120 Minute IPA - Dogfish Head Brewery

r0nyn

New York

3.5/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a growler into my DFH snifter. 2012 vintage.

At first blush, 120 Minute looks like any other IPA, but once it settles it the glass, it becomes apparent that you're not dealing with just a regular pale ale. It's the color of apricots, but with a hazy hue to it. The head is finely frothy, and it leaves a lot of oily, spotty lacing, a surefire sign of the high alcohol content. The smell is fruity, with a definite sweetness to it that belies the potency of the brew beneath. To its credit, the booziness only becomes noticeable after the beer warms up a bit, and even then it's not overpowering.

On the first sip, it's obvious that whatever hops may have been in this beer to start have been completely enveloped by the maltiness, because all that appears is booze and sweetness. There is honestly little complexity beyond that. Oh sure, there's a lot of caramelized sugar with notes of citrus and a bit of cherry, but it can't even come close to balancing the alcohol, providing a cloying aspect that does little to counter the boozy punch. With this much weight behind it, every sip feels laden and syrupy. Carbonation is fairly minimal and the aftertaste is all sweetness, but thankfully fleeting.

I've liked all of DFH's Minute series up until this point, but 120 Minute just seems too... unfinished and raw to be considered a viable beer at this point. I'd probably need to give this beer another five years before attempting to drink it again, and at that point it might as well be a barleywine. I love that you push the limits, Sam, but this is just something better stuck in a barrel for a while.

Serving type: growler

08-10-2012 00:43:17 | More by r0nyn

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours crystal clear yellow with minimal amounts of head. No lacing and no visible carbonation.

S: Aromas are fruity with hints of pineapple and the presence of the hops is easy to detect.

T: Flavor is cloyingly sweet and a pleasant amount of bitterness contributed from the hops and just a hint of the pineapple. The alcohol is subtly present in the taste.

M: Medium bodied with a light amount of carbonation. A little bit sticky.

O: Just too strong at 18% ABV to be easy to drink. I have enjoyed this beer the couple of times I have tried it but it just is not one of my favorites in the style - too sweet and not quite enough bitterness for me.

Serving type: growler

02-12-2012 14:28:35 | More by dbrauneis

JohnnyChicago

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 32oz growler into a snifter.

A: Initially foams up, but that drops off pretty fast. Dark gold body that looks resinous, but sadly leaves no legs.

S: Suprising amount of citrus and zesty hops jump out at once...only to be squashed by big booze and residual sticky sugars.

T: Yup, more of the same here. Hops show up first (and they really do taste nice), but the vodkaesque heat drowns them without mercy. Sweetness here is pretty out of control too.

D: Goes down hot and biting, but it isn't as rough as I had thought it would be. Mouthfeel is way to thick for a DIPA.

Overall: Its tough to rate this one. It really isn't as harsh as it could be, and I'm guessing the softness of the tap may have something to do with that. However, I've tasted beers into the 15% range that were incredibly balanced. I know this is harder, but there is just about ZERO balance in this bomb. 'Hop vodka' is a little harsh, but don't attempt this one without a wingman.

Serving type: growler

02-08-2012 02:28:29 | More by JohnnyChicago

socon67

New York

4.3/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours orange\amber with a slim white foam. Very nice lacing, and some cloudy sediment in the glass.

S - The smell of fresh oily hops is impressive. Very strong notes of fresh pine\ fresh citrus, and spices.

T - Very hop forward, which is not surprising. There is also a boozy bite at the end along with some sharp bitterness. This is the grand-daddy of imperial IPA's. The pungency of the hoppiness is tantalizing and overpowering.

M - How can this possibly be so potent and be this smooth? The epitome of a well blended beer. You never feel how strong this beer really is (until a bit later). Slick coating hits the tongue. Gritty bite at the end. Just a joy to drink.

O - I split a 16oz growler with a buddy, and it was enough. While the beer itself is a one per sitting, you have to try this once. And a must try for anyone who loves big IPA's.

Serving type: growler

01-28-2012 02:52:38 | More by socon67

bak8976

Pennsylvania

4.95/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Unfortunately, I don't have notes from the night I was able to get my hands on this beer, however I have read some of the horrible comments about it and cannot for the life of me see where anyone could think this doesn't taste amazing (though we all have different opinions so it's certainly possible you just don't agree with me). It's a sweet and caramelized feel to it and goes down smooth. Little head, when poured into the snifter I was drinking from, but it had this note at the end of a sugary variety that just hit the palate perfectly.
I was lucky to have it in a growler from the brewery and brought up to Philly for Philly Beer Week at $5 a glass (such a good price I had 2!), but I can't seem to get a hand on it anywhere else.

