Flying Dog Beer Review: Wild Dog Doppelbock (Collaborator - Open Source Beer!)

If you recall, the good folks at Flying Dog Brewery were kind enough to send me a few beers to sample and review. I got the chance to review these tasty treats a few weeks ago, but haven't had the time, until now, to post my reviews on the blog. Sorry for the delay...

Here's what I was sent and what I reviewed: Wild Dog Doppelbock, Wild Dog Barrel-Aged Horn Dog, and K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale. Lets start with the Doppelbock and I'll post the remaining reviews over the next few days.

Once again, my buddy Dave was kind enough to assist me with his own reviews of these fine beverages. It's always good to get a second opinion, and I'd rather not drink alone...

Beer: Flying Dog Brewery's - Wild Dog Doppelbock (Collaborator - Open Source Beer!)

Some words from Flying Dog: Collaborator Doppelbock was created through Flying Dog's Open Source Beer Project, which gave amateur brewers a chance to give our brewing team recommendations and feedback on everything from the grain, hops and yeast to the brewing process itself. We combined their feedback to create this unique Doppelbock recipe.

Collaborator has a full body with a sweet malt profile and a slight roast character. The complete recipe and printable labels are available for download at http://www.opensourcebeerproject.com/.

Style: Doppelbock

Style Description from our friends at BeerAdvocate.com:
Double Bocks or Doppelbocks are huge beers with enough malt packed in them to consider them a meal in its self. Generally having a very full-bodied flavor and darker than other bocks with a higher level of alcohol also. The range in color from dark amber to nearly black. Dark versions may have slight chocolate or roasted characters.

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 6.0-10.00%


How was it served? From a bottle Glass: Standard pint glass

Location of tasting: Dave's apartment

Reviewers: Bryon & guest reviewer - Dave


Bryon's Review

1. Appearance - The Collaborator is an inviting crystal clear beverage with fair head retention. Upon first glance, it resembles a glass of brewed ice tea with it's rusty-red hue. It's a pretty beer.

2. Smell - There is a slightly toasted, musty, malty scent with a floral undertone I'm guessing is from the yeast, if not the hops. (A note on smell - I have a very limited sense of smell, that comes and goes, so my opinions on beer smells should be taken with a grain of salt...)

3. Taste - The Collaborator is a full bodied beer that starts off mellow and finishes with a slightly bitter flavor. As the beer warmed, the bitter finish faded with each remaining sip. The sweet roasted and malted taste was balanced with an ample showing of hops. I detected hints of something that reminded me of licorice.

4. Mouthfeel - A smooth finish that coats the tongue. A smooth beer with a medium texture.

5. Drinkability - A good beer, I would definitely have another, especially if I could find it on tap. Will this ever be available on tap?

Drinkability Scale from 1- 10: A strong 7.

And for a second opinion...

Dave's Review

1. Appearance - The beer presents itself very well; it is a picture perfect example of what I would choose to drink. The color is bright amber, like, as Bryon said, brewed tea. The beer is crystal clear, with small, active bubbles and a light but hearty head.

2. Smell - This definitely smells like beer. The malts and yeast are most present. The Collaborator has a sweet smell, with remnants of roasted hops and fermented yeast. Not the best smell, but it does not turn you off of the beer.

3. Taste - The flavor follows closely to the bouquet, except the hops are more prevalent. It reminds me of a rich ale, but the sweetness is not over powering. This is a beer you could drink all night, but the flavor does not stand out as particularly special. No one will hate this beer.

4. Mouthfeel - This is a smooth beer, with a medium mouthfeel. There is a certain viscosity to the liquid that makes it linger. think of the equivalent of 'legs' in wine tasting.

5. Drinkability - This is a very good beer and I would not feel as if I was missing out to drink this all night.

Drinkability Scale from 1- 10: 7.5