Review – Laughing Dog Dogzilla Black IPA

Laughing Dog Brewing – Dogzilla Black IPA – Purchased from Dawson’s Liquors in Severna Park, MD. Poured from a 22oz bottle into a tulip glass. 6.9% ABV (according to RateBeer)

Appearance: Deepest mahogany with little light getting through when held up to a lamp. 1/3 of the glass was filled with creamy, tan head that left plenty of lacing on the side.

Aroma: Dark chocolate, caramel, a few floral notes and pine tar.

Taste: Really dark chocolate (the 70% cacao kind) on the palate giving way to a huge bitterness on the finish. There’s an almost-unpleasant taste lingering at the rear of the roof of my mouth that reminds me of dandelion sap. It may also be juniper, it’s hard to place.

Mouthfeel: Has good body without being sticky. Finishes clean.

Overall: From the name, I was thinking this beer would be similar to the Southern Tier Iniquity. It is much more bitter, but just as complex. Definitely not a session beer, but worth buying if you like hops. It was also very reasonably priced at $6 for a bomber.