Theobroma - Dogfish Head Brewery

claytong

Vermont

3.6/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

appearance - big head, surprised to see such a light golden color and clear as day. head dissipates pretty quickly

smell - mild pepper on end, citrus

taste - all things pretty mild - cocoa nibs, pepper, straw

mouthfeel - nice and smooth, quite refreshing, not getting 9 percent at all here. very drinkable. a bit light in body for what i was hoping for

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2011 04:14:58 | More by claytong

daedalusfinch

Florida

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

On draft in a Duvel tulip.

A: Mildly cloudy golden color with quickly dissolving head, leaving islands of foam at the top of the beer.

S: Nothing particularly special: some malt, an herbal sweetness, maybe lemongrass.

T: I was worried this would be too sweet, but it really wasn't, especially considering freshness and ABV. It was almost like drinking three different beers. Up front, there was definitely a little clovey sweetness that faded out fairly quickly, replaced with a satisfying wit beer-esque flavor/mouthfeel. As that faded, the chilis and smokiness arrived, giving a bit of kick at the end without being harsh. Delicious.

M: Slightly carbonated, maybe a little fuller than one would expect given the bottle description and color.

O: Not the beer I was expecting -- but in a good way. I've been swayed to pick up a few bottles, and I'll be curious to see what 6 months on the shelf will do to one of them.

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2011 13:40:00 | More by daedalusfinch

tjsdomer2

Illinois

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

Appearance: I did not expect this orange-red-brown-amber color. much lighter I would have thought, but I've never had a chile beer, so I don't know. Very good lacing.

Smell: Extremely complex. Initially some spicy cocoa, then some burnt caramel, and finally smooth honey. The only downside is it can be hard to discern the smells.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Very complex like the smell. The main difference is the chile comes out a lot more. Mouthfeel is excellent. The hops and spices create a nice bite.

Drinkability: A novelty beer that has its niche.

Overall: See drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

06-27-2011 01:19:58 | More by tjsdomer2

fields336

North Carolina

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

Served on tap at proof.
Served in ommegang tulip glass 12 oz

Appearance is an amber brown color with 1/2 finger white carbonated head. Dissipates quickly leaving slight carbonation on the top and sides.

Smell is of chocolate and has peppery notes. It is muted and biscuity and bready Malts are present.

Taste is of chocolate upfront and biscuity/bready malt and there is a definite yeast presence. No discernible hops. The token dogfish yeast is there. The upfront flavor is sweet and chocolate. It turns to more bitter chocolate and slight peppery notes at the end into the aftertaste which is earthy and peppery with a nice muted chocolate.

Mouthfeel Is a bit thick and chewy probably tending toward medium feel rather than heavy. Good carbonation.

Overall. I feel like this is a complex beer but feels slightly watered down.  I like the chocolate and chile flavors but could have used more. it was a bit sweet though. It is a decent beer though and nice to try a different style

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2011 04:28:16 | More by fields336

ktrillionaire

Florida

3.3/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Upon seeing the beer in the glass: "Are you sure this is the Theobroma?" Pours a straw-yellow hue, crystal-clear, and is capped with a bit of creamy white head. The nose is strange but fairly pleasant, showing mostly notes of honey, with faint traces of white chocolate and a spiciness similar to green cardamom. The taste delivers more cocoa flavor, again in the white chocolate spectrum. Honey flavor is appreciated, though the brew is not tremendously sweet. The pepper is not discernible in either aroma or flavor. As to the feel, it is just a tad under medium in heft and somewhat refreshing. Overall, this is an interesting brew and is easy enough to drink, but it is not some radical creation, nor a Chile Beer as far as I can taste; it is more like a Cream Ale with frills.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2011 09:16:52 | More by ktrillionaire

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

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

On tap at Max's.

The beer pours a peachy gold color with good head retention and lacing. The nose is pretty interesting, as I get an interesting intermix of chili peppers, clove and honey. I know it sounds strange, but it's surprisingly attractive. Flavor profile replicates the nose, though I wish the beer wasn't quite as sweet as it is. The heat from the chili's counters the sweetness somewhat, but not enough IMHO. This is still a pretty tasty beer though. Mouthfeel is medium bodied to full, with a fairly long, hot and sweet finish. Alcohol is well integrated into the flavor profile, which is a bit surprising considering the sweetness (in my experience, most sweet, high alcohol beers come across as all too boozy).

