Burton Baton - Dogfish Head Brewery

gr0g

New Jersey

4.39/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Hazy amber/gold with about a two-finger head. Good retention and some nice, fairly intricate lacing. Aroma features a very distinct pineapple-like aroma at the forefront. Some definite oak undertone, but they're subtle.

The flavor is hoppy of course, though with a strong malt backbone that's characteristic of an American barleywine. Super-bright with a not-quite puckering bitterness. Lots of light citrus and a light touch of pine. A bit of alcohol in the background, but the oak steps in to soften what might otherwise be too hot. Very smooth texture that's much appreciated.

I'd liken this to a softer, toned down Double Bastard or maybe a drier, hoppier 90 Minute (though admittedly, I've not had it in a while). While somewhat pricey, it's definitely worth a try. One of DFH's best offerings.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 03:47:44 | More by gr0g

scot_chale

Minnesota

4.66/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

bottle poured into a glass on 3/26/13. bottled on 11/12/12.

A- 2 finger of bubbly white head. deep reddish orange body with no apparent signs of carbonation. good lacing. the head disappears to a thin layer.

S- citrus hops with an earthy, herbal overall tone. it smells like a dry hopped, serious business DIPA. quite pungent.

T- all the citrus hops you expect, without being overwhelming. It's got this special way of dancing around the palate and delivering what you want from a double IPA, without being a horrifying experience. it's grassy, herbal, and citrusy. very nice.

M- The body is medium. The carbonation is active. It's semi-dry. It's allows the character of the beer to hang around but doesn't linger beyond pleasant.

O- Awesome! This is the double IPA I'm always looking for. It's a hop bomb that doesn't over stay it's welcome. I'd buy this any day. Fantastic beer by my standard.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 00:50:26 | More by scot_chale

sketchpunx

New York

4.41/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Tried this at the the recommendation of my local beer store owner. I was not disappointed...

Let me start by saying that I'm not always in love with DFH brews. Some i like better than others, but I'm not huge on the IPA's (90 min in particular). I'm generally more of a West Coast IPA guy who likes his tropical fruit notes and lower malt levels than the alcohol forward thickness of IPA's like the 90 min.

That said, DFH hits it out of the park with this one.

Pours a massive 2 finger head that sticks and slowly turns into a thin film. Real dark copper color.

The smell is a bit subdued. Malty vanilla and oak. not really what i was expecting for an IPA.

Taste. This is where this one kills it. Take the alcohol forward almost metallic taste of 90 min and replace it with smooth oaky goodness. Slightly sweet with vanilla and a light smokiness that remind me more of a good porter or stout than an IPA. Has a nice long dry finish.

The feel is creamy as hell. not a ton of carbonation but just enough.

This is the IPA that DFH was born to brew. Very distinct oaky IPA that stands out from the rest. I'm a west coast IPA guy, but this is a very strong East coast IPA. I'm glad I tried it and will have it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 06:49:43 | More by sketchpunx

watsonmd

Georgia

4.19/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

I have now had this three times, out of the four pack, and it is starting to grow on me. It is not a "oaky" as mod barrel aged stuff, and not a "hoppy" as most DIPAs of late. But this beer is very well balanced, and does have a nice barrel aged character.

A: Typical, dark orange amber color, decent head.

S: IPA, not a lot of "barrel" on the nose.

T: this is where the oak comes in, and a nice, woody, hint of vanilla, "bitter" oak is seeping through.

M: Classic for DIPA, dry, but still thick in the back of the mouth. Lingers on the sides of the tongue.

O: Decent BA offering, but not typical of the bourbon aged stuff that has dominated the RIS season this past year. The BA IPAs are making a mark. I still like OA Unearthly better, though.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 02:29:03 | More by watsonmd

Hopinista

Nevada

4.83/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

12 oz bottle poured into snifter. Bottle date 12/11/12.

I've been meaning to try this for a while now, and after seeing it in a new liquor store tonight at $14.99 for a 4 pack I said why the hell not.

