Name: Big Dog’s Brewing Company
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Website: http://www.bigdogsbrews.com/home/
Type: Production Brewery and Brewpub
Available in DC Market: No
What you need to know: Brothers Tom and George Wiesner opened up the Draft House in Las Vegas way back in 1988. Since then, the Wisconsin transplants have expanded their footprint and their horizons. They still do their classics – pale ale, brown, etc – but have added bigger, more ambitious styles like double red and imperial IPA.
Beer #1: El Perro Diablo con Frambuesas (Belgian Style Ale, 9-10% ABV)
In Their Own Words: Belgian Strong Golden aged on raspberries, limited release
Food Pairing: Thyme Roasted Quail Legs (Quail legs basted with olive oil, roasted thyme and cracked black pepper.)
Our Thoughts: This is a style that can be truly beautiful – or go off the tracks. First of all, the base beer has to be good. A bunch of American takes on Duvel don’t attenuate enough or have hot hot heat. And then there’s the fruit. If El Perro can avoid syrupy sweetness, high fusel alcohols, or muddled flavor, it should be a great match for the quail legs.
Beer #2: Lady Tee Vanilla Chocolate Stout (Stout, 6.2% ABV)
In Their Own Words: Big Dog’s has kept quiet about his beer, which appears to be a limiited release.
Food Pairing: Dark chocolate and feuillitine (Dense dark chocolate layered with crispy feuilletine and covered in chocolate ganache.)
Our Thoughts: There’s not much on the trusty old internet about this beer (or Big Dog’s generally, to be honest) but the name pretty much tells you what you’re getting. Silky, rich, etc. No brainer for the dessert pairing.
This profile is a part of the DCBeer.com SAVOR Brewery Profile series. For more information, follow the link to see profiles of all 2014 SAVOR participants.
