Burton Baton - Dogfish Head Brewery

OldFrothingSlosh

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to AKSmokedPorter for sharing this.

Somewhat cloudy in appearance, with a dark amber-infused copper color. Thin off-white head. Sparse lacing. Nose is wonderful. Hefty load of hoppy notes: fruity, with some fresh grapefruit detected prominently. Pine cones, perfumy flowers, some bitter chocolate. Flavor is good, but more tame than expected. 90-minute IPA blew me away, but this tasted more like a toned-down version of it with just a touch of "wood". The hops are pretty muted here, and the sweetness from the malt takes a larger role. ABV is hidden for a 10% ABV beer. Good mouthfeel...certainly more creamy than expected. Despite the high ABV, this was quite drinkable. Another neat beer from the gang at Dogfish. Well-done.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2005 22:06:52 | More by OldFrothingSlosh

connecticutpoet

Connecticut

4.47/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

All right... this is going to be a difficult review. I have to put aside all expectation that I had for this beer, distance myself from that, and go on its merits. That's why I took notes and waited a couple of weeks, so I could take it at face value.

This poured out a clear amber brew with a head under one finger. Some lacing.

The aroma was of oak tannins, aromatic hops, and slightly fruity malt. It was easily apparent that this was oak aged.

The taste was much more mellow than I expected for an IPA... the aging helped smooth everything out. It was mildly hoppy, with oak and malts in the middle (although the malt was not that rich), and the tannins were apparent. A bit of vanilla slipped in at the end.

Much more complex than the 90 minute IPA. Mouthfeel was very good and smooth, and the drinkability was quite good. It slid down the throat easily.

I didn't like it as much as the 90 minute, but it was damn good.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2005 03:44:10 | More by connecticutpoet

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appears a cloudy dark orange with a one finger white head that lasts only for a minute. Spots of lacing, which lasts for most of the duration of the this beauty.
Smells of fresh hops, canned peaches, and a slight oakiness.
Tastes pretty much like one of my fav's, the 90 minute IPA ,at first with a slight oakiness. The ringwood trademark is evident.
Taste starts to change after about 15 minutes of sipping. Alcohol becomes more apparent and it becomes a tad more fruity. This is pretty much a 1-2 and done deal. Don't count on downing a sixer of these anytime soon. I'd get again.

Finger licking good!

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2005 01:07:10 | More by weeare138

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Lookin' at it... a hazed deep orange, with a fullish, creamy head capping it
Aroma: ahhh!!! that's my favorite aroma right there, in the first sniff...tropical fruits, banana and mango, peach and citrus, a truly beautiful mix, a gorgeous blend....so far, this is just what I'd desire in an uber-IPA, and I haven't even tasted it...
Oh, delicious...fullness of body, richness of flavor, dominant fruit, minor, relatively, bitterness, yumm...I can taste the whiskey flavor, from the oak-aging, I can get that character...and it's amazingly flavorful, with vanilla and oak twisting into the mix, what a wicked concoction...
If I had a 10-gallon hat, it would be off in honor of this immaculate creation.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2005 10:00:18 | More by feloniousmonk

mattcrill

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Here we go...an oak aged imperial IPA. Let's see what oak does for IPAs. Thanks go out to BA bro cmaruschak for grabbing this one for me.

Appearance: Pours crystal clear orange heading toward a dusty light red with an off white, sudsy cap.

Smell: A little light on the nose. Some light, carmel malts and some bittering hops. Nothing to get excited about.

Taste: Some woody, musty taste up front (presumably from the oak), some bittering hops in the background, and a brush of carmel and citrus sweetness. The alcohol really shows up for business as this beer warms. Wow, this really isn't doing much for me. It tastes like it's blended well and has good character but this is more like a pale ale to me. It definitely tastes "aged" to me in that the hops are tamped down a bit. I like my double IPAs to hit me with hops or malts or both. This doesn't really do either.

Mouthfeel: Medium to light bodied and thin. Leaves a little hop bitterness on the palate but pretty light.

Drinkability: I could see me going through a few of these but with the higher ABV, I wouldn't. Still, not much of a challenge for the palate. I think throwing the aged stuff in there kind of dumbs this beer down a bit. I like my IPAs fresh.

