Midas Touch - Dogfish Head Brewery

DonDirkA

Arizona

4.4/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The nose is light and sweet with notes of honey and white wine up front that fade into a caramel-esque sticky sweetness. I've used the word sweet twice but it doesn't smell overpoweringly sweet, it actually smells kind of dry but there is a sticky sweetness throughout the whole smell, probably from the honey. It actually smells very similar to another Ancient Ale, Chateau Jiahu. The taste is slightly sweet with grapes, apples and pears blending nicely with a touch of booziness and fading into a sweet but dry finish. The body is very light but it has some heft to it and the alcohol heat doesn't kick in until the sip has settled in your stomach. This is one of their best Ancient Ales. I put two of my 4-pack away to age a bit and see where it goes.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 03:30:49 | More by DonDirkA

sevenarts

New York

3.88/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pale, translucent orange with a very small, quickly fading head and almost no lacing to speak of.

S: With the heavy grape aroma, it's almost wine-like, with some sweetness and spice offsetting that dominant aroma.

T/M: A really unique and delicious beer, as interesting as its origins would suggest. It's not very beer-like, perhaps, but that's to be expected. Instead it has more of a wine character, with the grapes shining through very bright and crisp. Nice honey sweetness that coats the tongue, and a bit of bubbly prickliness from the carbonation and the additional seasonings.

O: I can see why this would be a divisive beer, but it's really unique and different and for me its flavors are really delicious. Makes me feel like I'm sipping an ancient mead.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 22:22:17 | More by sevenarts

Guden

Maryland

3.65/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Bright golden yellow with a small and quickly fading head.

S - Bright muscat grapes with a hint of honey.

T - Very sweet, with just enough acid to keep it drinkable. It is very grape juice like with just a light mead character and nothing too noticeable from the barley (or saffron).

M - A bit thin and low in carbonation, increasing the juice character.

O/D - This is an alright beer. Interesting and tasty, yes, but not very beer like, and the grapes certainly overpower the saffron, honey, barley and hops.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 00:12:54 | More by Guden

B0BZ1LLA

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Midas Touch is a clear, golden/light amber ale which retains a very low head.

S: The beer smells mostly (and strongly) of muscat grapes and wine.

T: The flavor is well rounded and complex, alternating between a mead, a wine, and a golden ale.

M: While not overly sweet or dry, mouthfeel for Midas Touch is closer to a wine than a beer.

O: A great beer, albeit one that is probably best drank with food or appreciated one at a time. It is not a session beer. Whatever you feel about mixing grapes, honey, and malted barley, it's definitely worth a taste.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 01:04:20 | More by B0BZ1LLA

superspak

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into signature tulip glass, bottled on 4/20/2012. Pours lightly cloudy golden amber color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense white head with good retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Good soapy lacing clings to the glass, with a good amount of carbonation streaming up. Aromas of honey, grape, earth, apricot, herbal, clove, raisin, pepper, bread, floral, and light yeast spices. Nice and well balanced aromas with decent strength; quite pleasant. Taste of grape, biscuit, honey, pepper, clove, saffron, herbal, earth, raisin, floral, and light yeast spiciness. Lingering notes of biscuit, honey, grape, herbal, earth, and light yeast spices on the finish for a bit. Nice balance of flavors; no cloying sweetness at all. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a slightly creamy and slick mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish. Very smooth to sip on. Overall this is a very nice ancient ale style. Very nice flavor balance and complexity; with nice smoothness. Very enjoyable stuff.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 05:47:23 | More by superspak

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter.

A: Clear golden amber with one-finger, white, fizzy head that lasted less than a minute. Not much lacing.

S: Mild sweet malt and honey.

T: Moderate sweetness and light bitterness. Honey and toasted malt flavors. Spiced finish.

M: Medium bodied with soft carbonation. Slightly warm going down. Very drinkable even considering the high ABV.

O: The aroma and taste were a bit more mild than I was hoping for. The strongest thing this beer has going for it is its drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 02:36:41 | More by SolipsismalCat

BlackBelt5112203

South Carolina

3.28/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass at cellar-fridge temperature.

L – Deep gold color with a 1-finger bubbly white head that rapidly dissipates. Not much lacing. Clear with tons of carbonation bubbles.

S – Wheat malt, honey, and grapes. An aroma that is very similar to champagne except with grainy wheat added.

