198. Hair of Dog Blue Dot Double India Pale Ale

Our second beer from Hair of the Dog—our last was one was Ruth during Thanksgiving with my family. This beer reminds me of why I love the Northwest.

Blue Dot Double India Pale Ale is a tawny gold with a light white head that laces the glass moderately. The nose starts bready with some hop notes—specifically some spicy and grassy aromas. Bitter from the get-go, Blue Dot begins with some dry biscuit malt and quickly moves into a big hoppy middle from both a generous amount of bitterness and from the resin, citrus/grapefruit, and, we think, some pine flavors—there is a big hop presence that makes it difficult to pick everything out. It finishes cleaner than expected—there is an even amount of dry maltiness and bitterness in the end, with some slight grassiness in the bitterness. Medium-bodied with a medium carbonation bite, Blue Dot very drinkable—we wouldn’t have taken this for a DIPA because it goes down so well. The spiciness in the front and the complexity in the middle is also probably due to the rye, although it feels gone by the end. It is also very fresh tasting—the sweetness and the alcohol are held well in abeyance, allowing the large hop profile to shine—it is well balanced without being heavy or cloying. The rye may contribute to the fresh taste, covering over any of the lingering sweetness. All in all, a delicious and very enjoyable beer—we’d love to try this on tap to see how it compares to the bottle, although I’m not sure Hair of the Dog kegs any of their beers. We’re making this a Top 10 Best contender, and hoping to come across it again soon.

From the bottle: “Blue Dot is named after our planet: we are only a pale blue dot in this universe. Made with organic Pilsner malt, Rye malt and a combination of intense hop varieties. Pour slowly to allow the sediment to remain in the bottle. Make every day Earth day. Do something nice for your mother.”

Here’s where to find Hair of the Dog

We’d tell you what the website had to say, but it is woefully out of date. Blue Dot is not even listed, and the updates disappear about 2001. But then again, keeping the focus on good beer matters more, and word of mouth will do perfectly fine for yours truly...

ABV: 7%

(1/14/2010)