Theobroma - Dogfish Head Brewery

jtierney89

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sounds unique. Just poured the bottle into my snifter here. The room filled with such a unique yet pleasant smell. Clear dark gold color with a craggy bright white head. Chocolate covered chili's on the nose. Spicy chili's too. Other than that there's not much else to the nose.

Initial chili taste up front followed by rich cocoa powder. Sweet honey rides underneath it all over the tongue balancing the chili heat. Full slick mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. Alcohol content no where to be perceived. Tastes like you're eating an exotic dish. Drinks more like a meal than a beer. Dry finish with lingering cocoa powder drying the mouth. A beer that truly makes you salivate. Heat builds in the throat with each sip.

Good beer but something ya gotta share, it's a stomach ache waiting to happen.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 03:11:31 | More by jtierney89

Kooz

New York

3.45/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Looks great. Poured from a bomber into a standard pint glass. Light orange color, slightly opaque, no head. Beautiful.

Smells slightly fruity. I get the honey that I read on the label. I don't get any cacao. Not getting a lot from the smell.

Tastes slightly sweet with background hints of alcohol (but not boozy). There's a heat to this, from the ancho chilies I assume, and it's nice. It lingers on the tongue and in the back of the throat.

Good texture; not too bubbly, but still sharp. Foamy and creamy, nice.

Overall, this is a nice beer. It's a different flavor and so it's interesting, but I don't love it. It's worth drinking, and I'd drink it again,

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 01:58:08 | More by Kooz

Dope

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a medium hazy orange with a big fluffy white head. Was expecting this to be a dark brown at least but DFH is tricky, very tricky. Fades slowly but leaves only a moderate patchwork of lacing.

S: Chocolate, of course. There is some mild chile heat as well. Touch of honey in there too. I'm not sure what annatto smells like but I don't smell anything unusual to indicate it.

T: Lots of chocolate and spicy chile up front. There is a spike of heat in the middle and it fades out into the aftertaste. A hint of honey throughout. Finishes with a sort of earthy, nutty flavor - perhaps the annatto I was looking for. Honey is more noticeable in the lingering aftertaste. Zero bitterness, it's malty with chocolate and chile, period. As it warms to room temp the chile gets hotter and hotter, but never overbearing. The chocolate compliments nicely and the honey sweetens it all up.

M: Medium bodied and smooth. Decent heat.

O: This beer is pretty much exactly as described. Pretty much pure chocolate and chile heat with a hint of honey and perhaps that annatto in the finish. Don't be expecting a big roasty chocolately porter or stout. The chocolate isn't that big, it's some nice cocoa that's balanced with the chile. No real vegetal pepper flavors either, just the spicy flavor and heat. Definitely a must try if you like chocolate/chili beers. This is one of the best.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2012 03:02:15 | More by Dope

GRPunk

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle poured into a Duvel tulip.

A- A glugging pour created a 1-finger, off-white head that dropped to a light film that left decent rings. The body was slightly hazed, though it cleared up quickly, deep golden and sported moderate-heavy carbonation. The second pour was more of a 1-1/2 finger with greater sustain and the final pour included a good deal of sediment.

S- Quite sweet initially, honey, floral, even fruity. Chocolate creeps in with further sniffs. Chilies play a bigger role as it warms toward room temperature. I really liked the bolder chocolate and chile with warmth.

S- Really pleasant balance. Lots of chocolate up front, chilies come through in the middle and pack a punch in the finish. Nice kick without a real burn. Sweetness hints at vanilla. Any ABV is masked by sweet and spicy qualities.

M- Solid warmth from chilies, 9% ABV probably does its part too. Moderate-heavy carbonation is fairly delicate. Bite is more from chile and possible ABV.

