Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA

Brewed by Dogfish Head Brewery
Style: American Strong Ale
Milton, Delaware USA

Vinous, alcoholic and fruity nose. Inviting. Clear and amber with a red glow. Islands of white, patchy bubbles on the surface. Low carbonation, but surprisingly carbonated for such a BIG beer. Malts are very sweet and sugary; they linger on the lips, so much so, that when you lick them 10 minutes later, you can still taste the sweetness. Alcohol is masked dangerously well. Though, the warmth did slowly make its way down my throat, and eventually warmed my entire body to the point of sweating. Fruity notes of apple and pear surface here and there. Somewhat of a bitter/sour thing going on, too, but very mild. Woody notes add a nice touch. Hoppy, but not as hoppy as I expected. Flowery hops are thick and weighty in a sense, but it's not overtly bitter or nose-burning by any means. No "hot" sensations or major acidity either. How is this possible with 120 IBUs?! Although, the massive amounts of various hops do add a distinctive zing to the beer. Amazingly well-made and very interesting. What'll they think of next?! RERATE, 1-year-old bottle: As expected, hops mellowed and malts matured into a more softer, complex elixir. Alcohol was still more hidden than ever ... but damn if it doesn't creep up on you and kick your ass.

03/04/05 Bottle. Poured into small Scotch tulip glass as nearly clear golden-orange color with lasting thin white head and decent lacing. Nice spicy hop aroma while still chilled. First taste impression: fruity, malty, hopy, syrupy with little alcohol presence (that last part is sure to change as the beer temperature rises). Just the right level of carbonation. Aroma still mild as it warms up. Hop bitterness is low in this beer. I think some of what I’m tasting is coming from hop flavor. Yum. The warmer temps have created more alcohol aroma. This does taste a lot like a barlywine. Lingering tastes of sweetness and bitterness in the finish. The sweetness does build up making it difficult to drink more than 4 or so ounces.

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.

Bottle and draught both solid. Hazy luminescent gold with white lacing. Milder hoppy aroma than expected because of the balance of sweet malts, fruits, and even berries. Much more like a barleywine in character than an IPA but achieving the glory of both. An intimidating yet insanely pleasurable brew and it tastes FABULOUS with its partner WWS in what the brewery has dubbed Heaven and Hell, a fine blend...Love this.

This beer makes you say, we're not worthy, but a little to extreme and over the top. The pour is a light brown color with a nice big head. The hops in the aroma are overpowering. The taste is incredible though, slightly over the top with a malty buttery taste coming across first with a stinging hoppy alchohol bite in the aftertaste. A very rich and full mouthfeel that is very sweet and sticky. Extremely enjoyable but just make sure that you eat first and share this one with a friend, it is too good to be drank alone.

How is it that a beer hopped for 2 hours is too sweet? Looks great - golden orange, nice sized head. Citrus hops up front, but finishes almost sugary sweet. Sampled at 2004 Southeastern Ratebeer Gathering, Atlanta.

A very interesting experience--surprisingly mild! As I tried to get aroma out of it, the head brewer said something on the order of "the aroma will struggle to find its way through the alcohol." I love the palate--the sweetness is my style, though it does approach syrupy levels. The hops are so constrained by this, but I see this as a good thing. It just doesn't have the massive hop character you would expect. The brewer told me he checked this scientifically and stopped the process when only 2% of the yeast was alive. The alcohol is really well hidden. Interesting and rewarding. (on tap, Pennsylvania Microbrewers Fest 2003)

Re-Rate 12/19/08 - 12oz. Bottle: Aroma of hops, pine, citrus, alcohol, caramel, and wine. Poured light brown in color with a medium-sized, creamy, beige head that lasted throughout. Cloudy. Opaque. Flavor is medium sweet. Tastes of hops, grapefruit, caramel, toasted malts, resin, alcohol, and a hint of watermelon. Full body. Sticky texture. Soft carbonation. Hops, caramel, and resin in the very alcohol-hot finish. 8/29/03: Way too much alcohol flavor. More malt than hops (overhopped). I love IPAs but not this one. But hey, all the power to Dogfish. 5/5/4/1/5 = 2.