It's entirely possible this beer is named after a dog. Whether it is or isn't, I compliment them on the simplicity and straightforwardness of their can. One of the strange things that I've noticed lately is that many, many of the microbrews that I've been getting have a wrap that goes around a blank aluminum can for their label. I don't know enough about the process to know what benefit this gives them; I suspect it's cheaper, but these guys printed directly on the can, and I can respect that.
The moderately hazy
amber beer has a veritable eruption of a head. This had takes a while to go down, and it leaves a lot of lacing on the sides. This is quite surprising from a lager, and the lacing is patchy, but it's heavy where it stays. The aroma is light bread malt with relatively aggressive yeast, spices, and maybe a bit of honey? I'm not smelling any hops, but that's not to be too surprising from a lager.
First sip has a lot more bitterness than lagers normally carry. That said, the bread and honey malt is really the dominating flavor. I don't know what hops were added, but bitterness seems to be the only thing that they're imparting. Most amber beers tend to be wallflowers, but this one definitely has a flavor. It might be too much of a flavor for sipping.
Tip-in is mild carbonation tickle with sweet bread and honey taking over the mouth. The middle rolls out into a significant increase in carbonation sizzle while yeast comes up to meet very light oranges on top of the bread and honey. The finish is that wave of bitterness that really seems unjustified by the rest of the flavor, but it all soothes itself out for the trail off.
Bottom Line: It's not likely to win a bunch of awards, but it's not bad.
2.25/5
