120 Minute IPA - Dogfish Head Brewery

NottinghamRon

New York

3.78/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2.5

I had the DFH 120 for my 50th b-day tonight (yep, I'm officially a "Geezer" now!), plus, this is my first review, having been a long time lurker.

A.- Clear, deep golden color topped with a huge head of foam that leaves plenty of lacing down the sides of my Corsendonk tulip glass.

S.- Sweet, smell of some sort of hops. Doesn't remind me of any particular variety of hops - just sweet, probably due to the vast amount of malt used to balance the hops. Cookie dough, perhaps?

T. - Sweet, almost cloyingly sweet, yet at the same time the hop bite makes itself known. The sweetness hits the tip of the tongue while the bitterness hits the back of the tongue. This beer certainly walks the knife edge between bitter and sweet. Also present is a fruity note, something similar to pineapple and apricot mixed together. Alcohol is noticeable with the first several sips and then falls into the background, maybe due to the effect of the hop bitterness.

MF.- Lucious. Silky. Coats the tongue.

D.- Honestly - how can anyone take more than one of these with such an ABV? This beer is twice as strong as the typical Belgian Strong Dark or Tripel. Almost like a whisky. It's a sipper, that's for sure!

Overall: I've had this beer laying around in storage for a good 4 or 5 months just waiting for a special occassion to try it. I'm glad I waited for my half century mark to sample this beast. Now I can say I've had the 60, 90, and 120 minute IPAs from DFH. Nice work Sam!

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2006 02:03:25 | More by NottinghamRon

aljordan

Indiana

3.68/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Smells like an orange and a pine tree. Some faint orange colored lacing that chases the beer deeper into the glass. Feels somewhat heavy in the mouth to me. Oily as well. Lots of yeast left in the bottle, as well in the bottom of the glass. Some critus tastes along with pine needles in addition to others that I can't describe. Each drink feels like I've just taken a sip of schnapps. This is a 21-22% ABV beer so that makes sense. Similar to drinking wine.

Honestly, I'd rather have a DFH 90 minute that isn't as high on the ABV.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2006 02:37:43 | More by aljordan

dedge85

Texas

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

Appearance: Dark golden brown with a small amount of head.

Smell: Caramel and malty

Taste: Delicious!! This definately hit the spot. Think and syrappy and even hoppy.

Mouthfeel: Tons of flavor hitting every part of the mouth.

Drinkability: A little hard to drink which is why you have to sip it.

I know that a lot of people say that this beer is overkill, but i wish that they would make a 150 min IPA because I think that it was a little bit too easy to drink!

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2007 19:38:30 | More by dedge85

brenthaertlein

Florida

3.9/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The local beer enthusiast store (deceptively called Liquor Loft) was kind enough to reserve me a few of the Dogfish Head beers released this winter ('07). After picking up an Olde School Barleywine, a World Wide Stout and a much sought-after 120 Minute IPA... I couldn't decide which to sample first.

Waiting a week or so, the 120 became my obvious choice, being not only the strongest but also possessing of a delightful reputation.

Pouring about half into a Delerium snifter, the head was quite faint and was paper thin. The tiny amount of head relegated itself to the edges of the glass and left a very sparse lacing. A clear but deep amber color fills the glass.

The smell was fruity and sweet, highly alcoholic but not overpowering. Notes of citrus and the hop flower's undertone.

Surprisingly, the taste hides the alcohol content remarkably. As both the hoppiest and most alcohol beer I've had to date, I expected an almost cognac/brandy alcoholic taste and mouthfeel.
The taste has an immediate impact of cidery sweet, with a caramel undertones. The aftertaste is a plethora of hoppy explosions on the palette, more like savoring a wine than drinking a beer.

The mouthfeel of this beer is powerful, the hops coating the tongue. Harsher than most beers, this also hurts the drinkability of the beer. Quite obviously, this is a sipping beer in which one serving is enough. Drinking a whole one is akin to eating a hearty sandwich.

All in all an exquisite beer I was glad to procure and delighted to enjoy. The only way to do it justice is to grab one yourself and give it a shot.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2007 21:24:49 | More by brenthaertlein

jupe13

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

This beer was totally different from what I expected. I expected a mouth puckering assault of bitter grapefruit and pine flavors. What I got reminded me more of sipping a tawny port.

What hits you first is a cloyingly sweet flavor of raisins. You get a little hops flavor at the end (along with a warm rush of alcohol), but the hops take a back seat to the sweet malt flavors. I'm a hop fanatic, so I was a little disappointed the hop flavor were not more prominent - but, after a few sips I realized this was probably the most unique beer experience I'd ever had. Maybe it was the 20% alcohol, but I found myself really enjoying the complexity of flavors.

