dogfish 120 ipa

[studentofbeer]

holy goodness, leave it to dogfish to make a crazy beer like this.

its like the world wide stout, except an ipa. im not sure what to think. i do know that if i can justify it, i want to buy another one to age-- this one is mighty sweet even at 120 ibu.

the nose is full of hops as an ipa should be. it doesnt give away the strength of what's to come. you take a sip, you get a burst of hop bitterness, followed by immense candy sweetness and then a nice lingering hoppy flavor in the mouth with some sweetness in the throat.

others who have tried, what do you think? im so tempted to try and lay one down and see what becomes of it--would the sweetness reduce any with age as the yeast do their work? nonetheless at 21% its quite the beer, and very drinkable if you can handle the sweet/bitter contrast.


-edit: sorry didnt see the thread on the second page, but feel free to comment here or there if you have the mind to.

[GunNut76]

Haven't tried anything by DFH...yet!! Altho I got two beers I haven't tried before: Rogue XS Old Crustacean Barleywine...at 120 IBU it might be bitter and it might not, the Bigfoot I had deer hunting this weekend was bitter. I also got a Fullers 1845...can't wait!

[b3s]

the 120 is probably the most complex brew i've ever had....i get a few of those every couple of months just to totally cleanse the palate, although i try to reserve them for special occasions...emphasis on try!

[steveh]

Originally posted by b3s
the 120 is probably the most complex brew i've ever had....

That's pretty much what I said about 3 Floyd's Dreadnaught IPA (on draft). Anyone tried 'em side-by-side?

I think I have access to both in bottles around here...hmmm...

S.

[hopjack13]

i loved the dreadnaught! an i.p.a. no doubt, a double i.p.a....uh how about a tripple i.p.a.
the 120 i thought was closer to a barlywine , it was too sweet for me, a good brew , but not something i would drink on a regular basis.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by GunNut76
...the Bigfoot I had deer hunting this weekend was bitter.

Bigfoot Barelywine seems to have a need to age a little bit for it to smooth out. Personally, I'm buying two sixers every year they come out from now on... one to drink, and one to cellar. At the end of ten years I'll see if I can hold a tasting to see what happened to them. I can't wait!

Oh, yeah, steveh... the Dreadnaught KICKED MY BUTT. I had no idea what "imperial" meant, to be honest... what I thought was going to be a bomber of a standard beer turned out strong enough so that when I finally got up off the rug (I drank it while my wife and I watched a movie), I almost fell right back down! JEEZ LOUISE! Good stuff... wish I could find it in TN...

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by steveh
That's pretty much what I said about 3 Floyd's Dreadnaught IPA (on draft). Anyone tried 'em side-by-side?

I think I have access to both in bottles around here...hmmm...

S.

I have two bombers of the Dreadnaught and several of the 120s in 12ozers. Maybe I should try. I am afraid either one of them would make tasting the other tough.

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
. I had no idea what "imperial" meant, to be honest..

im not sure where they get the "imperial" from either?
the imperial stouts were brewed for the russian "imperial" courts,
hence the name "imperial stout"

i always think of them a double i.p.a.s or in the case of the dreadnaught.....like i said in an earlier post , a tripple i.p.a. would probably suit it better. thats one hoppy mutha.
i found this at ale street news
http://www.alestreetnews.com/Features/F_featur.html

Next up was Stone Ruinination Ale (102 IBUs, 8.5%). This was about the lightest color of the bunch, a deep gold. Despite the specs, the panel found this one to be lighter than the style would warrant. “Where’s the alcohol?” “Not enough hops, way too delicate.” “Light, somewhat weak.”

wtf?and look at what they said about the 90min.

Third was the only East Coast beer, Dogfish Head 90 Minute (90 IBUs, 9%). Another copper/orange brew, with a restrained, fruit and malt hop nose. “Really drinkable, malt and hops intertwined, peppery hop finish.” “Very spicy, not too much malt. Good balance.” “Warmth in finish — too much malt, hops not big enough.”

who are these people? nice balance?too much malt?hops not big enough? did they read thier own reviews?
i can't believe what they said about the ruination!not enough hops? somewhat weak? WTF?

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I have two bombers of the Dreadnaught and several of the 120s in 12ozers. Maybe I should try. I am afraid either one of them would make tasting the other tough.

Pour a small glass of each and divide the tasting with some un-salted soda crackers or french bread and a glass of water to cleanse your pallete (sp?). That's how we do it in home-brew competitions.

S.

[steveh]

Originally posted by hopjack13
im not sure where they get the "imperial" from either?
the imperial stouts were brewed for the russian "imperial" courts,
hence the name "imperial stout"

U.S. micros have recently begun using the name "Imperial" in their stronger IPAs and did, indeed, "borrow" the term from Imperial Stouts.

While you're correct about the definition of the Russian Stout, the term (title) has also become synonymous with big, fat, strong stout. Hence; big, fat, strong IPA.

