What is Dog Bite Beer?
Dog Bite Beer is an American Pale Ale brewed by Baron Brewing located on a farm in Great Hormead, East Hertfordshire. Baron brewed their first beer release, including Dog Bite, at the end of 2021. According to Beer Shop HQ, Dog Bite Beer is a “hoppy pale” that focuses on modern hops and nuanced flavors.
As an American Pale Ale, Dog Bite Beer is known for its light, refreshing taste and moderate hoppiness. It likely features citrus and pine hop characteristics commonly found in American pale ales. Baron focuses on brewing hop-forward beers, so Dog Bite likely has a noticeable hop aroma and flavor profile.
Alcohol Content in Beers
Alcohol content in beer is typically measured as alcohol by volume (ABV). This is the percentage of the beer’s total volume that is pure alcohol.
For example, a beer with 5% ABV contains 5% alcohol and 95% non-alcoholic ingredients. The ABV gives a standard measurement for comparing the alcohol strength of different beers.
There is a wide range of ABV percentages across different beer styles. Lighter beers like pilsners and blonde ales tend to have lower ABV around 4-5%. IPAs and stouts often have higher ABV from 6-10%. Here are some common styles and their typical alcohol content:
- Pilsners – 4-5% ABV
- Amber Ales – 4-6% ABV
- IPAs – 6-7.5% ABV
- Stouts – 6-8% ABV
- Strong Belgians – 8-11% ABV
- Barleywines – 8-12% ABV
While these ranges are common, alcohol content can vary widely even within a style based on the brewer’s recipe and fermentation process. Checking the ABV gives the best indication of a specific beer’s strength.
Dog Bite Beer Alcohol Percentage
Dog Bite High Gravity Lager has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 8%, which is on the higher end for most beers. Many regular American lagers typically range from 4-5% ABV. Stronger Belgian beers can reach up to 12% ABV or higher. So at 8%, Dog Bite fits into the “high gravity” lager category, with nearly twice the alcohol content of a regular Budweiser or Coors Light.
According to BeerAdvocate, Dog Bite is ranked 44th in terms of ABV out of thousands of beers reviewed on their site. This puts it in the top 0.5% of highest alcohol beers. While not the absolute strongest, an 8% ABV contributes to the bold, bitter taste of Dog Bite that makes it stand out from more sessionable beers.
The higher alcohol percentage results in a distinct boozy flavor. As the Daily Orange review notes, “Dog Bite High Gravity Lager is inexpensive, has a strong alcoholic taste and lacks flavor. The 8 percent ABV overpowers the drinking experience, making this beer only suitable for getting drunk.” For those seeking a potent buzz, Dog Bite delivers with its unusually high alcohol content.
Factors Influencing Alcohol Content
There are several key factors that influence the alcohol content in beer, including the ingredients used, the brewing process, and fermentation.
The main ingredients that impact alcohol percentage are the grains used, amount of fermentable sugars, and the yeast strain. Malted barley is commonly used as the base grain, providing starch that can be converted to alcohol. Adjunct grains like rice and corn add fermentable sugars. More sugars means more potential alcohol. The yeast strain also affects alcohol levels based on its ability to convert and withstand higher percentages.
The brewing process affects alcohol content through the mash temperatures and methods. Higher mash temperatures release more sugars from the grains, resulting in a stronger beer. The length of the boil and when hops are added also influence the specific gravity and amount of fermentable material.
Fermentation duration and temperature are critical controls. Warmer temperatures speed up yeast activity, producing more alcohol. The yeast’s alcohol tolerance determines how high the ABV can reach before the yeasts become inactive. Allowing fermentation to continue longer gives the yeast more time to convert sugars into alcohol.
By optimizing these ingredients, process controls, and fermentation factors, brewers can achieve higher alcohol content levels in the final beer product.
Higher Alcohol Beers
Some beers contain significantly higher amounts of alcohol than regular beers. These are typically referred to as “Extra Strong Beers.” Here are some of the key styles and examples:
Barley Wines – Barley wines are ales known for having high ABV, often between 8-12%. Popular commercial examples include Sierra Nevada Bigfoot and Anchor Old Foghorn. Snake Venom from Brewmeister clocks in at 67.5% ABV, making it the world’s strongest beer.
Imperial/Double Beers – Imperial or double versions of beers like IPAs, stouts and porters are brewed to be higher in alcohol, often 8-12% ABV. Examples include Double IPAs like Russian River Pliny the Elder and imperial stouts like Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout.
Eisbocks – Eisbocks are a strong kind of German bock beer made by partially freezing the beer and removing water ice to concentrate the alcohol. They contain 9-14% ABV. Schneider Aventinus Eisbock is a classic example.
Responsible Drinking of Higher Alcohol Beers
When drinking higher alcohol beers like Dog Bite, it’s important to moderate your intake and drink responsibly. Consuming too much alcohol too quickly can lead to intoxication and negative health effects.
