Theobroma - Dogfish Head Brewery

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

Jeffreysan

Maryland

4.73/5  rDev +23.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

750 ml poured into a goblet

Appearance: Beautiful dark golden honey color with half of a finger of white head that quickly dissipated into a thin crown/halo of white bubbles.

Aroma: Straw, grass, black pepper, citrus. A lot of Belgian Saison qualities. Very pleasant.

Taste: Sweet honey and citrus upfront and Belgian yeast. A lot of spice. Black pepper, honey, herbs. Then comes the spicy “heat” (more like pleasant tingle on the sides of the tongue) of the ancho chilies. Finally, the chocolate aftertaste that finishes long and pronounced, but slightly bitter and not overpowering or sweet. This beer is extremely well balanced between the chili, the chocolate and the honey.

Mouthfeal: medium-light and smooth. Very little carbonation. Very pleasant alcohol warmth in the finish.

Overall thoughts: From the way the beer is described on the label, having been brewed with cocoa powder and nibs, Askinosie Chocolate, honey, ancho chilies and annatto, I was expecting a dark beer, like a Mexican mole sauce, and the dark golden honey color totally surprised me and the surprises kept coming. I found this beer extremely complex and exceptionally good.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 20:43:30 | More by Jeffreysan

gabedivision

New York

4.14/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750 to a pint glass

A- pours a light golden amber w a thin white lace, some visible carbonation and some floating particles, very pretty beer

S- smells of honey, cocoa, eucalyptus, licorice, toffee, slightly medicinal, some apricot, a touch of ginger, some banana and clove

T- taste is so much different than the smell, some sweet malts up front, then a big smokey blast mid sip, tons of spice, so cayenne, chili, and pepper, finishes with the sweetness of honey

M- light on the feel and body, despite the 9%, spicy, and dry

O- interesting brew, tons of flavors constantly changing in the mouth, if this is what the ancients brewed, beer must've been amazing!

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 02:35:43 | More by gabedivision

GossageBrewery

Missouri

4.33/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured this Chile Beer from a bottle into a pint glass. Awesome story behind this brew, says the beer is "The Food of the Gods". Brewed with Aztec cocoa powder and nibs, Askinosie Chocolate, honey, ancho chilies and annatto.The recipe is based on chemical analysis of pottery fragments found in Honduras, which scientists claim is the earliest known alcoholic chocolate drink.

Awesome story aside, this beer poured a hazy golden color, produced a thin white head and, featured average retention and it left some lacing behind. The aroma consisted of cocoa, spicy pepper and honey. Medium bodied, there is a foundation of cereal grains, sweet honey and dark fruit. Spicy pepper, nutmeg- smooth choclate and subtle hints of chilies. Beer warms at the finish-dry- Overall, awesome beer- I was expecting a bit more heat from the chili peppers but still highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 21:15:08 | More by GossageBrewery

dtivp

West Virginia

3.94/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a hazy golden orange with a frothy one and a half finger bright white head, moderate lacing and some sediment.

Aroma of honey , malts and yeast, did not pick up any cocoa or chiles.

Taste starts slight sweet with honey, malt with a slight hint of chocolate. As the beer comes to room temperature, the spiciness of the chilies come to the front.

Mouth Feel was medium body, lots of carbonation, smooth then spicy.

Overall this was a very interesting beer that begs you to ask where is the chilies in this beer? Then as the beer warms you go from a balance of sweet honey and chocolate to nice spicy chilies. An enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 22:10:09 | More by dtivp

jebrew

Maine

4.39/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Deep orange/gold poured into a snifter. Head dissipates quickly leaving no head

S: Pleasing chocolate smell mixed with peppers and honey

T: Smooth blend of cocoa combines with the heat of the chilies. Neither is overpowering, but blend together perfectly

M: Thick mouthfeel that is smooth. Heat from the peppers really hits the back of your throat.

