Black Hole IPA! - Dogfish Head Brewery

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at the DFH brewpub, Rehoboth Beach, DE

Probably should be listed as an American black ale, but whatever.

Served in a stemmed half-pint tumbler, dark brown-black in color with a thin cap of beige head that receded to a ringlet, leaving a few streaks on the glass, but no real lacing. Aroma of piney hops, musty grass, mellow dark roasted malts. Smoother than some black ales I've had, but not quite as tasty. Citrus and pine hops, wet grass, cola, dark malts with a laid-back roastiness, notes of cocoa and coffee. Smooth, medium body, soft carbonation, well-hidden alcohol. Pretty good overall.

Serving type: on-tap

09-26-2012 01:58:54 | More by Rifugium

smakawhat

Maryland

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Poured on tap at the Dogfish Eats in Rehoboth, sort of a half pint caraf cocktail glass, kind of dark environment.

Served with no head, thin tan collar. Brew laces nicely, rings and lots of spotted lacing. Very black body, but it is pretty dark in the venue to see anyway. Looks as expected and solid.

Nose described as citrus and grass, but comes out more like peaches to me. Very soft and fleshy, mushy melon. Soft bitterness, and very dense.

Taste is very thick and rich of hop oils, but light malts without any roasty character strangely. Mouthfeel is just big and large, fills the palate everywhere. Reminds me of a good fruit punch. Lots of pulp and fleshy rind.

Overall a real tasty brew from the fish. Perhaps not my fav for the style, but certainly very drinkable black ipa. More please!

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2012 16:38:55 | More by smakawhat

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled at the brewpub, served in an odd stemmed pint glass.

$6.00 for a half pint pour
Sampled 08SEP12

[A] Dark brown body. Approaching black but there is a decent amount transparency along the edges, revealing its true color of dark amber brown. The beer arrives with a half finger high head. Between off white and light tan. Retention is moderate. Lacing in looping strands.

[S] The aroma is loaded on the front end with Galaxy hops. Raw, earthy, dank fresh cut grass mixed with pine needles and a general clean citrus scent. The back end brings in a lightly roasted quality with perhaps a faint dusting of cocoa powder.

[T] Fresh hop flavor grazes the taste buds. Light chocolate and roast not far behind - this time, a little more apparent than was suggested by the nose. Bitterness is sharp and very clean.

[M] Medium body with a coarse texture that compliments the hop profile and accentuates the bitterness in a wonderful way. Semi expansive effervescence with a drying cotton ball-like sensation on the finish.

[O] I love Galaxy. I love 8.5% IPA's. Dark malts in IPA's? Not so much - but that is a personal thing. Thankfully for me, the roasted qualities are restrained. Overall, the beer is very good to great. And was a pleasant surprise on my trip to the pub.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2012 10:46:04 | More by FeDUBBELFIST