O- Nice treat. Very balanced, much like a mole sauce, though its components are a little more discernable. While I drank it on its own, it would probably be a nice accompaniment to a full/bold cheese, BBQ, or spicy dish. I would love to drink this with regularity if not for a hefty price tag (13.49) for the big bottle.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2012 00:12:10 | More by GRPunk

DavidST

Texas

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

Poured from a 750ml bottle into a snifter, bottled 2012. This pours a hazy orange copper color with a large off white head. The smell is a little sweet, with some chilies. The feel is medium decent carbonation. The taste is different but good, I definitely get the chili, a little sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 04:10:14 | More by DavidST

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.3/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from 8/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a bright orange amber with a nice thick, long lasting head that leaves light lacing. Spicy light fruit aroma. Nice medium bodied light fruits and spices, similar to a tripel. Nutty and semi-sweet. Reminiscent of a tripel in the middle and finish with the chiles lightly making themselves noticed. I tasted more pleasant malty tones as it warmed up. I liked the flavor and spicing. Must have again.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 20:56:36 | More by LiquidAmber

EkimGram

New York

4.63/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Appearance: 24.4oz bottle poured into a standard pint glass. Colour is a pale, translucent orange-brown. Head is a finger thick and fades to a dense film. Slight amounts of visible carbonation.

Smell: This smells so differently than it looks. Nice round aromas of cocoa, spices, chile, and a sweet tartness that I will attribute to the annatto.

Taste: Bold flavours of bready malt, spices, chile, and a boozy sweetness are the leaders backed by a very subdued cocoa essence.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily texture with a hint of carbonation and a heat that grows as you drink.

Overall: This is the best chile beer I've had to date. It is complex, interesting, and profoundly delicious.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 03:50:26 | More by EkimGram

Greywulfken

New York

4.35/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: deep gold, slim head; very little by way of lace motes

S: cocoa amid hoppy, yeasty zest; an herbal/floral aroma I can't identify

T: definite cocoa and chili flavors, some woodsy notes, herbal/floral accents (maybe the annatto?)

M: medium bodied, chili sting complements the frisky carbonation; clean and dry finishing; fresh and refreshing

O: I love beers like this, and DFH seems to be the master: their ancient ales line is brilliant, and this beer is excellent; really interesting to get such a distinct cocoa taste in a pale ale. Categorized as a "chile beer"? Weird, but what else are you gonna do with a brew as wonderfully unique as this, other than buy it and drink it?

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2012 15:29:15 | More by Greywulfken

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2012 vintage. 750ml bottle.

Hazy copper amber with a firm finger and a half of dense, creamy off-white head. The foam is very slow to leave, and I think a good hunk of it is gonna solidify.

Semi-dry aromas of graham crackery malts, some far-off honey flair, herbal hops, and ground spices. No real trace of the cocoa or the chilies just yet.

Big Belgian yeast strain hits you first with plum esters. Malts are toasted caramel in character with a slight honeyed nectar quality. The chilies create a nice afterburn, felt more in the throat and chest than on the tongue. There's a dry dusty spice that might be the ground annato or the cocoa powder, but not much chocolate is pulling through. Big flavor for such a disguised nose. Actually, slight nutmeg/pepper element tells me the annato is here, after all. An interesting profile being that the beer is as pale as it is. I can't say for sure that these additives would work better in a stout, but that's just what I'm used to.

The chilies take the aim away from the alcohol warmth, making this beer seemingly very drinkable (if you like spice). The mouthfeel is pretty medium; not too gluggy. Carbonation is a driving force to expel the beer from the tongue down to the back of the throat on the swallow. It's almost refreshing in that way.

Another fascinating little brew from Dogfish Head. I love how blatant the chilies become in the mouth and throat. Still too leaning on fruity Belgian yeast strains. Works just fine for me, the spice-lover.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2012 02:36:58 | More by thecheapies

mjgarrett2

Maryland

3.78/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A-Light caramel color, very transparent with no hint of fogginess.

S-Gentle coco aroma on the savory side. Don't get any honey or sweetness on the nose.