O: Complex flavors combine for a fun, chocolatey experience that makes this beer fun to drink. Different tastes come out with each sip. will definitely enjoy again.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 01:21:05 | More by jebrew

kangarooAdam59

Maine

4.1/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From the bomber into a pint glass:

A: transparent golden/yellow body with a one finger off-white head that dissipates by concaving its head into the body within thirty seconds leaving a clingy foamy sustaining lacing, lotsa carbonation is seen rising rapidly

S: cocoa, honey, slight chiles

T: sweet yet hot through previously mentioned flavors, slightly spicy and gets spicier as it warms

M: medium, decently carbonated, sessionability - uh ... close but I'm thinkin' no cigar on this one, hot cocoa aftertaste going down my throat (that's cool, never really had any beer that's ever done that before)

O: glad I finally tried this one, excellent for the style as a lot of nice complexities show their faces, however, unsure if I would have this again ... ???

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 18:51:05 | More by kangarooAdam59

flayedandskinned

California

4.05/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled in 2012
Poured into a Duvel tulip glass.

Appearance: Pours a gorgeous sunset orange with red highlights. A pure white, 3/4 finger head forms and dissipates quickly leaving no lacing. Lots of floating sediment is suspended in the beer.

Smell: Sweet honey right up front with some underlaying cocoa notes. A subtle dried chilies become more apparent as the beer warms. Definitely a subdued aroma for all of the ingredients used in this very interesting beer.

Taste: Similar to the nose, as the honey is the first thing apparent on the palate, with nice creamy chocolate coming in fast on it's heels. The honey and the chocolate intermingle beautifully on your tongue as a determined spicy heat from the ancho chilies builds slowly and peaks on the drying finish. The spiciness from the chilies lingers sublimely as the chocolate tries to the dampen the heat.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a slightly creamy feel. Moderate carbonation.

Overall: A very interesting brew with a story to tell, both in it's formation and on the palate. I'm trying this brew several months old and I wonder if the chocolate would be more apparent if I had the chance to drink this super fresh. This is definitely the best Dogfish's Ancient Ale series I have had the chance to try. Highly recommend for the adventurous beer enthusiast.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 00:56:16 | More by flayedandskinned

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 750mL bottle into a Koningshoeven chalice. Bottled in 2012.

A: Clear gold with noticeable sediment.

S: Apples, yeast, and flowers. Sweet and exceedingly floral.

T: Spicy and pleasant, but disappointing. Chiles are nearly undetectable, cacao is pleasantly savory, and a touch of sweetness ends the taste in a very balanced manner.

M: Sweet, smooth, and slightly spicy.

O: Disappointing, but competent. I was hoping for more chocolate, more chile, and more flavor. Ah, well, so it goes. Would recommend, but not buy again.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 06:44:38 | More by AgentMunky

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass.

A: Slightly hazy light orange with two-finger, white, foamy, creamy head that lasted a couple minutes. Okay lacing.

S: Honey, malt, and subtle chocolate.

T: Light to moderate sweetness and light bitterness. Starts with subtle chocolate. Honey, and then the chilies kick in. Just the right amount of spice.

M: Medium bodied with fizzy carbonation. Smooth.

O: Mild smell and flavor overall, but just the right amount of spice. Nice mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 01:12:26 | More by SolipsismalCat

mattkoon

South Carolina

4.53/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

i was kind of shocked when i poured this theobroma from dogfish head- because it has cocoa powder in it i assumed it would be a dark beer, it is actually light and a cloudy gold color. the smell is unassuming and milder thank you would think- its a lot more flavorful than the taste would lead you to believe. you can chocolate which isnt sweet at all and goes really goes really good with the bitterness of the beer. there is also some honey in here which doesnt over power the flavor, just makes it a little milder, that with the light carbonation actually makes this beer very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 22:32:59 | More by mattkoon

TucsonTom

Arizona

3.55/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I'd been forewarned by bartender that this was not a dark beer. That was okay with me; I've enjoyed Sonora's White Chocolate Ale and it's also straw colored. My 4-ounce taster of Theobroma had that straw look with a bit of haze. I got no chocolate on the nose and no chocolate in the taste. But I got plenty of chile on the end in the back of my throat; I liked that part. Overall, though, it was not the most interesting thing I've had from DFH.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2013 04:17:55 | More by TucsonTom

