American Craft Beer Week - Laughing Dog Brewery from Idaho

Laughing Dog is a brewery that's been around since 2005, although I believe it is just recently becoming available on the east coast. Based on the samples I tasted, I would say that they are a high quality producer in the typical Pacific Northwest Style of high alcohol and high hops.

The first two beers I tasted were Alphadog Imperial IPA and Devil Dog Imperial IPA. As would be expected by an American beer with "Imperial" in the name, these beers are huge over the top styled beers. With a whopping 127 IBUs, the Alphadog is a hop-lovers delight. Lots of Cascade and Centennial hops give it strong citrus with just a little piney taste, and a bitterness that can linger for minutes. But for me, it didn't seem to have much more going for it.
The Devil Dog, while higher in alcohol (10% abv, vs 8.7% abv for the Alphadog), has "only" 98 IBUs, but has much more malt, so comes across more balanced, although still very strong on the hops.
Both are very classic examples of strongly hopped American IPAs, and recommended for anyone who likes that style.

Next was the Sneaky Pete, also an IPA, but containing a very different mix of hops. While there was still a bit of citrus and a hint of pineyness, there was a much more pronounced fruitiness, which I believe comes from the Simcoe hops that are used. A little smoother than the first two beers, but still a true IPA. Refreshingly different.

Finally, the stouts; The Dogfather and The Dogfather Bourbon Barrel Aged. Both are very full bodied stouts; and quite dry. Lots of aromas and tastes of roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and a slight nutiness. The dryness is pronounced, but not overwhelming. The Bourbon Barrel version is a little smoother, and teases with just enough Bourbon flavor to give a hint of sweetness, without actually being any sweeter. What it does deliver is a fruitiness that is quite pleasant, sort of like tart cherries, that helps off-set some of the roastedness of the grains.
Given my fondness for stouts, it's not a surprise that these were my favorites, with the Bourbon Barrel version coming out slightly ahead. At 11% abv, these are not beers for the faint of heart (or palate), but for the stout lover, they are sensational.

I highly recommend trying the Laughing Dog beers that fit the styles that you enjoy. And maybe even some of the others; you may find that you like other styles more than you thought you did.


Next tasting is New Jersey's own Cricket Hill.