T – Starts off sweet with grainy wheat, honey, and grapes and builds to a dry almost bitter astringency with red wine, herbal, and spice flavors. I can’t really identify which spices are in here – maybe the saffron that’s listed on the bottle.

F – Medium-bodied with lots of carbonation, a dry and astringent mouthfeel, and a very dry finish. Red wine dryness lingers for a while and pairs well with the mild throat-warming sensation from the alcohol.

O – This is an interesting beer that I can’t really place into a category. It has lots of unique aromas and flavors going on. But while this beer is unique, I simply don’t think it tastes very good. The idea of making an ancient ale is cool, but I won’t be getting this one again.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 01:36:46 | More by BlackBelt5112203

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.48/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Clear golden straw liquid with a slight white head overtop.

S: Purple grapes, yeast and grassy hops.

T: Sweet purple grapes, yeast and grassy hop flavours over a delicate malt backbone.

M: Medium viscosity and carbonation.

O: Extremely drinkable and tasty. If you like your beers on the sweet side, then be sure to seek this one out.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 16:35:41 | More by DaftCaskBC

TheBrewo

Michigan

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

We pour an even golden maple brew with a two finger creamy tan head. Retention is nice, leaving patterned lacing and a thick film around the glass and over the liquid respectively. The look is thick and syrupy, and a chill haze permeates throughout. Carbonation appears high, and no outright sediment is noted. The nose shows huge barley, with metallics around the edges and a synthetic white and concord grape sweetness. Citric hop shines through, adding some tartness. Fusel alcohol shows on the back, and honey blossoms with warmth. Our first impression is that there is huge grape flavoring, with a nice tart finish. As we sip, surprisingly adjuncty grain appears, with its biting and metallic glory. The malts quickly become darker, with a brief flash of chocolates. The same concord grape as in the nose arrives, and pulls to the peak, where grain is the star. It is bittering and puckering, with a light mix of booze and more of the grape. The finish is with fresh saffron, black pepper, lemongrass, and a hint of cayenne pepper. There is a sweeping sting of booze and final puckering of warm lactics. The aftertaste breathes of fusel booze, wheat, hollow barley, thick musk, and a big acidic bite. The body is thick and syrupy, and the carbonation is higher. There is slickness, oily slurp, and smack to each sip. The beer drinks easily, but the abv catches up quickly with you.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was the grape and spice in the taste. At first it was a bit synthetic, but it really flourished, adding to the flavor rather than detracting from it. The grain was a bit too basic at times, but the flavoring throughout matched exactly to what we’ve come to expect from the Dogfish Ancient Ales series.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 23:46:48 | More by TheBrewo

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

4.3/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle poured into a snifter
No idea what to expect from this one

A- Pours slightly hazy golden color with a half finger of a white head. It leaves behind some alcohol legs.

S- I smells very sweet and dry. There are some notes of berries and grape. Wheat, yeast, clove. An interesting smelling beer,

T- The taste on this beer is something different. There is a big sweetness up front. The body of the beer is smooth and creamy. It has a certain wheat character to it, almost like they used a Belgian yeast. There is a lot of spice and light crisp flavors. Clove and nutmeg perhaps. There is a slight fruitiness in this one like a grape or blueberry. Very much like a mead and a witbier got together.

M- This beer has a light feel for the ABV but a smooth and silky body that really helps to bring around the flavor. It is incredibly crisp and dry. Hardly drinks like a beer.

O- This is pretty awesome stuff. It is barely beer in my book but if your looking for something a little different this is your beer. Absolutely worth trying. I applaud Dogfish for their ability to redefine what makes it into our glasses.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 23:51:37 | More by TwelveOunces

zeledonia

Minnesota

3.93/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed 2 July 2012, reviewed from notes.

Pours a medium golden straw yellow color, very clear, with just a thin cap of foam. Plenty of visible carbonation, but not much head or lacing.

Smell is dominated by sweet white grapes, with a bit of yeast in the background. The best comparison I can come up with is riesling. Smells like a yeasty, sweet white wine. Interesting.

Taste is similar to the smell, but with more depth. It's very front-heavy, with a whole rush of flavors that quickly fade away, leaving little behind, like a semi-dry white wine. White grapes and honey lead the way, with some grainy malts behind. Definitely unique. Little sign of alcohol, despite the relatively high ABV.

Mouthfeel is good. Medium-light body, feels much lighter than I'd expect. Carbonation is spot-on. Finish is quick, but then lasting, like a long right-tailed distribution.