Another beer from DFH that I can't imagine drinking a whole lot of, but an interesting, impressive beer nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2011 22:44:43 | More by johnmichaelsen

Gavage

New Jersey

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

Appearance: light orange in color with a short 1/2" head.

Smell: light citrus, some earthiness, and spiciness is detected.

Taste: moderate malt presence with some pepper spice, a bit of chocolate, and some honey sweetness.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer. Light crispness throughout. Short aftertaste.

Overall: a very interesting beer that is best as a one glass per session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2011 21:58:34 | More by Gavage

BranfordBound

Connecticut

3.08/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap at the DFH Brewery in Milton.

Pours a golden amber color with a slightly tan head that leaves minimal lacing.

The aroma is a bit elusive, its fairly malty and sweet, not really anything pops out like I would expect.

This has got to be the weirdest beer I have ever tried in terms of flavor. Sweet bready malt at first, this mingles with the lightest of cocoa notes and honey, finishes with this raw pepper aftertaste which is... off-putting.

At this point I'm not concentrating on mouthfeel as much as I am the pepper flavor.

Well like my flavor review states, very off-putting. I can see the value in this beer, it's kind of cool, just not working with my tastebuds too much.

Serving type: on-tap

06-13-2011 21:38:07 | More by BranfordBound

tempest

Pennsylvania

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

Got a goblet at Liberty St. Tavern for $6. The beer was smooth for the strength, but not the complexity of a big beer. It comes off like a thicker take on a chocolate amber ale, a bit like the Kelso chocolate lager. There's a little more peppery spice to it, but the earthy cocoa and smooth caramel malt dominate. Worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2011 02:42:21 | More by tempest

mdaschaf

Washington

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

A: The beer is a hazy, dark golden/orange color with a one finger foamy white head. Moderate retention that left behind some nice lace that covered most of the glass.

S: Light fruit, caramelized malt, and hints of cocoa and chile/spices. Overall on the weaker side.

T: On the sweeter side, light citrus with some caramel and lightly spiced. I didn't get much cocoa, as I had on previous times drinking this beer. At first the chile flavor/heat is pretty light, but as the beer warms up a bit it becomes more pronounced.

M: Medium bodied and carbonation, goes down smooth and surprisingly crisp.

O: I wish the aroma/flavors were a bit stronger, the cocoa was almost non-existent. Its good, just not my favorite.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2011 00:08:27 | More by mdaschaf

BeerLover99

New Jersey

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

A: semi-orange partly cloudy body, trace head, little lacing.

S. honey, wood, orange/citrus, faint chile scent.

T. big citrus and honey, firm grain taste, slight mellow chile finish

M. medium body, slight dry finish.

D. Not bad, not my favorite, worth trying, but not the end of the world. Interesting, guess I was expecting bigger, bolder flavor and aroma from this experimental brew.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2011 19:17:34 | More by BeerLover99

THECPJ

Delaware

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

Reviewed from notes had on draft at the Dogfish Head Brewpub:

Appearance: Orangish yellow brown with a 1 finger white head

Smell: honey, spices, chili's

Taste: spices, sweet, honey

Mouthfeel: mild carbonation, smooth,

Drinkability: easy smooth drinkability.

Cheers,

The CPJ

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2011 17:28:59 | More by THECPJ

CaraAndMike

Colorado

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

High alcohol content is well handled in this creation. Deep honey and faint cocoa midsip on the heart of your tongue that builds with repeated sipping. Slight pepper in the back of the throat. Don't think I'd try more than one or two.

Would pair with fruit and mild cheese, or some sort of southwestern cheese dip app.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2010 01:01:23 | More by CaraAndMike

OnThenIn

Ohio

3.23/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: the bee had a finger of white foam on top of a copper an slightly hazy body.

S: the aroma is not very pungent, but it does slightly smell of cider.