I'm glad I experienced it, but for the price, I'm actually relieved I didn't enjoy it more.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2008 19:01:57 | More by jupe13

helmet

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Good beer to have on a special occasion. Found it a local beer store and took two home. Had one when got home. Not over powering, very drinkable. Waiting to have the other one, it ages well with time. Highly recommend this beer for those who enjoy a well crafted beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2008 02:07:30 | More by helmet

gothaicus

Florida

4.53/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Gulden Draak tulip.

Very smooth. Very warm going down. The high alcohol content masks the the hoppiness. Wonderful. Most drinkable IPA I've had. As with a lot of Dogfish Head ales it has a wine quality to it. Tastes like fresh cut grass and chardonnay.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2008 05:17:33 | More by gothaicus

rfeld137

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is the big one!

Poured amber and cloudy as one would expect from an unfiltered product. I was surprised at the small head, but I don't look good with a beer moustache anyhow.

I like Chimay in a burgundy glass so that's how I served this one. The nose is huge, lotsa hops, fruit and it all balances beautifully.

This beer is almost too much for me, I cannot drink the whole bottle easily so I share it with folks who appreciate it.

This is the Château d'Yquem of beer and should be consumed in small doses. The finish is exquisite

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2008 16:08:27 | More by rfeld137

Herefishey

Illinois

5/5  rDev +24.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I buy this @ Andersonville Wine and Spirits in Chicago. This has to be one of my most favorite treats. The overwelming flavor and aroma of hops is a beautiful thing. I definately cant say enough and am not articulate enough to give a worthy description. The only thing I can say is try it very cold in a snifter to apreciate the complexities of the aroma and the bountiful tastes.

A+++

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2008 18:35:03 | More by Herefishey

PureGonzo

Illinois

4.58/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Being a huge fan of Imperial IPAs I have to say Dogfish Head's 120 Minute IPA is like the dessert to end all desserts of India Pale Ales. It has a sweetness comparable to an english style barleywine ale with a delicious hint of piney robust hops at the end.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2008 22:55:42 | More by PureGonzo

aarunt1

California

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

12oz bottle obtained through a trade.

A- Pours a golden brown much similar to the look of honey with a small head.

S- Smell was very fruity, slightly malty with a presence of hops and a hint of strong alcohol at the end.

T- This beer was very sweet which I wasn't expecting but was very good. Hops definitely come through after the sweetness with a nice maltiness to go along with it. The alcohol is very well covered up, I would never guess this beer was around 20% if I tried it blindly.

M- Thick mouthfeel and light carbonation. Warmed up my mouth, throat and belly momentarily after the first sip.

D- I could easily sip on a couple of these. It tastes like nothing I've ever had before but in the good sense. Not your typical IPA but very interesting and good all around. I will hopefully have another one of these in the future.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2008 00:30:42 | More by aarunt1

BexarBrewing

Texas

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

Warmed the mouth and throat going down. Nice color and consistency. Tasted creamy with a bit of orange. Hoppy, but not as much as I expected from an IPA. I could definitely tell it had a high alchohol % but not overpowering.

Took about an hour to drink and was a very enjoyable sipper. Warming as it sat didn't take away from it at all.

At $8.99 for a 12 oz. bottle it was worth trying once.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2008 23:04:29 | More by BexarBrewing

anthony120ipa

Florida

3.65/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

This beer cost me $9.57 at the local spirits store and it was worth every penny. The balance between the strength and smoothness of this beer is incredible and is deceptively drinkable. Highly recommended to anyone that has the 10 or so dollars to purchase it.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2008 21:04:26 | More by anthony120ipa

Kobangus

North Carolina

2.4/5  rDev -40.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

A. Nice amber color, cloudy when poured cold, honey-like color when warmed up a bit, no longer cloudy. No noticeable head. Little carbonation.

S. Rubbing Alcohol. Very little hop aroma. Honey.

T. Alcohol, very sweet- and I mean very! Hops? Barely getting through the alcohol and honey taste. Way too sweet to be considered an IPA in my opinion- more like a barley wine.

M. Warm, sticky, thin

D. This was one of the hardest beers for me to drink. The alcohol and sweetness are just too overpowering. I feel like I'm fighting to get to the bottom of the glass.

Wow! This beer packs one hell of a punch! 21% abv is just ridiculous to me. I think 9% is pushing it. I appreciate the fact that beers with this kind of abv are actually made but I think that's what straight liquor is for.

This is supposed to be the holy grail for hopheads- I don't agree. More like the holy grail for alcoholics! I'd rather have a DFH 60 Min IPA.

(p.s. I tried a Duck Rabbit 2008 Barley Wine just the other day that was hoppier than this.)

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2009 19:07:27 | More by Kobangus

ljs61387

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I have been looking forward to trying this for a long time and thankfully wasn't disappointed.