Serving type: growler

08-21-2011 02:38:15 | More by bak8976

PretzelCity

California

4.7/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Huge thanks to ericwo for sending this growler of 2008 120 Minute IPA. Pours a rich amber color into the glass with a thick fluffy one finger white head that slowly recedes to lacing. The smell is mostly apricot and rich, sweet hops and lots of them. The taste is overwhelmingly hops, hops and more hops. They take on a sweet apricot flavor that I really like. The body is full and rich. Sweet like candy and subtly strong. Age has hidden the alcohol well and this beer has really smoothed out but not even halfway through the glass I already feel the effects. In theory I could drink this beer all night long but in reality I won't last past another glass. This might be my favorite beer.

Serving type: growler

01-30-2010 05:32:08 | More by PretzelCity

Mikecap

Rhode Island

4.66/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Finally made myself order this last night at Sunset Grill & Tap where it was on tap. At $10 for a 10 oz. pour, I figured I had to give it a go.

Poured a deep mahogany color, with an awesome aroma. Hops, hops, and more hops, with a bit of alcohol mixed in. Definitely resiny and floral.

Taste was surprisingly smooth. The alcohol is surely noticeable, but it drinks like an IPA. However, definitely a sipper and something that is great to take slowly. I could enjoy this for a couple of hours like a nice bourbon or whiskey.

Incredible mouthfeel in my opinion. Bready, chewy but still smooth. Went down a little too easy.

Overall, this was much better than expected. Had yet to try it mostly because I thought it was all hype, but certainly worth seeking out. I would definitely drink this and enjoy it again.

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2013 14:06:54 | More by Mikecap

Resuin

Massachusetts

4.65/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a tulip glass. Stamp on bottle says 'Bottled on 02/15/13', which makes is just shy of 3 months old.

Appearance: Pours a copper/deep amber and leaves about a half finger of off-white head.

Smell: Surprisingly light smell - concentrated citrusy hops, malts, and I detect a hint of raspberry. Definitely different aromas then any beer I've had.

Taste: Matches the smell, but everything is more pronounced. Very sweet, especially for an "IPA". I still get the raspberry flavor along with the malts and citrusy hops, as well as some mild alcohol. Also some other fruit flavors including apricot, peaches and figs. The finish of this one is plenty of hops, counteracting the sweet start - very interesting and complex.

Mouth-feel: Thick and syrupy - there is definitely still some carbonation in here but not a whole lot. The alcohol is well hidden for such a monster at 18%, and it goes down pretty smooth.

Overall: A unique beer for sure. While this beer has characteristics of an IPA such as the bitter hop finish and citrus notes, it also takes notes from other styles such as the thickness and mouth-feel of an imperial stout, as well as flavor notes from several other different styles. This is definitely the sweetest IPA I have ever had, but all being said this was an extremely enjoyable drink experience and I can't recommend it enough. Obviously, this beer is one to tread carefully with, as it packs a punch.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 23:19:30 | More by Resuin

jgurley

Florida

4.55/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into my tasting snifter. My second time drinking it, first review. First time was on tap and slightly different, if memory serves. Pretty reddish gold color. Medium to smallish head which dissipates quickly, yet laces nicely. Wonderful citrus fruity/produce market aroma. Oranges, pine, lemongrass, melon. Big sip... Sweet, full bodied. First thing to go through my mind is the word Barleywine. Citrus, dark fruit and big brown sugar. Far from tasting like an IPA, except for the hop bitterness across the very middle. The back end is surprisingly sweet. Good lingering aftertaste. I found this to be more carbonated than what I expected from reading other reviews. Alcohol is masked well by the ABUNDANCE of flavors, but is HIGHLY evident as soon as it hits the belly. Alcohol hits you similar to a warm red wine buzz. Body is slightly thick and sticky. A good beer to sip and swirl, and it warms very well. One word description of this beer: Relaxing.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 00:23:34 | More by jgurley

Axnjxn

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a New Belgium snifter, about a year of age on this one.

Pours a golden color with a slight white head. Low carbonation.
Smell is interesting... it's not that big considering what i had expected. it smells of alcohol and citrus much like a barelywine, but its not over the top. Tastes nothing like an IPA, though i wasn't expecting it to. It tastes quite nice actually. Very boozy but also sweet. Very sweet actually. Orange and citrus and alcohol. Obviously a sipper as this is a heavy beer, but the body is smooth.

