Rhizing Bines - Dogfish Head Brewery

brentk56

North Carolina

3.76/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: The clear amber colored liquid is capped by a modest head that leaves some streaks of lacing behind

Smell: Honeydew melon and resinous hops, with a floral aspect; pith and pine in the background

Taste: Opens with a honeydew, toasted wheat and shortbread malt flavor that is quickly joined by the resinous, piney hops; after the swallow, there is an additional bit of honey which adds more sweetness; despite the malt forward character of this beer, there is plenty of bitterness that brings up the rear

Mouthfeel: Very thick, almost syrupy, with low carbonation

Overall: This is a very different beer but to think of it in DIPA terms really leads one down the wrong path; though I don't like many sweet DIPAs, I am finding this one to be rather interesting; not sure about the mouthfeel, however

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 01:58:54 | More by brentk56

UCLABrewN84

California

3.81/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

On tap at 38 Degrees in Alhambra, CA.

Pours a clear gold with a foamy bone colored head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, citrus fruit, and citrus zest. Taste is much the same with a citrus zest flavor on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with some nice aromas and flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2013 03:51:27 | More by UCLABrewN84

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.1/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Riding both on the cusp of daring experimentaiton and embedded in proven technique in full IPA flavor- the heads, hearts, and hands of Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada have put together this racy imperial IPA that's as refreshing as it is packed with punch.

Bright with deep gold colors, the beer hinges on light amber as the light seems to make the beer glow. Zesty streams of carbonation build a frothy white head that keeps the beer looking bright, lively and almost champagne-like. Long-lasting retention and broken lace accompanies the beer through the bulk of the session.

Sharp and perfumy aromas, led by grapefruit, lemon, and floral notes are all strung together by light honey and caramel malt underpinnings for a scent that's hop-balanced ever so slightly. Light breadiness with a twangy-tart scent keeps the nose guessing at the subtle surprises here that's not in your ordinary IPA.

Soft caramel sweetness gives the fruity hop taste a candied taste that's similar to honey-dipped or light confectioner's sugar. Supporting bread tastes add a buffer to the hops to come. The ale's middle palate brings on the grapefruit and orange peels that's expected from highly hopped American ales. But the taste extends into the herbal and lemony world of Sorachi Ace and Nelson Sauvin hops. Coming together, there's a sense of sassafras, saffron, ginger, white wine, and almost-gin that accompanies the citrus fruits with a lot of pizzazz! As the hops develop their resiny bitterness to finish, the new hop acidity and supportive wheat backdrop keeps the beer complex and just off-dry in taste.

Medium bodied, the malts never really try to balance the beer and cause a fuller effect, but instead favors a drier and lighter palate that offers up a sense of refreshment early on and only increases heading into finish. As the hop character takes hold, the malts continue to recede until the finish of hop dryness, alcohol warmth, and zesty herbal tartness ensures complete cleanliness, crispness, and refreshment to close the session.

Where the Sierra Nevada taste is grounded, simple, and pure; the excitement of Dogfish experimentation is alive and well- but without Dogfishing it up too much. The somber recklessness that's demonstrated here is nothing short of wonderful!

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2013 19:15:34 | More by BEERchitect

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a snifter at Firkin.

It's taken me a while to do so, but I've finally gotten around to trying this stuff. It pours a clear amber-brass topped by over a finger of cream-white foam. The nose comprises greens, light grass, and very light biscuit. The taste brings in more of the same, along with a hint of honey, some light pine needle, and a touch of extra bitterness in the grass area. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda drying finish. Overall, a solid, if borderline boring, IPA. I'm not entirely sure if it's a proper representation of the merging between the hop notions of DFH and SN, but it's enjoyable enough.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2013 19:37:29 | More by TMoney2591

drabmuh

Maryland

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the brewpub in Rehoboth beach, served in a DFH IPA glass, the new weird looking one.

Beer is yellow clear with steady carbonation and a nice white head of small and medium bubbles. Some lacing, decent retention.

Aroma is a little grainy, mildly hoppy, a decent smelling beer for sure.

Beer is light to medium in body, mildly bitter on the finish, sweet but not overly sweet, it seems like an imperial pale ale but light on the hops overall. Interesting beer, I enjoyed it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2013 17:55:56 | More by drabmuh

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.01/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

Sure glad I hadn't bought a bottle or even worse a case of this one. The beer poured out nice, with a clear golden color and a white head on top. The retention and lacing were pretty solid on this beer, It's a good looking brew to say the least. The smell of the beer is a little on the weak side, I was trying to pick up some of the big hoppy aromas but I just wasn't really able too all that much. Very strange. The taste of the beer reminded me of a Hopped up version of Midas Touch. It's very sweet with a decent hop prifile but it doesn't taste much different than several other DfH beers that are on the market. The mouthfeel was smooth, kind of oily with a subtle carbonation to it. Overall just really not impressed with this beer. I wanted to like it but I just wasn't able to enjoy it as much as I had hoped too.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2013 18:07:30 | More by Knapp85

Gavage

New Jersey

4.01/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Appearance: orange in color with a 1/2" head that lingers around a while.