Thanks again to cmaruschak for the opportunity to sample this rare one.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2005 22:44:16 | More by mattcrill

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

4.53/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours with a big head an a pretty dark gold colour. The nose is all hops but tempered with some age. The taste is a big oily IPA that resonates with wood and pine needles. The more you sip this beer , the more the depth of flavours weigh out. Drinkability is huge as the beer smooths out past the intial hop hit. A truly big step in the evolution of the Double IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2005 15:43:12 | More by canucklehead

dauss

Colorado

3.9/5  rDev -8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Presentation: Standard 12oz. bottle. No freshness stamp or notch, but at 10% ABV, its going to be well preserved.

Appearance: Very clear and bright golden orange body. A small white light tan head forms. Good retention and lacing.

Smell: Loads of resiny, grassy, almost minty hop aroma. It burns the nostrils a little, definite alcohol smell, almost overpowers the hops.

Taste: Very thick and sweet caramel malt backbone. Upfront citrusy hop flavor with a light and very smooth hop bitterness at the back of the tongue, and then everything slowly gets overpowered by the alcohol and malt. Slight oak flavors come through, but it is very subtle. The high hopping gives it a feeling that its going to taste astringent, but it never does.

Notes: Now that I've poured in the rest of the bottle, there is a good amount of yeast hazing and some large dark colored chunks. They're probably hops. Although it is 10% ABV, its not hot or solventy, although it is easily tasted, and a little too strong. Definitely needs more time to cellar. This beer is just way too sweet for me, that unrelenting malt just makes it hard to drink. I wish the oak was stronger also.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2005 03:01:45 | More by dauss

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

750ml bottle obtained via trade with LuckySevens82. Thanks for the opportunity... Corked and caged.

Poured into a Rapscallion glass, formed 1" of beige head over the light copper brew. Head lasts well, leaving a pillowy head, and heavy foamy lacing from top to bottom of the glass. Aroma is mutedly hoppy for a DFH brew. Taste is lightly fruity, with a tangy hops presence. Mouthfeel is where barrel-aging starts to show on this brew, very smooth, with some oaky notes at the same time. Drinkability for the style is incredible. An excellent brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2005 01:04:19 | More by ppoitras

MuddyFeet

North Carolina

4.63/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

My new favorite of all time. Too bad it is so expensive. Seen it range from $14/four up to $25/four.

The beer poured a shade off of burnt copper, and with a bit of haze. I got about a finger deep head on the beer that quickly went away. No lace.

The aroma was "old." It had age. Hops and something behind it all that would not come out until the taste.

That taste was all old aged wood. Reminded me of failing on tall ships. Fresh musty flavor. The malts were nicely balanced with the hops so that neither was overwhelming, but just was absorbed into the palate as one. The oak came through best in the finish. Also very pleasant vanilla and coconut tones.

The mouthfeel was pleasantly mellow an dry. But not so dry that it bored or knocked out one's tongue.It kept me coming back for more.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2005 20:36:12 | More by MuddyFeet

orbitalr0x

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Very excited to sample this one. Glowing golden orange pour with a nice thick, creamy white head atop. Lacing appears in patches on the glass. An enthraling, interesting mix of citric, somewhat piney hops, caramel/vanilla sweetness and a big woody, oaky aroma. Earthy.

First sip brings an awesome blend of mixed citrus hoppiness and earthy, oak barrel wood notes. There's a sweet caramel maltiness and vanilla tones that makes this one suprisingly not very bitter. The blend is lovely and oak is not overbearing...it complements the hoppiness perfectly. Alcohol is very well hidden as well. Damn tasty...gotta love the hoppy oak burps.

Mouthfeel is rich and full....with a nice creamy aspect as well. I wouldn't mind having a few of these...I wish it wasn't so rare. I hope DFH makes more of this! Thanks to Cornboy for the opportunity to sample one of my new favorite Dogfish brews!