Overall dont expect this to taste or smell or BE anything like an IPA, because its definitely not like any other. This is a barleywine and thats what you should be expecting. Im very impressed at how balanced this beer is considering the extremely high ABV. You'd think this was 10 or 11%, not 18! Bonus points for that.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 23:30:08 | More by Axnjxn

schnarr84

Alberta (Canada)

4.84/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 5

12oz bottle (thanks to BeerThursday) poured into Alaskan tulip
Holy citrus bomb. all i smell is faint hops and a case of oranges. zero booze on the nose which is mind blowing for a 18% ipa. taste is pretty hoppy but again the orange cuts through it so well. this is incredibly a session beer.. if this was toned down alcohol wise i would drink a dozen in a row. probably the holy grail of IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 18:03:58 | More by schnarr84

dar482

New York

4.38/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

The color is a clear wonderful ruby, orange color with not much of a head.

The aroma has a great papaya, peach, mango, and citrus hops. Sweet biscuit malt, syrupy sweetness, and then some dank herbal, resin.

The flavor is quite good. It has a good hop character and the alcohol does not come out so hard for 18%. It has a hop kick and then wonderful sweet juiciness hops and fruit flavor. Then there's a big sweet malt, bitterness, and the booziness, they all meld really together.

It has a slight flavor of a barleywine, but with the big malt and thick malt flavors. It's an extreme beer that you should try. It's a good sipper and worth the try.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 21:11:50 | More by dar482

gpogo

California

4.53/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A- Hazed red amber body. Light foam, more specifically the tiniest ring of foam. Has legs like wine.

A- Dark fruit and caramel malt, no noticeable alcohol or hops.

T- Very sweet malt flavor with quite a bit of alcohol. As I worked through this glass I noticed myself getting rather intoxicated and my senses dulled.

M- Medium-heavy body and little to no carbonation. No apparent carbonation, but there is still a carbonation bite. Quite warming in my chest as well.

D- So incredibly smooth for the amount of alcohol. This bottle was less than a year old and most of the hops seem to have mellowed out. My previous bottle was ~5 years. I'd like to try a freshly bottled one in the near future. As far as sessionable, nope, after one I had a very nice buzz on.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 05:33:49 | More by gpogo

ryan0585

Florida

4.94/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Amazing beer, plain and simple. Check the Dogfish Head website to see when it is available in Total Wine and other liquor stores. Rare to find, great to drink.

For an IPA, surprisingly not very hoppy, at least compared to the 60 and 90 minute brews. And for a beer with quite a punch at 18% ABV, does not taste too strong, until you feel the effects after the last drop.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2013 00:39:29 | More by ryan0585

J_Dub

Texas

4.8/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A: Dark orange/brown and cloudy.

S: One of the best smelling beers I've had. Malty sweetness and alcohol primarily. There are also notes of dark fruits. I can smell some hops too. Very complex nose.

T: Not like what you think an IPA should taste like (but that's not a bad thing!). Warming alcohol flavors, raisin, plum, hops, caramel sweetness. Like the nose, the flavors are very complex and yet blend together perfectly. Although the alcohol adds some flavor it is hidden extremely well considering the 18% ABV.

M: Sticky, syrup like essence. DFH has made a beer that has the richness of melted down candy but made it very enjoyable.

Overall, a stellar beer that any hophead needs to try. The complex, dark, sugary nose and flavor are delicious on a cold night with friends. If it wasn't for the rarity (at least in Texas) and the price this would be a weekly drink.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2013 21:20:31 | More by J_Dub

Rope

Illinois

3.09/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Served in Chimay chalice

Appearance-
A deep orange color, with a thin white fizzy head.

Smell-
Very hoppy, citrus and bitter hops competing in the front with a sweet smell if you search for it.

Taste-
Way to sweet for its own good, almost like a Spaten Optimutor. The sweetness is way to much, and is followed by a slight bitter. I have a hard time picking out any flavors.

Mouthfeel-
Heavy and oily, less carbonation than expecting.

Overall-
I love me some hops, but if I wanted something this sweet I could drink soda. Still better than a AAL.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 04:59:58 | More by Rope

tut2528

Illinois

4.34/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

bottled on 2012

A: pours a nice brown color with an orange hue to it and when held up to the light it becomes an awesome dark orange color and you can see some floaties. pours about 1 fingers worth of head formation that is beige in color

S: huge hops rush to the nostrils during the pour. immense grapefruit, orange peel and even some subtle lemon zest are also pretty evident and integrate very nicely with a huge malty and sugary sweetness. to be honest, the alcohol is extremely well hidden.

