Brouwerij de Molen / Hair of the Dog Fred – Golden Special – American Strong Ale at 10.7% ABV | 65 IBU (C$7.49 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 330 ml, packaged on 20-Jul-2015, best before 20-Jul-2020, acquired 16-Apr-2016, reviewed 10-Apr-2020)
Appearance: clear pale amber with some particulate, no head or lacing. (3/5) Aroma: caramel & butterscotch, boozy dark fruit, citrus, oak, apples, rye. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (9/10) Palate: medium-full slightly slick body, moderate-low carbonation, sticky warming slightly astringent finish. (4/5)
Much like any big barrel-aged ale – lots of boozy malt dominates over a variety of fruit, wood, and grain notes. I was pleased to note not a lot of oxidation present, despite the low residual carbonation and the fast-approaching BB date. Solid, if not particularly earth-shattering. (16/20)
My 267th from the 2010 Edition of 1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die, 256th from the 2013 Edition, 252nd from the 2018 Edition, and 288th combining all three editions.
8/10 #1001beers #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