A: Pours an unremarkable amber color with almost no head to speak of, but does leave nice lacing on the glass.

S: Almost no hops in the aroma actually. I pick up mostly a smell of fruit, most notably raisins. Also a slight vanilla hint reminiscent of bourbon.

T: Wow, I am really impressed, there is a big complexity here. Finally I get the hops, nice and citrusy, along with the sweetness from the malt. There's a really nice balance between the bitter/sweet here which I am really loving. It also has a different quality because of the barrel aging that gives it a nice warming effect. If I didn't know this beer was 10% ABV I would never guess, there is no alcohol burn whatsoever.

O: Dogfish Head is by far my favorite brewery in existence. I really wish I had gotten this beer sooner, it's not my favorite brew they make, but it is definitely enjoyable, and I plan on aging a few bottles in the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 03:48:54 | More by Hopinista

RyanTeeter

New York

3.18/5  rDev -25%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

a: 1/4in head that had great retention. Hazy copper head.

s: Great spice and floral notes. Strongest aroma comes immediately after the pour, so make sure to get your nose in there. Mild burn deep within the nose upon inhale.

t: You want to talk about the hops by the smokey, spicy, fruitiness balances out the bitterness. Very powerful flavor as it enters the mouth, fades fast though. Unique flavors which my wife enjoyed however it was not my favorite flavor combination.

m: Heavy flavor in tongue and roof of mouth. Flavors really hit hard.

o: As mentioned, this was not my favorite beer as the flavors are too unique for me however I still rated this high as they did balance each other out extremely well. So, not poorly made, just not made for me. Someone that likes intense flavor with spice and light fruits - would love this beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 02:31:03 | More by RyanTeeter

Ego

New Jersey

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

$25 for a growldog of this over at joe canals this week...
I have had bottles of this in the past, never caught it on tap @ the brewpb in rehoboth or in dover.. so thanks for sending it north !

eyes...
sort of cloudy glowing orange, crazy lacing (this one speaks of your exploits with it's spun web of hop yarn), about 1 finger of head initially that quiets down pretty quickly but never totally dissapears, ever the one straggler and some of a carbo-bubble makes a break for the top, a nice looking brew

nose...
I was expecting more hops...but I get more subtle notes from the oak like vanilla, very subdued overall, totally belies the big ABV looking to kick my ass, some hop citric notes.. but very tame

taste etc...
that old ale staleness is there, and I mean that in a good way, there is this sort of flavor that is like aged cheese, or aged anything... it tastes not new.. I love being technical... hah,
anyhoo, this drinks very smooth but yet does not totally hide the fact that the ABV is kickin', this drinks sort of like a barleywine light... but an american barleywine like say Bigfoot with a really nice hop kick, the bitter helps hide the punch but yet there is still some dark boozy notes in there. the feel is medium to heavy but not gut bomb inducingly heavy, this drinks way too easy for what it is.. but yet it screams every note of what it is.. damn!

verdict?
a masterful concoction, it has flavor, substance and kick. I remember trying this when it was first made years ago... boy have they really honed this recipe.

Serving type: growler

03-17-2013 05:49:23 | More by Ego

PhantasIPA

Delaware

4.43/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The appearance of this Imperial IPA is above average. It has a a solid amber color but nothing exceptional or out of the ordinary.

The smell is the first indication that the beer is going to be strong (which it is at 10%). Pleasant yet pungent, it reminds you with every sip that the alcohol content is doing it's job.

The taste of the beer is fantastic; well balanced, strong, and very hoppy. In addition I can tell, and appreciate, the fact that it is aged in oak. I think it has a certain sweet after-taste as well, almost like honey.

The mouthfeel is down the middle, so to speak. When the beer is cold it is fine but as it warms it becomes average. And given the strength of the beer there is a good chance that it may take you a while to finish a serving.

