Dogfish Head Golden Era (Shower)

Brewed by Dogfish Head Brewery
Style: European Strong Lager
Milton, Delaware USA

Bottled 3/21/2006, picked up at Julio’s. Poured a golden bronze body with a huge pillowy head. Decent lacing on the glass. Aroma was European hops, buttery, hint of fruits, bread, some alcohol. Very clean aroma, it said ’drink me now dammit.’ So I did. Like a regular pils, this had that smooth buttery mouthfeel. However, this also packed quite a bit more punch with the alcohol. Because it’s DFH, it’s also a little bit excessive, which left a sweet burn in the finish. While this was a great ’pilsner’ or whatever you wanna call it, there was a bit too much alcohol in the finish for my liking. I’d drink it again if it was cheaper.

Deep rich golden color with a taller ecru head. Light caramel, drenched in fresh saaz and hallertau hops. Quite simple, but not overpowering as many strong lager. Flavors are quite strong and pronounced. Alcohol does seem to hit from the start. Malt and sweet alcohol mix with orange zest, white pepper and white raisins. Quite clean and crisp, even with the heft. Mild return to hops in the finish. A vanilla and malt mix in the finish. This does transcend most imperial pilsners that I have had in that it does not come across as a malt liquor. It really does seem to be a strong pils. Not that I really think there is a real place for the style, but a change of pace, or just something different is sometimes OK.

<!-- i -->Bottled on 03/21/06<!-- /i -->, 750mL. Pours a clear light copper with a large eggshell head. Aroma of pine, grapefruit, and resin hops, and some caramel malts, some light corn and hay. Caramel malts return in the taste, resinous hops, though it never gets too bitter. Full-bodied, not quite syrupy, and the alcohol is pretty noticeable. Very good, as always from DFH. Just wanted to add that this reminds me of a barleywine, well hopped by the way.l

Shared with TannerTavernBoys. Pours light brown / orange with a white soapy head. Aroma has clean heavy malt and spicy hops - like a pilsner on steriods. Medium to full bodied beer with a syrup quality and medium to light carbonation. Taste is fantastic. Sweet malt that is very thick and finishes with equal amounts of malt and spicy hops. You could feel this beer had a kick to it, but the alcohol was fairly well concealed. An excellent beer that I wish I could get my hand on in my area.

Clear copper with a decent sized white head. Sweet aroma with some toffee, caramel, and something musty/woody like cedar chips. Flavor’s surprisingly not overly sweet, rather it has a mild bready sweetness, with some marked noble hop flavor--a nice grassy bitterness.

Bottled. Poured a clear, bright, and rich golden with a nice cap of beige head and some lacing. Almost chewy nose with rich caramel and pils malts, floral hoppage, toffee, and alcohol... some fruits emerged as this warmed. Flavor was much the same... heavy and rich caramel and pils malts accentuated by alcohol... summery-fruits came through later on. Tacky toward the back end and the alcohol was a tad bright, but overall a very solid brew that I certainly enjoyed.

Very nice 750ml bottle thanks to Zathrus13. Pours A VERY dark gold color. Big off white head with tons of lacing, think spiderwebs. Aroma is sweet and creamy with a slightly spicy hop kick to it. Like good malt liquor almost. Flavor is sweet, almost too sweet. Lots of sweet caramel tasting english malts get together and make a big sweet boozy brew. Not a fan.

love the name, label,and brewery. Alcohol is surprisingly well hidden. golden color, with decent head. sweet, maltiness is balanced by spicy hop aroma & flavor. Not my favorit DFH but very good