Gonzo Imperial Porter

BEERSTYLE

Life's Short, Drink Better Beer

Description

ABV (Alcohol by Volume):   7.8%

IBUs (International Bitterness Units):   80

Hops:   Warrior, Northern Brewer, Cascade

Specialty Malts:   2-Row Pale Ale, G. W. 120L Crystal, Chocolate Malt, Black Malt

Process:   Double Porter recipe, dry hopped with a shit load of Cascade hops

Beer Style:   Imperial Porter / Baltic Porter

Appearance:   Black with a thick tannish brown head that lingers.

Aroma:   Roasted malt aromas that include coffee, toffee, chocolate and a mild dried fruit
character, then finishing with a mild alcohol note and a slight citrusy / piney hop aroma.

Taste:   Roasted malt sweetness to start, coffee, chocolate and licorice flavor in the
middle and a noticeable hop finish.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability:   Full bodied, thick and rich mouthfeel.

Interesting Facts

Porter is said to have been popular with transportation workers of Central London in the
1700's, hence the name. The Gonzo Imperial Porter is a strong version of the English
Porter, which was called "Imperial" because this particular type of strong Porter was
exported to the Imperial Courts of the Baltic countries such as Latvia, Lithuania and
Estonia by the British.

Gonzo Imperial Porter is a tribute beer to Hunter S. Thompson, father of Gonzo
journalism, a revolutionary style of reporting. Long time friend, neighbor and
co-conspirator of Flying Dog owner George Stranahan, Hunter was a large influence on
George's life and subsequently on the creation of the Flying Dog brand; whether it was
riding motorcycles, blowing shit up, or just getting a good, old-fashioned drunk on at the
Woody Creek Tavern. These two were fast friends long before Flying Dog Brewery was
even a thought.

Hunter's greatest contribution to Flying Dog is, of course, introducing George Stranahan to
another long-time friend of his, Ralph Steadman. The Gonzo artist creates all of Flying
Dog's signature labels