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2005 19:38:20 | More by orbitalr0x

deejaydan

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This might be out of order, but wow, great aroma. Maybe not to style, but a wonderful vanilla oak aroma. Similar to a great Chardonnay. Appearance is straight up amber, slight head, okay lacing. Flavor is good, but, dare I say this about a DFH beer, underhopped for style. Hops are there, but there is a serious sweet malt backbone to this beer. Overall, I like this beer. It's not best of style to me, but it's still good. Many thanks to my Secret Bunny, Squidswillbesquids.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2005 02:14:40 | More by deejaydan

ybnorml

Rhode Island

4.33/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A clean amber beer with a big foamy light beige head and nice lace. The aroma starts with a sweet nut like maltiness with a hint of some citrusy hops in the background. Every mouthfull changes your perseption of the main character of the beer. One time it is that sweet nut like malt. next its a spicey hop snap. And always just in the background almost hidden is the welcome home warmth of the the alcohol. Maybe not as complex in the range of tastes as a Belgian but at least as well crafted to create this smooth unique American brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2005 22:32:00 | More by ybnorml

AlexJ

North Carolina

4.7/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Props to warriorsoul for shipping me this 12 oz bottle!

The long awaited pour reveals a precious liquid, the color of scorched honey. The bone-colored head is persistant for a beer of this strength. Lacing is subtle and artistically applied.

The nose rises to greet me as the precious is poured into the Delirium tulip. I find myself floating in fields of wildflowers and clover honey. Oaky vanilla warmth envelops me. I indulge in the bouquet for a full five minutes before stepping in.

Sublime joy overcomes me as I revel in the first sip. Honey-drenched oranges and soft floral sweetness fades into toasty oak spice. Madagascar vanilla beans infused into butter almond ice-cream. Hops make their statement towards the end with wildflowers and sweet citrus. Balance is the word of the day here with absolut layers of malty complexity. It doesn't need to be hopfiend to be IIPA.

The body is huge, creamy, and bursting at the seams. Soft carbonation carries you through to the lasting finish filled with caramel drizzled citrus shadowed by oaky dryness. This is one of, if not the best DFH I've had to date. Superb and sublime!

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2005 18:13:04 | More by AlexJ

Zraly

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A small white head floats atop of an off-golden, red-tinted ale. Faint wisps of alcohol and fruit hit the nose. A nice floral scent is present as well.

Wow...nice alcohol flavor. It kind of hints to me as to what a decent scotch would taste like if it was a beer. Some bready characteristics underneath. A woodsy, vanilla quality takes on part of the overall character, which is probably attributed to the oak aging process.

The finish is nice and clean, with a crisp, yet still sweet, finish. There is a strangeness in that the hops are not as predominate as one would think for a Double IPA. This choice is more about "abundant balance" than "shocking nuance". I like that.

This is a sturdy drink that could stand up to tons of strong flavors. It's a nice apertif if I do say so myself.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2005 23:20:47 | More by Zraly

budsboy

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Pours clear, reddish, with a small white head. The head that stays is a sticky, gooey oil slick on top. I love that.

Hints of oak are in there, I suppose, if you really want it to be. There is a mellow maltiness wafting up chased by a more potent floral hop aroma, with a hint of roasted bread, but just a hint. Inviting, although I expect more hop aroma than I got.

Oh, well. This is a bit of a disappointment. No, no, it's good. Really. It's just not of the holy-cow ilk. Sweet. Very sweet. Sugary malt dominates. A hint of berry-like tartness near the finish, and a shot of flowery hops towards the end. Well balanced. Complex and round and full. Alcohol is well hidden. But this is mild for a 2IPA. Don't expect big-shouldered American hop-head heaven. This is an all-grown-up, sophisticated, six-figure-income pale ale.

Smoooth with the extra "o." Full in the mouth. Heavy in the belly. Like pastry.

Not my style. Actually, 2IPA is my style, but not this one. Kind of makes my teeth hurt. Too sweet for me to enjoy more than one.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2005 18:43:29 | More by budsboy

sulldaddy

Connecticut

4.08/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I am sampling a room temp bottle in a chalice. The beer pours a clear amber color with a small eggshell white surface layer of head developing. I get some caramel in the aroma mixing with a bit of toothpick/oak scents and sweet molasses as well. Surprisingly only a mild grassy hop presence. First sip reveals a bit of a syrupy texture with very fine and soft carbonation. Flavor is toffee, molasses and general sweetness with a bit of fruitiness as well.
Just a hint of alcohol on the finish. A very smooth beer for 10% abv. Quite nice, but dont open the bottle expecting a hop bomb!