Overall I love the beer, which is why the overall score is above the average of the four primary characteristics. I enjoy strong beer with balance and flavor and this beer has it. If you like hoppy, strong beers then I think you will enjoy this beer. If you are looking to expand your beer horizons and want to try a brew with real strength and character then you should try Burton Baton.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 02:36:08 | More by PhantasIPA

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

thanks to steveadore for this extra!

bottled on 11/12/12

poured into tulip glass.

Appearance: orange bodied beer with tall frothy off white head. 2 fingers worth of head slowely drops down to a thin uneven cap.

Smell: Sort of stale citrus hops; with caramel and bready malts. oaky and earthy. fruity and yeasty. chalky and dank hops.

Taste: This beer is more sweet and malt forward than I had expected it to be. Mild hop bitterness in this beer. floral, grassy, peaches, and citrus hops. oak barrel and chalky hops.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer with low end of moderate carbonation. really drinkable beer at 10% abv. Just a hint of a warming quality. Its also just a touch suyrupy, but the carbonation help break that up so its not too syrupy.

Overall: This really reminds me of an oaked American Barleywine. Its a nice beer for sipping on. As always DFH makes something thats a nice change of pace from your average beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 03:25:51 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

timc100

Illinois

4.56/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Deep orange amber, foamy cream head - sticky lacing

S: Pungent and mango and pineapple, sweet mustiness. Good amount of tropical fruit astringency. Great smooth and subtle oak and vanilla notes. Some apple juice

T: Big and bold - ripe and pungent citrus and tropical fruits, huge caramel malt body, finishes with oaky vanilla.

P: Huge for the style - incredibly smooth, viscous medium to full body, sticky and very chewy

O: Great beer! Right up there with 75 and 120. Great mix of bold hops and smooth oak.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 04:27:38 | More by timc100

dertyd

California

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12oz bottle to a tulip glass

A: poured a verry nice redish brown with a verry thin head.what a nice looking beer the lace is so thick and just clings to the glass as I drink it

S:I smell hops at first but in the distance I smell sweet fruits almoast of a grape smell with a hint of oak

T:hopy at first but not to much a big alcohol taste is comeing through with the oak flavor it is a real nice beer it keeps geting better the more I drink of it also lol

M:wet but crisp at the same time makes you want more after every sip

O:overall this is another great beer by dog fish head can't go rong with them.this is the strangest double ipa I ever had almoast taste of a strong ale then an ipa but it is verry good not one you can put back all day but a verry good end of the beer

Live life drink beer!!! :-)

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 08:23:26 | More by dertyd

MacQ32

South Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A - Pours a dark copper/amber with about a finger of caramel/toffee colored head that lingers for a few minutes and then dissipates to only a medium outside ring with spotty thin layers across the surface.

S - Sweet and toasty caramel malts, fairly citrusy (orange), woody-oaky vanilla. Not really blown away to be honest

T - Ahhh, there it is. Fairly strong. A good amount of warm spicy alcohol burn and woody flavors, very much like an English Old Ale, not very bitter at all, sweet APA type apple/orange citrus flavors come through towards the end. A little intense up front and nice citrusy/oaky/vanilla flavors towards and through the finish.

M - Medium bodied, somewhat intensely carbonated, mild alcohol burn. A little strong but not too over the top. This ones a wee bit of a sipper

O - Much more sweet than hoppy - similar to the 90 minute with a more noticeable alcohol flavor coupled with oakyness and more citrus.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 19:10:25 | More by MacQ32

greencovesteve

North Carolina

4.74/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

12oz. bottle poured into a non-sponsered tulip glass

A: dark orangish rusty looking, what I'd expect from an Imp IPA.

S: solid deep hoppy smell, smells like its going to turn my tongue inside out.

T: Smoothest Imperial IPA for me to date, a little reminder on the back end that this beers 10% should be respected

M: this beer just had sex with my tongue, smooth start finishing with a sharp bitter then a long savory alcohol warming.

