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Theobroma
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
- From:
- Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
- Delaware, United States
- Style:
- Chile Beer
Ranked #8 - ABV:
- 9%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #17,884 - Avg:
- 3.85 | pDev: 14.81%
- Reviews:
- 783
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 01, 2023
- Added:
- Mar 21, 2008
- Wants:
- 290
- Gots:
- 371
Theobroma is a celebration of chocolate, the food of the gods.
This Ancient Ale is based on chemical analysis of pottery fragments found in Honduras that revealed the earliest known alcoholic chocolate drink used by early civilizations to toast special occasions.
The discovery of this beverage pushed back the earliest use of cocoa for human consumption more than 500 years to 1,200 B.C. As per the analysis, Dogfish Head's Theobroma (translated into "food of the gods") is brewed with Aztec cocoa powder and cocoa nibs (from our friends at Askinosie Chocolate), honey, chilies and annatto (fragrant tree seeds).
It's light in color, not what you expect from your typical chocolate beer (not that you'd be surpised that we'd do something unexpected with this beer!).
8 IBU
This Ancient Ale is based on chemical analysis of pottery fragments found in Honduras that revealed the earliest known alcoholic chocolate drink used by early civilizations to toast special occasions.
The discovery of this beverage pushed back the earliest use of cocoa for human consumption more than 500 years to 1,200 B.C. As per the analysis, Dogfish Head's Theobroma (translated into "food of the gods") is brewed with Aztec cocoa powder and cocoa nibs (from our friends at Askinosie Chocolate), honey, chilies and annatto (fragrant tree seeds).
It's light in color, not what you expect from your typical chocolate beer (not that you'd be surpised that we'd do something unexpected with this beer!).
8 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by mt5000:
Reviewed by mt5000 from Virginia
4.33/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
4.33/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
This beer really surprised me, I thought I wasn't going to like it based on the description. What it turned out to be was a strong malty ale with some interesting ingredients.
Color was a dark gold. You don't get a huge amount of the special ingredients in the aroma, lots of honey malt sweetness and perhaps a whiff of chocolate. But on the palate the flavors really come through and in remarkably good balance. Definitely sweet and malty (though not to the barleywine extreme), and all the ingredients listed on the bottle are definitely detectable. I could taste the chilis and chocolate especially, but they were more of a sideshow where I expected them to be the star. But I found myself pleasantly surprised that they were the sideshow and enjoyed the beer quite a bit. Nice work.
I gave the beer a 5 for drinkability (not a real word) in the sense that it is able to be drunk.
Nov 08, 2008Color was a dark gold. You don't get a huge amount of the special ingredients in the aroma, lots of honey malt sweetness and perhaps a whiff of chocolate. But on the palate the flavors really come through and in remarkably good balance. Definitely sweet and malty (though not to the barleywine extreme), and all the ingredients listed on the bottle are definitely detectable. I could taste the chilis and chocolate especially, but they were more of a sideshow where I expected them to be the star. But I found myself pleasantly surprised that they were the sideshow and enjoyed the beer quite a bit. Nice work.
I gave the beer a 5 for drinkability (not a real word) in the sense that it is able to be drunk.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Bouleboubier from New Jersey
4.14/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.14/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Over the many times I'd tried this from the bottle or on tap, the best version is still that draft pour at the Brewings & Eats in 2008. That must have been one of the earliest batches. As compared to subsequent sips, I do recall in that first sampling that the chocolate was much more rich and prominent while the chile provided a lovely little accent to the finish, sort of enhancing the perception of caramelization in the darker malts. I should have bought another glass of it, but who knew this would be as good as it got. I did later enjoy a few bottles of it, however, the flavor in them did not come close to the intensity and expression of number one. I would be all over this if they ever decided to make a taproom-only one off again. (2080)
Feb 01, 2023Reviewed by Lone_Freighter from Vermont
4.24/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a snifter due to the ABV.
The appearance was a mildly dark orange murky milky color almost light brown color with a small cap of a little white foamy head. This swiftly fell off to barely leave any lace.
The aroma had some milk chocolate, honey and chili peppers. With some warmth, the chocolate subsides and let's the honey and chili peppers take a firmer hold.