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2005 06:04:01 | More by sulldaddy

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 0z bottle. Nice appearance with a hazy orange-ish body and a creamy dollop of white foam atop. The head retention is very good and it leaves some nice splotches of lace at the outset of the glass. Oddly enough, the Dogfish Head yeast is more prevalent in the nose than the hops are... odd, unless they were looking to show off some or the oak-aging. There's some wet-straw, a spoonful of sweet fruit, some nuttiness, a brush of woodiness, a touch of diacetyl, and a drip of honey. It's intriguing. The body is medium-full and dextrinous; and it slides so smoothly, almost oily across the palate with only a caress of very-fine bubbled carbonation on the tongue. The flavor mirrors the aroma with little more to offer than a mild vinous quality and a note of vanilla, but again, it's intriguing and engaging! The wood is clearly a massive part of this beer, and that alone deserves some attention as it's a great example of the type of flavors that the wood imparts, and it can even give you an idea of how these similar characteristics appear in in wine. On that same note, the 10% alcohol is apparent in the same way that it might be found in a fine wine. It's doesn't ever step from the wings but you always know it's there; and it plays a major role in the direct flavor and overall character of the beer. It appears in the finish once the dribble of juiciness runs off the palate, and it helps to dry things; but it's almost immediately backed by the drying, raspy nature of the wood. Tied together just a little more tightly, this could be a brilliant beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2005 03:41:34 | More by NeroFiddled

silenius

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

One of the better DFH beers in my opinion.

Pours a nice coppery color that is just a slight bit hazed. It must not be filtered. Head is short lived but any agitaion stirs up some more.

Smell is where it is at here. Nice malt/hop balance IMO. Hops smell more citrusy and flowery than piney. Almost perfume-like. My nose tells me there is something sweet in this brew as well.

Taste hits with a slightly citric tang that swoops into a roasty sweetness. Hop bitterness and light lemon-head candy flavors trade verses.

Mouthfeel is moderately thick with ample carbonation to keep things interesting.

Highly drinkable. It plays with a just a few notes, but does it very well.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2005 02:32:25 | More by silenius

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

4.53/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The beer poured into the glass a viscous dark golden amber with a slight haze and a frothy and tall off-white head which fell back slowly to coat the glass.

The aroma was strong with grassy hop aromas and plenty of oak character. Behind the floral, grassy, oak presence was a caramel maltiness hiding somewhere in the back waiting for a chance to emerge.

The flavor was less powerful that expected. The hop presence was citrusy and grassy, but muted by time and aging. The malts were merged with bittering to form a complexity not generally found in a freshly brewed beer. The fruitiness was well done and worked with the malt and bittering. The alcohol, while present, was not over the top and was well presented. The oak character from the aroma was present in the flavor, but well done and never overpowering.

The finish was just almost dry with lingering muted hop presence and deep maltiness that lasts plesantly long into the aftertaste. The body was medium full and only lessened by slight carbonation and the distinct alcohol presence. The alcohol mainly manifested itself in the warming after consumption.

12 ounce bottle. Kudos to Sam, great job!

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2005 22:26:23 | More by GCBrewingCo

rajendra82

Georgia

3.48/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Picked up in Florida, and brought with care to Atlanta by a fellow beer lover, this was the first of a pair of 12 oz. brown bottles I acquired.

When pored into a tulip, the body was glowing orange with a relatively small bone colored head. The aroma was grapefruit, vanilla, and rum soaked cherries, and could not be called really hoppy. The taste was quite unlike most Double IPAs I have sampled. Sweet and spicy with a bready maltyness, this one tasted more like a hopped up Trippel than a DIPA. Sticky and creamy in the mouth, the aftertaste was surprisingly short lived.

