Drake's Denogginizer - Drake's Brewing Co.

DogFood11

California

4.4/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Copper bodied brew. Sticky lace. Easily managed. Looking tasty to say the least.

It hits all the marks. Very intense hop profile. Bitter, citrus, drying and sharp. Malts are buried deep and provide nothing more than a tolerant backbone. This is the best I've had from Drakes and I hope they make this in larger scale. 6 packs welcomed.

Loved it. Drakes is close to being an elite brewery. They have some outstanding offerings and some run of the mill. Prices are worthy on some and a bit high on others. Fine tuning and this will be a favorite of mine.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2010 03:27:51 | More by DogFood11

ebin6

California

3.73/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Great clarity with a light amber color. Nice frothy head that sticks around for days

S - Great citrus notes. Hops are very balanced; I am by no means an expert, but I would say the Simcoe hops are front and center here??

T - I had no preconceived notions going in relative to other Imperials, but this delivers. Slight spice, orange, and a lot of citrus

M - Not especially great in this department, but still lingers nicely and if anything contributes to the drinkability somewhat

D - Very drinkable for the style. Does not wear on your palate too much

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2010 02:07:50 | More by ebin6

Xul

California

4.18/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a translucent amber with golden highlights, capped by a frothy, two finger off white head. Retention is good, as the head settles down to around a finger and remains there.

S: Hop aroma filled my nose before I was even done pouring. Strong herbal hops up front with a spicy hue, with some lighter floral and citrus character. Very faint caramel malt base in the background.

T: Opens up with spicy, herbal hops before moving into slightly muted citrus territory, along with some tropical fruits. Caramel malts come in fairly strong on the mid-palate and provide a good balance, leading to a sweet, citrusy finish.

M: Medium to full bodied with moderate carbonation, good creamy quality to it.

D: The ABV is well hidden and the taste is extremely balanced...I'd reach for other IIPAs before this, but it's definitely a good one.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2010 01:48:25 | More by Xul

chickencoop

California

4.38/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had to pick this up after reading all the typical hype, i think i'm old eneough to see every package change from these guys and have always wanted these guys to succeed, and i think this beer is getting them in the right direction. For one of the trendiest over done styles out there, this beer is solid eneough, but also unique enough to differentiate itself. Pour was a deep amber with a chunky head, smell matched the taste, big citrus, malty middle and slight boozy finish. What I liked about this beer was the malty finish that didn't hide the 9%, but eased you through it. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2010 04:15:34 | More by chickencoop

SShelly

California

4.13/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a touch to the orange copper side of the ipa spectrum, nice white head and lots of lacing as I drink.

Aroma is giant and hoppy, citrus, a little bit of malt creeps in.

Flavor is a little generic for a IIPA but tasty regardless, big upfront bitterness with nice malt backbone, could have been a touch drier.

Will definetly be ordering this when I see it.

tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2010 18:10:33 | More by SShelly

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.5/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

So glad they brought this to the Truckee beer fest, usually have to go into the East Bay (Hayward/San Leandro) for this one.

Amazing orange and auburn glow, with clarity, minimal head, white. Great dry hop aroma, citrus and pine, simcoe and amarillo is my guess.

Great taste, so easy to drink, hides the alcohol, gets you pumped up like it has caffeine in it, such a thrill to find this when you didn't expect it. Usually a perennial spot or two behind Pliny in my tally for dipa festival. Solid.

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2010 22:55:15 | More by Beerandraiderfan

MrTopher

California

4.6/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this on 05/29/10 at Ladyface Alehouse (Agoura, CA). Didn't know what it was, just saw Drake's and knew it had to be good. I had no clue it was a DIPA.

A - Dark copper amber color looked almost like amber ale. No head at all when presented. The first appearance is deceiving; especially with me not knowing it was a DIPA.

S - This smelled like a hop bomb before I even got a taste of it. Very citrus with some sweetness to it. But the smell could have made me think it was a Double Red.

T - One sip and I knew it was a DIPA. Strong citrus flavors but added is a balanced malty flavor that balances this beer out and makes it extremely enjoyable to drink. I didn't want to put it down; I wanted to cradle it all day.

M - Perfection, not a single taste bud on my tongue wasn't happy. It could be because its destroyed from all the IPA/DIPA's I've had, but who's counting.

D - All day long, this is a beer that can be enjoyed in any season. Was great on the warm day I had it on.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2010 17:30:40 | More by MrTopher

snpub540

California

4.72/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a tlip a nice brown hue with some copper highlights at the bottom and the edges. Khaki head leaves some very clingy lacing the whole way down.

Hops run the aroma with citrus being the biggest player. Grapefruit and tropical fruit are the most dominate.

