My Antonia - Dogfish Head Brewery

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

4.58/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dealing with the losses of both the Bearcats and Bengals this weekend calls for a 'double' of something. A double pils might be the bitter pill I need.

Appearance - slightly hazed, this has a amber-hued golden color. Huge cakey head of three to four fingers. Fades to a cover but leaves a few large chunks of dry but creamy-looking pockets of foam. I like the way the head billows up when refilling my glass.

Aroma - a full graininess supported by some moderately soapy, floral hops. Full and good aroma.

Taste - nice biscuity notes underneath. Sweet grainy malts show off classic pilsner flavor, giving way to some tasty hops. On the dry piny side, a pithy kind of grapefruit taste. Some pleasant lemony notes as the beer warms. Complementary to the grain without taking over and putting a fine touch on the style. The swallow is dry, evenly bitter, and has a light abv breathiness. Flavors working well together on all fronts, a fine accomplishment for an imperial brew.

Mouthfeel - fairly full and creamy. Smooth, a bit slick.

Drinkability - one of the more drinkable imperial types. Tasty! Here's to a few wins next weekend!

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 03:17:08 | More by brewdlyhooked13

Rickythejeweler

Maryland

4.55/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

My first Imperial Pilsner, 750ml. bottle.

A- Golden orange, with great lacing throughout entire glass, half inch of head, yeast particules floating around.

S- Smells like a pale ale, light hops is about all I get, but the smell is refreshing.

T - Wheaty, bitter hops, very slight breadiness.

M - Smooth, borderline creamy

D - Extremely drinkable, wish they would have released this closer to june or july, would have been nice on a hot day, very refreshing

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2010 16:59:18 | More by Rickythejeweler

horshack7

Massachusetts

4.55/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Poured into a Pilsner glass is a pale golden with a twinge of haziness. On top is about two fingers worth of head that is very thick and rocky and has great head rentention. As the head thins out wisps of thick lacing is left behind.

Aroma: A floral hop dryness in the nose with touches of winter spices cloves with little bits of lemon zest. The malts do yield a little note of breadiness to round it out.

Taste: A rather smooth mouthfeel similar to a warm buttery biscuit straight out of the oven. Floral hops all over this one bits of cloves with a subtlety of citrus at the finish but it's a long way from being overwelming the right amount.

Notes: I first sampled this beer at the 2010 Americn Craft Beerfest. This time it's from a 1 pint 9.4 fl ounce bottle. Dam this beer is amazing such a great example of a American Double Imperial Pilsner. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2010 00:36:43 | More by horshack7

rootbeerman

Virginia

4.55/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A: glad I poured it into a Duvel tulip, a huge fluffy white, huge chunky lacing head. the head alone took awhile to fall to just a finger, it started at almost 4. the body is clear yellow with a slight orange.
S: grassy lemon citrus, light malt sweetness and a light touch of grain
T: dry, lemon and grassy hops have a bite. just lightly sweet malt, with a bit of pilsner graininess.
M dry, very crisp and clean. high carbonation, holds the head basically to the last sip.
D: very, wish it could be a year round beer for dogfish head, would be a everyday beer for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2011 02:31:23 | More by rootbeerman

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.55/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

(Served in a stemmed strange)

A- This beer pours a slightly dense but clear golden yellow body with huge deluge of microbubbles racing toward the surface. There is a thick antique white head that pulls away from the glass but last as a cloud sitting on the beer.

S- The green herbal hops are mellow with a pine note that grows in the finish with some woody note coming through. As the beer opens up there are flowery qualities to the hops.

T- There is just a touch of sweetness to the fresh pale malt note then it is on to the pungent green hops that are full on flavor but soft on bitterness. Some caramel malt notes come through as it opens up but they stay soft. The bitterness seems to less as the hop flavor seems to grow when the beer warms.

M- The light mouthfeel has a crisp fizz finish that compliments the hops and no real alcohol heat.

