Robert Johnson's Hellhound On My Ale - Dogfish Head Brewery

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.94/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance – Served a lightly hazed golden-orange colored brew with a one finger white head. The head persists fairly well fading over time to leave a good level of lace on the sides of the glass.

Smell – The aroma is very citrusy with lots of grapefruit and orange peel. Along with these more bitter citrus smells are notes of some light caramel sweetness as well as hints of bready malts, some candied like sugar aromas, as well as a little bit of an herbal hop smell.

Taste – The taste begins slightly sweeter with caramel and a sugared orange peel taste. While it starts sweeter there is certainly a presence of some nice grapefruit and herbal hop flavors upfront. As the taste advances the sugar dries some while some malt flavors of biscuit and a bit of a bready taste come to the tongue. All the while the bitter hoppiness of the brew gets stronger with an alcohol taste working its way onto the tongue. More grapefruit and lemon hop with a nice dose of an herbal hop taste mix with the malt and caramel to in the end leave a moderately citrus, bitter, but somewhat smoother taste to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the brew was on the medium to slightly lower side in terms of thickness for a brew of 10 % abv with a carbonation level that was just above normal. The two characteristics of the brew gave it a more crisp feel and helped make very drinkable.

Overall – A smoother and rather easy drinking hopped brew with nice transitions between a sweetness upfront to a nice citrus hop base mixed with a little bit of boozy flavors and a decent malt backbone in the end. Quite tasty and rather easy drinking even at 10 % abv.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2013 00:48:37 | More by Darkmagus82

corby112

Pennsylvania

2.79/5  rDev -28.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75

Draft at The Pour House in Westmont, NJ.

Pours a cloudy and very dark golden orange color with tangerine edges and a one finger off-white head that quickly settles into a thin ring.  Minimal spotty lacing left behind.

Earthy, floral hop aroma with lots of resinous pine countered by sweet citrus and a strong malt backbone.  Grassy and dank notes follows by lemon juice and  citrus peel.  Carmael malt backbone with some toffee and biscuit character.   Malts are too strong for my liking, overpowering the citrus and hop notes.

Medium bodied and fuller than expected with tight carbonation and a dry, earthy hop presence that provides prominent bitterness which lingers over the citrus notes and caramel malt backbone into a dry finish.  Dank, earthy notes followed by lemon juice, citrus peel orange and grapefruit.  Although there is some citrus sweetness, there's  not enough for my taste.  Really dry and bitter and the malts are too strog for me as well.  Lots of caramel sweetness, nut and toffee.  Abv is very well masked but I'm not a big fan of this combination of flavors.  Some peppery spice as well, maybe coriander or clove but this is very one dimensional and boring.

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2013 02:04:14 | More by corby112

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

4.26/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

on tap at the brewpub

Pours a lemon golden color with a sugar white head.

Scent of piney grapefruit hops and citrus.

The flavor is honey sweet, but not cloyingly so, with fruity elements like grapes and lemon. The hops are strong and fruity as well.

Medium body with a tingly carbonation on the tongue.

A really solid strong IPA, great taste, goes down easy. DFH always does a good job with this style. Would definitely have this again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2013 00:16:52 | More by Cylinsier

TubaManJack

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Draft pour yielded a deep orange copper body in my sniffer. The head shows a bit of bubbling which quickly dissipate into lasting lacing.

Smell- Hops and light lemon "scent". I use the quotes not because it smells like lemon pledge or lemonade, but more like a waxy lemon before it is cut. I get the hops and all that the Centennial types has to offer but there is a really malty body in the nose that is more familiar as a hot barleywine.

Taste -A real two front battle between the malt and the hop/lemon combination. The malt leads into the bittering hops with a spicy finish.

Mouthfeel -Its fairly large and heavy. There as quite a bit of carbonation and heat from the ABV. I don't have an issue with 90 MIN but this is another animal.

Drinkability- This is worth bringing to a large bottle sharing event - it will standout and be a novelty but it is kind of hard sell.

Serving type: on-tap

12-26-2012 06:37:57 | More by TubaManJack

kylehay2004

Florida

3.55/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Half finger head with excellent lacing on a clear copper body. Aroma of toasted malts, earthy hops and orange peel. Overall the aroma is pretty mild. Malt foward IPA with citrus hops, candied citrus, toasted malts, lemon and a little caramel. Medium body and moderate carbonation. Fairly oily body. This one is boozy and malt forward although the hops, although a little boring, are still well represented.

