Indian Brown Ale - Dogfish Head Brewery

francisweizen

Australia

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A nice Brown Ale/IPA/Scotch Ale hybrid. This beer pours a dark, reddish copper colout with a small white head. The aromas are of alcohol, sctoch, malts, and some hops. The flavors are very reminiscent of a scotch ale infused with some extra hops. The mouthfeel is pretty thick and chewy and the drinkability is decent.

A very *interesting* brew from DFH!
-F

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2003 13:24:33 | More by francisweizen

bditty187

Nebraska

4.35/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dark ruby hue, blackish in the middle with ruddy highlights around the edges, the small beige head collapsed quickly… it produced no lace. Pleasant and inviting nose, there is plenty of depth with the chocolate malts and milky sweetness. An initial big alcohol bite crushes the palate… the chocolate malts follow quickly then in the wake comes a minor flash of milky sweetness and herbal hops… as the finish nears the smoothness of the carbonation eases the malts back into play. Just bitter enough. Overall the flavor profile is big, complex, well-constructed and very drinkable… the high abv is thoroughly in play. Tasty! The aftertaste is largely sweet and tacky with faint hints of chalkiness. Medium-bodied (and smooth). This is one hell of a robust brown ale… I suppose it was foolish of me to think DFH would make a “typical” brown ale… I’d recommend you trying one!

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2003 12:07:40 | More by bditty187

andyj

Washington

4.6/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

If you have the opportunity to try this on draught at their brew pub in Rehobeth, DE go for it. I found it to be exceptionally different than the bottled variety. Most noted difference was the appearance, in my opinion it was significantly darker. In fact when I saw it I initially thought it was a stout or porter. It has a quite smoothy malty feel on tap than it does in the bottle, and the scotch ale origins of this beer are more evident from the draught variety.

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2003 11:39:31 | More by andyj

jcalabre

California

3.38/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Originally sampled on 21 September 2002. This pours brown with a tan head. It has a slightly sweet and malty flavor. The nose has a slight cocoa aroma. This beer is a bit different, but then again, it is from Dogfish Head. But, I enjoyed drinking it.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2003 17:46:15 | More by jcalabre

bmills1608

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Color - Dark brown w/red highlights, excellent clarity when held to light
Nose - Fragrant bitter hops, cocoa, bitter chocolate, brown sugar
Head - Medium dense, big bubbles mixed in, very light tan in color
Taste - bitter and warming, roasted barley malt, burnt sugar sweetness follows then some nice grassy hop flavors kick in.
Finish - Bitter, sharp and quite dry.
Mouthfeel - Medium dense, slick and a bit creamy, with medium tight carbonation.

This is a very "large" brown ale, filling nicely a starting position in DFH's lineup of big beers. This bad boy is practically bursting with heaps of dark flavors (brown breads, figs, etc). Pretty well hopped (English variety) as well, which adds to the flavor assault and quite roasted, more so then a lot of browns. Has a real warming quality as well as the alcohol creeps into the overall taste.. This is the kind of beer a lot of Non BA's wouldn't like a little bit, and that is not a knock on this beer. It is big and bold. People who drink yellow fizz will definitely whine and cry that this is "too bitter and heavy...boo hoo..hoo, pass me a Corona.....sniff sniff, it hurt me......".

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2003 06:07:18 | More by bmills1608

Elemental

Oregon

4.28/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Though I expecedt a bit more hops out of the beer, I thought it was pretty good and different which I liked. Its no big hop beer as you would expect from the name and the fact that its from DFH, but..... It had a good dark brown color that was a little darker than I wanted with a large amount of head the died slowly as the drinking went on. It was nicley hopped with a crisp aroma to it that didn't quite match the flavor (I can't explain it but when I drank it, I got a completely different flavor than I was expecting based on the smell). The flavor was slightly sweet and malty with a big taste along with a good bitter flavor that accompanied the malts.
Bottmline: Its what I expected from DFH and thats a good thing.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2003 20:50:25 | More by Elemental