S.

PS - I think the reviews you're reading were written by a radical, right-wing faction of hop-heads! ;) Too much malt? Never!

[GunNut76]

Frettless-The Bigfoot I had was bottled in 1999...figured that was old enough! Did you try any of the beers I suggested that you get?

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by steveh
I think the reviews you're reading were written by a radical, right-wing faction of hop-heads! Too much malt? Never!

thats what i say, although im a confirmed hopheead there's nothing like malty goodness in a beer, especially one as well balanced as the 90min , i also found the ruination to have a nice balance as well dispite the magnitude of hops. but i think when it comes to malty goodness nothing beats a good scottish ale.
although that could open up a whole new thread ;)

[steveh]

Originally posted by hopjack13
but i think when it comes to malty goodness nothing beats a good scottish ale. although that could open up a whole new thread

And we can call it Robert The Bruce! :D

S.

[sallad]

finally found the 120min IPA at a store near me... all i can say is "wow"

i actually divided the bottle up into 3 champagne glasses to share with a fellow beer lover and my girl. my girl couldn't take it (but she has come a long way since her corona and miller lite days when we first met a few years ago), so i got to have her's as well!

i found it similar to some sort of cordial in some respects: the sharp bitterness/spicyness of the hops with the slight alcohol bite, followed by an intense sweetness that leaves an alcohol warmth in the throat and hop bouquet in the mouth. comparable almost to something like, say, irish mist.

i bought 2 12oz bottles; drank one, the other is aging for years to come. if i get the urge to drink it, i'll just go buy another one.

i followed it up with an old crustacean that almost seemed small in comparison. much darker, with a more apparent bitterness (i.e. not that huge sweetness that comes after). still, a very good beer. got one of them aging in the basement as well!

[chazwicke]

Hey Sallad, I have a few in my fridge. I have not yet tried it. I will put some in the cellar too. I am headed to Delaware today to do some Xmas shopping at the Rehobeth Outlets and then for a long weekend over in Cape May. You can be certain I will be having either lunch or dinner at Dogfish Head's brewpub there in Rehobeth. There is also a Fordham Brewing branch in Rehobeth. Woner what seasonals are on tap? Anyway, Congrats on your recent 200th posting!

[L.H.H.H.Brown]

Just curious as to where one aquires the 120 in Southern Calif. ?

[studentofbeer]

im curious where there is a good beer store period in SoCal, especially the Santa Monica/West LA area. Lord knows I have no idea where to buy beer when I am home except for some offerings at Trader Joes.

[beer editor]

The first commercial Double IPA was brewed by Vinnie Cilurzo, when he was at Blind Pig in California. He now brews as Russian River and calls his Double or Imperial IPA (it became a GABF category this year).

He's clearly in the West Coast camp - believing this is a hop delivery vehicle:

"It is an extreme style, and I personally don't think the beer should be totally balanced – it should definitely be slanted towards hops."

And when consumers disagree? "I'm probably too frank with those people, but I tell them not to drink Pliny and drink our regular IPA. I continue to tell these folks that it's a Double IPA, it's supposed to be big, just as a Scotch Ale is suppose to be malt with almost no hop character to it. Bottom line, Double is about choice."

I think it is best to set aside what you know about styles and not try to consider this a big IPA or how it should be different than a barley wine. It's different, and it's not for everybody.

Prosit,
Stan

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by L.H.H.H.Brown
Just curious as to where one aquires the 120 in Southern Calif. ?

you can't , i've aquired it through beer trades though.
i've heard the trader joes in pasadena carried the 60 min at one time and bevmo in brea had the world wide about two weeks ago, but no 120, the hell with the 120 anyways i wasn't all that impressed with it, now the 90 min?....to die for!

[L.H.H.H.Brown]

To buy beer in SoCal/ West LA/Santa Monica. Beverage Warehouse on McConnt Ave. One block east of the 90 fwy on Culver Blvd. A warehouse section behind sattelite dishes for Direct TV. The beer buyer Rick is a great guy, and as long as you pay, I believe he can get youanything. There's also The Wine House. One block west of Sepulveda, off of Pico. There's a Smart and Final on the corner and it's just below the onramp to the 405 north. Too bad about the 120 ... someday.

[studentofbeer]

thanks l.h.h.h., hopefully when im home over thanksgiving ill have a chance to check those places out, or if not then around new years time.

[L.H.H.H.Brown]

Hopjack, did you get the 90 from a store in SoCal?? Or did you swap for that? As for the 60, my buddy said it wasn't anything special and since I'm looking for that hop "twang" I haven't bought any.

[hopjack13]

the 60min was good and is worth trying but the 90min is exceptional. sadly it is not available in socal (to my knowledge).
i aquired it through a beer trade with a guy from the portland area, it makes it out there but not down here...wtf?
i'll be getting some more here shortly as i am currently setting up...uh, i mean orchestating a trade for some more.:D that stuff is oustanding!!!!