O:Might have found another favorite. I see this beer pairing well with a campfire. Really smooth pronounced full bodied front, with a medium yet firm bitter leading to a real warmer for a nice ending. They should have called it Horny Cougar. This one shows experience, nice job again Dogfish Head!

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 23:46:52 | More by greencovesteve

thegodfather1076

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Presentation: Very cool label with an old school feel featuring the Dogfish Head logo and cool graphics and font. Label states the type of beer, ABV info, brewery info, web info, Says “Lush and enjoyable now, Burton Baton ages with the best of em.”, small desc of beer, and says “Please share it with loved ones and hoard from non believers.”. Neck label states title of beer. Attractive cap.

Appearance: I allowed this to warm for about 10min before I poured Burton out of its 12oz bottle into a 16oz snifter. Burton poured out a hazy orange amber color with a 1 finger off white foam head of a light density. Head retention was rather short lasting only 1 min before fading to a few thin bubbles and a thin foam ring. Average lacing.

Smell/Aroma: Smells of citrus hops on the front end before quickly turning a sweet orange and flowery vanilla scent. Hints of oak, toasty malts, and a bit of alcohol detectable in the nose. Very complex.

Flavor/Taste: Tastes of a citrus hop bite immediately turning sweet with a definite orange and vanilla flavor. Finishes with a biscuitty, toasty malt flavor. Oak is very subtle throughout. Alcohol is evident but masked well.

MouthFeel/Drinkability: Medium bodied and smooth with an ever so slightly creamy mouthfeel. Very drinkable.

Overall/Comments: Very complex with a unique flavor. This was an excellent brew and a must try. Classified as an American Double/Imperial IPA @ 10% ABV. Consumed 1-27-13.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 10:06:05 | More by thegodfather1076

falc0n2600

California

4.59/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

This was one of the more bizarre IPA's I've ever had. It's a mixture a double IPA with English old ale. The IPA aspects are wonderfully hoppy and the wooden qualities imparted by the old ale are so brilliant that I'm surprised it hasn't been tried in any other beers (that I know of). Very very nice carbonation, intense but not annoyingly so. The sweetness of this beer is very vanilla rather than hoppy, but as the beer warms the hoppiness begins to dominate more. Excellent.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2013 06:41:43 | More by falc0n2600

Zachtheporter

Wisconsin

4.43/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a nonic pint glass.

A- Pours a deep orange copper with a fat 3 finger ivory head. Amazing head retention. For a higher gravity DIPA/Old ale this beer is extremely clean looking, Not even slightly hazy like some beers of the same style are. Leaves a healthy amount of lacing on the sides of the glass.

S- The nose is dominated by the scent of hops and oak, as well as barley and notes of vanilla.

T- Wow this beer has a lot going on. Immediately you can taste the Oak which imparts its mellowness and notes of vanilla to the whole ordeal. There are some candied hop flavors as well as some notes of pine that show up. There are also some fruity hop notes that impart a good deal of citrus fruit flavor and some notes of mango. By the taste of it, I would say that the English old ale they blended into this beer monster was made with a good deal of barley. The malts give off a sweeter tone and a bit of a sweet fruitiness that is slightly reminiscent of strawberries. The finish is decently hoppy with a nice touch of bitterness. There is an absolutely great balance going on between the bitterness of the DIPA and the sweetness of the malts from the English Old Ale. There is some slightly noticeable alcohol heat coming in with this beer being 10% but it is really mellowed out by the oak.

M- This is close to being on the heavier side of medium. Very full bodied. Dry finish. Smooth as all hell.

O- This beer is VERY dangerously drinkable for a 10% beer. This is the kind of DIPA concoction that could really please almost every craft beer enthusiast. I'm not surprised many people have mistaken this beer for a barleywine, because it may as well be one. IT shares so many of the characteristics displayed by a hoppier version of an american barleywine. It just needs a bit more barley. Overall this is a fantastic beer. Ended up giving a few bottles to friends as presents since DFH is hard to come by up here, and they seemed very happy.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 17:35:30 | More by Zachtheporter

Braseltonage

Missouri

4.1/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz. Bottle, dated 06/08/12. Poured into a Smokestack tulip.

