Indian Brown Ale - Dogfish Head Brewery

atr2605

New York

4.21/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A-pours a dark brown with a tan head with good retention
S-coffee, toasted malt, caramel
T-roasted nuts, coffee, and finishes with the caramel sweetness. Very nice and thorough toasted notes throughout
M-medium bodied
O-very solid brown ale that remains extremely drinkable. will definitely pick up again

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 02:09:30 | More by atr2605

M_C_Hampton

Georgia

4.26/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, deep purple brown with a tan head that lingers leaving good lacing, clear

S: fresh ground coffee, toast, roasted malt, brown sugar, toffee, caramel

T: balance of bitter hops coupled with roasted malt, toasty biscuit, floral piny hop, slight coffee, brown sugar

M: medium to full bodied with good carbonation

O: A heavily hopped brown ale with a nice malt presence

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 02:44:35 | More by M_C_Hampton

ppvora

Pennsylvania

3.46/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured from a 12 oz. bottle. Had a finger of head which disappeared within a minute. Very dark brown in color, not much aeration.

Smell: Nutty, sugary (molasses-like) aroma. Not too strong.

Taste: I could have sworn this is a porter -- an ale almost bordering on a porter. Sweetness based on molasses. Not too complex. Wonderful...taste. Loved it. A good beer to top off a day (or an hour) of beer drinking. Would not recommend it as a first beer unless you follow it with stronger flavored porters or ales.

Mouthfeel: Slightly bitter after taste. Not unpleasant. Beer like. Nice.

Overall: A great beer. Not too complex. If an ale mated a porter this is what the offspring would be like. I love sweetness in beer, so I loved this beer. Nutty aroma is nice too.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 11:09:36 | More by ppvora

Ellbert

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: dark brown/amber. Thin head that laces.

Smell: very malty with sweet molasses and chocolate.

Taste: very roasty with burnt caramel and coffee.

Mouthfeel: Nice and bubbly with a medium consistancy.

Overall a tasty beer worth having again. Thanks Dogfish Head.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 00:14:36 | More by Ellbert

RummyRedbeard

Massachusetts

4.09/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

[Editor's note] First off I'd like to say that the date on the neck scared me a little at first, but I was just really in the mood for this beer so I had to get it anyway. Also I have allergies right now so my nose is pretty stuffy which prevents me from really telling the aroma of the beer and may also affect my taste.

I had Boulder Beer Co.'s flashback a couple days ago and it really resparked an interest for a solid brown ale. I used to LOVE Terrapin's Hop Karma, it was my favorite beer when I was 21 so when I had BBC's flashback it was like a shark tasting blood, so naturally I went to the next thing that came to mind (and was available in Boston) which was Dogfish Head IBA.

12oz bottle poured into a Guinness pint glass.
Brewed on 11/20/2012

Appearance: Pours dark brown with a hint of red, not entirely opaque. Small light brown head that leaves lacing which washes away easily.

Smell: From what I can smell... coffee, chocolate, brown sugar.

Taste: Right off the bat, coffee bitterness with a sugary sweet flavor. Chocolate or roasted malt backbone. It puts some sort of warmness in my belly that reminds me of dark fruits but may just be the 7.2%abv.

Mouthfeel: Thick mouthfeel but easily drinkable. Goes down smooth. The carbonation compliments the consistency nicely.

Overall: This beer is seductive! Not as hoppy as Hop Karma or flashback but still a great representation of the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 21:29:45 | More by RummyRedbeard

keithmurray

Louisiana

4.16/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Appearance - dark, almost opaque brown color with khaki colored head

Smell - Dark chocolate, roasted coffee bean, caramel

Taste - Roasted Malts, dark chocolate, caramel, molasses, coffee bean

Mouthfeel - Medium carbonation, medium bodied, slight sweetness upfront, roastiness/bitterness in the finish

Overall - this is an interesting take on a brown ale, to me, this drinks more like a stout than a brown ale, good beer, one that I will re-visit

Price Point - $9.99/6 pk 12oz. bottles

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 01:23:17 | More by keithmurray

IrishKevin

Massachusetts

4.49/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from bottle into a DFH tulip glass

Smells of toasty malts.

Smooth tasting beer with great mouth feel, really coats your mouth. Coffee, toasted malts and some chocolate notes. Finishes with a slight hop bitterness. You also get a little alcohol warmth.