Thrasher

Oregon

3.5/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I have no idea how old this sample is, since not only is the month not notched but there is no year on the bottle. (The c1999 doesn't exactly inspire confidence either.) I have a feeling it is not brand new; hops are muted, barely noticeable which goes against the beer's description of itself as well as other reviewers. Still tasty, and perhaps more of a traditional brown ale as a result. Sweet and sugary, with some tartness from the brown sugar. Much darker than an average brown ale, looking more like a porter with some faint reddish-brown mud at the edges. Head virtually disappears. Mouthfeel thick and sticky. A nice beer to have after being out in the rain, but mostly I am grumbling about how tough it is to find fresh beer around here. (I settled for this beer of indeterminate age after negging my 1st choice, Brooklyn Brown, of which the freshest sample had a drink by date of 2/02!!! The store had multiple, and older, cases of it too! WTF. And that Budweiser was brand spankin' hot off the truck. Don't worry they are not in BeerFly, they don't deserve to be. Sorry 'bout the rant.)

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2003 14:41:59 | More by Thrasher

BeerBuilder

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This one is a nice looking brew. It pours to a ruby-born color with a light brown creamy head. It leaves a good amount of lacing when sipped down. The aroma is somewhat herbal and sweet, with a light roasty/nutty smell as well. The flavor is of roast malt, and caramel malts, with a touch of chocolate and coffee. It has a slight nuttiness in the flavor too. It has a very smooth mouthfeel, and is highly drinkable for the strength of the beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2003 07:05:49 | More by BeerBuilder

far333

Connecticut

3.73/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark mahogany-ruby color with a big, fat, frothy, tan head, which leaves nice lacing around the glass. The smell of hops and roasted malt rises up to meet my nose from the glass. Mouthfeel is wonderful - smooth and full and creamy. Taste is of bitter burnt malt, hops bitter, and hints of sweet molasses. Flavor is almost a porter flavor. The hop and burnt malt bitter lingers in the mouth. Actually it hits too hard and lingers just a bit too long, and detracts from the flavor and drinkability. Otherwise an enjoyable brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2003 11:12:29 | More by far333

Jarod

Pennsylvania

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

Label: Collage of barley husks
Bottled 12/02

This beer poured a deep rich mahogany color that was fairly clear, but it was hard to tell since it took allot of light to barely pass through it. It produced a medium tan colored head that was fairly thin about ½” thick, but seemed somewhat sticky. It lasted a good way through the glass and produced a sheety lace a good way down then started to separate into patches near the end. The aromas that came from the glass were of roasted malt, brown sugar, roasted barley grains, some chocolate, dark fruit and some alcohol. More roasted malt and barley as it warmed. The tastes that rolled across my tongue were of roasted barley grains, floral hops, dark malt (slight roast), earth tones, chocolate, nuts, baked brown sugar, light dark fruits, and a bit of alcohol. The flavors seemed to be pretty stable as it warmed, no real flavor took over. It left a roasted grain/hop taste behind on the tongue. Medium bodied. To me, this beer seemed to have sweet notes that wanted to come out but were quickly masked by the roasted flavors. This is a clean beer and well crafted. It is an all around smooth taste. DFH does it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2003 18:31:26 | More by Jarod

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - dark brown with light just barely making it through the glass.

Aroma - heavy coffee nose, very pleasant, but not much else. One finger head dissipates quickly, so get your aroma thoughts together right away because I felt the smell dropped off considerably after the head subsided.

Taste - snappy, malty flavor, primary coffee presence. A moderate carbonation level sets up a most pleasing hop taste which lingers and blends well with a charcoal and coffee aftertaste.

Mouthfeel - very smooth and silky thanks to high alcohol and the chocolate malts.

