Jeff EgglestonDogfish Head Craft Brewery should not need any introduction as their reputation precedes them. Based in Milton, Del. with a brewpub in Rehoboth Beach, Dogfish is known for its extreme and odd beers and awesome seasonal releases that have kept the craft beer community talking about them all year round.
Todays beer is no exception, as I am about to review its 120 minute IPA, a monster 18 percent ABV beer continually hopped for 2 hours and pushing the limits on IBUs.
I pour this beer, bottled on April 12 into an IPA glass and am overwhelmed by a huge malt presence and caramel aroma that is way stronger than I was expecting. Although there is a malty dominance, I manage to pick up touches of grapefruit and other assorted citrus. The color is a deep amber gold with about three-quarter finger of slightly off-white head, producing a big amount of carbonation bubbles rising to the top of the glass. Heavy malt aromas, caramel, biscuits and nose singeing alcohol go through the nasal cavities like there is no tomorrow. At first, the abundant smells are very nicely compatible, then the odd smell of nail polish remover rears its ugly head.
At first sip, I get a heavy malt presence with a back of hop bitterness and once again, some grapefruit. Really sweet malts dominate and I question the 120 minute addition of hops as they seem to take a back seat to the maltiness and yeast that commands this beer.
Although the balance is slightly askew, the carbonation is ample, the beer looks great and if consumed before the beer warms up too much, the alcohol is tolerable.