Overall I really like this beer and have had it many times, finally decided to review it.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 01:43:04 | More by IrishKevin

MNishCT77

District of Columbia

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle purchased in the greater Washington D.C. area, unknown birthdate, poured into a glass, drank 3 bottles with my wife on 5/9/13 over several hours.

A: 4.5 -dark-brown coloration, minimal clarity (can't see or read through), frothy white two finger head dissipates into subtle glass lacing, moderate alcohol legs

S: 4.25 - lots and lots of malt characters - caramel, butterscotch, milk chocolate, shortbread cookies, creme brule...there's really a lot going on here; supposedly "dry hopped like 60 Minute IPA and 90 Minute IPA," but, to be honest, I don't get much hops at all in the nose...definitely characters of a Scotch and traditional Brown though

T: 4.5 - on the front of the tongue, there's a soft bitterness that dissipates quickly into that really rich malt character in the middle of the mouth to match the aroma perfectly, very delicious and leaves you wanting more immediately

M: 4.5 - moderate body, slight booze, moderate carbonation...the richness really carries it though

O: 4.5 - I enjoy typical English brown ales but the American adaptation is true to our style of "more is better"...the huge malt character really kicks this into a world-class offering and, to be honest, probably hides a lot of the hops from the dry-hopping schedule (might be a waste of money there....I wonder what hops they used? Hopefully a cheat British variety!); this is a world-class beer that my wife and I will return to again either on tap or in the bottle

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 03:03:42 | More by MNishCT77

barczar

Kentucky

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours an opaque brown black that is clear garnet when held to the light. Huge 2 inch frothy, dense khaki head lingers indefinitely.

Chocolate, malted milk balls, and roast malt form the initial aroma. Underlying notes of citrus and pine are more subtle than expected. Resin, caramel sweetness, and floral notes emerge as it warms, along with stronger grapefruit notes.

Coffee grounds and roast malt dominate the initial flavor, with hints of sweet chocolate hitting mid palate accompanied by citrusy grapefruit, becoming slightly resiny and bitter at the finish. Nutty, caramelly flavors add intrigue.

Body is smooth and on the full side, with moderate to slightly high carbonation and slight alcohol warmth.

Minus the sweetness and add more hops, and this would be a black ipa. Pretty much is before black ipas were cool, I guess. Not overly bitter, and the caramel sweetness tires together the chocolate, coffee, citrus hops, and bitterness well.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 19:40:27 | More by barczar

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.24/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours a deep but translucent brown with redish hues around the edges. There is about a finger and a half of khaki colored head. The foam takes a bit to settles, and what does last leaves a rocky layer along the edges of the glass. Spotty lacing as it drinks.

S: The nose is sweet malt, caramel, a bit of vanilla, and some biscuit. The caramel and malts shine the most as the other scents are playing backup.

T: Sweet and inviting to start with a nice helping of caramel and malt. The carbonation and a touch of hops come on in the middle to tighten this beer up. A very nicely balanced beer from start to finish.

M: Medium bodied beer. It's sweet for a flash as it coats the palate, but nothing over saturates the taste buds. The finish is flavorful and clean.

O: Very good brown ale. Probably the best brown ale I have had. I'd drink this beer again if the opportunity presented itself.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 19:17:03 | More by trxxpaxxs

ThaneMcC

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Presentation: long neck bottle, poured into tulip glass

Appearance- dark brown, fine effervescent with thin but persistent foam

Smell: little flowery and strong hint of cocoa, brown sugar

Taste: smooth transition from hop to malt, more effervescent as it warms releasing more of the herbal notes with a closing dry hoppy taste leading to an pleasant clean finish with no significant aftertaste. Just the right balance of sweetness and hop, without being cloying

Notes: overall a very complex, yet simply presented brown ale that becomes more complex as it warms.
Hoppier and less malty than the Dog Fish Palo Santo Marron (another favorite of mine)

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 22:40:43 | More by ThaneMcC

nimrod979

Maryland

4.44/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz brown bottle. Poured into a DFH pint glass.

Appearance: Very dark, near black cola like appearance. One finger of a lightly colored tan head that lasts for days. Thick foamy lacing.

Aroma: Floral hops up front mix with bitter dark chocolate, roasted malts and caramel.

Taste: Rich, smooth malty taste, caramel, unsweetened bitter dry chocolate plays well with a welcome hops bitterness. Even notes of brown sugar and nuttiness pop up now and then with coffee notes showing as it warms. Extremely flavorful and balanced.