Drinkability - this is a wonderful ale with lots of complexity. The flavors picked up don't come across lightly, they are all bold in character, making this a most full-tasting beer, wonderful for a session and would be a great inclusion to a beer tasting.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2003 22:00:51 | More by brewdlyhooked13

clvand0

Kentucky

4.1/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours very dark brown with moderate head that quickly disappears. The aroma is of hops with slightly malty undertones and hints of alcohol. Extremely smooth taste and very easy to drink. Hints of nuts in the flavor. Very good brown ale. I've come to expect great things from Dogfish Head and this one keeps up the good pace.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2003 18:15:43 | More by clvand0

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark brown with ruby highlights, topped by a foamy two-finger tan head. Aroma is nutty, with a little cocoa, and a trace of coffee. Nice rich taste and mouthfeel, kinda silky. Taste is (again) nuts, cocoa, and coffee, plus a big floral/herbal hop flourish far greater than most brown ales. The label metions carmelized brown sugar, which probably helps balance the hop bitterness. This is nicely done, different without being outrageous.

Aquired in the Philly Gathering Beer Exchange.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2003 21:28:38 | More by RonfromJersey

sinistersteve

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a nice brownish color. Some lace is around, but does not stick to the glass very well. Aroma does nothing to hide the 7.2% ABV. A lot of alcohol in the flavor too along with some sweetness. The style states that this is a 'mild' beer. Me wonders what a 'not-so-mild' beer would be like.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2003 20:58:45 | More by sinistersteve

GreenCard

Oregon

3.63/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: poured a syrupy dark hazelnut brown, negligible head formation, good clarity, some lacing

Aroma: a cakey maltiness, slight roastiness and a few esters, cask-like oakiness, some root-like/vegetal characteristic, an indescript rich aroma

Flavor: a rich malty backbone that stands up tall against the roasty/hoppy bitter finish, well-balanced, a little bit of pear-like ester in the aftertaste, slight acidity, oaky, a rather dry finish despite a presumed sweetness

Mouthfeel: full body, tingly/fine carbonation, slight alcohol warmth

Drinkability: good, a pleasant savoring-beer

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2003 10:52:22 | More by GreenCard

dwarbi

New York

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer has almost no head from the get-go. The head that is there consists of big bubbles and goes away very quickly. Smells hoppy and a little like a well-used grill. I think "Indian Brown" is a great name. It lands right in between there, but with some porter tendencies as well. Fabulous mouthfeel and very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2003 17:44:20 | More by dwarbi

freed

Oregon

3.8/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This was a surprise, even with the label telling me it was a brown india ale. It poured a deep mahogany, and had a very peaty aroma. There wasn't any head either. There wasn't any definitive hop aroma either, which surprised me.

The taste was wonderful after the first shocking sip. It took a moment for me to realize it wasn't an IPA. But then I enjoyed it tremendously. It has a very rich flavor. I split the 12oz bottle with my wife, so maybe 6oz is the perfect serving size? I'll have to try again.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2003 22:48:22 | More by freed

bewareOFpenguin

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

When the wife picked this out, I was shocked, just shocked. Poured a nice deep brown color. Great semi-sweet caramel taste. Not too sweet though. The malt was good, almost perfect. A faint touch of hops. A mild ale with a 7.2% ABV. Just perfect for drinking.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2003 06:18:35 | More by bewareOFpenguin

Jdiddy

Rhode Island

4.35/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

While I am not a huge Brown Ale fan, I had this on tap at Redbones and was very surprised. Great beer. Very little head that dissolved quickly. Nice malty, sweet, slightly smoky taste. A hint of chocolate and caramel. A great beer to go with your favorite stew. Aroma was that of malt.

Serving type: on-tap

04-15-2003 15:09:32 | More by Jdiddy

Scooter77

Ohio

3.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a deep brown color with ruby highlights topped off by a thin off-white head that fades away quickly leaving a thin lace. The aroma is very sweet, brown sugar and chocolate are the first things that come to mind. There are also hints of toffee and toasted malt in the aroma. The taste is very nice, it complements the aroma very well. To me, it tastes more like a porter than, a brown ale. There is a slightly bittersweet taste left on the palate upon the finish. This is a very well balanced and smooth beer. Very nice, indeed.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2003 14:11:46 | More by Scooter77

Darkale

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

It takes direct pouring to create a head, but once you have one, it's resilient; it's slow to fade, with great lacing. The shape of the head is uneven and chunky, but the sides and bottom are pearly and even.

