The latest release in Flying Dog‘s Wild Dog series, this imperial IPA uses but a single hop variety (and a new one at that)—El Dorado. The beer pours a deep straw with a nicely carbonated, medium-bodied head.
Despite the fact that the harvest of El Dorado hops yielded a mere 1.5 acres in 2010, Brewmaster Matt Brophy “fell in love with its dried fruit (think apricot and pineapple) aroma.” The varietal’s nose is immediately noticeable.
Along with these fruit flavors, a biscuit note lingers on the tongue in a surprisingly drinkable 10 percent ABV IPA. A slight hop bite hits the mouth in the finish and not the throat, which is another pleasant rarity, making the beer oddly refreshing.
Flying Dog’s Single Hop Imperial IPA El Dorado is available, as of May 2012, on draft and in 12-oz. bottles for a limited time in Flying Dog’s distribution area.