A: Deep orange hue with golden highlights, persistent 1/2" off-white head. Some yeasty looking sediment, guess it has been sitting for a bit.

S: Surprisingly bright nose. Some hints of tangerine, some mild tropical notes, honey, subtle woodsy tones.

T: A blend of sweet malt and soft hops. Hints of a maple. Well balanced. Specific hops hard to pick, but an overall candied pine presence.

M: A little syrupy, but not over the top. He a resinous finish. Easy drinking for a 10% ABV.

O: This is a pretty nice beer for a special occasion. Relatively complex and balanced for its weight. I realize it want fresh, but I feel like the oak was doing as much mellowing as any time might have been.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 03:06:02 | More by Braseltonage

djspe

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

At first sip, it tastes overly sweet but some of that is the citrus hitting your palate. After a few minutes, you begin to taste the subtle bitterness, savory notes of hops and an effervescent -- almost hefeweizen -- spring wheat. Very refreshing, light and tasty. Best enjoyed in a snifter, at the end of a long-day.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2013 03:15:36 | More by djspe

mikem0487

Pennsylvania

4.26/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

120z bottle with bottled on date 03/27/12

A-Pours a fingers width head that is colored an extremely pale brown, almost an off white. Leaves nice lacing around the glass perimeter. The body is an amber/orange color with some nice haziness going on.

S-Citrus notes are the stand out with some pine needle and floral notes in there as well. Nice caramel backbone in there throughout the hop driven aroma. The oak staves give off this earthy vanilla smell but is limited in its ability to shine through due to the great hop characteristics this beer delivers.

T-Hops dominant the aroma where as for the taste the hop/malt profiles are more balanced. You get that caramel upfront and in the finish with freshly baked bread qualities for the malt profile. The hops are more pronounced in the middle and back-end of the palate. The oak comes in at the end with hints of earthy wood character, very mild though. No vanilla like I acquired in the aroma.

M-Beer is well carbonated. Has a slightly chewy characteristic that finishes pretty dry. Not dry like a wine from the tannins but maybe another compound that produces a less intense tannin like affect due to the oak staves? I have no idea...

O-A great beer from DFH. My personal favorite out of their IPA beers other than the 75 minute on cask. Great aroma, great taste and drinks like a beer half its abv. Well done!

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 00:55:45 | More by mikem0487

MickeyBeer

Illinois

3.79/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Had this at Firkin poured off of a nitro tap into a snifter

A- Pours a clear orangish-red color with one finger of off white head. Left some nice lacing on the glass.

S- Smell is of hops as well as roasted malts and oak. Expected more of a bitter pine aroma considering it is a DIPA, but it didn't smack me in the face.

T- Taste is more sweet and fruity than bitter. Good malt flavors, but I was a little disappointed by the lack of hop bite.

M- Medium bodied, smooth and sticky mouthfeel. The oak aging makes it easy to drink. Alcohol is well hidden here.

O- A tasty brew that I did enjoy, but not all that much like a DIPA. Easy drinking and full of great flavor, but didn't blow me away.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-08-2013 00:11:35 | More by MickeyBeer

Doc_Hops

Pennsylvania

4.71/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

A- A deep orange haze with a grey-ish/ white head that left a good lacing

S- Rich hop aroma, complimented with some faint citrus notes. I'm not sure how but you can instantly tell it's DFH

T- Wonderful malt base complimented with a somewhat spicy hop balance and rounded out with some smooth vanilla oak finish

M- This is the best part of the beer. The oak aging gives a velvety soothness that definitely masks the 10% ABV

O- Really enjoyed this beer. DFH never seems to let me down and this is no exception. I'm glad to hear this is being made all year round.