Smell: caramel, lemon and graprefruit citrus, and some bitterness comes through to the nose.

Taste: caramel, grapefruit, lemon, melon, some biscuit, and some moderate bitterness creates a well balanced IPA.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied. Crisp at the start, less crisp and a bit dry at the finish. The aftertaste is short lived.

Overall: This was an enjoyable brew that wasn't overly citric or bitter despite it is a DIPA. I found this to be very good and I am looking forward to more of this.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 23:34:03 | More by Gavage

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.54/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Again a glowing orange brew from the united forces of Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada, Rhizing Bines is where the hops meet two different hops Bravo and #644...full thicket of creamy textured head billowing with a great intricate lacing as it settles down a bit. Aroma has intense citric hops with sweetness glowing from the basis of the beer, it feels so right in the beer realm something I can't complain about when these two breweries come together. Each one has their strengths...together the force is that much stronger. A whisping collision of hops and alcohol with complex grains, really brings it together a bit of harshness when the collision occurs. I'm getting soft complex wheat with the estate caramel malts character shining thru, mind you these hopes aren't the freshest varietals this was bottled on 1/25/13, which indicates some time has passed I would have loved to try I the first week in distribution. I just lit up a Camacho Diploma cigar with these hops they are a perfect marriage, the malts and hops that are starting to fade blend well with the spicy peppery sweet Honduran tobacco. Mouthfeel finishes with trace alcohol burn and bittering hops all day, it's a true hophead marriage goes great with both the cigar and the Dr. John New Orleans Native Son album I'm listening to. Overall I'm glad I was able to try hopefully next time a bit fresher, the production on this album is great the Black Keys got involved with Dr. John how can he get any better add in some Black Keys...now the beer again keep it up both breweries are booming for a very good reason excellent products and marketing.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 19:20:38 | More by WVbeergeek

mdfb79

New York

3.8/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

From 02/10/13 notes. Had this on tap at Picco's in Boston, MA. Served in a tulip.

a - Pours a clear bright orange color with high carbonation and two inches of fluffy white head.

s - Smells of fruity malts, sticky sweet fruits, citrus hops, tropical fruits, caramel malts, light alcohol. Much maltier than I was expecting and not a lot of hops, though nice.

t - Taste follows the nose; very malty. Tastes of fruity malts, sweet molasses, tropical fruits, light citrus hops, caramel malts. Nice and fruity, but not very hoppy.

m - Medium body and moderate to high carbonation. Light alcohol presence but not bad at all.

o - Overall a nice beer, though I was a bit disappointed. It is not very hoppy at all; lots of fruit and malts to it, and some light alcohol. Worth checking out but don't expect a hop bomb or something like 60 or 90 minute.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2013 18:17:42 | More by mdfb79

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.61/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Shared with rudzud.

Big foamy creamy almost 2 finger head fades slowly with lots of soapy lacing, big bubbles, clear honey orange color.

Nose interesting and unique hops, light musty resin, fairly grassy herbal leafy, light spicy and very light citrus and little fruity, candy sweet malts, caramel, earthy like almost saison earthy, little booze with hint of phenols, hint pine syrup and what almost seems like hop extract, earthy hops, has that typical various time hopped characteristics from dfh.

Taste syrupy and spruce tree pine to start. Pine resin, sap, etc, earthy hops, very light citrus bit fruity too. Big sweet malts, bit of caramel, candy malts and even candy hops, little oily, light grainy malts and wheat flavors, touch biscuit. Fairly bitter but not a lot, little salty from the hops too. Finish is sticky syrupy, long lingering fairly bitter but piney oily light citrus.

Mouth is med to a bit fuller bodied, decent carb, very light booze, little oily.

Overall not very good, weird pine sap and oily but light citrus and sweet syrupy malts blend to a very meh flavor. Not a big winner in my book, just the wrong hop flavors and wrong overall combined characteristics, esp for a DFH and Sierra Nevada collab.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 15:10:58 | More by jlindros

Zorro

California

3.49/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

Clear ale that is the color of copper with a small white head that doesn't last. It is in the spectrum that could be called amber but it has a distinct color of copper.

