120 Minute IPA - Dogfish Head Brewery

StoneTSR

Colorado

3.65/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

I've been waiting for this one for a long time. After searching keeping my eyes open for a bottle of the 120 Minute IPA from Dogfish Head, I finally came across one about a month ago. A few nights ago, I finally decided to crack it open and dive in.

As a side note, my plan was to pour this bottle into a Delirium Tremens tulip glass which I stole, fair and square from work. That plan seems to have been thwarted by a certain female friend of my roommate's who apparently stole that glass from me. She's the only one who could have done it...I am outraged. Anyhow, instead, I will be forced to use my favorite rocks glass which I stole from my other place of employment. It was the last glass my buddy Alan drank from in Chicago before moving to South Korea. So, not ideal for tasting, but at least I can dedicate this review to one of my favorite drinking buddies and his glass:

APPEARANCE: After reading all the reviews talking about how syrupy this beer tasted I was a little surprised to see it look like a somewhat normal IPA. Nice transparent copper color with a thin head comprised of tiny bubbles.

SMELL: When I cracked the bottle open I took a quick whiff and was delighted. I could smelly hoppy deliciousness, the smell actually made me smile. Once it had been poured and I got a better smell, I realized what made me smile. It was the smokiness. It almost reminded me of a bourbon, but without the vanilla flavor. Bourbon, like beer, often makes me smile.

TASTE: The big moment, and...well, wow, I really did not expect that. The syrup, sweet taste is noticeable right away, although I never would have guessed that from the smell or the look. It isn't too sweet or syrupy, just didn't see that coming at all. I read about it, but didn't believe it until I tried it. The hops come in late, but I do wish they were a bit stronger. A nice change of pace, but not what I expected.

FEEL: The syrupy flavor seems to trick your mouth into thinking this is a thicker liquid than it actually is. The carbonation maintained its liveliness no matter how long I held the beer on my tongue. It was actually quite nice to let it sit in my mouth for a moment, let it soak in. Oddly enough, for a beer that is 18% ABV, I expected the alcohol to hit me harder. I was expecting to feel like I was taking that first sip of bourbon, kind of like the first sip of a Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, but it just didn't happen. I could see this being kind of a dangerous beer for someone who didn't know what they were getting into. That said, half way through the glass I am beginning to feel it.

OVERALL: Holy Crap! Now it's kicking in. It is the only beer I've had tonight and it is hitting me already. I guess that's what happens when you drink a beer that is really the equivalent of about three. I heard and read a lot about this beer before I tried it, but it really surprised me. In some ways I was surprised that others were right about it and in other ways I just didn't see it coming. If you're looking for super-intense hops (as I was) this is not your beer, but if you're looking for something unique, different and original than this is an excellent beer. Despite it not being what I was hoping it would be, I am still very happy with it and look forward to having another...but on another night, cause in the famous words of Dave Chappelle as Sam Jackson "It'll getcha drunk!"

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2010 10:24:28 | More by StoneTSR

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