According to health experts, moderate drinking involves up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men. One drink is equivalent to a 12oz beer, 5oz wine, or 1.5oz spirit. Dog Bite beers typically contain around 8-12% alcohol by volume. This means a 12oz serving would equal 1 or more standard drinks.
It’s recommended to pace yourself when drinking Dog Bite or other high alcohol beers. Drink plenty of water between beers and avoid drinking on an empty stomach. Eating before and while drinking can slow the absorption of alcohol. It’s also advised not to mix beer with sugary or caffeinated drinks, which can increase intoxication.
Remember that alcohol impacts judgement, coordination, and reaction time. It’s best to avoid driving or operating machinery if you’ve had more than 1-2 beers. Be sure to know your limits and drink responsibly.
For more tips on moderate and safe drinking, check out this guide and these recommendations.
Pairing Dog Bite Beer
Dog Bite Beer’s rich malty flavor profile and higher alcohol content make it an excellent beer to pair with bold, flavorful foods. According to Brew Dogs, the carbonation and bitterness in Dog Bite helps cut through fatty and salty foods, allowing the flavors to shine through. Some great pairings include:
Burgers and fries – The bitterness in Dog Bite pairs well with the richness of beef burgers, while the carbonation helps cut through the saltiness of french fries (source). Serve Dog Bite in a pint glass alongside your favorite burger and fries.
Spicy foods like wings or chili – The malty sweetness balances out heat and spice, while the alcohol helps tame the burn. The carbonation also cleanses the palate between bites (Brew Dogs). Try drinking Dog Bite with buffalo wings, spicy chili, or cajun dishes.
Chocolate or pecan pie – The nutty, caramel flavors pair perfectly with the maltiness in Dog Bite. The sweetness of the dessert is also balanced by the hoppy bitterness (Givethembeer.com). Enjoy Dog Bite served slightly chilled with a slice of chocolate or pecan pie for dessert.
Overall, the rich malty profile of Dog Bite Beer makes it a versatile pairing for fatty, salty, spicy, or sweet foods. Serve Dog Bite Beer in a pint glass to bring out its flavors and carbonation. The higher alcohol content also allows it to stand up to strongly flavored foods. Pair Dog Bite with your favorite pub grub or rich desserts for a delightful beer tasting experience.
Where to Buy Dog Bite
Dog Bite beer can be purchased at many liquor stores, grocery stores, and convenience stores that sell beer. According to BeerMenus.com, some stores known to carry Dog Bite include:
- Beverage Warehouse in Rochester, NY
- Consumer’s Beverage in Buffalo, NY
- Premier Gourmet in Buffalo, NY
- Dash’s Market in Buffalo, NY
Dog Bite is commonly sold by major grocery store chains like Wegmans, Tops, and Walmart. Check your local beer and liquor departments.
You can also purchase Dog Bite beer online from various retailers that deliver beer:
- Instacart – get Dog Bite delivered in as little as 1 hour depending on your location
- Drizly – get Dog Bite delivered in under 60 minutes
- Total Wine – ships to select states
Be sure to check delivery areas and legal restrictions before ordering Dog Bite beer online. Overall, Dog Bite can be readily found at many brick-and-mortar liquor and grocery stores as well as through online alcohol delivery services.
Dog Bite Beer Reviews
Professional beer critics have given Dog Bite Beer mixed reviews. On BeerAdvocate, Dog Bite has a rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars based on over 500 ratings. Many reviewers mention the high alcohol content and cheap price as positives, but most agree the taste is lower quality. As one critic describes, “Easy to drink despite the bite from the 8.2% ABV. Corny aroma with some faint hops. Malt flavor is weak with a metallic tinge. High carbonation makes it easy to pound these down” (Source).
On consumer rating sites, Dog Bite earns a 3.2 out of 5 stars on RateBeer. Customers mention enjoying the higher alcohol percentage that delivers more of a “kick,” but many say the taste is subpar. According to one reviewer, “I’ve found Dog Bite to be drinkable, but far from an enjoyable experience. The taste is rough with a chewing tobacco aroma” (Source). While affordable and packing a punch, Dog Bite doesn’t seem to impress critics or consumers when it comes to taste.
Trying Dog Bite Yourself
With its high 8% ABV, Dog Bite has an intense alcoholic bite that can overwhelm the senses. According to BeerAdvocate, the beer is “Incredibly sweet, slightly chocolatey, and a strong alcohol bite” (https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/302/63623/). The sweet maltiness combined with the boozy burn makes for an aggressive drinking experience.
Dog Bite is recommended for seasoned beer drinkers who enjoy intense flavors and high gravity lagers. The powerful alcoholic taste and thinner body means this brew is not for the faint of heart. Novices should approach with caution or opt for something more balanced. Dog Bite also pairs well with barbecued meats and spicy foods that can stand up to the robust alcohol presence.