Smell is rich and malty with serious caramel and toffee going on. Toasted grain and faint cinnamon scent. There is a scent here I can only describe as apricots and sugar. What it doesn't smell like is hops, distinctly on the malt side.

Starts out sweet with a strong taste butter and wood with a taste I can only describe as salt. Little bit of a butterscotch flavor. Caramel and toffee, it is for certain a high sugar beer.

Mouthfeel is good.

Overall OK but not anything special.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 02:14:05 | More by Zorro

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.38/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Clear amber colored beer, nice almost perfect 1" of head on it, has above average retention for something with upper degree hopping. Aroma was far sweeter than I was expecting. Don't know if it was the malt additions or the hopping, who knows, this experimental hop stuff, I have no frame of reference for, so hey, it was sweet, from where, I dunno at this time. Aromatically, it just didn't deliver what an excellent dipa should in the nose.

Taste was again, sweet, there was an herbalness to it as well. I'm already thinking, hey, this is a lot more DFH than it is SN at this point. As far as hoppy beers (well almost all beers), that is kind of a bummer, I'd rather have a bigger SN footprint all over this. Minimal citrus inclusions. There's some spice aspect (coriander?) that doesn't need to be there either. Grassy, herbal, floral, but lacking hop punch quality. Sometimes, trying to go unique and reinvent the wheel isn't as impressive as just making something reliable and predictable that gets the job done.

12.99 a bottle? No way. Not gonna happen, I wouldn't pay $12.99 for a 6 pack of this.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 16:53:09 | More by Beerandraiderfan

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

First had: on tap at Capone's, Norristown, PA

Slightly hazy amber pour into a snifter, a small foamy white head topping it off; moderate retention and lacing. Aroma of light herbal hops, a dash of spice, grass. Taste was a bit bland overall, light notes of piney and herbal hops, distant toasted grains, not much distinction here. Body was light-medium, crisp, easily drinkable, but just too lacking in flavor to reel me in.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2013 16:55:49 | More by Rifugium

lacqueredmouse

Australia

3.78/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

750ml DFH-embossed brown bottle, purchased from Whole Food SoMa in San Francisco.

Pours a pleasant bright orange-golden colour, with a fine, slightly filmy white head. Lacing is specked and intricate, falling away in great streaks down the glass. Body looks pleasantly fine, and holds misty, powdery carbonation. Overall, it's a good-looking beer.

Nose is less potent than I expected, but pleasant enough. Sharp, green hop characters give a resiny edge to the beer, while a rounded caramel character provides the bulk. There's some wheaty, husked grain characters which come through too, giving a raw, slightly rustic edge. The hops are present at least, but not particularly potent.

Taste is similar: big caramel malty sweetness provides the basis of this beer, while hops cut through a little but never become dominant. Light lemon-citrus characters, a musky, slightly salt-saline tone and some brisk peppery herbal characters on the back. Finish is dry, but with lingering medicinal herbal characters. It's not bad, but it's not really inspired.

Feel is light but smooth, kept in check by the hop character and a very fine carbonation.

Overall, this is decent stuff. It's quite well-balanced, pretty drinkable even for 8% ABV, and with a good amount of flavour. It is a little bit generic though, and in the end does feel a bit like a beer we've all had before.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 00:55:56 | More by lacqueredmouse

plaid75

New York

3.68/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

On draft at The Lark, East Northport, NY.

Poured a deep brassy hue with a two finger frothy white head. There was very good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a lively herbal hop atop grainy sharp malts.

The taste consisted of an initial herbal element that was soon overtaken by a harsh jagged graininess. There was an agressive lingering hop spice.

The mouthfeel was toward the drier side of the style with a vigorous carbonation.

Overall an interesting beer that is unfortunately difficult to palate. A little too much going on I think. SN should steer clear of these types of projects.

Serving type: on-tap

04-10-2013 22:32:20 | More by plaid75

kojevergas

California

3.1/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Dogfish Head/Sierra Nevada "Life and Limb Rhizing Bines." An India Pale Ale brewed with Bravo & #644 hops. Cap is the Dogfish Head logo. Brewed & Bottled by Dogfish Head. 8% ABV confirmed. Expectations are above average; I'm not big on either brewery, but I'm in the mood for a good IPA. 1 pint 9.4 fl oz brown glass bottle acquired locally earlier tonight and served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live.

Served straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a fluffy soft beige colour head of nice cream, nice thickness, and pretty good (4+ minute) retention for the high ABV. No real lacing as the head recedes. Body colour is a clear translucent somewhat pale copper. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Spot on for the style, but there's nothing particularly unique or special about it. The head's notable, and I'm excited to try it. So far so good. Average vibrance.

