What does it mean to be the alpha dog? It means you are the leader; the undisputed person in charge who is in control of his/her domain and ready to challenge all who threaten it. It means you are bold, courageous, and even a little bit intimidating to those who try to match your style and personality. These qualities could be applied to many people, but they are also applicable to a certain beer known as Laughing Dog Alpha Dog Imperial IPA, a big beer with an unmistakable personality.
Beer Bio:
Beer Style: Imperial IPA
Calories: 255 per 12 oz. serving
Carbs: Unknown
Alcohol Content: 8 percent by volume
Laughing Dog Alpha Dog IPA pours to an orange/tan color and a moderate pour produces a good amount of foam that eventually settles down, but still maintains a thin layer and leaves lacing as you consume. The body of the beer is slightly cloudy and the nose on this beer is one of citrus, pineapple, caramel, and a dab of lemon. The beer offers a bold taste, with flavors that include toasted malt, pine, caramel, citrus, and other fruits, which then culminate in hoppy contributions that run from earthy to grassy to citrus. The beer is more bitter than sweet, but not overly bitter in taste thanks to the balancing contributions from the malts.
Before you even take your first sip, Laughing Dog Alpha Dog Imperial IPA has already managed to both intimidate and intrigue. The statistics alone are enough to pique anyone’s interest. Many beer products boast an alcohol level of 8 percent by volume or higher, but when was the last time you tasted a beer with 127 IBU? It’s an extreme level, and it makes you wonder what the liquid in that bomber bottle will taste like. Will it be so bitter that it may trigger the gag reflex or did Laughing Dog balance out the flavors and keep the bitterness in check? If you’re anything like me, the curious side of you is overwhelmed at this point. You just have to open the bottle and find out for yourself.
I admit that I was a little apprehensive with this beer, but my concerns were quickly placed at ease once I tasted the beer for the first time. There is no denying the over- hopped attributes of this beer and I can fully understand the concerns anyone would have once they realize this beer has 127 IBU of bitterness. But the taste is surprisingly less bitter than I expected. There are enough contributions from the sweet malt to keep the flavor from moving too far toward the bitter end of the spectrum. You end up with a beer that, while certainly bitter, is actually more balanced than the numbers indicate with a complex array of flavors that include pine, fruit, earthy notes, caramel, and more.
Laughing Dog Alpha Dog Imperial IPA is an excellent beer overall and one I am bound to try again in spite of its high cost. It’s like that boy or girl your mom and dad warned you against; bad, yet very appealing and certainly a product that stands out in the crowd. Its bold personality and memorable flavor make it a craft beer experience everyone should try at least once and I recommend sampling a bottle if you get the chance.
Rating: 9 Cheers out of 10
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