JohnnyHopps

Indiana

3.46/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

I had been waiting an extended time to try Theobroma. Did I set my expectations too high? For a beer with a lot of chocolate elements, I was not expecting a golden colored beer with a slight white head. Honey notes were the most prominent in the aroma, with noting else really jumping out. In the initial taste, one detects mild chocolate, grape, and a slight sweetness. After a few sips, the heat becomes a little more noticeable at the back of the throat. Ancho chilies hold a little more promise for me, but the heat was very mild. In the aftertaste, one detects a grapey taste almost like grape soda. With all of the elements of this beer, I was expecting something quite different.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 12:55:19 | More by JohnnyHopps

Boto

Connecticut

3.94/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle: This one pours an almost clear, darker golden color. There was a small white head that didn’t linger long. Nice nose. A little musty to start. Some notes of honey and the cocoa. The taste is good. A bit of the cocoa on top, but not overdone. A faint amount of the peppers, but no heat or any real bite from them. A touch dry in the finish, and very smooth. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 21:24:49 | More by Boto

MCDuhamel

Ohio

4.8/5  rDev +25.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Poured from a crown capped large format bottle, a bit north of fridge temp, into a tulip. Liquor is medium amber, a bit hazy (maybe the bottle had been a bit disturbed), with a fairly small head that falls apart quickly. No lacing at all. Lots of very small bubbles racing to the top. The nose is a complex yet balanced amalgam of chiles, earth, and bitter chocolate, which follows through to the palate. A slight honey character comes through midway through, with a nutty roastiness showing up as well. The finish is dry, with a cocoa and dried chile note. Although this seems like it should be muddled, it somehow manages to achieve a nearly perfect balance. The chile flavor is obvious, but there is only the subtlest hint of heat. This is an outstanding, if very difficult to categorize, beer. Surprisingly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 00:25:10 | More by MCDuhamel

pcguitarwzrd

Florida

4.15/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bomber, poured into pint glass (not the best choice, but all I had to work with).

A: Pale gold, hazy, lots of sediment, loud soda-like carbonation that quickly fades away.

S: Grapes are the main element to the nose, as best I can tell. Maybe a little honey. This bottle may be a little past its prime (it was the last one, rescued from a midtown Texaco...?!?)

T: Very complex and sweet, grapes up front, fading into honey and just the faintest wisp of cocoa. The chile shows up as a little warming sensation in the back of the throat. Keeps you interested till the last sip.

M: Initially light, smooth and foamy but finishes with a little syrupy honey-like character.

O: So much going on with this beer. It needs to be experienced, not consumed with a meal or as part of a tasting flight; this beer demands individual attention. That being said, it is an experience like no other. Leave your preconceived notions at the door.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 19:13:56 | More by pcguitarwzrd

BurgeoningBrewhead

Pennsylvania

4.51/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured entire bottle into 34oz mug. Clear gold with fizzy carbonation and a thick white head that dissipates very quickly leaving no lacing. Smell is rather flat; some of the sour yeast smell present in its sister brew, Sah'tea, is noticeable. Bitter cocoa over the malts, and perhaps a hint of twang from the peppers. Taste is sweet malts, cocoa and the taste pinches to a close at the back of the tongue where the chilies make their muted appearance. Not sure I'd notice them if I didn't know they were there. Still an enjoyable beer; hides the alcohol well for 9%, which is a bit insidious considering it comes in a 22oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 07:18:02 | More by BurgeoningBrewhead

BDMao88

4.1/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A -Has a nice golden color with a thick two finger head that lasts a short while.

S - Has a nice aroma of honey with a very small amount of cocoa.

T - You get a brief taste of cocoa followed by a honey taste. The peppers settle smoothly on your tongue and stay there along with a hint of cocoa which make it very nice.