Sm: Pleasant and welcoming. Bright fruit - maybe apricot. Pale malts. Delightful clean floral hopping. Some light pine hop character as well. Light and a bit grassy. A hint of caramel and malty sweetness. Clove from the yeast. Light citrus zest. A light to mild strength aroma. No alcohol is detectable. Fresh. Refreshing.

T/Mf: Great evocative floral character, light nectary notes. First thing that really interests me is its soft, refreshing, light mouthfeel. It's smooth and wet. A bunch of malty sweetness and caramel malt hits on the climax, really overwhelming the hops and tearing down the balance. Way too sweet, almost cloying. Approaches candi sugar. Boy, I wish it were much lighter on the malt content. No yeast or alcohol character is detectable. Finish is heavy candi; it's really cloying and off-putting. I liked the first sip of this the best; the more I'm having the worse it's getting. Horrid presence on the palate, really overwhelming for no good reason. There isn't a lot of flavour here; it's a bit of a mess. I will say the hopping itself was well executed; the floral character and light nectary character is great. I'd like to see more gushing bright fruit, a much lighter body, and far far far less sweetness. There's a good beer to be made by revising this recipe. Lots of wasted potential here. Not big on this beer, but it's far from bad. Average.

I do get some alcohol heat in the stomach as I drink.

Dr: Drinkable but forgettable. A pricey beer considering its unimpressive quality. Many will like this, but I am not one of them. If you value balance in an IPA, this is not for you. Doesn't really scratch my IPA itch, actually. Feels like more of a heavily malted pale ale, to be honest. Won't be getting this one again.

Low C+

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 04:15:11 | More by kojevergas

Brad007

Vermont

3.48/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a nice golden copper with a huge white head into my glass. Great presentation all around. You can't really mess it up.

Hop aroma is hard to describe. Spicy, tangy with just a touch of citrus upfront. I didn't realize that this is a collaboration between DFH and Sierra Nevada.

The palate is dominated by red fife wheat with only a touch of spicy, light citrus upfront. Still very hard to describe. I like being thrown for a loop occasionally.

Finishes with a spicy note from the hops and plenty of wheat. Chewy. I wasn't sure what to expect.

An interesting take on the style that uses two relatively (new to me) hops, Bravo and #644. I'm sure that after both hops take off in usage, that one will be able to better discern the flavors. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 08:11:38 | More by Brad007

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.31/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

750ml bottle poured admittedly into their new matching IPA Spiegalau glass. The brew pours a perfectly clear color of copper with a mountainous 3 finger cap of yellowish stained froth. The cap slowly fades leaving a webbing pattern of lace sticking all over the glass. The etching on the bottom of the glass promotes agitation of the carbonation which rises to the surface and supports the cap seemingly throughout the entire duration.

The aroma of this brew is grassy to herbal with almost a leafy component. There is a fairly solid amount of fresh grain backing also present which gives this brew almost a doughy sweet grain aspect that is very enticing but unexpected for a DIPA. It is fresh smelling enough to invoke thoughts of a brew day and just mashing in. However, that much focus on the bready grain is not expected in an IPA.

The flavor carries over just as much grain contribution as was found in the aromatics. It is fresh and doughy with a bready character and plenty of layers of almost toasty grain before the first onset of hop flavoring. The hops present themselves with grass to herbal quality and a hint of citrus. Almost a lemony rind flavor persists into the aftertaste coupled with a bit of solvent alcohol.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. It is fairly light and snappy/crisp towards the finish with just a touch of oily hop resins lingering. However, I cant get over how much the malt drives the flavor and aroma profile of this brew for it still being "fresh." It is unique in that they chose to showcase bravo and 644 in this. However, I think this proves why noone else is making anything like this. I didn't really dig this. I am so glad I purchased the matching glassware. It totally accentuated how much I didnt like this brew. But the glass does feel pretty wicked good in your hand... i mean ughh.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 03:34:14 | More by stakem

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.06/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

LOOK: Pours a hazed orange, white head forms and leaves plenty of lace rings going down the pint glass.

SMELL: Honey, herb, bubblegum, candy sugar.

TASTE: Well balanced wheat sweetness, fruity yeast, and bright, semi tropical citrus hops. Herbal and pine notes, fairly resinous. Strong bitterness fights the sweet. Dig it. Medium bodied feel, decent carbonation. Light bodied for its strength, an there is little to no hint of booze.