Taste is a nice hoppy pineapple, mango and pine mix. Enough of a malt sweetness that it doesn't allow the hops to be too aggressive. The balance is wonderful and this is the best DIPA I've had in awhile.

Drinkability is pretty good for such a big beer. Alcohol isn't really present in the taste, but it does show up when I first stood up from my bar stool. Mouthfeel was resinous and almost sticky. Definately coated the whole palate. Glad I got to try this and can't wait to get my hands on some more.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2010 00:19:04 | More by snpub540

Westsidebuddha

California

3.85/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at 38 Degrees Alhambra, Calif.

Poured a dark brown color into a pint glass. The smell of citrus is noticable. First sip is definitely a DIPA with a good backend. Good mouthfeel with a present ABV. Decent drinkability for a DIPA. Overall, a good DIPA with a good ABV backend.

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2010 15:35:01 | More by Westsidebuddha

dirtylou

Washington

4.22/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on-tap, Rogue Alehouse - San Francisco

cellphone notes

appearance: served in an odd overside cocktail glass, or something...hazy tangerine body, light bubbly white foam

smell: smooth hoppy aroma, tropical fruit, tangerine citrus

taste: big tangerine body, white pepper, fresh citrus, caramel, tropical fruit...nice one

mouthfeel: medium body, fresh

drinkability: good

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2010 00:26:30 | More by dirtylou

SpdKilz

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had at FO Santa Moncia with my Father and Brother-in-Law

Appearance - Was served to us with about a finger of head that dissipated realatively fast leaving decent lacing. When held up to the light coming in from outside it has a copper/amber color to it.

Smell - Wow...the bartender said this was a DIPA but all I can find at first is the sweet malty smells coming from the beer. Caramel and some toffee which is eventually followed by some citrus and hops.

Taste - This immediately reminds me of more sweet D/IPA's such as 90 min and Gordons. A very sweet taste up front which is eventually, finally if you will, followed by a hint of hops and citrus. This was not a good drink to have right after a Pliny on tap, let me tell you. Granted I don't think many other D/IPA's could follow a PtE and actually compete with it, but even this was lackluster in my opinion. My Father and B-in-L are not beer geeks (besides what I tell them) and they also heavily preferred the PtE we had had just prior. Allow me to state, however, that this is not a "bad" DIPA because I have had many of those. It is just very barleywine like rather than a DIPA.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied, almost syrupy, with little carbonation. One can taste hints of the alcohol in this drink. (Again, amazing how different DIPA's can be...I know this is a percent more than a PtE but my god, you can only taste awesomeness in PtE but here you get a bite of the alcohol at the tail end).

Drinkability - If I were at FO again and they had both PtE on tap and this, I would definitely go for a Pliny. Again, this is not a bad DIPA, however, when there are better DIPA's on tap right next to it, I will go for those. Granted, some people enjoy a sweeter DIPA rather than balanced or hoppy...I guess I am just not one of those people.

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2009 00:00:17 | More by SpdKilz

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I'm a fan of a lot of Drake's bigger beers, and this is one I'd wanted to try for a while but always seemed to miss it. Finally found it on tap at Meridian in Berkeley, and I'm glad I did. A delicious beer. A beautiful pour, dark orangey amber with a thick, lustrous head that sticks around for the duration of the beer as a 1/4 inch cap. Leaves some thick lacing as well. Big, hoppy nose with herbal, citrus, and especially pine notes with some sweet, bready malt. Beautifully balanced aromas. The taste is bold. Lots of herbal notes, with some noticeable dill, and piney hops with some sweet malt and a long bitter finish. The dill note is interesting- I've tasted hints of this in Racer 5, and lots of it in Exponential Hoppiness, and its coming from the hops, but I don't know what strain is creating it. In any case, its interesting. A long bitter finish rounds out the flavors. The mouthfeel is firm, but relatively smooth. This is an excellent beer. I just wish I saw it on more places.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2009 06:01:59 | More by Georgiabeer

tpd975

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another day another kick ass brew at Downtown Johnny Brown's SD.

A: Pours a very nice ruby hue. Nice tight 1/4 finger head. Good retention and ridiculous lace.

S: Not overly bold, but nicely hopped. Hints of sweet caramel malt mixed with sweet resinous pine.

T: Wonderful sweet malt backbone which is quickly over powered by the hops. Tons of dripping sweet resinous pine backed by nice green floral hops.

M: Medium in body smooth with a nice grassy hop bite in the finish.

D: Very good, glad to try another Drake's brew.

Serving type: on-tap

04-15-2009 01:47:49 | More by tpd975

ccrida

Oregon

4.38/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On draught at the Toranado, served in a tulip. Denogginizer is a dark, dull orange with a small white collar, leaving decent lace.