Serving type: on-tap

12-25-2012 03:16:04 | More by kylehay2004

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A - copper in color with a fluffy 2 fingers of white foamy head, tons of lacing

S - very strong alcohol smell, piney/soapy, slight citrus

T - tasted a LOT like the 60 minute IPA but stronger alcohol taste (but different taste than the 90 minute), very hoppy, feeling the lemon zest and lemon peel bitterness

M - went down surprisingly smooth for the amount of alcohol in it, medium body, medium carbonation, very creamy.

O - a decent imperial IPA but I feel I was unable to thoroughly enjoy it because of the bar situation (was waiting standing in a giant crowd for a table). i'll keep my eyes open for a bottled version... it's almost one year later and i finally got this in a bottle.. a LOT better than i remember it being, i updated all the categories with better scores because it was totally different on tap. i'll stick to the bottle scores.

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2012 02:07:36 | More by facundoCNB

barczar

Kentucky

3.85/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a light orange golden color with a hint of haze and a dense inch head that lingers, leaving thick lace.

Aroma is dominated by caramel malt initially, with strong citrus hop flavors of grapefruit pith, tangerine, and mango adding complexity.

Flavor is far more hop forward. Heavy grapefruit pith, orange peel, and lemon are carried by a background hint of best caramel malt to a peppery, decidedly bitter finish. Fresh cut grass surfaces as it warms.

Body is moderate to slightly heavy with moderate carbonation and a decent amount of alcohol warmth.

Great hop profile, but not as scrumptious as some of the best I've had. Alcohol warmth is a bit over the top.

Serving type: on-tap

04-10-2012 22:40:45 | More by barczar

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had a mug at the Blue Tusk in Syracuse. A pretty good, but not great beer. On one hand the body wasn't too thick (DIPAs shouldn't be syrupy, but often are), giving the beer a nice drinkability for the style.

I would not, however, call this a "super-hoppy" ale. There's a great spicy citrus finish, but I get more toasty caramel malt up front and no big hops in the aroma. This makes it a very nice American strong ale worth trying, just don't expect massive hops.

Serving type: on-tap

04-08-2012 16:19:47 | More by tempest

thydarkprevails

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On draft in a snifter. Pours a hazy orange yellow with little head and nice lacing. Aroma is bright pine and citrus. Flavor is pine, grapefruit, caramel, and some astringency. Somewhat syrupy and rather chewy. Decent but not amazing. Worth a try if you find it.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2012 11:31:29 | More by thydarkprevails

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.95/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured on-tap and served in a stemmed vase, the beer is a slightly hazy, muddled, orange-copper coloring with a steady flow of carbonation bubbling and a thick, chunky, frothy off-white head. Aromas are subtle, with a tangerine tangy backbone and some light, bitter hops. Flavors are tangy and slick, with a blast of booze at the end of the palate. Roasted toffee backbone gives rise to a dry hopped, green, and slightly citrus highlighted profile. The flavors balance very well. Roasty aftertaste, with a touch of citrus and cut grass. The finish has a slight linger that is very pleasant, and the citrus gets a slight hint of pineapple. Good, solid brew that will kick your ass in quantity.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2012 17:19:36 | More by GarthDanielson

jaasen64

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Sunset Bar & Grill. Served in a 13 oz. tulip glass.

A- Golden Orange a little bit on the darker side, not too hazy. Very thin layer of white head when served. Nice light layered lacing on the glass. Slightly below average carbonation.

S- Pretty hoppy. A little bit of a sweet citrus smell of lemons, grapefruit, caramel, etc..

T- Hoppier and sweeter then your average DIPA. Sweet taste is a lemony citrusy taste mixed with a little bit of caramel. Sweet aftertaste.

M- Medium Bodied. Very well balanced between hops and citrus tastes which hides the alcohol well and makes the beer very easy to drink. I would have liked a little bit of a head to the beer, I feel like it adds a little bit to the mouthfeel.

O- While DFH is a hit or miss with most of their beer styles, their IPAs and DIPAs are always some of my favorites. I've had their 60 minute, 90 minute, 120 minute, Burton Baton, Aprihop, and Squall and I've been impressed by all of them.

The Hellhound definitely did not disappoint. While like all of the DFH IPAs the Hellhound is on the sweeter side. Different then the others, it has a little bit more of a lemony sweet taste. It was more hoppy then the 90 minute, but less hoppy then the 120 minute. The lemony citrus taste and the strong hops taste was definitely balanced nicely in the beer.

Overall it was a good IPA, one of the better ones that I've had. If it was more affordable I would definitely probably drink it on more of a regular basis.