OVERALL: A nice beer from Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada. Split with my family and was enjoyed by all. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 20:23:47 | More by Stinkypuss

avalon07

South Carolina

3.68/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured from a bottle to a tulip glass. Had a coppery color and a clear consistency. There was a two inch, foamy, long-lasting head. Excellent lacing.

S: An incredibly sweet and floral aroma, with some traces of hops as well.

T: Tasted of hops (a somewhat low amount for a DIPA), a citrus element, a floral quality and strong malt presence in the finish. Kind of unbalanced and unfocused. Too much malt and not enough hops for the style.

M: A decent amount of carbonation with a slightly slick finish. Medium-bodied.

O: An uneven beer. Some good qualities, but it doesn't quite make it.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 02:44:57 | More by avalon07

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.94/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I picked this up at Shady McGrady's enjoyed chilled from th 750ml in a goblet.

The color is deeply golden hued with good clarity and thick pale cream which clings as lace w/ fine bead. The smell of almost berry-like yeast ester with light herbal hop accent and gentle aroma of malt w/ low alcohol ester. The texture is semi-dry with mild bitterness and full malt cushion with moderately high carbonation and relatively dry finish.

This Imperial IPA has a taste that is fruity mixed with a floral and zesty herbal hop taste profile with flavors that lead to more of a yeast and malt juxtoposition mid palate with semi-sweet flavor which is lightly caramel tinged from the malt and nutty with a slight citrus element and bitter hop taste as it finishes w/ more pepper in the end.
Overall I was pleased with the taste considering how it was marketed which is a nice blend of East and West coast style iPA's w/ more body yet still finishes on the dry side w/out having an all out hop assault on your palate.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 18:52:58 | More by Slatetank

kylehay2004

Florida

3.73/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Two finger frothy head with excellent lacing and retention on a clear orange golden body. Aroma is a little understated likely due to covering but the foam with cinnamon, fruits mostly peach and orange peel, candy sugar and mint leaf. Flavors include tangy citrus, a lot of candy sugar, cinnamon, a lot of floral hops, and generic herbs . Medium body and moderate carbonation. A little strange, worth trying but wouldn't have again. I say that a lot with dogfish head large bottle releases.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 23:48:08 | More by kylehay2004

nickfl

Florida

4.13/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours with two fingers of white foam on top of a clear, light copper colored body. The head settles at a moderate pace and leaves nice lace.

S - Pine, lemon, and tropical fruit hop aromas with a touch of malt in the background.

T - Lots of pine hop character up front with bready malt and toffee in the middle. Finishes with an interesting lime character and moderate bitterness.

M - Medium body, moderately strong carbonation, and a balanced finish.

D - Not bad, it isn't as pungently hoppy as I hoped it might be but it still works nicely. The aroma is somewhat weak but the flavor is more robust. There is an odd limey note both in the flavor and aroma that helps it to stand out from the crowd.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 23:45:24 | More by nickfl

smakawhat

Maryland

4.26/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from the bottle into an official Dogfish Head Ale glass.

A real nice super bronze and super crystal clear body, with some large cola like bubbles sticking to the edges of the glass. Head makes an easy four finger with an off white color, and a soapy like retention. As it settles, slow rising carbonation comes up just a little bit, lots of scattered like lacing, real nice looking beer.

An incredibly soft bouquet, and this very soft aromatic citrus grapefruit. It's pillow, toned down and very subtle. Herbal tea like action mixing in with the hop front.

Never had an Ipa taste like this before. Toned down juicy fruit, with an interesting crisp malt sense. Hop hits of orange and marmalade and citrus. Finish has an interesting toasty quality. Very controlled mix of bitterness and sweetness on the finish.

Overall it's a real interesting take on an IPA, with a real sort of mish mash of Enligsh herbality, and a hint of citrus American hop profiles. Very light and toasty crisp too. Very easy drinking, and also memorable.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 00:00:32 | More by smakawhat

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.11/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

750 ml bottle, bottled on 1/25/13. Served in a DFH snifter, the beer pours a clear amber color with about an inch frothy off-white head that stayed around for a long time. There's also a lot of lacing. Aroma is on the light side, it smells like herbal, pine and citrusy hops, grainy malt, nuts and an earthy aroma. I had to let this brew sit out a while for the aroma to open up more. It tastes like herbal/grassy hops, wheat/grainy malt, nuts, light citrusy hops, sweet malt and some melon (honeydew). Finish is more sweet than bitter. It's an interesting tasting beer, and I'm liking it more the longer I drink it. There's good balance between the hops and malt in this brew. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit creamy and coating with a good amount of carbonation. I liked this brew, I think it's definitely worth trying. $11.99 a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 23:26:20 | More by bluejacket74