I never get tired of the hops. My body does, but I don’t. The Blue Dot IPA from Portland, Oregon’s Hair of the Dog Brewery is one of the reasons why I can’t stop going back to this style. It’s become an obsession to find the next big mind-melter of an IPA. And the ride is amazing. As for this one, I was really anxious to receive this beer because it comes from one of my top three breweries on this “blue dot” astronauts call planet earth. Everything I’ve had so far from this brewery has blown my head to pieces: Ruth; Adam; Fred; and Doggie Claws. Good Lord I want to move next door to this place. Somebody please buy my house. Right out of the bottle this thing screams Hop Stoopid, Union Jack, Pliny the Elder, and Sculpin – all of which belong to the beloved West Coast. I can’t think of a better group of IPAs to be compared to than those. There is a TON of bright sunshine that just pops up out of the glass when you pour it. The smell alone reaches that part of your brain that controls your inner hop junky and makes your brain begin to moonwalk. The taste is the same, too. I really am surprised that I don’t see more people geeking out over this beer on the forums. Not saying they dislike it, but damn… This is very yummy. In the end it tastes a lot like the previous beer I reviewed (Ballast Point Sculpin IPA), but I have to score it one point higher simply because its bitterness is a touch more balanced here – making it one I could drink all freakin’ day.
Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
On the iPod: Vetiver “Rolling Sea”
Brewery: Hair of the Dog
Beer: Blue Dot
Style: Imperial IPA
Location: Portland, Oregon
ABV: 7%
Rating: 95/100
Posted by Big Mike on April 30, 2010 at 7:52 AM
I want to try this beer badly. I agree with your feelings about HOTD. They are a truly great brewery.
Posted by thehopry on April 30, 2010 at 6:50 PM
And you have access to HOTD you Lucksack (quoth Reaper16).
Posted by builderofcoalitions on April 30, 2010 at 4:30 PM
You seem sick…or a couple of beers into your session.
Loved the hop week. Love Hair of the Dog. Thanks for sharing. Now, where did that Burton Baton get to? (Don’t worry. It’s in the fridge.)
Posted by thehopry on April 30, 2010 at 6:50 PM
It’s called being tired after a long week.
Posted by KCWortHog on April 30, 2010 at 9:55 PM
HOTD is a great brewery. They’re finally opening a tasting room (and moving), so if you’re ever in PDX definitely check them out (they haven’t typically opened the brewery to the public in the past, minus a few scheduled occasions during the year).. They’re partnering with Deschutes on a collaboration beer, so keep your eye out next year for that one.
Anyway… I came here to see if you’d tried Green Flash West Coast IPA yet (I didn’t see a review here). If you’re into the west coast IPA styles, it’s a must-try.
And if you pick it up, get the Hop Head Red along with it. Also a wonderful treat for a hophead.
Posted by thehopry on May 1, 2010 at 6:47 AM
Very good point. It’s been a while since I’ve had a Green Flash beer (I think it was their LeFreak that I had), but I will have to remember them the next time I do a trade with the Cali folks.