Serving type: 12oz bottle into a tulip glass

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 04:29:34 | More by Doc_Hops

JCaweinstein

Ohio

4.36/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

This is an amber colored ale with an off white head. It's clear with a small amount of carbonation. The Head has good retention.
I smell caramel, wood, and the fruity aromas of the yeast. The aromas are fairly faint but they are there, although I have to work fairly hard to draw them out.
The hop flavors are more of the pine tasting variety. The hops are followed by caramel, roast, and wood.
It's medium bodied, bitter up front followed by the smoothness of malts and wood. It coats the mouth and finishes dry, leaves a nice bitter aftertaste.
It's a very different IIPA in that the malt and wood has a strong presence. It's not all about the hops here. Very tasty and one that I will have again.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 21:10:15 | More by JCaweinstein

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Had this on 2013-01-23 in York, PA at Holy Hound (from tasting notes)

A - Dark but fairly-clear amber. Short white head and mild lace.

S - Mild overripe stone fruit and light caramel malt. Low aroma level. Not impressive.

T - Hop oil, pine bitterness, dose of sweet citrus flesh, tea, light-medium toast, oak. Very nice.

M - Medium body and carbonation. Smooth, thick, prickly, resinous.

O - Takes like a stronger, oaked Ballentine XXX (which I had and liked while a late teenager in NJ). One of the best Dogfish Head beers I've had. Will seek this out again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2013 21:11:03 | More by Tucquan

vkv822

Oregon

3.41/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz : tulip
bottled on: 11/12/12

Lightly hazy, burnt orange with a foamy off white head.

Aroma is similar to a hoppy barleywine, with citric hops blended with oak, caramel and biscuit notes.

Taste is quite similar to the aroma, with some alcohol warmth in the finish.

Medium body, with low carbonation.

A decent, pleasant beer but nothing too spectacular. It really just reminds me of a middle of the road American barleywine.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 09:20:17 | More by vkv822

tectactoe

Michigan

3.89/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Drank a version bottled in 2010. A DIPA, barrel-aged, then bottle-aged for another (almost) three years. Wonder how this is gonna turn out... Pours a deep copper with some ruby accents, very hazy and opaque; capped off with a huge, creamy beige head that seemingly lasts for days and leaves incredible chunky lacing on the sides. I'm already impressed at how the carbonation has held up, this beer looks great.

Aroma is very sweet, super fruity and heavily on the malt side, despite being a DIPA. At times, the aroma reminds me a bit of Fruity Pebbles with some phenol alcohol strength to back it up. Bready and malty around the edges, but the collaboration of fruit rules this one. Some light spiciness around the edges, too - a sign of the hops, perhaps?

Just like the aroma, the taste is a big bang of fruit-type flavors, but it's quite a unique mix of two different styles or types of fruit. You've got the deeper flavors from the barleywine-like malt structure of the beer; candied sugary plums, booze-soaked raisins, dates, mild licorice. But you've also got the more tropical and citrus flavors from the hops; mangoes, oranges, pears. The hops also contribute a somewhat earthy and spicy feel, as well as some grassy and weedy notes that hit the tongue. Despite the flavors they contribute, however, the bitterness is very low, seemingly even non-existent. Could be another side effect of an extra three years of aging.

The malt configuration never lets up, with a constant onslaught of caramel and toffee sweetness pillaging in the background. Finally, near the end of the sip, and a little bit more towards the end of the glass itself, the woody, oak flavors come out a bit. Still, surprisingly subdued and not as strong as I was hoping. Aftertaste is a collection of musty fruits and some alcohol warmth. Body on the thick side, just a touch below syrupy; slick and a touch sticky, carbonation was surprisingly intact.

Don't expect a hop bomb out of this. You shouldn't - it's a barrel-aged DIPA. This is more like a spicy and sweet barleywine with lots of hop flavor (but not necessarily bitterness). Overall, just a bit on the fruity side, and the alcohol was apparent, though I guess it starts to get hard to mask at 10% ABV. Much better than I was expecting, being my first intentionally "aged" IPA. I'll have to try and seek out more of this type to compare.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 12:34:39 | More by tectactoe