Smell is pungent hops, almost like what I would assume pure hop oil extract smells like. It's on the sweeter, fruity side, pineapple and watermelon (almost, but not nearly as distinctly melon as the Mad River Jamaican Red, but probably the same hop). The pine resin comes out more as it warms, very nice.

Taste is also quite hoppy, with pretty firm malt backbone balancing it out. Strong but not overwhelming bitterness, the hops really linger on the tongue, whoa! Really a pretty nice DIPA, big hop flavor, but the intense malt provides some 'balance'. Still, nothing I'm going to move from Portland for!

Mouthfeel is pretty creamy, but oily and dry, with a medium-heavy, chewy body.

Drinkability is pretty good, the taste in particular. The body's a bit thick to really slurp 'em back like I tend to do with PtE, but still damn good!

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2009 00:35:11 | More by ccrida

Floydster

California

3.98/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

10 ounce glass at The Bistro in Hayward a little over a month ago, reviewed from notes, color is copper with some vibrant orange, there is a big 1 1/2 inch soapy off white head that lasts a long time, nice lacing too, aroma is made up of both floral and piney hops, figs, lots of caramel, light bread, dried dark fruits, grapefruit, toffee, and mild booze, smell reminds me or of a barleywine than a DIPA, starts off with some mild hop notes, sweet caramel and booze in the middle, finish is slightly bitter and a good amount of warmth in the aftertaste along with some lingering caramel, gets fruity, sweeter, and more alcoholic as it warms, malt was dominant in this one from a DIPA perspective, needed a larger hop profile to really make it special but still good overall, sweet, citrusy, dry, boozy, and fruity mouthfeel, full bodied, light carbonation that can be a bit syrupy, taste lingered, could not have drank much more than a few ounces of this, seemed even stronger than it was because the booze were not hidden that great, not the smoothest and quite thick and filling for a double IPA, Drake does make good beer and this is no exception, I had heard a lot about this brew before getting to have some, I would like to drink it again even though it did not live up to the extent of its hype, recommended

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2009 03:34:13 | More by Floydster

bbothen

California

3.43/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Rose & Crown in Palo Alto.

Pours a dark amber color with a thick & creamy white head. The head has good staying power & leaves lots of sticky glue like webbing on the glass as it goes down. Wonder if it's doing that to my tubes inside as well? I hope so.

Smells of sweetness mostly. Sugar, big maltiness, some faint tropical aromas, and booze. Nothing off or bad, just not what I expected for a IIPA.

The taste is much better than the nose led me. Nice malty sweetness, fruitiness, some tropical hoppiness comes through, but the sweetness dominates, warming boozy presence as well. Interesting take on an IIPA.

Medium bodied, moderately carbonated, slick, thick.

Drinks well for how sweet it is & the ABV.

Hmmm indeed. I enjoyed this. Wont be going out of my way to find again. But will gladly sample again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2009 22:15:21 | More by bbothen

Sandstone

California

3.2/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Had this on tap at the Rose & Crown.

My primary problem with this beer was that it was just way too sweet for me. The other reviewer who compared this to a barleywine hit the nail right on the head here. The hops are just completely overshadowed.

If you like your DIPAs "east-coast style" with a massive malt backbone, there might be something for you here. On the other hand, if, like me, you want the hops to be the starring role of your IPA, I think you're going to walk away from this beer a bit disappointed.

I know I did.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2009 04:22:44 | More by Sandstone

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Toronado in SF today.

The beer pours a solid amber color with very good head retention and decent lacing. The nose on this beer is pretty impressive, consisting of fruity malt, some spice and noticeable bitterness. The nose on this bad boy is all DIPA and no mistake.

On the palate the beer generally replicates the nose and is just delicious. There is a huge fruity presence of melon, cherry cough drop and hoppy citrus. The interplay of flavors is intriguing, and I appreciate how the finish is on the dry side, despite all the sweet malt. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and drinkabilty is quite impressive, given the abv.

This is an absolutely excellent DIPA, and is a beer that seems to impart the best aspects of both the East Coast and West Coast in a DIPA. This is just excellent stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2009 03:44:07 | More by johnmichaelsen

Overlord

California

3.25/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours amber/orange with a thin white crust.

Smells like ... a barleywine. This is a double IPA? I have my doubts. Malty, no real hops in the nose, some fruits ... I detect zero citrus. Hmmm...

Taste is kind of a blend of J.W. Lee's Harvest Ales and maybe a sweeter, maltier DIPA like Dogfishhead 90 minute. That sounds good, but it really wasn't. Sickly sweet malt, some sweeter fruits .. no citrus, no hops, taste wore on me even with only 12 oz.

No carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2009 08:25:13 | More by Overlord

lhaqq

California

4.15/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Have had a handful of stuff from Drake's before, was told that this was a barleywine. Doesn't really taste like a double IPA to me, though it could be. But for that matter, it is significantly different from the barleywines I've had before.
A: Dark copper brown body with a frothy off-white head with great retention.
S: Not a terribly strong smell. Some malts, sugars, and specifically a hint of brown sugar. Also a good dose of grapefruit present, but little hops.
T: Some honey along with the malts. Noticeable alcohol, but not as strong as other barleywines I've had. Some of the grapefruit bitterness comes through, but overall pretty sweet.
M: Definitely not as cloying as a lot of barleywines. Goes down easy.
D: Pretty dangerous. Had it at Jupiter, where I was told it was 11%. Whether that or 9%, it goes down easy. A friend of mine chugged one pretty quickly. But it still has some great flavor; will have to pick up a six-pack sometime.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2009 07:27:54 | More by lhaqq

easong

California

4.43/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Tasted on tap at the Rose and Crown (Palo Alto, CA), The Bistro (Hayward, CA), and the Dublin Sports Pub (Dublin, CA).

A: Thin white head above a medium-amber and just slightly cloudy drawn pint.

S: Citrus, grapefruit rind, Centennial aroma. No nuttiness, a good sign.

T: Assaulting hoppiness which lasts several seconds after the first swallow, then well-balanced residual malt compensates, followed by a somewhat sour and rising alcohol finish, not unpleasant or overpowering the citrus. Hop complexity comparable to Green Flash Imperial or Stone Ruination. All good in a strong IPA.

M: Apparent thinness in head maybe a tap artifact. Very nice cling and legs down the glass, especially as it warms a bit. Coats tongue and throat, not unlike a Bigfoot or similar weight barleywine, yet not nearly so caramelized. Would be excellent on cask draw, I think.

D: Nice choice as a first glass before a good single IPA (such as Drakes).

Serving type: on-tap

04-13-2008 19:42:00 | More by easong

Halcyondays

California

4.3/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the Beachwood BBQ,

A: Pours a dark amber, with a thin white head, good retention though, and very good lacing.

S: Very floral, ripe - just picked grapefruit, orange.

T: Great caramel/toffee maltiness, that doesn't detract from the hop character that I've found in a lot of Double IPA's. Grapefruit, light pine resin, citrus fruit from the hops, really tasty, right on the DIPA/Barleywine bordeline, reminds me a lot of Bigfoot '07.

M: Resiny, oily, medium-bodied, slick.

D: A really good DIPA from Drake's, I need to try more of their beers, what I've had from them has been really good.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2008 02:08:27 | More by Halcyondays

t0rin0

California

4.43/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at Toronado. Unfortunately it was already my 4th beer of the day so I'm probably not qualified to comment on how alcoholic the beer tasted or smelled.

In any case it poured a nice orange/red color that was pretty clear and had some sticky white head that laced the glass well.

The smell was intensely strong and of hops and more hops. Part citrus but mostly pine. Some sweet malt, well probably a lot of malt if it was noticeable under all those hops. Wonderful.

The taste was similar. It was basically a stronger more rediculous version of their IPA. Very sweet, moderately bitter, very hoppy in every aspect. Great beer all around.

Don't know if this is going to be bottled but I would love to find some of this.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2008 19:52:48 | More by t0rin0

scottoale

California

4.25/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On -tap at O'Brien's, served in a pint glass. A deep orange-copper with an off-white head of thick cream, the lacing after each sip looked like a beer-battered onionring, seriously. This lace is super thick and creamy!

First smell is of a piney, sappy, resinous hop-bomb. Pine and citrus, hop-bomb through and through. Just by the smell, it's not hard to tell it's at least a 2XIPA...yum.

The flavor doesn't disappoint, it's as hoppy as they come. Each sip seems to be hoppier than the last. The end of the pint is spikey, bitter and punishing with the IBU's running off the chart.

Medium body, high ABV and hops aplenty give this a crisp, bitter-sharp mouhyfeel and should certainly satisfy any true hophead...it sure works for me. Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2006 10:51:17 | More by scottoale

Crosling

Colorado

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

GABF 2005. Light gold. Rich hop aroma, just how I like it. Vibrant grapefruit, pine and spruce, with perhaps a hint of grass and herbs. Medium bodied, with a creamy, yet slick texture. Big time bitterness, with grapefruit and orange rind flavors. Good stuff and what do you know, it’s West Coast.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2006 03:59:31 | More by Crosling