O- This beer stays clean, dry and crisp with having just a touch of sweetness to the pale malt and a full hops flavor that is nice and pungent with very little bitterness. This drinks like a beer half its ABV.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2011 22:02:18 | More by rhoadsrage

Spcoly

Illinois

4.55/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 25oz into a tulip glass.

A: Light yellow / copper color with low carbonation

S: Malts, wheaty, with citrusy hops

T: Starts out malty and ends bitter hoppy with enough flavor to leave you wanting another sip

M: Medium bodied, good carbonation, definitely drinkable

O: Another great brew from DFH. Very close to an IPA, with the malt flavors being the only separator. I would and have bought this more than once, and will continue to do so when its available.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2011 00:15:20 | More by Spcoly

stro26

Kentucky

4.55/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

very citrusy... at 7.5% you could never tell.... has a tiny tiny bit of an alcohol presence in it but not overwhelming by any means.

orangeish hue to color

smells of citrus and hops

hoppy for a pils or imperial pils but not overdoing it.

as IPA's being my favorite style i could still enjoy this due to the more hopiness than many other pils out there..

overall i was impressed

Ive had this chilling in my fridge since december 31st '11 as a side note...

i would buy it if u can find it..

+ comes in a champange huge bottle.. its like a bomber + a few more ounces

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 21:04:12 | More by stro26

jbertsch

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A lovely pils in a new-world kinda way. Nice to see a self-proclaimed "ale" company making a lager.

Appears orangey-gold with some nice bubbling action going on. Its frothy, billowy, white head laces nicely.

Aroma gives off a sense of honey first. Bright hops show up in the middle, but - in non-dogfish fashion - the hops are subtle. A very proper malt profile for a pilsner sits behind everything.

Taste matches the aroma pretty much. I taste slightly sweet pils malt up front, with faint, citrusy hops showing up next. A very refined taste, which I enjoy seeing from DFH.

Mouthful is carbonated nicely yet body is rounded and smooth.

Great Drinkability. I was worried that DFH's imperial take on such a session style would kill its drinkability, but that wasn't the case. I look forward to buying more of this!

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2011 16:53:35 | More by jbertsch

Spider889

Ohio

4.53/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Bottle purchased at From the Vine. Review taken from notes in late spring.

A- Awesome. Seriously you guys.

A tall four finger head rises effortlessly leaving a huge fluffy white cap of foam that takes nearly 20 minutes to fully recede. Some small amount of foam always remains, even as I finished each glass. The beer is very clear, a bright pale golden honey color.

The lace is very dense - one of those 3D laceterpieces. It is a powerful testament to the beauty that a beer can be. The appearance on My Antonia rivals even the exquisite nature of Duvel, which I often cite as one of the most stunning beers to observe in the glass.

Visible bubbles rise vigorously up from the laser etching on the bottom of my Duvel tulip. Oops, just spent a whole page of notes on the appearance.

S- The hops in the Imperial Pilsner are big. It's a marriage of noble and west coast varietals as far as I can tell. You can smell the duller herbal spiciness characteristic of many European hops, plus the sweet resinous pine that are characteristic of many American hops. The alcohol is noticeable on the nose, but is sweet and inviting.

T- This is easily one of the best pilsners I have ever enjoyed. Rich and doughy malts help to mellow the modest heat. Lots of really gooey pine resin rounds out the flavor here.

M- Rough sparkling carbonation. Slick feel on the finish with apparent alcohol heat.

O- I drank nearly a whole 750ml of this on my own - happily. Definitely some of DFH's best work.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2011 08:36:08 | More by Spider889

VaterRoss

North Carolina

4.53/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle into pokal glass, Bottled 2011 2 107(?)

Pours a crystal clear gold with a nice white and downright fluffy active head (go easy on pour). Lots of carb visible, thank you pokal glass. Head stays around the entire drink. Very pretty beer. Smell is a very sweet malt with some floral hops. Perhaps it is the hops or perhaps the lager yeast but fruity notes are also detected. Taste is very sweet, light malt, and moderate-high floral hoppiness. Almost no alcohol in the taste at all. Very refreshing and very drinkable. Dare I say that the closest tasting thing I have had to this brew was Lagunita's Sucks. Mouthfeel is medium weight and highly carbed, also a bit dry.