Aroma is malty and very fresh, with a tinge of hops. The beer itself is a crisp, clear, cherry-red brown.

Slightly creamy mouthfeel, round and clean, clear-tasting and refreshing, with an aftertaste of slightly sour hops, edged with sweet malt. Just a hint of fruit and charcoal, and some caramel sweetness.

This is a very pleasant beer, and if I had to order a brown ale, I would probably order this one. Just far enough off the usual brown ale path to be remarkable.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2003 20:16:19 | More by Darkale

scottum

Vermont

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had a bottle of this and it was just aweful. On tap this is a very nice brew. One of the best browns I've ever had. Keg vs bottle is night and day. Very dark brown with a small head. Very hoppy for a brown which I take as a good sign. Well balanced. Nice mouthfeel. If you've only had the bottled version, try it again on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

04-10-2003 08:39:24 | More by scottum

nomad

Kansas

3.73/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Mug's Ale House in early March: "Cask-Conditioned Dogfish Head India Brown Ale, Dry-Hopped" is what they said it was.

Poured a deep brown color with a glow to it. Had a very chunky froth that never dissipated the whole session, but no lace. Nose was of hay, nuts, oats, and some roasted malt, rounded out by a super fresh and whole hops scent. Taste was lightly sour, light roasted malt, and a tasty moderate strength hops – not too salty, bitter, or oily, just verdant. Altogether a very clean tasting brew, though came across as a little watery too. Mouthfeel was thin and watery, yet the finish was long and left a soft dry cover over my whole palate.

A decent brown. The dry hopping gave a great clean & fresh whole-hop smell and taste. Couldn’t tell what cask did, since no oakiness or other cask-imparted characteristics popped up. Just a clean and exacting character, with some interesting parts but not enough on the whole to call me back. Maybe the cask took away a lot of the great bits and pieces that others' reviews say of this brew in a bottle.

Serving type: cask

04-08-2003 10:35:44 | More by nomad

Reidrover

Oregon

4.58/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bought in the 12 oz brown bottle..with the simple Dogfish Head label
"A clean,well hopped brown ale with aromatic barley and carmelized brown sugar and whole leaf liberty and Goldings hops"
Well should be quite a expierience!
This brew has a wonderous appearance, pours a deep dark brown with a luscious creme coloured head that fades to a gorgeous lace down my glass.
Great aroma of the carmelized sugar hits me as does the malts well done.
Well I expected a taste adventure and boy oh boy did I get it!
The malts show through and seem well toasted..nice coffee and liquorice//dark unsweetned chocolate tastes..then the wonderful hops take over nice fantastic in fact.
very smooth on the tongue i like this.
A most wonderful and very drinkable "mutant" style beer

I say "mutant" because this appears to be a mutaion of a Nut brown ale and a strong IPA..a whole new species has evolved!!!

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2003 20:58:18 | More by Reidrover

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

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

12 oz brown longneck bottle, capped. "Packaged in:" month notched on label, no year (in this case, 6 was notched).

This ale poured a clear, deep red-brown color with a creamy, light tan foam head that left good lace down the interior of the glass. The aroma was nice and hoppy (mostly floral), with some citrus, and some biscuity malt showing through. The taste was first caramel malt, and then floral hops (grapefruit), brown sugar, and a hint of alcohol. There was also a slight nutty flavor. The mouthfeel was clean, smooth, and mellow, but with a touch of tang. The body was medium, and the cabonation was modest. The drinkability was very good: flavorful but very smooth and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2003 22:04:48 | More by UncleJimbo