Horn Dog Barley Wine Style Ale - Flying Dog Brewery

maccroz

Cambodia

2.73/5  rDev -29.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Eh...this beer is okay. It starts out promising with a nice dark pour, but as it slides up the pint glass, no head accumulates. After a mildly violent pour, I could still see the brown of my beer through the thin, borderline non-existant head.

The smell doesn't really cause any excitement.

The taste? It's not BAD per se, it's just not what you'd expect. It's awfully sweet and has a very heavy taste. It's surprisingly uncomplex for the alcohol content, I'd expect a much more lingering taste.

I won't buy this again, and I don't recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2005 01:31:01 | More by maccroz

dalepryor

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +3.9%

06-15-2013 08:03:51 | More by dalepryor

Docrock

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.9%

06-11-2013 03:03:15 | More by Docrock

gwiedman1

New York

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

06-09-2013 19:07:36 | More by gwiedman1

laxer8811

New York

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

06-08-2013 02:37:19 | More by laxer8811

BKBassist

New York

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

06-07-2013 05:24:33 | More by BKBassist

megamass

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +3.9%

06-07-2013 05:15:49 | More by megamass

cbutova

Massachusetts

4.14/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

One of the very few mini-bottles I have come across. 2011 vintage I believe, "Vintage 0811."

A- Poured into a snifter from the bottle with a dark amber, opaque body. Very small hiss when opening the bottle foreshadowed the formation of just a small cloud and single bubble ring atop the beer, almost no head action. No lacing to speak of as this ends up looking more like a nice glass of wine.

S- Very strong aroma immediately upon opening the bottle. The snifter allows it to really hit me with strong fruit and old caramel notes. Some vinous sherry and port hints along with those of dusty basement, molasses and slight alcohol.

T- A very big flavor packed into the small bottle. Reminds me of JW Lees and Old Stock in ways with a huge dried fruit/raisin/vinous fruit quality and that good aged caramel feel that comes in Old Ales. Malts lend molasses, brown sugar, toasted nut and the aforementioned caramel. Somewhat sweet overall and no hops to speak of at this point.

MF- Fairly silky despite a low overall carbonation. Body itself has a thick, oily consistency and does well with the strong flavors at hand. Slight alcohol warming but for 10% this ABV is well hidden.

A good malt complexity and very well hidden ABV along with some aged characteristics I see in my favorite Old Ales. Nothing to complain about and a Barleywine that fans of the style should give a shot.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2013 02:33:05 | More by cbutova

kustard

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.9%

06-06-2013 19:53:50 | More by kustard

AndrewMichael

Virginia

4/5  rDev +3.9%

06-04-2013 01:46:08 | More by AndrewMichael

jmslade7

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +16.9%

06-02-2013 03:46:38 | More by jmslade7

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.91/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Horn Dog Barley Wine Style Ale
Flying Dog Brewery
Style: English Barleywine
ABV: 10.20 %
Vintage: 2013

LOOK: Clear amber with ruby hues. A solid pour yields a good few inches of foam, where the retention is excellent.

SMELL: Malty and fruity aroma, alcohol is also apparent. Toffee, caramel and toasted malts emerge more as it warms.

TASTE: Very fruity upfront reminiscent of fruit snacks. Hops are leafy and mild, lending only a slight bitterness, Fruity and a bit boozy, with notes of strawberry and date. A bit of toffee and rich caramel are around the edges. Becomes more nutty as it approaches room temperature.

FEEL: Full bodied, medium carbonation, drinks smooth and easy. Malty flavors linger on the palate, with a restrained sweetness.

OVERALL: A solid American Barleywine, and easier drinking than most. For 10.2% alcohol, there is only a slight evidence in the taste, This was pretty good overall.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2013 02:38:37 | More by Stinkypuss

Broanoke

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +16.9%

05-26-2013 15:30:26 | More by Broanoke

heysuz

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

05-25-2013 12:15:31 | More by heysuz

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

05-22-2013 01:12:16 | More by mikeincharleston

pin

Australia

2.5/5  rDev -35.1%

05-22-2013 00:58:06 | More by pin

CanisMajor

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

05-16-2013 21:24:32 | More by CanisMajor

lucasj82

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

05-15-2013 02:10:26 | More by lucasj82

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -15.6%

05-13-2013 18:43:22 | More by Slatetank

TheBadger0289

New Zealand (Aotearoa)

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-11-2013 01:25:10 | More by TheBadger0289

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

05-10-2013 19:23:09 | More by twenty5

Oboogie

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-10-2013 13:59:28 | More by Oboogie

Illos

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

05-05-2013 04:09:58 | More by Illos

gillagorilla

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

12oz. bottle poured into a Flying Dog goblet

A: It is a deep brown with tinges of deep amber in there around the edges. There is even a bit of light lacing. The head is only about a finger, but disappears as soon as it appears.

S: You get a very light pine scent right before the malt sweetness powers through along with a bit of sugary chocolate. There is also a nice toasty roast in there as well.

T: The taste on this BW is very mild and even. I don't get much complexity and the sweetness is there but quite faded and subdued. It really tastes exactly like it smells. There are no hops that I can really place, but to me it seems they are what tie the whole thing together as a nice simple package that leaves a very subtle mouthfeel that is almost nonexistent.

M: There is almost no carbonation and it is deceptively smooth. Unless you were focusing on the mouthfeel, you wouldn't notice it, since it is so minimal. Also, you feel it most when you hold it in your mouth to warm up a bit.

O: This was my first English BW. I wasn't blown out of the water by this, but it is a decent and solid BW that is very drinkable. It is up against stark competition with Bigfoot, however that one is an American BW. There is nothing stellar about this BW but it has no alcohol burn unlike some other ones, which make it ready on day one.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 01:06:21 | More by gillagorilla

Carpentiere

New Hampshire

4.75/5  rDev +23.4%

05-02-2013 17:59:04 | More by Carpentiere