T: the taste is dominated by the spicyness from the chilly peppers, but the cocoa slowly comes around. The honey is not readily present but a hint of hops is present in the background. Alcohol, spicyness, and bitterness meld together to be slightly unpleasant.

M: okay carbonation with medium body.

D: if it wasn't so hot it would be more drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2010 21:47:00 | More by OnThenIn

champ103

Texas

2.5/5  rDev -34.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

On tap at the Petrol Station. I enjoyed this on tap with armock. More for his company than the actual qualities of the beer.

A: Pours a dull hazy golden/orange color. A minimal white head forms, but recedes to nothing in a second. Not much lace to speak of. Almost macro like, which is not a good start to a beer IMO.
S: Some sweet malt up front, light spice and soapy hops. Grainy malt. Kind of adjunct like. Not much else. Really bland and very disappointing overall.
T: Sweet malt, light chocolate, and very light spice. Some light soapy hops. Nothing else. Completely bland and generic.
M/D: A medium body and carbonation. Fairly creamy and smooth. Not a lot of alcohol noticeable, but just really bland and uninteresting. Glad I only got a pint instead of a bomber (this time anyway). It has been drained poured at other times.

I have had this many times, and it is not something I would recommend at all. Very bland and generic. Dogfish Head does some interesting stuff from time to time. Sometimes it is really good, sometimes it is average, and sometimes it is just bad. This is just bad IMO.

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2010 06:09:24 | More by champ103

TheStig

Virginia

3.23/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A:
Very little head, and a nice, still-bubbling golden body

S:
A very thin, subtle note of chocolate under a more prominent honey scent-- but the honey is mild too.

T:
Chocolate! I was surprised at just how noticable the chocolate was, considering its understated smell. The use of unsweetened cocoa nibs acts as the primary bitterrant, so this is very much not a sickly-sweet beer.

M:
Mild heat from the chile peppers, but nothing too shocking or unpleasant.

D:
This is not an every day beer, but yet another for special occasions. I should note that my girlfriend (who loves spicy food) had a glass of this and spent the rest of the evening complaining of a stomach ache because the combination of the peppers, chocolate and alcohol didn't mix well in her system, but I felt fine. I wouldn't drink this on an empty stomach if you're sensitive to peppers.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

09-03-2010 14:57:37 | More by TheStig

tlazaroff

Virginia

3.45/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Had in snifter, on draft at the Fairfax, VA Alehouse

A: Orange in color, no head. Not quite opaque but not quite clear either.

S: I couldn't get much on the nose but a little honey.

T: Little bit of chocolate, some herbal/vegetal flavors.

M: A bit astringent, it feels like it scrapes the tongue and lingers for a few minutes.

D: Only 1 per sitting for me, not a session beer :)

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

08-30-2010 03:07:05 | More by tlazaroff

david18

New York

3.28/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I'm not sure why there's suddenly a "had at" pull down menu with the Dogfish Head Brewery as the only choice. I actually had this at Rattle and Hum. It was an interesting beer but not one I'll have too often. Surprisingly light and refreshing for what you would imagine but not enough like anything else that I could compare it to anything.

I'll try it again and I was pleased to see it on draft but not one of my favorites.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

08-20-2010 18:51:36 | More by david18

Spider889

Ohio

3.4/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

I had this last year in a bottle and I swear I loved it. Either my palate has gotten a lot more discerning in that time, or bottle conditioning does this beer a world of good. Either way, this time around, on tap, I was nonplussed to say the least.

Absolutely no head, no lacing, no visible carbonation at all. Maybe they had a bad keg? The color was that of cloudy home made apple cider.

The smell was barely on the radar considering all of the exciting ingredients. You do get some traditional Belgian yeast smells that are masked by orange, peppery notes, cardamom, and cinnamon.

The taste is strongly peppery, there's a mild spiciness that comes through by the end of the glass. Lots of cinnamon, pepper, dried chocolate, and sweet clove.

Mouthfeel is very smooth, but then again there was absolutely no carbonation here. The alcohol warms on the way down as do the chiles leave a faint burning in the back of the throat and side of the tongue.