A - had a nice color to it, poured a nice head

S - kind of smelled a little bit like nail polish mixed with syrup but oh well

T - very strong kind of sweet, actually reminded me more of a barleywine then an ipa

M - great mouthfeel, surprisingly smooth for an ipa this strong

D - very strong at first but as you progress through the beer it becomes easier to drink, when you take a sip you kind of get the warm feeing you get when you take a shot of whiskey

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2009 20:24:21 | More by ljs61387

TheSkunk

Texas

2.55/5  rDev -36.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Where to even begin with this?

I will preface by stating that this beer is unlike any other beer I have ever tasted. In all honestly, this tastes much closer to a barleywine than an IPA. Being a huge fan of IPAs, I was very excited to try this. However, I ended up with something completely different than what I was expecting.

Appearance: Pours a very attractive, thick, cloudy orange/amber color. Head is very minimal and dissipates into a thin ring around the glass very quickly. No lacing to speak of.

Smell: The first thing you will notice about this brew is the intense alcohol aroma. You can smell the booze in this one, which is not surprising since it weighs in at a hefty 20-21% ABV. There is also an aggressive attack of sweet malt, apricot, and an undertone of orange. While the alcohol is definitely present, it is offset nicely by the sweet fruit scents.

Taste: Wow. What exactly am I drinking? This beer is labeled as an IPA but this is nowhere close to any IPA I have ever had, and I've had quite a few. Though bitter up front on the tongue, the 120 goes down extremely sweet, with a biting alcohol warmth on the back of your tongue and throat. I am not a fan of overly sweet beers, and this "IPA" is almost cloying in that regard. As stated before, to me this seems much closer to the barleywine family than the IPA.

Mouthfeel: Thick, chewy. Pleasant enough.

Drinkability: I had trouble finishing my one bottle. Not because it is overly alcoholic, but because the intensely sweet apricot-like flavor becomes more and more cloying as you sip. I went into this expected an extreme IPA, and, well... I'm not exactly sure what I got.

I'm glad that I tried this beer, but I don't think I'll be picking it up again, especially since it's so expensive.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2009 01:17:48 | More by TheSkunk

Capicu

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I was quite surprise having been unimpressed with my prior expience with the 120. A very brandied nose and palate. I expected the hops to be over powering but this beer had incredible balance. The beer was exceptional though I don't know that I could drink a whole bottle.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2009 23:43:48 | More by Capicu

AndrewNWI

Indiana

4.58/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On Thanksgiving I purchased two 12 oz bottles and me and my cousin had split one.
The other one is being aged right now. The bottle was chilled and than set out to reach a little warmer temperature. Pour into two snifters and was eaten with crackers and cheese spread. Which complemented it nicely!

Appearance - Upon pour me and my cousin looked in 'awe' as probably the most beautiful color appeared in our glass. It looked like the time right before the sunsets lighting up a wheat field on a clear day. The vibrant dark golden orange-brown lit up the room and that head topped the glass perfectly and was so thick and creamy.

Smell - It has been over a week since Thanksgiving and the smell still lingers. That sweet malty citrus smell, with the aroma of ethanol. I was already starting to taste it from the fragrance.

Taste - I took my final sniff and added a small taste and the combination was exuberant. Strong at first and then it settled and the taste buds went off the chart. Malt, hops, fruits, sugars, and then the alcohol, which is intensely notable, but not to where it draws away from the other tastes.

Mouthfeel - It was pretty thick almost sticky and very warm, and that head stayed around the entire time as it it was the gatekeeper protecting the beer. You'd think the high alcohol content would be an annoyance but the slight prickles on your tongue makes you feel as if you were five years old again trying Pop-Rocks!

Drinkability - We split the 12 oz bottle, and that 6 ounces went down smooth. Each sip was like a wake up call to my tongue alerting it to take in the tastes again and again.

Overall this beer was probably one of the best IPAs I have had thus far. I still have one bottle left I plan on aging, which I can expect to be even better than the one we had drank that day! I've never been disappointed by DFH. Raison D'Xtra will still be top on my list from their selection, but this is an excellent second!

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2009 10:11:32 | More by AndrewNWI

HopHeadMike

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a 12oz bottle into a snifter at home.

Appearance: Pours a cloudy amber, off white head. Some lacing around the inside of the snifter as I drank the beer.

Smell: Sweet smelling, strong hop aroma, as to be expected from a beer with 120 IBUs. Strong alcohol aroma.

Taste: Unlike any beer I've ever had (If you could even call it a beer); extremely sweet, almost too sweet for my tastes. Some hop flavor, but not the extreme hop "punch" one would expect from such a brew as the sweetness and high alcohol content mask the heavy hop flavor. Warm alcohol aftertaste with a lingering sweetness that lasts until your next sip. Very tasty beer, but is definitely one that you have to sip on.

Mouthfeel: Slightly syrupy.

Drinkability: Not the most drinkable beer in the world, but thats to be expected with such a strong, sweet beer.

