Theobroma - Dogfish Head Brewery

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BA SCORE
86
good
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1,393 Ratings

THE BROS
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rAvg: 3.83
pDev: 15.67%
Reviews: 705
Hads: 688

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Brewed by:
Dogfish Head Brewery

Delaware, United States

Style | ABV
Chile Beer | 9.00% ABV

Availability: Rotating. bottle (630), on-tap (73), growler (2).

Notes:
Theobroma is a celebration of chocolate, the food of the gods.

This Ancient Ale is based on chemical analysis of pottery fragments found in Honduras that revealed the earliest known alcoholic chocolate drink used by early civilizations to toast special occasions.

The discovery of this beverage pushed back the earliest use of cocoa for human consumption more than 500 years to 1,200 B.C. As per the analysis, Dogfish Head's Theobroma (translated into "food of the gods") is brewed with Aztec cocoa powder and cocoa nibs (from our friends at Askinosie Chocolate), honey, chilies and annatto (fragrant tree seeds).

It's light in color, not what you expect from your typical chocolate beer (not that you'd be surpised that we'd do something unexpected with this beer!).

8 IBU

Reviews

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Reviews by Lupe:

Lupe

New York

3.65/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Definitely not the color I expected, but a beautiful beer. Pours a clear brurnt orange with a fluffy white head. Great retention as the beer took some time to dissipate, and left some lacing.

Intriguing aroma that is simple at first (it smell like beer), before complexities come out. Notes of orange, cocoa, and chilies. Lindt has a dark chocolate bar with chile that has a similar aroma. Very nice.

Starts unexpectedly with sweet citrus and caramel malt. Little mix of dark chocolate and chile slowly builds and adds a level of heat. Spices join the party before the sweetness returns with lots of honey. Very complex - a lot going on here. Alcohol is only faintly noticeable. Finishes sweet with some pepper at the back of the throat.

On the medium side of full-bodied, smooth and resiny. A sipper that is very complex. Couldn't have too much at once, but I'd seek it out again for a nitecap.

I've been waiting for this ever since hearing about it. Not as good as I'd hoped, but a very interesting beer and a must try. I've got another bottle to age - perhaps a little time will do it some good.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2008 19:49:11 | More by Lupe

More User Reviews:

NJB145

Michigan

4.25/5 rDev +11%

05-20-2013 00:27:32 | More by NJB145

stanowsf

Connecticut

4.5/5 rDev +17.5%

05-19-2013 20:29:37 | More by stanowsf

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

4.25/5 rDev +11%

05-18-2013 13:08:52 | More by SmellsofMahagony

Cdunk11

Pennsylvania

3.75/5 rDev -2.1%

05-17-2013 17:40:56 | More by Cdunk11

Jsmick

Massachusetts

4.75/5 rDev +24%

05-17-2013 05:06:11 | More by Jsmick

vancean2

South Carolina

3/5 rDev -21.7%

05-16-2013 22:39:14 | More by vancean2

bluerabbit

Massachusetts

4.5/5 rDev +17.5%

05-16-2013 00:27:08 | More by bluerabbit

Jimbo4430

Virginia

3/5 rDev -21.7%

05-15-2013 00:42:31 | More by Jimbo4430

aty11b

Texas

4.25/5 rDev +11%

05-14-2013 01:08:51 | More by aty11b

BeastLU

Virginia

4/5 rDev +4.4%

05-13-2013 21:31:30 | More by BeastLU

Bonko_the_sane

North Carolina

3.75/5 rDev -2.1%

05-13-2013 05:17:04 | More by Bonko_the_sane

Lorianneb

New Jersey

4/5 rDev +4.4%

05-12-2013 16:54:17 | More by Lorianneb

josephwa

Minnesota

4/5 rDev +4.4%

05-11-2013 22:00:05 | More by josephwa

Kenzie

Utah

4.25/5 rDev +11%

05-11-2013 17:47:00 | More by Kenzie

SHODriver

California

4.2/5 rDev +9.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: poured into a DFH snifter to a hazy light orange with a quarter inch of rocky just off white head that fades to a collar around the edge of the glass
S: smells of chili peppers, honey sweetness, sweet citrus, a touch of vanilla and a bit of chocolate
T: honey sweetness to start then a bit of heat from the peppers, some chocolate, what I'm guessing is the annatto, slight sweet citrusy flavor as well and on the swallow more chocolate, a slight bit of lingering heat, and some residual sweetness. flavors are good and well balanced
M: heavier side of medium in the mouth with soft and slightly prickly carbonation, slightly dry on the initial swallow but quickly turns to refreshing
O: very surprising but in a good way from the color to the flavors. good complexity, decent drinkability and a good balance of flavors.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 04:54:15 | More by SHODriver