Mouthfeel: Very rich, Medium-full bodied beer with decent complexity and very well balanced. The carbonation is just about right and has a slightly hoppy and dry finish.

Overall, this has always been one of my favorites from Dogfish Head. American Brown Ale isn't a preferred style that I go to much but this beer has several nuances (AND HOPS) to make it distinct. Really a fantastic and exceptionally drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 00:18:13 | More by nimrod979

Philousa

California

3.36/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark chestnut, clear against the light with a thin layer of khaki head that dissipates to a ring and a wispy layer of single bubbles over the middle. Aroma starts like an English Nut Brown Ale with slight metallic notes, some sweetness, and chocolate. No real hops to speak of. Sweet chocolate and nut start the flavor off, which fades to brushed metal, then an earthy bitterness which is actually quite balanced despite the description on the bottle. The feel is mostly balanced, but tending towards viscous and finish is somewhat sweet.

This might be one of DFH's most drinkable beers. That's not saying much, though.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 05:16:17 | More by Philousa

BlurryVisi0n

New York

4.28/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Served in a signature DFH pint glass.

Appearance: Dark brown coming off semi-opaque, 2/3" light tan head settles slowly with sticky lacing on the glass.

Smell: Hoppy and sugar, like brown sugar.

Taste: A complexity of flavor and just all over the place. It's nutty, bitter and lightly sweet finish. You taste a a light coffee mixed with brown sugar

Mouth: Medium, super sticky roast feel at the end with burnt sugar finish that is obviously addicting.

Overall: Writing a review on this is tough, reasson being is because you want to finish the bottle before finishing the whole review. I have had this before many time and still hitting myself in the head I haven't given the respect this brew deserves. Grab a glass pour slow and drink with love....Salud!

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 04:56:38 | More by BlurryVisi0n

Beelzebeer

Newfoundland (Canada)

4.04/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

330ml bottle, bottled on January 30th/13, served in tulip

A - Dark, near black, brown, with a mocha head. Hard to pull some head out of it, and it wasn't lasting long.

S - Charred, smokey, roasted malts. Couldn't really get much bitterness/aroma hops. Very similar to a porter.

T - Robust, roast malts. Relatively sweet. Nice as it warms. Heavy coffee. ABV very well hidden.

M - Dense. Low carbonation.

O - Not bad. Wouldn't say no, but would probably pickup something else.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 02:45:06 | More by Beelzebeer

jsed14

Georgia

4.9/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 5

I just tried this for the first time the other night and it was incredible. From the first smell of caramel, you know you're in for something good. It's one of the most well-balanced beers I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. It tasted much closer to a stout than I was expecting it too, with strong coffee flavors aromas and flavors. If you haven't had it yet, buy it immediately.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 00:49:55 | More by jsed14

scot_chale

Minnesota

4.78/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A- Two fingers medium brown bubbly brown head. deep dark brown body that's hard to see through, but no signs of carbonation.

S- caramel malty goodness. rather pungent with some hints of dark fruit and fruity esters.

T- clean crisp caramel malt that leaves a slightly bitter taste but not strong. very well balanced and bready.

M- it's silky with a bit of bite of the carbonation. it's quite dry, and medium bodied.

O- I'm giving this my first 5 for the taste. when I talk about brown ales, this is what i mean. many of them are close in some regard or another, but this tastes perfect. everything else is a 4.5 only because i wasn't wowed, but they met my criteria. I'd keep this on hand at all times if my bar needed a brown ale that was true to style. Hell yes.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 07:13:33 | More by scot_chale

Burkbom23

Connecticut

4.24/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Looks like root beer with some redish hues where the light is coming through. Nice off white head with decent retention. Some lacing. Smells like a fresh multi grain loaf of bread right of the oven. Also a lot of milk chocolate, coffee and some nuttiness. Taste is similair to the aroma. Chocolate, sweet roasted maltiness, dark fruits. Some hops and some alcohol in the finish. Little dry at the very end. Creamy medium body. A very well balanced tasy brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 01:51:46 | More by Burkbom23

gr0g

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an intensely dark brown, only achieving a head of about one-finger in height. Roasted malt is featured in the aroma, which is something I often feel is lacking in brown ales. Toasted bread and coffee notes, plus a subdued floral hoppiness.

