Theobroma - Dogfish Head Brewery

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BA SCORE
86
very good
-
1,421 Ratings

THE BROS
100
world-class
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rAvg: 3.83
pDev: 15.67%
Reviews: 707
Hads: 714

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Brewed by:
Dogfish Head Brewery

Delaware, United States

Style | ABV
Chile Beer | 9.00% ABV

Availability: Rotating. bottle (632), 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 mnapier:

mnapier

Washington

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

Serving Temperature, 45 degrees. Serving Glassware, 16 ounce (NB) Globe.

The beer pours reddish orange with some clarity and minor particles within. The head profile starts strong but dies rather quickly and leaves a fine film on the surface.
A waft of sweet mild pepper and cocoa is evident along with the same aforementioned qualities in the mouth alongside some earth tones. Overall mouthfeel is medium.

Surprisingly good considering who's up for a brownie?

Cheers

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2008 01:58:48 | More by mnapier

More User Reviews:

doremite

Massachusetts

3.5/5 rDev -8.6%

06-13-2013 23:13:40 | More by doremite

zestar

California

3.25/5 rDev -15.1%

06-13-2013 03:47:31 | More by zestar

GennyCreamAle

New York

4/5 rDev +4.4%

06-13-2013 02:08:35 | More by GennyCreamAle

Luweezy

Pennsylvania

4.5/5 rDev +17.5%

06-11-2013 02:10:52 | More by Luweezy

MNPikey

Minnesota

3.25/5 rDev -15.1%

06-09-2013 04:23:50 | More by MNPikey

coolandy007

Nevada

4.25/5 rDev +11%

06-06-2013 10:33:05 | More by coolandy007

Rihup

Illinois

4.25/5 rDev +11%

06-04-2013 00:50:58 | More by Rihup

SloppyJoeWasAMan

Maryland

3.5/5 rDev -8.6%

06-01-2013 20:20:09 | More by SloppyJoeWasAMan

ChipMurray

Pennsylvania

4.34/5 rDev +13.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 25.4 oz. bottle into a DFH shaped pint glass.

A-Pours an attractive dark amber, slight carbonation. Slight head to start, but disappears to no lace.

S-Vanilla, Cocoa, Malts, Peppers, very pleasant.

T-Gobsmacked by the the intriguing complexity, it takes a bit for the cocoa taste to kick in, then the chilie pepper bite. The pepper admirably replaces the hops 'bite' if you're an IPA fan, btw. All underpinned by a sweet malty honey flavour.

M-Light, smooth, almost no carbonation, easy drinking, and very satisfying.

Overall-I'd drink this brew again. I am surprised, impressed, and satisfied. Take a chance with something "different".

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2013 18:39:06 | More by ChipMurray

DenverBigRed

Colorado

3.75/5 rDev -2.1%

05-31-2013 22:53:25 | More by DenverBigRed

MikeyJ777

New York

4.5/5 rDev +17.5%

05-31-2013 02:08:39 | More by MikeyJ777

craftbeerasian

Florida

3.75/5 rDev -2.1%

05-31-2013 00:39:12 | More by craftbeerasian

Polarslag

Kentucky

4.75/5 rDev +24%

05-30-2013 00:34:33 | More by Polarslag

seyton

Virginia

4.5/5 rDev +17.5%

05-29-2013 13:19:14 | More by seyton

HarryPotHead

Maryland

3.75/5 rDev -2.1%

05-29-2013 00:09:10 | More by HarryPotHead

thampel09

New Jersey

4/5 rDev +4.4%

05-28-2013 21:44:22 | More by thampel09

GuttaMane138

Florida

4.5/5 rDev +17.5%

05-28-2013 09:12:07 | More by GuttaMane138

mpedara429

Massachusetts

4.44/5 rDev +15.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours out a very hazy amber color. Only got about a finger of head with a very aggressive pour. Not much retention or lacing.

S: Honey, vanilla, citrus, and underlying notes of chile and chocolate.

T: Honey right off the bat. Chiles are dominant with the cocoa poking through as well. Spicy, but not overbearing in the least bit. Lemon and orange flavors are subtly present.

M: Medium creamy body with a softer carbonation. Leaves the mouth a tad tingly from the chile. Somehow, it goes down pretty light and easy.

O: Reading the label, I had expected a darker brew. To my surprise, it had a lighter malt which ended up playing in very well. There is a real nice complexity here and the chile is at a perfect level. Present, but not overkill. This is definitely one of the better chile beers I've had.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 00:46:46 | More by mpedara429