Serving type: on-tap

02-29-2012 14:56:02 | More by jaasen64

dcallaghan

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +21.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Just had it on tap at Krugel's Georgetown Deli In Wilkes-Barre , PA. Tulip glass. Pricey. Waiting to taste it for a while. I'm an IPA fan. Sweet and hoppy with a good balance between these flavors and some interesting complexity in the overall taste. I liked it a lot, better than 90 minute. Similar taste profile in my experience to Hopslam which is difficult to obtain here in NEPA. Wish they would offer it in 12oz. bottles all year long.

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2012 23:01:34 | More by dcallaghan

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.65/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at the DFH alehouse Falls Church, VA. Poured into snifter. First off...this kind makes me mad. The brew, during dollar off happy hour, was $9.25. I can buy the bottle at any store for that price. I love this alehouse but that is just stupid.

Ok...so it was poured.
Slight haze deep orange. Nice head, nice lacing.
Smells of soapy hops with a bit of citrus.
Taste is of lemony soapy hops. I deff taste the lemon, but its faint. Its very bitter as the 100 ibu may suggest, but it doesn't seem to work for me. The alcohol kind of sticks to your tongue and its strong.

I have been eyeing this for a while and glad I didn't buy a bomber of it...not that the cost would have been different.
By the way, my face is numb now...this is strong.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2012 23:27:08 | More by DrinkSlurm

BucannonXC5

California

2.98/5  rDev -24%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a draft into a snifter at KnB Wine Cellars in San Diego, Calif. Color was honey caramel. About an inch of head. Whit lacing on the top. Circular film on the sides.

Citrus hops up front on the nose, mainly lemon. Lots of pine in there, too. It little bit reminded me of dish soap.

Kind of similar to the nose, but not as citrusy. Lemon is still the main citrus flavor, though. Very bitter with a strong dose of alcohol. Buttery notes as well.

Medium body. Slick texture. Fizzy (high) carbonation. Bitter astringent finish.

I wasn’t a big fan of this beer. It started out well with the sight and the smell, but the taste was weak overall. Too much alcohol and not enough taste.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2012 05:56:32 | More by BucannonXC5

projectflam86

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours an amber golden color with a thick white foam head that leaves great lacing.

S- Strong grapefruit and pine aroma with a good whiff of alcohol.

T- Similar to the nose with a nice tropical fruit flavor throughout. Bitterness and alcohol in the finish. Some caramel malt makes a brief showing.

M- Medium bodied and smooth with good carbonation.

O- Cool brew to mark Robert Johnson's 100th bday.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2012 00:21:49 | More by projectflam86

notchucknorris

California

4.35/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at O'Brien's

A: Glowing orange color with a nice 1 finger white head.

S: Big citrus hops with a great resiny hop aroma. I'm digging this one.

T: Tons of grapefruit and orange with a nice hard hop resin finish. A fantastic hop forward DIPA. I could drink a lot of this.

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2012 04:43:03 | More by notchucknorris

devinoconnor

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Really interesting ale that's certainly worth trying if you come across it. Pours a cloudy orange color with a nice amount of foamy head.

Smell is very interesting... citrus, very lemony. Some hops and sugar-like notes.

Taste is bitter and complex. Brewed with lemons, this ale is nice in the mouth but the aftertaste is a little harsh... the lemons which provide a nice aroma transform into an almost dish detergent aftertaste.

Still, enjoyed this a lot and thinks it's a nice spin on the normal IPA/2x IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2012 23:42:09 | More by devinoconnor

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

served on tap at the brewpub in Rehoboth Beach.

appears a dark golden color, with thin white head. huge hoppy aroma. hops dominate the taste as well - piney earthy hops. I don't really pick up the lemon. body is medium, a bit sticky.

overall - much more hops dominated that their other IPAs- not as much malt backbone.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2011 04:33:03 | More by jmdrpi

JTSbeerislife

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On draft at Bully’s in Colombia, PA
Notes taken 12/23/2011 at the bar, review today.

10 oz pour into a Dogfish Head Signature Snifter, (at my request, thanks Maria, you are the best!)

Pours a great thick one finger head which slowly reduces to a thin head, lively ale.
Deep amber color, active carbonation, cloudy with yeast.

The smell first hits you with a very vinous, yeast driven aroma, followed by spicy citrus hops, some light malt tries to come out but as the ale warms the lemon brings it on and the hops increase in intensity. Lots going on here, spice/hops/lemon/yeast. Complex.

