Laughing Dog Brewing- Alpha Dog Imperial IPA: Down Boy, Down!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 5:56PM | by Chris 
So, upon entering the local liquor store after work, I knew I wanted to try something new and bold. It was a long day, so I really needed something to make the evening a little more enjoyable. Don’t ask me why, but I gravitated toward Alpha Dog Imperial IPA, by Laughing Dog Brewing. I suppose it may have been the ominous green-eyed wolf on the label that enticed me, but I was also just looking for something I had never heard of. Until buying Alpha Dog, I didn’t know of Laughing Dog Brewery. With an 8% ABV and 127 IBU, I knew I was in for a little something different, to say the least.
The Alpha Dog pour surprised me a little. I had anticipated a slightly darker color than the one I got. The Dog was a mix between sunburst and straw. A kind of orangey color, without dark tones mixed in. The head was frothy and left a substantial amount of "lace." The aroma hit me as fairly standard and a bit weak for an imperial IPA. It was sweet, hinting of citrus, and fairly mild. However upon first sip I was shocked; the hops on this “Alpha Dog” are super bold. After getting past the hops-shock I experienced from the first sip or two, I noticed some subtle sweetness at the front end and some pine and grass notes toward the end. It has a lingering bitter finish; so much so that it is almost astringent. While the beer is not very complex, the hop blast gives it a full mouth feel. It was, however, slightly oily feeling and as I said, a little astringent.
As one of the more bitter beers I have had the privilege of drinking, Alpha Dog definitely gave me something new and different. While this beer is clearly “leader of the pack” when it comes to strength of flavor, I would call it the Chihuahua of flavor complexity. I was looking for something, well . . . great. I am looking for the greatest beer of all time after all! I was surprised by the hoppy punch, but there was a lot left to be desired when it came to the overall flavor and depth of this brew. When it comes right down to it, this dog has got bite, but I’m looking for man’s best friend.
ABV: 8%
Consumed: Bomber via pint glass
Verdict: Bum one from a friend