[fretlessman71]

I'll be sending you your conductor's baton with the next batch of beer I send you! PROSIT! :D

[chazwicke]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hopjack13
[B]the 60min was good and is worth trying but the 90min is exceptional.

I agree with hopjack. The 120 however is a whole different ballgame as I understand it. I have 5 in my fridge and have not yet tasted it But I have been told that it is similar to a barleywine except hoppier. Not just a further extention of the 60 and 90. I'll let you know how it is when I sample it. So many beers, so little time.

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
I'll be sending you your conductor's baton with the next batch of beer I send you! PROSIT!

don't you threaten me with a good time! beer and a conductors baton? i could wind up in jail...:mad:

[L.H.H.H.Brown]

Henry Mancini -- I believe that Stone is the regional distributor for DFH. Don't quote me but I am almost positive. I am going to inquire about getting the 90. The 120 is out of my price range but if the 90 is in Portland, we better be able to get it here. I wanna be able to strike up a tune also.

[chazwicke]

J.P. Sousa- The 120 costs about $8-$9 per bottle here in DC area. Wonder what it's going for in other areas?

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by L.H.H.H.Brown
I believe that Stone is the regional distributor for DFH.

yes i believe your are correct. but for some reason the 90min and the 120 don't make it down here. perhaps that'll change, it would be nice to be able to pick up the 90min out here instead of trading all the time for it.
The 120 costs about $8-$9 per bottle here in DC area. Wonder what it's going for in other areas?

the world wide made it out here , only a few cases, but it went for about the same $8-$9 a bottle...a 12oz bottle. didn't get to sample it myself as they were sold out by the time i arrived.

[L.H.H.H.Brown]

I guess I feel lucky. My supply store got 2 cases of the world wide and they go for $7.29.

[hopjack13]

ouch! they wanted to burn me!
where is your local supply store....oh wait your out in L.A.
thats too far. but i like the avatar. i tried to use the double bastard but it didn't work for some reason.......:mad:

[hopjack13]

oh hey allagash makes it out here too, i tried the triple this weekend and it was supurb!:)

[L.H.H.H.Brown]

Allagash? I'll have to find where you get your supply. As for the avatar, I downloaded the promo from Levitation and it was too big. So I made a folder and played with it in Photoshop. Had to shrink it to the right size. I believe that'll work for good ole DB. I also believe we are to meet at Lucky Baldwins on the 13th. I will be more than glad to bring ya a couple world wides.

[hopjack13]

holy sh#@ balls batman...no more yulesmith!!! they only made 120 cases fo the whole state of california! i tried to get some more but it's all gone! just like that! im going to have a fit!!!! i knew i shoulda picked up more last week!!!! damn me , damn me to hell!!!! this is going to suck big time!!! oh well... i think im over it now....DAMN IT DAMN IT DAMN IT!!!!
anywayz i did get one wold wide after all, bout an hour ago on my lunch break. thynx for the offer though. i get my supplys at beverages and more..or bevmo.com. they have the allagash suprisingly , portland main is got to be furthest from here as far as the contenental u.s. they had others from allagash as well but i have not sampled anything else yet. im still stuck on the triple, hey if you can't find it out where your at i could bring you one on the 13th?

[L.H.H.H.Brown]

Sounds great. I have access to some Yulesmith so I'll nab some this weekend. Have you tried the Hoppy Holidaze from Marin? I haven't tried it yet but I just got one yesterday. If it's good.....

[hopjack13]

no i'll have to try it though, well i'll wait and you can tell me about it before i do , love the white knuckle. i have a feeling the 13th is going to be very interesting...; )

[L.H.H.H.Brown]

Yeah, the White Knuckler is very good. Double IPA's, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I love the wintertime.

[threecb]

So I finally had a bottle of the 120 minute over the weekend (thanks, Chazwicke).

For me, I found it a bit too sweet. The fruit on the nose, and then on the palate, reminded me of a tropical fruit salad with grapefruit, pineapple, etc. coming through on top of the hops' bitterness. I was a little disappointed that this didn't live up to my expectations.

For the money, I'd choose the 90 minute over the 120 every time. That one has a great balance. The malt is complementary to the hops, not competing. And I still love the 60 minute for it's citrusy hoppiness.

[chazwicke]

Although I purchased several of them, I have yet to try one myself. The same goes for the Troegs Mad Elf. I believe these are beer I will have to "make time" for. Big beers that I will need to sip my way through. I too love the 60 and the 90. But everyone whom I have spoken to about the 120 say it is a horse of a different color. I'll post my tasting notes on both when I get to them.

[threecb]

Mad Elf is excellent in my opinion. Not sweet. As a matter of fact, the cherries are so understated that, if you didn't know, it might leave you guessing as to what the flavor is.
Make Time NOW! ;)