T: huge sugary and malt sweetness is noticed right up front and it has a great hop profile. citrus and grapefruit still present and there's a big creamy finish. again, for 18%, the alcohol is balanced nicely with the big sweet backbone

M: heavy side of medium bodied, leaves a big sugary sweetness that sticks to the teeth and the palate. the alcohol is warming, but inviting

O: this was one of the first brews i had when i got onto the craft beer scene and it was too strong. but this is simply amazing to me right now. i find this well balanced for 18% and i will definitely be grabbing more of these

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 00:01:08 | More by tut2528

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4.44/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Have had this maybe a handful of times - from undrinkable (the first time trying it, filtered through a Randall at the Rehoboth brewpub - tooo much!) to actually quite quaffable (as it was with last night's large pour).

A: generously served in a 12oz goblet (menu stated 8oz pour), it's a slightly hazy, copper-orange with a 1/2" slowly fading head with a vague cream-yellow tint. Moderate ringed lacing. One gets the sense that the beer is not light-drinking.

S: aggressively "hoppy" hop aromas, dank, resiny, piney/woody....vibrantly fruity - dried mango....smoothed-out, wort-y, hard-candy-like unfermentables, yet balanced wonderfully against the hops, with the alcohols and phenols present yet surprisingly understated

T/M: as in the smell, they really balanced everything out so well in this batch....actually does not come across nearly as bitter as it's billed - the malt sugars, several notches short of cloying, tone down the bitterness and perhaps the overall intensity of the citrus-resiny, silky-spicy hop flavor itself - that same malt foundation, while surprisingly allowing an almost roasty-nutty, cereal-like grain flavor to somehow poke through, also blankets the burn/bite of the high alcohol superbly - comforting alcohol warmth still manages to ribbon through 2/3 the way through each sip, but it's a creeper for sure....often, in past samplings, came across to me as "hop syrup", but this one was refreshingly on the drier side for once

O: certainly not for everybody, including myself....in the mood for an intense, rich, hoppy cordial of a beer? this is king....and when they nail it, they really nail it, and it's wonderful and an achievement in brewing to marvel at!...something to keep tuned in to batch-to-batch....

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2013 20:21:05 | More by Bouleboubier

ThomasMetal75

Massachusetts

3.09/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A- Dark cooper and cloudy. There is a small head that sticks around throughout the beer. Head livens up with a good swirl of the glass. Very nice alcohol legs/lacing present.

S- Oh helloooo! Alcohol and hops dominate the nose. Smells dank! Hard to pinpoint what kind of hop sent is there. I think it's a combination of floral and grapefruit citrus scent. There is an overall sweetness present.

T- Very complex beer. IInitial sip is of alcohol laced hops and malt. The finish is soooo bitter and soooo boozzy! Sweet as well. There is an overall malty bozzy quality to the aftertaste. Too alcoholic tasting. It's a little better when at room temperature. When it warms, the malty taste balances out some of the alcohol and sweetness, making it more palatable.

M- Full, very rich mouthfeel. Beer really covers the back of the throat. Long finish. It's just too boozy in taste to make this real easy to drink, almost un enjoyable in the mouth.

Overall- This a very full bodied, intensely complex beer. It's too boozy in flavor for it's own good. What did I like about the beer? When it warms, the malty taste balances out some of the alcohol and sweetness. I will never buy this again. Not god offal, but not really my kind of IPA. I'll stick with the 60 and 90 minute IPA from Dogfish Head over this any day of the week. But this is a good beer if you like something more boozy tasting.

*My recommendation would be Avery Brewing's Maharaja for a high abv Imperial IPA over this any day of the week!*

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 01:25:47 | More by ThomasMetal75

Clonies720

Texas

3.41/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into snifter. This is relatively fresh 120 minute I think?, and not aged by me. Marked "2012K 23:43". 18% ABV.

Appearance: Fluffy off-white head. Pours a semi-clear golden orange color.

Aroma: A big hit of malty sweetness to my nose. A light fruity ester combined with a hint a pine and citrus. The aroma then melds into wet and juicy hops.

Taste: It's quite sweet. To the point of being cloy and nearly unbearable. Can't really taste the hops at all. Very bready.

Mouthfeel: Thick and full-bodied with a syrup/molasses-like presence on the tongue. Medium-carbonation.