If mellowness and balance are your thing, you will like this beer. But if you are seeking an extreme hop bomb, be prepared to be disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2005 04:39:17 | More by rajendra82

santoslhalper

Pennsylvania

4.68/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearence: Pours a wonderful glowing orange with a fomay white head.

Smell: The smell is awesome. The hops are incredibly mixed with the woody character, and the alcohol rounds it out great.

Taste and Mouthfeel: Mmmmm. What a tasty tasty IPA. That's incredibly. The woody notes are huge, and really balance things out just right. Most DIPA's are overboard, but this one is well rounded, smooth, and creamy. Incredible tasting.

Drinkability and Overall: Easily the best DIPA I've had to date. The balance is incredible. It's almost unmatched. THis beer is so smooth and creamy, it just keeps you sipping. A simply stunning beer that's not for the weak of heart.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2005 00:47:05 | More by santoslhalper

crookedhalo

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle. Pours a lightly hazed orangy tea color with a fluffy beige head. Rich malty, nutty aroma with hints of woody, vinous hops that bear a blood orange-like citrusness. Wow, it's thick, yet maintains a nice estery, drier finish that is peppered with mellowed hops and a hint of butterscotchy oak barrel. It really has a nice mellow feel to it. The alcohol is almost completely hidden. A great accompaniment to a good cigar.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2005 00:12:45 | More by crookedhalo

Hibernator

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The latest creation from the impressive Dogfish Head brewery. A double IPA aged in wood barrels. Sounds great to me, can't wait to sip this one.

I had this out of a 12 oz brown bottle and served in a tulip glass. It pours a haze induced orange color with a great head on top that leaves trails of sticky lacings behind.

Floral aroma with juicy biscuits and ripe fruit in the nose.

Grainy oils and smoothness blend together vey well. Juicy oranges and oaky wood flavors. I love the signature DFH oily and resiny hop bite in this beer. What makes this beer so interesting and sets it apart from the 90 Minute IPA is the slightly sharp alcohol warmth and woody oak presence in the finish. Very nice.

Dangerously drinkable at 10% ABV. Another innovative and creative beer from the brewers at DFH. This beer is worth checking out if you enjoy imperial IPA's. The price may be a little much, but its so friggin tasty. You make the call.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2005 23:55:06 | More by Hibernator

twelvsies

Maine

3.2/5  rDev -24.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This beer didn't really blow me away. I was surprised, as Dogfish Head usually pushes the limits of brewing and makes some of my favorite beers. This however was a bit odd. And don't get me wrong, I generally like weird beers. Pours a fairly clear golden amber color with a bit of white head resting on top. Scent is very hoppy at first, all citrussy, but there's this strange scent that it's mixed with... oddly reminds me of catfood or tuna or something. Interesting, different, but not particularly appetizing. Taste was much the same. A bit sweet and not quite bitter enough for a double IPA. The aged flavor doesn't really work here with the mix. Average mouthfeel but something just isn't quite working with this beer. Seems like all the flavors clash rather than work with each other. I kind of got bored of drinking this one after a while. Maybe a little tweaking and this beer could be improved.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2005 19:17:18 | More by twelvsies

alexgash

Connecticut

4.47/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Cool label. I think I may have overpaid for this. $6.45 a bottle at Downtown Liquors in Somerville. But hey, I had to buy it, because I knew it wouldn't be coming to Utah--ever.
Bright golden orange to copper body with a small, but prevalent, off-white/sand head. Decent lacing. Aromas of candied fruit (pineapple, mango, pear, etc.), cedar, alcohol, some caramel even, along with a healthy dose of resiny, pitchy hops. Very nice.
Tangy sweet fruit flavors up front. Malt develops some sweetish caramel roll flavors too, but the tangy, slightly acidic fruitiness stays there. Right before the hops come in, the palate turns oaky with some tannins. Interesting. Hops are resinous and spicy and provide an ample bitter burn. Alcohol is there, but isn't out of whack, it just adds to the complexity. Medium-full bodied; starts with a frothy, creamy-yet-bubbly mouthfeel, and then gets thicker in the finish. Worth $6.45, but sadly, this was my only bottle.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2005 02:33:57 | More by alexgash