The flavor started off sweet with the honey and chocolate but leans into the chili peppers as I continued on. Mild aftertaste of honey, cocoa powder and chili pepper.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied with a fair sipping quality about it. Chili pepper heat is noticeable but not burdensome. Good carbonation and ABV. Mild finish of chili pepper heat and honey, some dry cocoa powder substance.
Overall, I need to find more of this style as at least this one was very well done.
Feb 16, 2019The appearance was a mildly dark orange murky milky color almost light brown color with a small cap of a little white foamy head. This swiftly fell off to barely leave any lace.
The aroma had some milk chocolate, honey and chili peppers. With some warmth, the chocolate subsides and let's the honey and chili peppers take a firmer hold.
The flavor started off sweet with the honey and chocolate but leans into the chili peppers as I continued on. Mild aftertaste of honey, cocoa powder and chili pepper.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied with a fair sipping quality about it. Chili pepper heat is noticeable but not burdensome. Good carbonation and ABV. Mild finish of chili pepper heat and honey, some dry cocoa powder substance.
Overall, I need to find more of this style as at least this one was very well done.
Reviewed by briandschorr from North Carolina
4.37/5 rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.37/5 rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Don't let the nose fool you. Sorry, this was my least favorite part. This beer is complex. A great head, good lacing and a wonderful taste. The honey overpowered the chocolate for me and I also noticed a mild heat in the aftertaste. As a fan of chocolate beers this is one of the best I have ever tried. If you are looking for a unique experience then this is well worth a try.
Aug 03, 2017Reviewed by Catfishhunter from Washington
4.6/5 rDev +19.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.6/5 rDev +19.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
One of my favorite beers. Has been awhile since I have had it but the cocoa and pepper presence are apparent in this beer. As always with dogfish beers, the mouthful is good and substantial. Beer pours a dark golden brown color. Light head and good carbonation. Tough to explain this one and it may not be for everyone but it is a deliscious beer imo!
Jun 23, 2017Reviewed by poisoneddwarf from Idaho
4.29/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
4.29/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
2009 backlog. 14 oz sample from a 750ml bottle. Smells like a cinnamon roll. Thin head, moderate lacing. Tastes like holiday cookies, except it starts out sweet and ends spicy. I fucking loved this beer. Dogfish head never ceases to amaze me with their experimentation.
Jun 14, 2017Reviewed by EMV from Pennsylvania
4.03/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured from a bomber into a Dogfish Head tulip
L: Clear medium golden brown pour. 2 fingers of foamy white head. Good retention and lacing. Lots of chunky sediment at the end of the pour.
S: Sweet and fruity mixed with vegetables and chilis.
T/F: Semi-sweet and tart... honey and mild citrus/kiwi. Cocoa is present at the finish and there is some chili flavor with a very mild burn (more a tingle) in the aftertaste. Complex... floral and spicy... aromatic. Definitely warming... finish is sticky and leaves you wanting a bit more.
O: I've had this a few times and every time I walk away with a different experience/opinion of the beer. Complex as hell.... it's not really a Chile beer... although there is some VERY mild heat in the aftertaste... more an herbed fruit beer. One to experience, and it changes character nicely with age. I wouldn't want a steady diet of this but can definitely appreciate what it brings to the table and what DFH has accomplished here and I'm raising my overall rating accordingly.
Feb 06, 2017L: Clear medium golden brown pour. 2 fingers of foamy white head. Good retention and lacing. Lots of chunky sediment at the end of the pour.
S: Sweet and fruity mixed with vegetables and chilis.
T/F: Semi-sweet and tart... honey and mild citrus/kiwi. Cocoa is present at the finish and there is some chili flavor with a very mild burn (more a tingle) in the aftertaste. Complex... floral and spicy... aromatic. Definitely warming... finish is sticky and leaves you wanting a bit more.
O: I've had this a few times and every time I walk away with a different experience/opinion of the beer. Complex as hell.... it's not really a Chile beer... although there is some VERY mild heat in the aftertaste... more an herbed fruit beer. One to experience, and it changes character nicely with age. I wouldn't want a steady diet of this but can definitely appreciate what it brings to the table and what DFH has accomplished here and I'm raising my overall rating accordingly.
Rated by Rice_Nate_25 from Ohio
3.44/5 rDev -10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.44/5 rDev -10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Has a very strange aroma, but decent taste. Do not be discouraged by smell alone
Dec 19, 2016
Theobroma from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
2223 ratings
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