Overall: Actually not half bad. I'll be interested to see where 1 year of aging on the 2nd bottle I have takes this beer. 18% ABV, and the wholly sweet nature of this brew make it a slow sipper to enjoy and warm up on a cold night.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 22:20:05 | More by Clonies720

yottachem

Massachusetts

4.59/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sampled in small tulip.

Appearance: Pours thick (not quite motor oil) with minimal head. Very fine carbonation produces thin off-white ring around glass. Light copper in color with ruby highlights. Just barely darker than 90 min.

Aroma: Alcohol, fruity esters, raisin, pear, rum, dark caramel, brown sugar, over-ripe fruit. Malt produces a very complex sweetness that dominates the nose and the hops are very light in character.

Flavor: Wow, quite a complex beer. If one were to think about the flavors as you taste them it kind of goes like this: Very sweet, rum-raisin early in taste, alcohol burn, followed by hop-bite and then an alcohol warming sensation. Then the lingering bitterness decays to yield a soft malt sweetness followed by a final wave of hops. Dark toasted bread, peppery/spicy hops. Almost candy-like in it's sweetness. Presence of alcohol is dominant. Hop profile drops off as beer warms and the malt character comes forward more.

Mouthfeel: Med-full body with light carbonation. A surprisingly high carbonation level for this beer considering it's ABV. Bitter components are quite firm, but surprisingly ethereal. Ethanol burn warms down the throat to the belly.

Overall: Wow. Just wow. Flavor "play" between the hops, malt, and alcohol is incredible. Warms like a whiskey. Malt sweet is almost belgian-like in character but not belgian-dark (strong dark stone fruits). Hops play back and forth with incredible delight and doesn't completely destroy your palate with bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 21:44:54 | More by yottachem

gillagorilla

Maryland

3.83/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12oz. bottle from 2011 into a pint glass

A: Dark golden amber with a rapidly diminishing head on the pour.

S: Surprisingly you can still smell the hops. It smells like a much more alcoholic version of their 90 minute. You can really get the citrusy-pine smell but it tinged throughout the smell. You can't escape it.

T: No hops whatsoever. Don't mistake this for a DIPA. It is quite sweet with a strong malt backbone. Just too strong ale for me.

M: Smoothy feel that is quite thick.

O: This is fine for samples, but a whole bottle is a lot to take in. I think I should have waited longer to let the alcohol die down. To be honest, I have no idea how they call this an DIPA. It is more like a strong ale or a barleywine. This beer really needs to be aged a while or drank superfresh on tap (like I had at DFH).

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 02:50:27 | More by gillagorilla

BeardedBrewReview

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A: Copper, hazy, with a small white head

S: Sweet, Resiny, Caramel

T: Alcohol burn, sweet honey, melon, very little bitterness

M: Heavy with a little carbonation

O: Lots and lots of flavor, alcohol burn stays with you without being overbearing, sweet

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2013 03:42:56 | More by BeardedBrewReview

Prince_Casual

Virginia

4.81/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

A: Amber, Jurassic park type color. Crawled all over the glass

S: Boozy cocktail. The first time I 120'd all I could think was Grand Marnier + soda. There's more going on here, though. There's definitely bourbon'y flavors, not too much sweetness or vanilla which I hate, but a <great> counter to the booze.

T: Sickly sweet, bourbon over soda all the way. There's

M: = It really makes me think of a crown+ginger more than anything else. I'm a Hop person, but this is just straight booze, sweetness, (light) smoke, etc. Grand Marnier is also in the picture.

O: This IS a cocktail, letting it sit in a glass whilst doing other stuff is how to drink this. It develops before you open it, in the glass, and as you enjoy it. GREAT beer, in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 06:50:55 | More by Prince_Casual

BudsAndBrews

Florida

3.1/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

A nice orange/light copper. The amount of head that accumulated at first was surprising considering the abv, but as expected it dissipated very fast. This beer shows its alcohol content in the glass. Looks slightly viscus and has decent legs on it.

Alcohol hits you most prominently on the nose. Behind the alcohol burn I pick up citrus (grapefruit, orange peel) supported very nicely by some big sweet malt notes. There are certainly some unique wine qualities in this beer. You might say tart grapes, or think there is a mead-like quality.

Taste is very much inline with the nose. I immediately felt the alcohol warmth. It starts with a nice amount of bitterness and finally leaves your mouth coated with a big residual sweetness.

Overall, a nice beer that needs to be drank at room temperature or just slightly cooler. Not a 12 oz. bottle to drink by yourself, but nice for a special occasion to share. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 15:07:02 | More by BudsAndBrews