. . . and I don’t mean in a “tears in my beer” kind of way. This magic elixir was SO GOOD I was compelled to share it with everyone I know who might be a beer drinker.
For years I have been looking for a really good 120 minute IPA (India Pale Ale) and heard great things about Dogfish Head’s offering of said beer. I have enjoyed their 60 minute and their 90 minute IPA many, many times. Many, many times I have checked Whole Foods and various spirits establishments hoping to finally come across the elusive 120 minute version.
Tonight, in Whole Foods, at long last, I found it. Not available in 6-packs or even 4-packs . . . only as individual 12 oz. bottles.
The color reminds me of Obsession cologne — a clear orange-caramel that brightens to a deep amber at the edges, then gold on the rim. If you hover your nose over this beer and inhale you will be greeted with aromas of apricot, toffee, cookies, fresh cut grass/ wheatgrass juice, and fresh baked wheat bread. Sound good? Wait until you put it in your mouth. Your palate veritably GLOWS with flavors of dulce de leche, wheatgrass juice, toffee, dried apricots, peach pie, butterscotch and raw sugarcane.
This is the muscat of beers.
This beer is like rolling around in ecstasy in a giant mound of hops. After I finish this I imagine I could need a cigarette.
I would pair this! I would pair this with vanilla ice cream or angel food cake. Then again, it’s rich enough to be dessert on its own.
Let me share the bottle label marketing pitch for you — it says it all:
“What you have here is the holy grail for hopheads. This beer is continually hopped over a 120-minute boil and then dry-hopped every day for a month. Enjoy now or age for a decade or so.”
Yyyyesssss. I think I may ACTUALLY like this better than chocolate. If you can find this, buy it and try it.
Omigod now I have to find this: http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/seasonal-brews/aprihop.htm . Now if only ANYONE carried their Barleywine.
I’ve had their barley wine. It’s breathtaking. The 120 minute IPA is amazing too, I used to be able to get my hands on all of these amazing beers quite easily when I lived in NY, but since I’ve moved to FL. it’s been difficult, but I was able to find the Barleywine down here it’s amazing! great blog!
You’re right, they are predominantly available in the NE. BUT if you check out their “Fish Finder” you may find a way to get it to your doorstep: http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/fish-finder.htm
Where are you located? DFH offerings are everywhere here in the mid-Atlantic due to the proximity of the brewery. Yes the Aprihop is unbelievable and I’ve got a four pack cooling in the refrigerator right now. And I’m having one of my last Punkin Ales as I write.
The first commenter? Or me? mball4701 is in FL, I am on the shore just south of NYC. It’s likely that if I look hard enough I can find the Barleywine and the Aprihop, or if need be I can ask my Beer Ordering Dude at Whole Foods to get some.
If anyone has a definite sighting in the NYC area let me know!
YAY! You blogged!
I’ll definitely keep an eye out for this, Chingu…
Thanks for sharing this with us!!!
Yes, do try the barleywine. Had one on Friday. If you like what the 120 did for your palate you will enjoy kickin’ it olde school…
I had my first barleywine at http://www.harvestmoonbrewery.com/ in New Brunswick in ‘07 and have been hooked ever since. If you live in the area I strongly recommend this pub/microbrewery.
My beer “dealer” at my local Whole Foods had this hidden in the back for me: Dogfish Head Burton Baton oak-aged Imperial IPA. Almost as aromatic as their 120 Minute IPA but darker notes of blueberry and coffee. Love it!
http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/occassional-rarities/burton-baton.htm