M - Nice and creamy

O -This is a very unique beer for me and it took a few sips for me to truly appreciate it. I really love the spice of this beer and it is truly enjoyable to sip from a snifter.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 03:05:55 | More by BDMao88

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I poured this from a 22oz bottle into a pint glass. It has a golden color body with a 2" white head that stays in tact for a while. The smell is strictly honey to my nose. The taste has a nice sweetntess from the honey up front then a little bit from the anchos comes along to finish it off. I don't really get any chocolate from it. The mouth feel is really nice, rolls off the tongue nice with just a little bit of the pepers on the back of the tonuge. Overall i really enjoyed this beer by DFH.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 02:07:58 | More by chefhatt

DragonzBreath

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Dogfish Head's Theobroma (translated into "food of the gods")
I had been wanting to try this beer for a while, when i received it from a client at xmas. This beer pour beautiful, bright amber with a creamy off white head. the beer entered smooth with good carbonation. citrus nose with a soft chocolate taste. I waited for the heat from the chilies, after the third taste a mild tingle filled my mouth while the sweetness of honey rendered it helpless. We will have this one again Abv. 9.0

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 14:27:24 | More by DragonzBreath

SometimesIfart

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a murky orange with a one finger slightly off white head. Leaves decent amounts of lacing.

S - I was only able to pick up the chocolate and slight honey.

T - Chocolate up front, Honey soon follows, I get the peppers on the tail end and in the back of the throat. Not very spicy though.

M - Medium creamy body with moderate amounts of carbonation.

O - Overall, This was definitely something different. It wasn't particularly great, But it was good. Only complaint is that this beer actually seems to go flat pretty fast and I really wish the flavors would have exploded instead of staying predominantly subdued.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 20:31:42 | More by SometimesIfart

Apellonious

North Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

1 pt 9.4 fl oz bottle from Frugles.

A - Deep amber orange with brown overtones, thin head that quickly dissipates. The sound of the pour was sizzling. Was not expecting a beer with "cocoa" to be this color.

S - Cocoa, mild peppers. Some floral aspects.

T - Interesting. Starts off with the cocoa and honey, then you get the pepper bite and aftertaste on the finish (which could be mistaken for alcohol burn,which may be in mix), with some malt flavorings

M - Solid. The carbonation is on the low side, but it has enough to keep it sharp and give it some sizzle at the finish.

O - My first thought was that a beer with peppers, cocoa, and "ground annato" might be potentially disturbing. I was wrong. The cocoa is not overpowering, and with the honey, balances out the chilies and spices really well. An interesting and well done offering from Dogfish.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 02:57:39 | More by Apellonious

Topheropolis

California

4.95/5  rDev +29.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I treated myself to this for New Years Eve. Unfortunately I didn't make it due to the 3- 750ml strong ales I started with. So it's my New Years Day Ale. It has a nice chocolatey, citrus nose with a perfect balance of cocoa, chilies, and honey on the pallet. Delicious!

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 21:36:52 | More by Topheropolis

merc7186

New York

3.73/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bomber into snifter glass.

A: Golden Straw Hue, Passes Most Light, White Head, Mild Lacing

S: Honey, Mild Jalapenos, Mild Cocoa

T: Chili Pepper, Cocoa, Mild Honey

M: Average Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Mildly Hot

Overall, a pretty nice balanced chili beer, the honey and cocoa.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 03:19:35 | More by merc7186

BlackBelt5112203

South Carolina

3.93/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750 mL bottle poured into a wine glass at cellar temperature.

L – Medium amber color with a 2-finger bubbly cream-colored head. Decent retention but no lacing. Clear but some floaters make their way into the glass as the pour nears the end of the bottle.

S – Caramel malt, cocoa, chili peppers, a little bit of coffee, and maybe some cinnamon.

T – Starts off sweet with caramel malt quickly followed by spicy chilies and cinnamon. It eventually mellows into bittersweet cocoa.

F – Medium-bodied with decent carbonation, a sticky mouthfeel, and a spicy finish. Some spice and sweet cocoa flavors linger and pair well with the heat from the chilies and maybe from the alcohol.

O – This is an interesting brew. Like a lot of DFH beers that I’ve had, it’s somewhat underwhelming after reading the explanation on the bottle. The cocoa is only subtly noticeable while the chilies seem to take the forefront. Even after looking at this as a chile beer, I’ve had better examples of the style. Nevertheless, it’s a tasty and drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 02:18:30 | More by BlackBelt5112203