T-Fresh and light, neither bitter nor significantly sweet. I mostly taste the chilis with hints of the coco nibbs.

M-A little dry on the palate but mostly pleasant.

O-Not a heavy hitter like other DFH beers. Surprised how subtle the flavors are considering how the main ingredients have such strong flavors on their own.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 00:47:05 | More by mjgarrett2

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

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

A-cloudy amber color with a small white head and some lacing

S-faint cocoa, spices and sweetness

T-nice cocoa flavor balanced by the honey and faint pepper at the finish

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, smooth feel

O-overall an interesting blend of flavors, but would have like to see more of a chile presence here to balance the cocoa and honey more

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2012 14:43:57 | More by MDDMD

Barnabas

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

I tried this on my porch one august with a friend,drank it swig for swig out of the bottle, medium carbonation, nice mouthfeel, the chocolate is definetly apparent, along with the spice.I loved it , I got it in a growler some time later, and it was cold, I wouldn't reccomend drinking it cold, due to the fact that the taste went from sweet and complex, to sweet & tasty ,yet the flavor did not come through as well.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 20:13:01 | More by Barnabas

EricCioe

Montana

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

Had at a chili beer tasting including Mexican Cake, Chocolate Sombrero, Hunahpu's, Cocoa Mole, and Ghost Face Killah.

This pours a pale yellow with a nice head. The color surprised us all. On the nose the honey and chili compliment one another very well, which surprised me given the brewery. In the mouth the honey coats while the chili prickles just a bit, hot but balanced well. The finish and body are medium and this is quite drinkable.

Overall, this beer surprised me most and to me had the best concept of any of the chili beers that night. The combination of honey and heat is very complimentary and makes for a pretty unique beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2012 18:58:02 | More by EricCioe

Rhettroactive

Virginia

3.23/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

From 750mL bottle to Bruges hybrid glass on 4/9/12
*From notes

-- Vintage 2010 --

A: Pretty clean golden in color. A slight chill haze is present. A good pour yields a minimal white head and a bubbly collar. No lacing follows.

S: Dirty earth that's soaked with rain water. Mineral. Some wet paper or cardboard is also present in the bouquet.

T: The pepper hits first, yet it's not biting or what I'd refer to as "hot." Rather it tingles my tongue as a marshmallow-like sweetness hits the mid. The back is packed with vanilla extract and amaretto.

M: Way too thin. Come on man, let's get this party started! How are you gonna sell this without any depth or body?

O: I'll bet this is better fresh. It'd have to be, as it's just ok now - about eighteen months or so in the bottle. Not enough heat, yet not easy drinking enough to put back more then a few ounces at a time. Decent, yet underwhelming.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2012 23:00:41 | More by Rhettroactive

Falcon91Wolvrn03

California

3.48/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance – A cloudy golden amber color with a light head.

Smell – Honey, with a bitter lager smell and a hint of spice.

Taste –Honey with some spiciness, probably from the chile. An odd combination. Also some bitterness as well.

Mouthfeel – Creamy and smooth, it hid the 9%abv quite well.

Drinkability – A funny tasting beer to me. I couldn’t taste any of the cocoa, and there was a bitterness I didn’t care much for, in spite of the honey.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2012 07:24:20 | More by Falcon91Wolvrn03

rawfish

California

3.63/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy amber with cocoa tinges, forms a very small fluffed half finger head of white. Downright awful retention and no lacing.

The aroma is not all that inviting, raw honey and maybe a touch of cocoa nibs. Non existent aroma when cold and grainy coupled with a yeasty funk when warmer. No chilies in the nose. Alcohol accompanies it on the back end.

Light chocolate with considerable amounts of grain husks sweetened up with honey, caramel sweetness and brown sugar. Chilies add a touch of warming to the back of the throat. Oddly soothing when joined with the alcohol. Finishes mild with a bit of pepper and honey.

Thin which is rather incredible for how well this beer holds its alcohol. Chile heat is very mild and carries this one through the finish. Unique and smooth.