This seems like sort of an odd style as pilsners are quite light and delicate and Imperial anything tends to be... less than light and delicate. I wasn't really sure what to expect but this beer really impressed me. If it wasn't so damn expensive I would buy this all the time, especially for the warmer months. Note: if you pour the yeast it changes the beer for the worse, sort of mellows it out and makes it boring.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 04:41:18 | More by VaterRoss

larryi86

Delaware

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

750 mL bottle dated 2010 poured into a snifter

Picked up a bottle on my way down to Ocean City, MD

A- A little darker than the standard golden light beer with a three finger white head.

S- Citrus hops really stand out, with earthy/grass/floral notes.

T- Right away it just makes me think of a very good, balanced IPA. Malts come out and tone down the hops, but it still have a nice, bitter finish. Taste is close to the smell just smoothed outed some.

M- Smooth, refreshing, nice medium body.

D- Easy to drink and a very nice beer. I would love it if this was easier to find. I am very happy that I was able to get a bottle, but would like it if I could get one in a local store instead of having to drive 90 miles to the brew pub!

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

07-20-2010 01:29:11 | More by larryi86

smakawhat

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured in to Pilsner style glass.

Appearance: yellow gold, big head, creamy ice cream vanilla color looking, head stays and stays. good lacing bubbles stick to side, some bubbles and carbonation but not excessive. A good looking color.

smells of white wonder bread (light), a brief sweetness, some hop.

Taste. Varied and complex in different stages. First citrus with orange, almost a Heffe quailty but not as sweet, bitter hops that transform with the citrus taste in to a lime bitterness. A fantastic taste sensation. Just the right amount of body not light not too heavy (syrupy).

Drinkability is exceptional, and it was a REAL good price point where I got it. Fantastic value for the money.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

10-14-2010 02:32:16 | More by smakawhat

mjrod2142

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz. bottle poured into a standard pint glass

This beer poured out thick feeling and produced a beautiful off-white head that stayed fluffy for several minutes. The color was somewhat hazy but golden and the bubbles were slow rising. There's a nice hoppy citrus aroma I wasn't expecting. Distinct crisp grapefruit notes lead me to believe there's more hops in this beer than you'd expect for a pilsner style. The heavier mouthfeel tips off the high alcohol content.

The grapefruit aroma is now tasting like a pineapple flavor. Crisp, with very little lingering after taste, this beer finishes clean with a slight hint of creamy butterscotch that reminds me of the 90 Minute IPA.

This is an excellent beer that I liked a lot more than I thought I would. It's a very enjoyable beer to treat yourself to.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

01-30-2011 23:47:48 | More by mjrod2142

hopheadjuice

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

750 ml bottle, bottled in 2010 2B.

Pours typical pilsner color being golden straw with a nice 1.5 finger bone white head that laces better than any pilsner ive ever poured.

Beautiful floral aromas for a pilsner, hops are dominant with citric and floral quality's. Pilsner malt is present but plays a backbone role and doesn't overkill.

Taste is very unique, almost like a hybrid of an IPA and pilsner. Hops are very present more so than any pilsner Ive ever encountered. Lemongrass with some pine clippings balanced oh so well by a pilsner malt crispness.

Medium mouthfeel with an amazing crispness, great full active carbonation makes this one a crisp refreshing pils.

Great drinkability and very flavorful for a style that doesn't usually get this hopped up.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

02-27-2011 19:30:16 | More by hopheadjuice

alexkeil

New York

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this one at the Dogfish Head tap takeover at
Coles in Buffalo, NY.

This was one of the last beers I tried and had no expectations for it as the thought of a pilsner doesn't interest me much. This beer is a game changer for pilsners, or at least a mind changer.

The grains get a chance to shine in this beer and the hops are there to balance things out. There is evidence of hops in the aroma and flavor but they are not the star. The higher alcohol helps dry out the finish for a nice overall experience. What struck me the most about this beer is the grains create an almost unsweetened ice tea like quality.

