Monthly Archives: January 2009

DOGFISH HEAD WORLD WIDE STOUT

Intriguingly bold blackish stout boasting “ridiculous amount of dark-roasted barley” complements aromatic bourbon-port-sherry-barleywine perk and lusty cherry jubilee sweetness with frighteningly elevated honey-syrupy 18.8% alcohol warmth. Fluctuant raisin-fig dryness, pithy cognac influence and sticky licorice-liqueur soothe retained to creamy chocolate brownie finish of excellent sipping beer perfect for fireplace dessert.

DOGFISH HEAD 60 MINUTE INDIA PALE ALE

Acute bottle conditioned golden-bronzed East Coast IPA directly counters floral perfumed brandy wine nose, dry-spiced citric zest and pine-needled hop resin against peach-honeyed apricot-tangerine-melon tang. Sharp grapefruit-peeled orange rind bittering contrasts ancillary orange-candied pineapple-mango-guava tropicalia. Slim burnt cedar edge buttresses sticky pale malt sinew, enhancing the massive fruity nature. Its robust assertiveness and  rich flavor profile expanded the palates of many future zymurgists.

DOGFISH HEAD RED & WHITE

Imaginative soft-watered pinkish amber 10% alcohol ‘malt beverage’ made with pinot noir juice and Belgian yeast, then aged in oak barrels, keeps revealing sundry complexities. Strangely, advertised coriander and orange peel components are well hidden, working as conduits for chewy honeyed malt-stricken sherry, bourbon, and brandy illusions as well as cane-sugared cherry jubilee, honeydew, cantaloupe, and mango fruiting. Studies prove mixing wine and beer is dangerous, but Dogfish puts ’em together in one bottle.

DOGFISH HEAD RAISON D’EXTRA

Magnificent adjunct ‘Raison D’Etre’ illuminated by deeper mocha-malted penetration and loud bruised orange waft. Ripe raisin burst and overripe prune thickness of ‘bulbous brown flavored ale’ settles to sensational creamy cognac finish. Moreover, incredible brandy luster consumes deep alcohol-ridden backdrop while tempting candied butterscotch expanse increases density of ridiculously strong slow sipping majesty.

DOGFISH HEAD RAISON D’ETRE

Heady mahogany ale with dry stout characteristics such as cocoa-powdered bitterness, dehydrated prune essence, and mild burgundy boozing. Billowy bubbles form sharp beige head for dirty-grained ‘raison’ (raisin) brew. Malt-lacquered  yeast-soured green raisin finish gain depth with each sip. On tap, pinpoint fruited malting increases beet sugared raisin-fig depth, bruised orange souring, and sarsaparilla tease.

DOGFISH HEAD PANGAEA AMBER ALE

Coppery turbid Belgian-styled strong pale ale rushes crystallized ginger initiation across mouthwash-y eucalyptus-spearmint follow-up, allowing honeyed yeast sinew to embellish sour candy center and delicate peach caress. Sullen banana-pear-green apple combo invades oaken earthy mustiness as white pepper, black currant, and floral notes speckle flatly carbonated dried-fruit moldiness to citric-hop embittered finish almost sabotaged by oncoming astringency.

DOGFISH HEAD PALO SANTO MARRON MALT BEVERAGE

Closer to a heavy porter and just a tad coarse (though never astringently so), this 12% alcohol-strengthened brown ale disguises its heady ambitions well. Brewed inside Palo Santo wood, the dry-bodied cola-hued ‘malt beverage’ invites thickened brown-sugared black chocolate malting, maple-sapped molasses-cocoa influence, and oaken vanilla tinge to port-brandy wining. Charcoal-stained bitter end picks up black cherry sweetness and minor grape-date-fig souring.

DOGFISH HEAD 120 MINUTE I.P.A.

Incredibly complex turbidly brown dry-hopped India Pale Ale retains richer, creamier and boozier (12% ABV) flavor profile than less sophisticated competition. Enlivened bright citrus aromatics reach overripe tangerine-peach confirmation and Midori melon ball syruping. Deep-fruited malt sweetness attracts caramelized apple, cotton candy, and spruce tips stickiness before medicinal Grand Marnier finish blankets warm sensual delight. On 2023 reinspection, whiskeyed cherry, bruised orange, brandy, cognac and sweet rum illusions plus a fruited vodka cleanliness found its way to the caramelized center of this enormously entertaining strong ale!

DOGFISH HEAD OLDE SCHOOL BARLEYWINE

Incredible 15% alcohol wallop, sweet sticky Scotch malt kick, and peach brandy warmth provide unmistakable complexity for fig-fermented barleywine. Cereal grains enhance lingered caramel-butterscotch permanence as seductively juicy mandarin orange, red grape, black cherry, and mango medley overlay earthy evergreen dryness and roasted nut bottom. On tap, tangy grapefruit bitterness and candied sugar splendor detected.