Brew Dog 'Dogma' Scotch Ale. 7.4% abv. 65 IBU. Dark ruby color. A finger of tan head that gradually falls to a thin collar. Low retention. Moderate lace. Nose is strong, sweet, malty, notes of honey and raisin. Front taste of honey, plum, malt. Aftertaste of honey, orange, plum. Medium body. Mouthfeel is slightly syrupy.

This is an extraordinary beer, with a rich aroma, malty backbone, plenty of fruity notes throughout. I first had this beer at the 2014 Tower District Oktoberfest and it was my take-away favorite of the day. Having it again with friends, the flavor profile was instantly memorable, as is often the case with truly great brews. Strongly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Dogma is an innovative, enigmatic ale brewed with guarana, poppy seeds, and kola nut, all blended together with Scottish heather honey. A conspiracy of transcontinental ingredients infused with some devastatingly BrewDog imaginative thinking. The flavours, intricacies, and nuances of this ale are best enjoyed over some obscure 17th Century philosophical meanderings. This ale is not cool. You may think it is, but that is just a beautiful lie fabricated by clowns and gypsies."

Brew Dog '5AM Saint' Hoppy Red Ale. 5% abv. 35 IBU. Amber-ruby color. Thick ivory head that falls quickly to a thin surface with good retention and great lace. Nose is malty, floral hoppy. Front taste is caramel, strong malt, bright hops. Aftertaste is malt, hops, herbal. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, creamy, sticky. This is an outstanding red, better than most and worth seeking out.

From the brewery:

"Five AM is The Holy Grail of red ales. We live in a world of disposable deities. Someone, somehow has managed to press that big, flashing moronic override button and we are hard wired straight into the pockets of false idols trying to make a quick buck. Sadly, for a lot of people the same mentality applies to beer. But who is to know what is worth worshiping when monolithic advertising budgets have you sucked down the rabbit hole in the blink of an eye? At BrewDog we are on a mission to open as many peoples eyes as possible. Cast away any aspersions and let the crook of BrewDog be your guide in a whirlwind of conformity and mediocrity. Once this ruby liquid forms a foamy halo around your glass, you will never want to look back."