Very drinkable, a bit sessionable, and very very enjoyable.

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

03-03-2012 11:43:07 | More by alexkeil

Amalak

New York

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A. This is a clear gold beer with lots of bubbles. It has a bubbly head with lace. Man, there are a lot of bubbles.

S. Some bit of rye scent. Vegetable.

T. There's an interesting grape and dark fruit kind of taste. It has a bit of a hop taste. It is more dark fruit, even watermelon.

M. Bubbly and interesting.

O. Very nice beer. Interesting. As a pilsner, this has a very unique taste.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

05-06-2012 05:05:02 | More by Amalak

brystmar

New York

4.48/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review & ratings all relative to the style at hand (American Pilsner).

A: pours a cloudy orange with 1.5 fingers of thick white head with average retention. Copious amounts of carbonation bubble to the surface. Strong webs of lace stick to my glass -- is this really a pilsner?

S: earthy, malty, hoppy; beautifully floral. Best I've encountered in a pils.

T: sweet malts first, then hops, floral notes, and spices follow. Mild hoppy bitterness brings it home. A little more watery than your typical Dogfish brew, but hey, it's a pilsner! And do pilsners get better than this?

M: medium-bodied and smooth, even with the bubbly effervescence. Not sure it's possible to get a creamier body out of the pils style, but here's hoping.

O: a fantastic brew -- perfect for introducing that light-beer-chugging skeptic you know to the world of craft brewing. This is the best pilsner I've ever had, hands down. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

04-02-2011 01:26:36 | More by brystmar

Durge

Connecticut

4.48/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed at the Fairfax brewpub this imperial pilsner is a very clear pale amber color with a decent white head and plenty of lacing. The nose hit includes deep maple malt and nutty red grapes with some wheat wine ideas. Very nice. And thankfully the taste follows suit! Wow. Again, somewhat like a wheat wine brew in my book. Pleasant fruit sweetness blended expertly with nutty grain. A medium bodied beer with a pretty viscous feel, slightly cloying but not a problem. Delicate carbonation and smooth going down for an imperial. Delicious.

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

09-12-2012 15:52:25 | More by Durge

Pinto21

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into DFH shaped pint from 750ml DFH bottle. Large head on a light pilsner looking beer. A bit darker than straw, a touch golden.
Smells strongly of citrus hops, but there is some earthy floralness to it as well. A touch of sweetness but it's buried behind hops.

It's like a smoother IPA. There is more of a citrus hop up front followed by a bit of floral hop, finished with the bitterness of american. There is a bit of malt sweetness, but it's not very pronounced. I wouldnt call this a hopbomb like an IPA, it's more balanced. But not balanced by a sweetness like big IPAs.

Mouth if good. Very smooth, and highly drinkable. Could put these back like a prima pils, and man can I do that.

It's VERY much like an IPA but its not. It's it's own tasty creation, and one that I'll have to try and brew on my own it's so good.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

07-20-2010 00:24:51 | More by Pinto21

HoppyToad

Arizona

4.47/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First pour from the 1 pint, 9.4 oz bottle was true to the Pilsner style: straw colored and almost clear. Second pour was noticeably cloudy, with some sediment (my only complaint, as it's uncharacteristic of the style, but I really don't mind the cloudiness). Nice layer of foam and lacing on both pours.

Aroma is slightly bready, with a pleasant spiciness from the European-style hops. Sweet malt and a hint of alcohol become more prominent as the beer warms.

Taste is exceptional. Easily one of the best American Pilsners I've sampled since Sam Adams' early 2010 seasonal release of Noble Pils (which, in my opinion, should be a year-rounder). Great balance between the Pilsner malt and crisp hops.

While I generally turn to Pilsners as thirst-quenchers on a hot day, I'm content to sip and savor My Antonia like a good American IPA. I'm sure the 7.5% ABV has something to do with that.

Nice job DFH. Don't be afraid to try more lagers!

