeel with a bit of a alcohol burn after a swallow, Not to much but a nice overall mouthfeel.

O: I enjoy stronger beers, I've found porters to be my go to beers if I want a strong beer, I enjoyed a chili spaghetti dish with 2 of these and I enjoyed it very much. I needed a little time to linger afterwards being as its a bit of heavy hitter as far as the ABV goes so use caution, I highly recommend this one if you enjoy porter or stout beers. I will try to find this in a 6 pack and pick up 1 or 2 for the fridge at home. The restaurant charges way to much for this beer on draft.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2013 20:30:36 | More by I_Love_Beer

JoshatTownHall

4.41/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

As a Baltimore guy who has enjoyed numerous authentic Baltic Porters over in Europe I was pumped when Flying Dog came out with their own take on the style. Drank straight from the bottle from a $13.99 6 pack from Oakdale Wine & Spirits in Catonsville, Md. Exceptional version of a Baltic Porter that I would place at the top of my list of Flying Dog's beers. It is definitely worth a second buy while in season.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 07:06:55 | More by JoshatTownHall

thlayli87

New Jersey

3.6/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Very dark brown with a massive frothy 4-inch tan head. Good lacing. Sadly, the appearance was the best aspect of the beer.

S - Piney hops, and slight roasty malt. Not terribly fragrant.

T - Pne, some chocolate malt; grainy; woody finish with a hint of smoke.

M - Creamy; Medium to full bodied. Dry.

O - Overall the flavors seem out of balance to me. I would have liked a little more sweetness. Not a bad beer, but I've had many porters and stouts that I prefer. I won't be revisiting this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 15:00:14 | More by thlayli87

danieelol

Australia

4.08/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From notes.

Wasn't going to review this but it really impressed me. Says "Vintage12BB" on the bottle.

Nice dark licorice colour with nice tanned head and great lacing.

Smell is coffee, brown sugar, licorice, vanilla ice cream.

Taste is not as potent as the aroma and features mainly licorice and some coffee.

Mouthfeel is a tad astringent.

Overall a very enjoyable Baltic Porter.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 10:04:26 | More by danieelol

jucifer1818

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Note: this beer is partially bottle conditioned, and has live yeast in it. As such, conditioning over time may improve it further

A: very, very, very dark. Its not quite completely solid black, but between 37-39 SRM, coming to a very nice color for a imperial stout. Its also a very clear beer with no cloudiness or suspended yeast in it, which also give it good marks for appearance.
Its head leaves a lot to be desired tho, with only maybe a 1/4th of a finger of head, that quickly disapates
not surprising for a beer that's over 9% abv, but it is a issue
4/5

s: this beers smell is very restrained. It smells mostly of fruity alcohols, almost like fruit loops but combined with a good bit of caramel roastyness in it as well
no hop aromas are present
I like it, but would prefer some more roasty chocolaty smells present
4/5

T: Ohh my, where did all that roastyness come from? it certainly was not in the smell!
this one tastes of deep, dark, roasted coffee beans and dry espresso beans. it tastes like chomping on raw espresso beans, and its beautifully nutty and dry (most likely also from its high ABV).
peat smoked malt is also present, but it is well balanced and does not overpower your mouth like others might.
the also gives it a slight sweetness but its well balanced, and can easily improve from ageing.
Hops are very biter on the after taste, but come in so close with the brews roasted barley and black malt that its very hard to pick them out from the roasty bitterness
overall I like this a lot
4.5/5

mouthfeel: grainy, dark, but not very syrupy at all. the beers dryness sees to that
not bad
4/5

Overall: to put it short, this beer is a very good stout, but its not the best...really you have to play it to style
its a dry stout. a VERY dry stout. their is no cloying sweetness in this brew. this is dark, grainy, dry, and bitter, but never overly so.
If you like that sort of thing this IS the beer for you
however I personally prefer a sweeter stout, but still can enjoy this one
I give it a decent 4.5/5

Cellar it, and see how it changes over time!
It might be a 5 brew in a year or two
Cheers

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 00:57:25 | More by jucifer1818

AmitC

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer was an awesome one. Leaves a lot of stouts well behind.

Appearance: Pours very dark brown with some thickness. Black inside the glass. A tan-brown colored head that is persistent and about two fingers thick. Excellent lacing. Totally opaque.

Aroma: Excellent roasty aromas that include burnt up, black malts, some coffee and toffee like flavor. Very good presence of hops in the aroma makes for a wonderful nose experience. Some dry fruits may be. Alcohol comes up in the nose as well mixed up with other aromas.

Taste: Bitter, burnt up and strong. These three words come to mind. Very good use of hops that are well interspersed with roasted malts. Strong alcohol that is very likable.

Mouth feel: Thick and full bodied. Some astringency that is a combination of carbonation, burnt malts, hops and alcohol. But it all gulps down the throat very very well.

Such beers make craft scene worth enjoying. Well done Flying Dog on this one. Very distinct and stout like though being marketed as imperial porter which is not a style.

Try it and you will love it.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 23:53:48 | More by AmitC

UCLABrewN84

California

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

On nitro tap at Boneyard Bistro in Sherman Oaks, CA.

Pours an opaque black with a foamy dark khaki head that settles to a film on top of the beer. A foamy curtain of lace coats the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, cocoa, slight coffee, and alcohol. Taste is much the same with a cookie dough flavor on the finish. There is a medium roasty bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a low level of carbonation with an almost flat and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer but the nitro treatment isn't helping out very much.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-22-2012 07:16:13 | More by UCLABrewN84

superspak

Michigan

3.8/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle into tulip glass, Vintage 2012BB. Pours pitch black color with a nice 2 finger dense dark tan head with incredible retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Nice thick soapy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of dark chocolate, roasted malt, light char, herbal, caramel, toast, toffee, earth, light dark fruit, and light coffee. Nice aromas with good complexity and balance. Taste of dark chocolate, coffee, roasted malt, caramel, toffee, toast, char, earth, herbal spiciness, and light dark fruits. Fair amount of coffee bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of dark chocolate, roasted malt, coffee, caramel, toffee, earth, light fruitiness, and herbal spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Nice flavor balance and complexity; zero cloying flavors on the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full body; with a creamy and lightly slick mouthfeel that is good. Alcohol is very well hidden with hardly any warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a very good imperial porter. Good flavor balance and robustness; very smooth to sip on. I was expecting more out of this, but this was still quite tasty.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 05:22:52 | More by superspak

danreitz

2.4/5  rDev -40.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Served from a bottle at my friend's place during a session that also involved The Kraken rum. It pours deep, beautiful opaque nearly-black brown. Hoppy, faint aroma that does not give away what is in store for your tongue. Taste is all over the place: aggressive and bitter, with several flavors competing for your attention including burnt iron, cleaning supplies, dirt and liquorice. The predominant flavor is alcohol. Finishes with a bitter, lingering alcoholic aftertaste.

A very memorable beer. Aggressive to a fault. This beer lets you know you're drinking it the entire time you're drinking it and haunts your dreams once you pass out. I notice most of the reviews talk about this like it's an easy drinking beer. This was not an easy drinking beer. Did I get a bad bottle?

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 19:54:00 | More by danreitz