A very interesting beer, and unlike any I've had before. Heavy on the white wine and the honey, but they're both in good balance with the other ingredients. I guess that's the impressive thing - that these unusual flavors can be so prominent, but not feel overwhelming or out-of-place. Tasty stuff.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 17:58:21 | More by zeledonia

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.15/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from 8/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a clear orange amber with a small head with light lacing. Spicy honey, fruit aroma, similar to a tripel. Nice fruit and honey, light malt. Pleasant sweet vinous flavor in the middle; sweet honey finish. I like this quite a bit and evidently better than most reviewers. Definitely pick up periodically.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 17:45:35 | More by LiquidAmber

Scotchboy

Idaho

3.35/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz with indecipherable freshness date. HotD snifter.

A: Pours a lovely straw with some visible carb bubbles. Faint traces of white lacing.

S: There is a definite musty white grape aroma, suggestions of earthy spices, sweet malt, honey & even lightly toasted caramel. Floral and perfumey as well with a faint vinous and boozy touch.

T: Taste shows a depth of malt with an ever-present white grape twang and hints of saffron and earthy herbs. Honey and a faint toasted malt undertone. Vinous notes in the dry finish. As it warms the honey/mead characters really take over.

MF: Medium to medium-full body. There is a bit of alcohol burn and a dry finish. Light carbonation. The mouthfeel is too full and heavy for this type of beer in my opinion.

O: Unique but not altogether pleasing. I could definitely see this being a gateway beer for wine lovers.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 13:43:09 | More by Scotchboy

Burlyn

3.68/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From a 12 oz bottle into a snifter

Ap:A ripe banana yellow with little to no head.

S:roasted grains followed by a sweet and fruity rum raisin

T: banana cream. vanilla. rum raisin. honey. bitter biting aftertaste.

M: thick. can feel the alcohol in my nose. pleasant amount of carbonation.

Wow. Love this, although I can only take so much since the aromas and flavors on this one are so dominant.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 00:21:31 | More by Burlyn

acevenom

Louisiana

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass. Pours pale golden with a white head. Some tiny bubbles can be seen rising from the bottom of the glass. The beer smells mildly sweet. There are bready scents with the honey. I can pick up those mild white grape aromas as well. The taste is more similar to a mead than a beer. I also pick up the white grap flavors as well as some spiciness. I don't really notice the alcohol so much in the taste. The body is medium with adequate carbonation. The beer is smooth and has high drinkability. This is a very good beer that is also very interesting.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 03:41:55 | More by acevenom

tilopud_rye

4.05/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A friend poured me a 12 oz bottle into a tulip presenting a nice straw colored beverage topped with a gentle loose head that stuck longer than I thought. The smell of this reminds me of breakfast. Fresh baked raisin bread with honey. The taste starts with a tingle of wheat then gently the honey flavor comes in. The carbonation fizzles away in your mouth and as the honey flavor comes out the texture becomes quite creamy. Aftertaste is sweet. This Is an enjoyable beer that's good to chill out with or with a light snack. No huge show or presentation here but a good solid taste that I may seek out again. This seems like something a newcomer to beer would very much enjoy

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2012 08:38:08 | More by tilopud_rye

TX-Badger

Texas

3.78/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had the Midas Touch from a 12oz bottle poured in to a pint/nonic glass.

A: The beer poured a bold golden-rod, not much head at the top.

S: The aroma has hints of honey and raisins. No noticeable hop notes.

T: I mainly get a honey mead flavor, some of the raisins I smelled also come through on the palate. It finishes sweet and spicy; the sweetness from the honey, and spices of ginger and a hint of cinnamon. The higher ABV leaves a dryness on the palate.

M: A clean medium-bodied beer, carbonation was ok.

O: A pretty good beer from start to finish, but not as complex as I was expecting from everything I've heard about this beer. I was really interested to try it since it seems be very limited production and uses an ancient strain of yeast. Even though this beer has a higher ABV, you really don't notice it.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 20:07:10 | More by TX-Badger

stercomm

Ohio

3.03/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 oz bottle

A - Clear, light golden in color, minimal off white head, decent lacing leaves a slight layer on top.

S - Maybe some honey, bit of grape, not a lot happening here.

T - Definitely get the grapes, slight maltiness, some spice, not my favorite

M - Medium bodied, medium carbonation.