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

10-16-2010 06:44:59 | More by HoppyToad

coldmeat23

Oklahoma

4.47/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

GLASS: Pokal
TEMP: Cellared @ approx 45 degrees
BOTTLED IN: 2010
Big thanks to ShadesOfGray for this one!

This one pours a crystal clear liquid that is sunset orange in color. A 3+finger head of off-white colored foam sits on top...all dense and creamy looking. The retention is great and the lacing is plentiful and very sticky.

As is the case with pilsners, in general, there's not a lot going on in the nose. It's quite subtle. There are light hints of hay and grass. Light notes of apples and pears, with perhaps a slight trace of peach. A sweetness that is not unlike belgian candi sugar. Mild touches of biscuit-like yeastiness.

Sweet maltiness comes out first, presumably to lure you in, unawares. A touch of biscuit comes out, then....hops. They come on pretty aggressively, yet not in an extremely bitter fashion. This actually has a decent amount of balance to it, which is nice. There is a good deal of citrus hop presence here, with a trace of pine, lots of earthy/grassiness and a good dose of spiciness. It floats along on top of that candi sugar/malty sweetness, each element not letting the other get out of balance.

Medium-bodied with a high level of carbonation, filled with bubbles of varying size, but it contains a good amount of those little tiny ones, which give it a nice dose of creaminess.

Aside from some warmth, near the bottom of the first glass, the 7.50%abv is nicely hidden with this one. Combine that with the nicely balanced flavor here and you've got a pretty drinkable beer.
So, I don't, personally, want to drink this all of the time, but, as far as pilsners go, I could drink this one. It's not the one to win me over, but it will get me to come visit from time-to-time.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

12-09-2010 01:57:41 | More by coldmeat23

bucklemyshoe

Georgia

4.47/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 mL capped bottle at 42 degrees into a Franziskaner weizen glass.

A: It pours a transluscent golden color with a finger and a half of frothy-yet-large-bubbled, egg-shell white head with perfect retention and excellent lacing as well.

S: Citrus, considerable floral hoppiness, biscuit, caramel, and light peppery notes.

T: Sweet and tangy citrus, sweet berries, toast, caramel, grass, and mild spiciness throughout.

M: It is creamy with a medium body and an exceptionally crisp finish.

D: I'm glad DFH didn't do anything too wacky on this; it's nearly perfect for the style.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

01-19-2011 15:37:22 | More by bucklemyshoe

bierguru

Florida

4.47/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

golden body fairly cloudy thick white head that holds well

smell is a sweet spice that is bold with hops

slightly sweet with bold spices some hops on the backend

mouth feel is light smooth the spice dries the mouth a tad but nothing harsh

this beer is awesome

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

07-01-2011 02:58:52 | More by bierguru

kflack

North Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Monster Bottle

An Imperial Pils?? By DFH no less?

Marshmellow head, two fingers. If you just looked at it in a glass, you would think its a WIT. Cloudy gold.

Mild sweetness, some citrus. Grapefruit stands out the most.

Nice, mild hop note. A slight tang with little booze to it.

Great mouthfeel, smooth and easy drink. A mild bite.

A great IP. Not too big and a nice change of pace for DFH. How often do you see this style? Not cheap, but a nice treat!

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

07-17-2011 06:53:48 | More by kflack

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

4.46/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

From the bomber into a pilsener:

A: hazy golden body leaving, an awesome foamy lumpy speckled white one finger head appears and lasts for a minute before dieing to a half finger of clingy head with clingy lacing along the sides.

S: sweet with the malts slightly more forward than the bittering hops, but some nice peppery hops come in to balance the aroma.

T: well balanced between sweet, peppery and bitter, there is a slight herbal kick on the backend, it leaves a dry aftertaste and has a peppery finish.

M: medium, slightly closer to the watery side. This is fairly sessionable.

O: I'm really impressed with this one, but I haven't had too many double pilseners, so I don't have much to compare with. I will definitely come back to this.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

01-31-2013 15:16:19 | More by kangarooAdam59