Hair of the Dog Fred Beer Review

Hair of the Dog Fred

Review Date 5/2/1998

Try? Re-buy?

The label says it's a "Golden Special Ale", but interestingly enough it's actually a cloudy brownish-orange in color. That and the initial intense hoppiness reminded me of an India Pale Ale when I first sipped it, but as it warmed just a bit the really big, chewy malt body came through and battled the hops to the end for control of the beer. The hops seem to lose while I'm still sipping, but leave a lasting bitterness lingering on the tongue.

Fred is incredibly complex, I get a spicy suggestion of rye, a touch of pear, hints of butterscotch, subtle notes of anisette. The gravity of the beer and the yeast-imparted complexity combined with the incredibly warm 11.5% alcohol by volume finish remind me a barleywine more than any other style, but this is a beer that seems to defy any traditional stylistic classification.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

(G)=Growler

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