Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA

Finally got around to trying this stuff. Have been scared to drink by myself due to high level of alcohol so I shared with friends. Aroma is hoppier than I expected given all the sugars that must be in it for this high of ABV. Some citrus, pine, and floral hops in the 90 Minute mold followed by big sugary sweetness and some fusels on the nose. The aroma is actually probably the best part of the beer IMO. Pours a nice copper color with a lasting head. Initially there are some noticeable piney/citrus hops for a second. These are followed by intense sugar and malty sweetness on the mid palate and then a shot taking like burn that is unpleasant and kills anything that this might have had going for it, which in my opinion was not much due to the ridiculous sweetness. Hard to drink, I have a bottle that I am going to age for the next 15 years and see what it turns into.

Appearance: Considering how dark the DFH 90 Minute IPA poured, I expected the 120 Minute to be even darker. My assumption was wrong. It pours a very nice dark yellow color with only the faintest amount of pale white head. Because of the insane viscosity alone in this beer, there is quite a bit of lacing and sheer heaviness that coats the side of the glass. Smell: Two of my good friends joined me to drink this one – and for good reason. As we held the glass up to our nose for the first time we all laughed out loud. This is an INSANE “beer.” I mean, wow! The first thing that came to our mind was model glue or sticking your nose in a bag full of freshly-purchased pungent hops. This is unquestionably the most intense smelling beer you’re going to find. I imagine it’s the most intense beer you’re going to find…period! Taste: The laughs continued because holy hell this is a monstrous beer. Taking my first sip was like taking my first leap off the high dive at the pool – I was hesitant to say the least. There’s no question what hits your mouth first – HOPS, HOPS, HOPS, HOPS, and more HOPS! And when I say hops, I mean the most intense essence of hops you can find. If you could somehow liquefy strong hops into a gold liquid (oh wait, it’s been done). Mouthfeel: The DFH 120 has about the same consistency as Sauternes. If you can imagine how a hop liqueur would feel on the tongue, then you’re about halfway there. There is a lot of body and sweetness that coats the mouth and tongue and holds on like there’s no tomorrow. Makes you wonder why it’s not called a Quadruple IPA. Maybe one day… Overall: We had a lot of fun drinking this beer and enjoyed the insane bitch slap we got from the hops. However, this is a beer that should not be taken seriously. What I mean by this is that there is no way anyone should want to drink this on a regular basis. It is extreme beyond belief. I will definitely search for another one to keep as a conversation piece the next time I get together with other hop lovers, but in no way see it as one of the better IPAs out there.

A cloudy pour from the bottle into a pint glass. The beer remained cloudy with sediment and had a murky brown-orange color with a small foamy white head that was short-lived and only had mild cling. The aroma had an immediate presence of alcohol, but also a lot of grainy and earthy hops, with some barley and straw, and maybe a bit of citrus and lemon too. Its taste was sour and bitter with some straw and grain components and a noticeable presence of alcohol. The body had a lot of fizz and carbonation, but was still fairly smooth and evened out over time; it had a filling mouthfeel. This beer is very intense, but still pretty drinkable considering its potency.

Bottle... Poured a cloudy pinkish-red with an off-white head. Aroma of alcohol and sweet grains. Upon instantly sipping the beer was pretty mellow. It was in the finish that a strong kick and warming sensation sprang up. Very syrupy and a lot of bitter hop notes. It definitely was balanced for such a powerful brew. Other notes of melon-like fruits and sweet caramel.

Rating #1500- Bottle courtesy of, with many thanks, to the generous Ericandersnavy! This beer is intense. The pour is a hazy gold/orange, and it laces quite well. At first I couldn’t even deal with the aroma. It was so intense that I really had to let this breathe and have an opportunity to really open up. Nose is all about the hops. Pure concentrated hop juice. Citrus oils and solvents are upfront, huge bread crust malts follow, with all I can describe as hop fuel. it is really just hops all the way, and not in a way I have encountered before. Upon first taste, I was unprepared for the experience, and let the beer sit for a while longer. I poured a 4 oz sample, and that was more than enough at first. Straight up hops, tonnes of citric pithy flavours, some fuesel components, orangey malts, very alcoholic. The hops here are an all out pine blast. Like eating pure pine needle extract. This is so intense that I had to drink it over 2 days, 3 servings. This is a boozey hop fest in the mouth. Not for the beginner or faint of heart. This is a sipper, and I think this one should be aged for a few years to really let the intensity become a bit more well rounded. Overall, it has huge alcoholic and pine notes in the finish, syrupy and sweet. An experience I will remember for sure. A good beer, but perhaps a little too intense for everyday enjoyment. Certainly a treat! Thanks again Eric, for the bottle, I really appreciate it, and was glad I was able to celebrate 1500 with this brew!

Poured amber with a white head. Aroma of BOOZE and pine. Over the top booze producer with some citrus and pine flavor hints. I was half way through the bottle when I felt it. Holy shit.

On Tap a few weeks ago. Extreme Beer, not for the faint of heart. Tons of flavor. Hops on Top of Hops. Sweet taste. ALOT of ABV. Great Beer for any hop head.

I’ve always wanted to try this one out and am happy to finally get the opportunity. So here goes. Has a greatly clouded deep golden color. Smells of intense hops. INTENSE! As for the flavor.....WOW!! This is the real deal! Has an extremely insane hop flavor with a sweet undertone. Unreal. I am happy to say that I have had the privilege to have tried this. Excellent work Dogfish head.