O - Doesn't do a whole lot for me

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2012 20:42:11 | More by stercomm

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.95/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled 3/13/12 poured into NB globe.
Golden honey color with a bit of head and some good sticky lacing. Aside from the lacing, it looks like it could be a run of the mill pils or macro lager...
Smell is real nice. I smell very fruity sweet malts, grape to be exact. Not artificial grape, but grape vine, like grappa. There is also a hint of herb-like aromas.
Taste is very sweet malts and grappa/boozey flavors. Its very earthy but crisp. Its surprisingly heavy and full.
Its really quite a unique brew. Obviously something out of the box will not appeal to everyone, but I think its great. Something so unique is well worth every penny for any beer lover.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2012 23:06:18 | More by DrinkSlurm

BostonHops

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle served in a snifter.

pours a clear, burnished gold tone while yielding a 3/4" foamy, off-white head; middling retention and some lacing evident. nose offers grape, a good dose of honey, and some spice. good, but nothing about it really warrants a double take.

flavor likewise is OK, though not especially remarkable. grape, honey... somewhat vinous. quaffable, some enjoyable characteristics, but largely uninspiring. mouthfeel leans toward the heavier side of medium-light; average carbonation.

overall this is a middling brew. moderately enjoyable though dogfish head churns out some much better stuff IMO. above average though not by much - wouldn't turn one down, wouldn't seek it out.

(originally reviewed: 06-10-2011)

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 00:59:11 | More by BostonHops

Steasy66

Minnesota

2.63/5  rDev -29.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

6oz from a 12 oz into a snifter.
A- Golden, whisphy white head.
S- Fruity, a bit of red fruit, citrus, and melon
T- Tastes like a thick lager, a bit of mead flavor, strange aftertaste.
M- Medium body, crisp carbonation
O- Strange beer, wouldn't buy it again, nothing off or bad about it, just no real appeal.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 04:06:52 | More by Steasy66

PorterLambic

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours an orange amber with very little white head.
Smell is malt, citrus and vanilla? with some hops. Decent balance.
Taste is malt, honey/sweet, spices, hops. Balance is biased towards the sweetness. Otherwise, its fairly good.
Medium-full body with light effervescence, nicely warming but not overly so. Spice is a tad weak.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 00:22:15 | More by PorterLambic

stlunatic15

California

3.98/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Been a long-time lurker, but this is my first review on BA.

Appearance: Beautiful bronze-like golden color. Light & thin head. Bubbles constantly rising. Very carbonated, and very inviting beer I must say.

Smell: I'm personally getting hints of dark fruit, but very light hints at the same time. Grapes, prunes, raisins, and plum. Not too deep or invigorating though.

Taste: The aroma suddenly vanishes after the first sip - however there is an excellent balance of the spices, malt, and hops. Very well formed. The only characteristic I'd like to experience more of would probably be the hops.

Mouthfeel: Incredibly thin - almost like I'm taking a sip of Calistoga sparkling water. Very boozy as well, especially for such a smooth beer.

Overall: Definitely does not fit a typical 9% beer, but I am also not dissatisfied. This is very well an above-average beer, and I'm impressed at how well-hidden the alcohol is, even with a boozy aftertaste. I gotta say that this beer is rather interesting.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 10:41:39 | More by stlunatic15

Beermazter310

Nevada

2.2/5  rDev -40.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Out of curiosity had to try this...golden color with big eggshell colored foamy head. smell like white grapes, sweet and boozy tastes kinda like a chardonnay no bitterness to speak of. to me it tastes like a cheap malt liqour. very little carbonation. overall im dissapointed. I didnt know what to expect, i guess this is what they were goin for when they brewed this but i wont ever buy this again and its way too expensive. I paid 3.39 plus tax for a 12oz. glad i only bought one. dog fish head has a lot of very different and unique beers so i give them credit for that. and no disrespect to cheap malt liqours, but this really tastes similar to colt 45. one of the better malt liquors.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 03:24:57 | More by Beermazter310

leokbelo

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear pale gold into a pint glass. 1 1/2 inch head dissipates quickly into a lacing.
Very spicy on the nose, saffron, with the alcohol very present also.
Rich and sweet on the tongue, with a very warming effect from the 9% ABV. The alcohol in this beer is not subtle at all.
Grape skin in the aftertaste for sure. Ancient ale recipe from DF Head! Very interesting. Would recommend.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 22:55:54 | More by leokbelo