The quality and the craftsmanship in all the DFH beers are evident and they remain true here. I did not particularly enjoy the aroma but the beer promised everything that was on the label and highlights honey without just being a plain mead. Chiles and cocoa are a nice match, really had to concentrate to get all the complexities out of this one but well worth it.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 04:55:38 | More by rawfish

BlurryVisi0n

New York

4.1/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served in a pint glass.

Appearance: Semi-cloudy amber, looks light on the carbonation side before taking a drink. White head wait slightly off white is roughly a quarter inch off the body and once I took a sip, nothing.

Smell: Seriously this is by far this beer's weakest property, I must have sniffed this beer at least 5 times before taking a sip. This beer smells of light caramelly honey and light chocolate.

Taste: You know what, this beer is F0¢king tasty! Honestly complex, there is so much going on here. I mean it is sweet slight malty...but the reality is addicting. You do feel the bitter chocolate but surprisingly you feel the sweetness of honey.

Mouth: Medium carbonation, what can I say excellent.

Overall: Aside for lack of aroma this beer is on the border of greatness. Has almost everything, granted when you think about who gives a F'ck when it comes to smelling taste alone beer wins it all. Salud!

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 23:48:36 | More by BlurryVisi0n

01001111

California

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

A: Clover honey orange.

S: Sweet honey funk.

T: The honey dominates with a slight bitter edge and an occasional subtle wash of warmth from the chilies.

M: A bit syrupy; coats the tongue.

O: An occasional indulgence; not something I'd drink often but both an innovative idea and respectable brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 22:02:32 | More by 01001111

July2Nov

Hawaii

4.8/5  rDev +25.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Golden orangish hue with a thin lacing.

Smell: This one is so complex and have never smelt anything like it before! Honey, cocoa, chilies and something akin to apple. This is so inviting.

Taste & Mouthfeel: Much like the nose attested to, but lighter and more compact, the taste is refreshing with an undercurrent of the chilies just lingering in the background. This is a near perfect melding of flavors and ingredients. The alcohol in the background is the only thing that reminds you that this indeed is a beer, while the honey, chilies and cocoa tell you that your onto something more than just beer. No one taste element overpowers another. If this is in fact a 9% abv, it is the most well-hidden alcohol that I've ever encountered. This sweet nectar goes down as smooth as honey. The body is thin and light for the abv %. Simply amazed with this one. I feel like I should be drinking this out of a gold chalice or a hollowed out skull....something truly fit for this beer of gods.

Overall: I'm not one to exclaim exaggerations about beer. I usually tell it like it is, and I've got to say, this is one of the best beers I've ever encountered! It's just so seamless and exciting, while retaining a historical blueprint. It's like discovering the past but in a tactile way. DFH you've really outdid yourself this time! I applaud you on this off-centered, but wholly grounded beer. Thank you.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 06:43:49 | More by July2Nov

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Theobroma 2011 from notes

Burnt orange pour, half finger white head that lasts seconds. Lacing its almost non existent

Honey and chocolate dominate the most. Chilis are there but hard to pick out if I didnt know I was looking for it. There is a pastry smell to it, almost like a chocolate cake.

Honey and chocolate again up front. Chilis are more pronounced than in the nose. Alcohol warmth is a little more than I was expecting.

Medium bodied, slight alcohol warmth, carbonation is prickly on the cheeks and tongue.

Overall it's very good, only my second chile beer ever and this is something great for a change.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 20:09:05 | More by korguy123

JizackFH

New York

3.8/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - This beer pours a slightly hazy orangish amber color. There is about a finger of white head resting on top. The head has decent retention, and it leaves a few specs of lace behind as it recedes.

S - The nose has a good bit of honey and sweet graininess. There are some chocolate aromas, as well as some booze and a hint of chili peppers.