I'll give this one another try to make my final verdict, but unless I'm at the Brewery in DE I'll restrict my next tasting to a bottle.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

08-15-2010 02:22:29 | More by Spider889

Halcyondays

California

3.53/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

On-tap at Beachwood BBQ, the first time I've seen this beer in the Southland,

A: Pours a translucent burnt orange with a fizzy, bubbly head, some floaties.

S: Some nice malt, hint of chocolate, nothing too substantial.

T: Has a relatively innocuous Belgian amber type malt. The chocolate is nowhere to the forefront as I thought it'd be. Minor notes of chocolate and chiles to the finish.

M: Medium-bodied, a bit fizzy, adequately smooth.

D: Honestly, I thought they'd do more with this. It tastes a bit like a more pallid Pangaea with a bit of chocolate and chile thrown in. Just wanted more, this is the 2nd time I've had this and was underwhelmed both times, but still I give props to DFH for their experimentation.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

08-14-2010 22:19:32 | More by Halcyondays

erosier

Connecticut

3.7/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

L: Pours a nice orange-amber color with a medium sized and medium bodied off-white colored head that laces the glass a bit on the way down.
S: Smells of sweet roasted malts, some honey sweetness, mix of spices as well.
T: Tastes of sweet roasted malts, then some spices (mainly chile), followed by some honey and sugar sweetness, a hint of chocolate as well. Really mixed up flavors, but interesting.
M: Lighter feeling than it looked, perfect amount of carbonation, slightly hot feeling from the abv and the chile.
D: OK drinkability, lots of stuff going on here but not bad for sure.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

08-09-2010 10:33:16 | More by erosier

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.05/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

On-Tap at Capone's during Beer Week 2010. From notes. I gotta say I did not like this out of the bottle, let's try the tap version.

A deep yellow infused golden color with bubbles rising creating an off white cap, squiggly lines going down, clinging to the glass. Smell is weird with cocco powder, a vegetative scent along with pale malts and some diaper. Spices are present. Not too pungent. Taste include light chocolate and chili flavor with spices that resemble curry and other indian cuisines. The chilli aint all that big. Malt presence is light, not very sweet if at all. This one is all about the spice, a weird mix, mimiking indian food. This fares better off tap than in the bottle, the bottle was ass. This has a lively carb that brings out the flavor a bit more and im not sure if that's a good thing. Medium bodied with low drinkability. Interesting beer, not memorable.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

06-21-2010 03:47:35 | More by onix1agr

urwithdave

Florida

3.28/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Lost Kangaroo. Reviewing from notes. Poured into a standard pint glass.

A- pours goldish orange in color. Very little head if any. No lacing.

A- I'm really not getting a whole lot here. Mainly honey not much more. Maybe a tad hint of cinnamon.

T- very sweet up front. Honey is the main thing and runs the show. There are subtle hints of spice and coco but they are drowned out by the sweetness.

M- medium bodied and a little undercarbonated. No real finish. Its pretty weak.

D- it drinks easy at first but the sweetness would keep me from wanting to have more than a couple.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

05-28-2010 03:17:10 | More by urwithdave

DmanGTR

New York

3.33/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Review from notes Jan 28, 2010

Poured a hazy light amber with a scant head that left no trace. Not much in the aroma, even with swirling. More pronounced in the taste, which offered some light maltiness, orange peel, subtle cocoa, and finishes with a good spicy kick. The chocolate flavor is too subdued, could definitely use a bit more in that area. Thin and well carbonated. I think it's not bad at all!

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

02-20-2010 17:03:44 | More by DmanGTR

rramis

Florida

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

A-poured in a snifter. Golden in color with a hint brown. About a quarter inch head, white, disolved fairly quick.

S-candy like, chocolate hints, very light.

T-light hint of chocolate. Like almost the first taste of hot chocolate. Very light carbonation. As it hit the back of your mouth you can taste the ancho chilies as well down your throat. Swish it alittle and you get the honey taste.

M- light carbonation, slightly sweet with a following of warmth. Nice transition.

D-a drinkable ale. Very surprising to the palate. Something I would have again.

Serving type-tap

Had it at Redlight Redlight

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

11-19-2009 00:05:20 | More by rramis