Crisp, hoppy, citrusy entry on the palate, followed by a vinous hop bitterness, and rich malt in the middle. The lemon comes and goes with the spicy hops and malt fighting for dominance. The lemon touched citrus hops win the battle. Good full mouth feel and superb carbonation. ABV is slightly noticeable and I like it, thank you DFH.

Exceptionally long finish of bitter hops and citrus. The hop oils stick to your mouth forever!!

Very unusual brew, and at first I wasn’t even sure I liked it, but it grew on me rapidly.
Vinous and complex with lots of hop action. There is a definite influence from the lemon but somehow it all balances out. Delicious! I had a second one just to be sure, consistent.
Highly recommended!

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2011 21:18:01 | More by JTSbeerislife

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Al's with Slatetank.

A: The DIPA is golden orange, an amber color that is barely translucent, enough so that I can see the stream of bubbles. A white head, less than half a finger, accompanies the ale.

S: The nose is citrusy, plenty hoppy with grapefruit and lemon driving things. Syrupy at times, plenty of hops.

T: The hops are murky, citrusy and very thick. Sweetness follows, all in the first sip of the beer. Grapefruit and lemon are strong, driving the flavor throughout. Quite heavy too, the ale can't hide its hot streak. Good but I wouldn't go down to the crossroads for this one...

M: A bold DIPA, boozy and hoppy, but it lacks a signature flavor. My soul will have to stay intact.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2011 21:25:16 | More by akorsak

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.43/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

awesome huge ipa. pours sticky honey colored with a nice white head into a snifter at the taproom. smells citrusy and hoppy in a big way. comples nose with some light malty bready doughy depth hiding in the shadows. taste is layered, tangy and definitely lemon up front, acidic slightly, with a more refined hop sweetness and richness taking over. nothing bitter in the finish. mouthfeel is great too, effervescent and thick at the same time. one of the most sessionable imperial ipa's ever. alcohol is not noticible in taste, but you can feel this one

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2011 04:18:17 | More by StonedTrippin

CHickman

New York

4.15/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Pony Bar in NYC; pours clear copper with a 1 finger cream tan head that faded quickly, leaving great spotty lacing.

Smells of citrus hops, floral hops, grapefruit, lemon zest, sweet malt, caramel, grains, wheat and brown sugar; initial hop aroma gives way to sweet malts for nice soft overall nose.

Tastes of citrus hops, grapefruit, orange peel, coriander, floral hops, pine cone, sweet malt, caramel, grains, wheat, cinnamon, light spices and brown sugar; very earthy and hoppy, this had a smooth creamy mouthfeel and flowed down easy with no heat or bite.

The ABV was very well hidden in the nose and flavor, this was very enjoyable and not as strong as a DIPA I've come to expect from DFH. Medium body, a smooth feel, overall a real treat.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2011 17:41:28 | More by CHickman

SunDevilBeer

Massachusetts

1.8/5  rDev -54.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Had this on tap late summer '11 at the advice of an enthusiastic barkeep.

Preciously served in a DFH snifter. Looks deep bright orange on the pour. Oooh this looks nice.

But my hopes were dampered upon smelling this beer. Was expecting to encounter a nice citrusy hop bomb, but instead smelled some dirty, earthy off concoction. Yuck.

Took a hard first sip and found myself recoiling. Very unpleasant musty taste, the malt & hops are fighting each other in this beer. Lots of unpleasant hot alcohol flavors too.

Took a break and drank some water after the first taste just to re-gain my bearings. Took another sip and it was just as disjointed as the first.

Struggled through a few more sips then pushed the glass toward the barkeep. Told him I hated his suggested beer and thankfully he took it off the tab.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2011 03:57:02 | More by SunDevilBeer

stewart124

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This appears golden to orange in a snifter. Tons of pillowy white head.

Nose is particularly citrusy but this is said to have a dose of lemon rind.

Alcohol right of the bat. Easy drinking but a great statement from the hops. The malt bill is fairly tame from compared to what the hops and citrus bring to the table. Lemon plays off the grain and hay characteristics but settles well.

This has to be one of my recent favorites from dogfish head. The fruit attributes and malt characteristics play very well together and don't feel so much like they were just thrown together on a whim.

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2011 23:41:09 | More by stewart124

57md

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Well, anything that is both from DFH and named after this legendary blues man is worth a try.

The appearance was light copper with less than an inch of head and no retention. The pleasant smell of lemon zest is way upfront in this offering. The taste is a hop bomb for sure, but at no time does it feel like it is overwhelming. Quite tasty.

I need to search out and obtain a bottle of this stuff so I can take it home and enjoy it while listening to my scratchy King of the Delta Blues record album.

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2011 05:26:41 | More by 57md