All in all it's a pretty damn good beer, although I enjoy the 90 minute more. Not your traditional IPA, but what else can you expect from Dogfish Head?

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2010 02:04:45 | More by HopHeadMike

Dogfishface55

Virginia

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

Poured from bottle in to snifter

A - Bronze in color light head that fades quickly. leaves little residue on glass.

S - Very earthy... grass and grain.. for hop fans its wonderful

T - Taste is very sweet and leaves a bit of an after bite... there is a lot of hop in this brew. Leaves a nice warm alcohol feel.

M - Not the best... your going to want to sip this baby down

D - Surprisingly good for the abv (21%)... sometimes taste like more of a barley wine.

It is a wonderful beer for the hop fans... i really enjoyed it, but it took me about an hour to sip it down. Even thought it has a hefty price tag it is well worth it!

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2010 01:16:56 | More by Dogfishface55

CHICOBEERMATT

California

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

Now, listen. I have been wanting this "living legend" for a very long time and being that I am a West Coaster, trying to see even an empty bottle in person has been impossible. However, I finally got my hands on some yesterday thus, the review:

I have to begin with "Exceeded all expectations" as I was expecting something along the lines of an Imperial IPA or a Double IPA. Wrong. This wonderful and, dare I say, magical libation looks and pours like a blonde barley-wine, thick and syrupy, with low carbonation and a fairly non-existent head (which I was appreciative for). The color was dirty-blonde, creamy, cloudy and mysterious. I was absolutely in awe of this thing once it hit my glass. Like you would with a fine, aged barley-wine, I let it sit for a while to air - but not too long - because frankly, I couldn't wait as long as I perhaps should have. I had to remember: this isn't a barley-wine!

It drank slowly or, rather, I drank it slowly enjoying every small mouthful. The carbonation was more prevalent on the drink than on the pour and it added a nice spiciness. It was thick and syrupy and the words "hop juice" came to mind while drinking it. The labor that goes into making this beverage was blatantly apparent and I almost felt guilty drinking my 120 as I know how much work goes into a batch of this stuff. The alcohol was prevalent but not overpowering - but I like 'em strong anyway so perhaps I'm not the best judge of this aspect. But you can't drink it fast, in fact, it took me about an hour to finish.

I have four more bottles and I will lay down at least two of them for at least 2-3 years. I can't even begin to imagine how great they will be then.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2010 15:53:10 | More by CHICOBEERMATT

biacone

New Jersey

4.97/5  rDev +23.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I think people look at this too much as a beer. I think we need to see this as more than beer. It's closer to ice wine in flavor. Sweet, syrupy with notes of grape and pure sugar cane. The hops are muted, but isnt that the point here. At 18%+, what do you expect? This is an after dinner drink, one you could sit down to with a cigar and relax with. Great job to Dogfish Head and they're forward thinking on beer. We need to look at beer as an art, not a bitter sparkling mess. Beer is the new wine, think of it in that fashion and then try this again. For me, this is what beer should be, art in a glass...Cheers!!!

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2010 02:08:51 | More by biacone

adamdrap

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Finally, I have been waiting to try this beer for years. Acquired a 2009 release from Caponoes in Norristown outside of Philly.

The pour is orange to dark amber, it tastes like an IPA, but with an extreme kick. The alcohol (18%) is very well hidden.

A floraly front with a sweet caramel after-taste. I am certain aging has done this brew well. An excellent beer from dogfish. I would recommend anyone to seek this beer out (if they can find it!). I can't wait for them to re-release this one!

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2010 08:52:25 | More by adamdrap

TattoedSailor

Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Finally. I have been searching for this beer for a while. Amazing to me that I found it in Jacksonville, FL at Kickback's Gastropub when I live so close to the Dogfish Head Brewery. If you are nearby I highly recommend a stop for beer and the meatloaf. Trust me, it is life changing meatloaf.

Served in a bottle and poured into a Dogfish Head "snifter." The bottle had a 2008 stamp on it. Smelled very sweet and had a good aroma of hops and caramel. The first taste I was overwhelmed by sweetness and how the high alcohol content was almost non-existent. Good feel in the mouth but is somewhat syrupy and thick . Not a lot of carbonation or head. Follow on sips really brought out the layered hops but they were very faint and the more malty flavors seemed to be dominant. Very overwhelming with flavor. 12oz is about all I would recommend, and I wouldn't plan on driving yourself home either.

Overall I am very glad that I had the opportunity to get my hands on one of these rare breeds. It was worth it as I am a big fan of Dogfish Head 60 and 90 min IPAs as well. The 90 is by far my favorite. The rumor at the restaurant is that there are more in the back along with 2 Kegs of it as well, but who knows if its true or not. Now to get my hands on some Pliny

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2011 00:33:13 | More by TattoedSailor

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