Solidly malty on the palate with nicely balanced hop flavor that lends a dry, bitter finish. Excellent use of darker malts, leading to a nice, roasty flavor. Alcohol is perceptible but well restrained. Carbonation is nicely balanced and not too fizzy.

A great American Brown kicked up several notches, this is my go-to year-round offering from DFH. A must-try.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 21:10:11 | More by gr0g

DrStiffington

New Jersey

4.24/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pored out of my DFH'S growler into a pint glass. Dark brown with a nice head on top. smells roasts, some sweet sugar, slight slight burned sugar. Tastes well balanced between the brown sweetness and some slightly bitter hippiness. I rarely have this one but when I do I'm always reminded about how surprisingly tasty it is!

Serving type: growler

03-27-2013 19:41:18 | More by DrStiffington

sommersb

Tennessee

4.24/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Tasted On: 03-26-2013
Freshness: Not indicated
Packaging: 12 oz. brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Dogfish Head Signature
Purchased: Received in a trade

A small tan head sits on this very dark brown beer. It's almost opaque it is so dark, but you do see some slight reddish highlights when held up to the light. Head retention is OK, with a very nice lace.

The aromas have roasted coffee, earthy hops, nuts, chocolate, caramel and molasses.

Toasted malts are the first taste I get, followed by coffee, vanilla, and a wood/oak/barrel aspect. Hop bitterness is there, but definitely in balance with the malts. Reminds me somewhat of a porter.

Mouthfeel is smooth, moderately carbonated, with a body between medium and full. The finish has a semi-sweet chocolate note, with roasted grain as well.

Overall definitely a different beer that works together very well in my book. Flavorful and recommended.

Thanks to Treyliff for this trade extra!

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 01:27:35 | More by sommersb

JuliusCaesar

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: Dark brown with red hues. 1 inch head. decent lacing

S: Nutty, caramel, and malts

T: Follows the nose and very sweet. I really liked the first few sips but by the end it became cloying. Slightly bittier finish

M: Medium body. A little sticky

Overall: Disappointed in this beer. Based on the ratings, I thought I'd enjoy it but the hops on the finish didn't do enough to even out the flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2013 02:38:36 | More by JuliusCaesar

DerekP

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Notes from 3/16/13

12 fl oz bottle, 7.2% ABV

Described on the bottle as "a clean, well-hopped brown ale brewed with caramelized sugar and hopped liberally and often." Very dark brown; almost black. Fluffy, nougat colored head [Full disclosure: I bought this bottle around the beginning of the new year (I think it was New Year's Eve), so it has naturally mellowed].

The aroma is rich with roasted coffee notes and dark, chocolately malts. A medium-heavy body with malts lying a notch above the now mellowed hops which, nonetheless, still carry a flavorful presence. Chocolate, hop bitterness, coffee, caramel and roasted notes.

Labeled as an Indian brown ale, at this point in the beer's life I wonder what separates it from a robust porter; fresh and it might be a different story. That said, a delicious brew!

Highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 22:53:31 | More by DerekP

RWLawman

North Carolina

3.79/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A - Pours a very dark brown, with a generous khaki head that dissipates a bit, but still stands at about half an inch thick.

S - Absolutely delicious smell. Malt, caramel, a slight woody odor. There's so much going on here that it's hard to really pinpoint all of the different characteristics.

T - Heavy malt presence, with caramel notes, and like the nose, a slight wood-flavor presence as well. There's also the hop bitterness on the back, but it's very nicely balanced among the other flavors. Big time complexity, which is nice.

M - Sticky, thick mouth feel. Moderate carbonation, but smooth at the same time.

O - Pretty solid offering by Dogfish Head, which is no surprise. I'm not sure I've had a beer by them that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed. Midas Touch, Palo Santo Maroon, Raison de 'Etre, Chicory Stout, and now this. Awesome job once again by Dogfish Head. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 01:47:31 | More by RWLawman

direwolf-pgh

Pennsylvania

1.68/5  rDev -59.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Dogfish Indian Brown Ale - tastes like cough syrup

seriously, how anyone can drink this and not think of robitussin is beyond me.
How bad is it? I purchased a crate on recommendation and I'm giving it back to the kid who sold it to me.
I created this account just to post of the experience. Its nasty. Its so nasty this should be a one sentence review and yet I'm hammering out all this whatnot to reach the 250 word minimum.
in a word. its gross.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 12:53:41 | More by direwolf-pgh