T - The taste starts off with some sweet grainy malt and a good bit of honey. There is some chocolate flavor, as well as a really mild chili presence, mostly on the back end. The flavors work quite well together. The finish leaves some lingering sweet maltiness, honey, and booziness.

M - This has a body that is on the heavier side of medium, and good carbonation. It goes down easy and has a smooth feel to it. There is a good amount of sweetness and a tiny bit of chili heat. The finish has some alcohol warmth.

O - This has good drinkability. It is smooth and I really like the honey flavor. It is a little bit of a sipper, but I could definitely have a few glasses. Overall, I think this is a nice beer, and I found it to be quite interesting. I recommend trying it out. I would pick this one up again.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 15:56:00 | More by JizackFH

CasanovaCummins

Nevada

3.23/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Not the color you'd expect- goldenish. I was expecting something in the brown ranges.

What is fascinating is the herbally, itty bitty chocolate spices. I strained to find, then found in a big way, the honey spice flavors. And as it heats, it intensifies the honey exponentially.

This beer sounds much better on paper. My expectations were not even close to being met ( great label ) but like most Dogfish I've tasted, the warmer the better. I don't even try one that isn' at least room temperature anymore.

This beer translates to me as a South american lady whom you think you have an understanding with, but find there was an error in translation.

Worth a go, but not to stock up on.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 04:36:27 | More by CasanovaCummins

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance. Pours a hazy, golden amber with half a finger of bubbly white head.

Smell. Light toasted malt with a little bit of spicy hops and berry-like fruityness.

Taste. Caramel, honey and sweet light grains, Slight sour berry taste and a little bitterness and cocao in the finish.

Mouthfeel. Medium+ body, medium-low carbonation.

Overall. Didn't get much in the way of chilles or cocoa. It was okay.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 03:59:41 | More by Rutager

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A 750 mL bottle in a tumbler.

A: The chile beer is amber, towards the brighter orange-brown end of that nebulous descriptor. Lighter than I was expecting. A white head, close to a finger and a half on pour, quickly disappeared leaving a thin web in the middle of the beer.

S: Sweet with flowers, mild chocolate and peppery heat. The heat isn't overwhelming, coming in at the trail end of each sniff. The choclate stands out a little more, crowding out the floral scents.

T: Chocolate begins mid-sip, building to a dark chocolate crescendo. It isn't your sweet cocoa powder or milky chocolate, drier and darker. The chile peppers need the ale to warm up. When it does, they have a freshly-sliced jalapeno heat that starts off bell pepper-esque and builds in heat without losing the vegetal flavor. A soft smokiness lends credence to the chocolate and chiles, ancho light if you will. The entire package, evidenced by larger gulps, is generally sweet but loses the nuance of the peppers and the chocolate. While the honey leaves little behind, it adds to the full feeling of the ale. Semi-sweet chocolate drives the finish.

M: An intriguing ale. The chocolate, chiles and honey sweetness come together nicely and stand just as easily on their own. Inventive but drinkable and exotic, the small sips are awesome (and a must).

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 23:12:48 | More by akorsak

keanex

New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

From a bottle stamped "2011 12 12" on the neck. Poured into a Samuel Smith pint glass.

A: Hazy orange with a thin white head which dissipates quickly with some decent carbonation activity on the start.

S: Rather faint, slight heat on the nose from the chilies and very slight chocolate but not much else going on here. It smells good, but I wish it were stronger.

T: Surprisingly good. There's a nice balance of spice from the chilies which holds throughout while a nice cocoa and honey mixture go from start to finish. I really like the balance here, all of the flavors are well balanced and go from start to finish, but in a nice mellow fashion.

M: Medium bodied with a slight thickness from the honey, decent amount of carbonation, easy to drink.

O: This is a great beer, no doubt. A lot of people think Dogfish Head gimmicky, but I'm glad someone is brewing this. This is very drinkable with good balance and it's going well with my home made chocolate chip cookies.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 05:59:00 | More by keanex