Brewed By: Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton, Delaware
Purchased: 750ml (1 pint, 9.4oz) bottle bought at Evolution Wine & Spirits in Chicago, IL; 2013 (Bottled In: 2012G 03:37 aka December 2012???)
Style/ABV: Imperial IPA, 7.5%
Reported IBUs: 75
Maple syrup? Check. Cellared beer? Check. Awww yis. About Dogfish Head:
Maple syrup? Check. Cellared beer? Check. Awww yis. About Dogfish Head:
Dogfish Head is a craft brewery based out of Milton, Delaware. The brewery was founded by Sam Calagione back in 1995. The brewery began as a brewpub (the first in Delaware) called Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, and was originally located in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The initial brewing setup included three kegs and propane burners. They brewed 12-gallon batches of beer three times a day, five days a week. In 1996 the brewery began bottling their beer, and by 1999 they had distribution to around a dozen different states. In 2002 the company outgrew their Rehoboth location, and moved to Milton, Delaware. More info can be found HERE. You can also check out the brewery's Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter, or Google Page.
A little over a year ago, I reviewed the Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA. The 75 Minute IPA is a fantastic beer, blending the 60 and 90 Minute IPA, and adding a little maple syrup and dry hop goodness. You're probably wondering why I chose to age a 7.5% IPA, and that's a good question, Scotty. There was no real reason behind this decision, other than the beer is (1) bottle conditioned, (2) fortified with maple syrup, and (3) a Dogfish Head IPA. I find Dogfish Heads heavier IPAs to be a bit cakey and malty, and I'm hoping this one holds up like one of your French Barleywines. I'll paint it like one anyway.
Because this comes in a 750ml, Dogfish Head opted to use one of those confusing dating codes. This one has a "Bottled on 2012G" marking. I assume that means this is a 2012 vintage, and word on the street was that the "G batch" was brewed in December. Don't quote me on that, but the timeline matches up with my original review.
Unlike last night, I was a little more prepared for some gushing action. This one did prematurely pop like teenage boys, but there was no fountain. This one pours into a super juicy and super hazy honey-amber body. There are gorgeous gold and honey tones, and the beer kicks up three fingers of gorgeous, honey-tinted head. It's a good looking beer, and it hardly looks like it has been worked over in the cellar. In bright light the beer is a vibrant orange with yellow tones, and there are streams of tiny carbonation visible in the mix.
The aroma is faded and subtle and not very prominent. That's a mild concern, but I'm happy to report that I am getting some Barleywine-esque pine and syrup on the nose, along with some mild maple syrup, caramel, cakey malts, and a faint cakey citrus note (sweet orange candies). There's also maybe a hint of oxidation on the nose.
The taste isn't bad...this is actually pretty interesting. It's just very toned down and one note. This beer was banging fresh, but now it's settled into something super mellow. I'm getting mellow pine, cakey malts, honey, maple syrup, bread, light oxidation, and the whole package is super gentle. It's almost vinous at this point, like a honey or maple syrup mead. There's lots of carbonation, which really helps stimulate your tongue and move things along, and the very faint pine notes are of the pleasant variety. Oxidation is on its way but this still tastes good. There is no paper and no ass pennies to be found here.
This is fantastically mild, with a medium-light mouthfeel that is well-carbonated and leaning towards the malty. The malts aren't overbearing or sweet, which is really interesting. This is actually a really interesting beer to try aged, it's just not very bold or bright. Palate depth is good with good duration and intensity, the complexity is rock-bottom low with a one note theme. Up front: maple/honey/pine sap and pine; the mids roll into more honey and pine sap, with subtle cake and bread; the back end finishes with lingering honey, pine sap, and syrup. It almost reminds me of a wine or something aged on oak.
Rating: Average (3.0/5.0 Untappd)
I'm feeling a Light Average on this experiment. What I like about this is the gentle malts that aren't overly sweet or overbearing. That's an impressive quality you don't find in many beers. It really reminds me of a wine or even a malty Scotch Ale aged in oak. It's a really gentle, nice flavor...proof that putting honey or maple syrup into your beer can only result in good things. Like Hopslam, this is a beer best consumed fresh. When this beer is fresh, you get a brilliant interplay between bold hops, cakey malts, and the maple syrup. I'm happy I gave aging this a shot, but I wouldn't do it again. Food pairings here: bread pudding, dessert foods, anything with pine nuts, risotto, and yeah.
Random Thought: I really like the 90 Minute and 60 Minute IPAs. But the 75 Minute IPA is in its own class of awesome. Dogfish Head needs to brew that beer more regularly.
Because this comes in a 750ml, Dogfish Head opted to use one of those confusing dating codes. This one has a "Bottled on 2012G" marking. I assume that means this is a 2012 vintage, and word on the street was that the "G batch" was brewed in December. Don't quote me on that, but the timeline matches up with my original review.
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| Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA (Vintage 2012) |
Unlike last night, I was a little more prepared for some gushing action. This one did prematurely pop like teenage boys, but there was no fountain. This one pours into a super juicy and super hazy honey-amber body. There are gorgeous gold and honey tones, and the beer kicks up three fingers of gorgeous, honey-tinted head. It's a good looking beer, and it hardly looks like it has been worked over in the cellar. In bright light the beer is a vibrant orange with yellow tones, and there are streams of tiny carbonation visible in the mix.
The aroma is faded and subtle and not very prominent. That's a mild concern, but I'm happy to report that I am getting some Barleywine-esque pine and syrup on the nose, along with some mild maple syrup, caramel, cakey malts, and a faint cakey citrus note (sweet orange candies). There's also maybe a hint of oxidation on the nose.
The taste isn't bad...this is actually pretty interesting. It's just very toned down and one note. This beer was banging fresh, but now it's settled into something super mellow. I'm getting mellow pine, cakey malts, honey, maple syrup, bread, light oxidation, and the whole package is super gentle. It's almost vinous at this point, like a honey or maple syrup mead. There's lots of carbonation, which really helps stimulate your tongue and move things along, and the very faint pine notes are of the pleasant variety. Oxidation is on its way but this still tastes good. There is no paper and no ass pennies to be found here.
This is fantastically mild, with a medium-light mouthfeel that is well-carbonated and leaning towards the malty. The malts aren't overbearing or sweet, which is really interesting. This is actually a really interesting beer to try aged, it's just not very bold or bright. Palate depth is good with good duration and intensity, the complexity is rock-bottom low with a one note theme. Up front: maple/honey/pine sap and pine; the mids roll into more honey and pine sap, with subtle cake and bread; the back end finishes with lingering honey, pine sap, and syrup. It almost reminds me of a wine or something aged on oak.
Rating: Average (3.0/5.0 Untappd)
I'm feeling a Light Average on this experiment. What I like about this is the gentle malts that aren't overly sweet or overbearing. That's an impressive quality you don't find in many beers. It really reminds me of a wine or even a malty Scotch Ale aged in oak. It's a really gentle, nice flavor...proof that putting honey or maple syrup into your beer can only result in good things. Like Hopslam, this is a beer best consumed fresh. When this beer is fresh, you get a brilliant interplay between bold hops, cakey malts, and the maple syrup. I'm happy I gave aging this a shot, but I wouldn't do it again. Food pairings here: bread pudding, dessert foods, anything with pine nuts, risotto, and yeah.
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