Disappointed in Dogfish Head 120

[Burgs]

I enjoy most of DFH's beer. 60 minute IPA is excellent. 90 is good, but definitely not your standard IIPA. The Indian Brown Ale is also very tasty. But at the same time, when I go to the beer/wine store, they usually aren't my first choice.

I think I'm more of a fan of what Sam has done for craft beer than I am of his beer itself.

I love me some Indian Brown Ale...

 

[Skacorica]

the only DFH beer I have had to date that I thought was worth the glass was the Santo Marron one. Damned tastey.

The rest all tasted like first try experimentals. Too cloying. No balance.

I have their IPA and Raison now and have hopes for them.

I actually just tried the santo marron as well and really liked it. Not a huge fan of the Raison D'Etra, but really like the 90 (though I admit its just a tad too sweet).

 

[Skacorica]

Yep. That's Dogfish 120; it's not a very good beer, and is sweet as all get-out.

If you lay one down for a year it'll improve substantially, but it still won't be what you're looking for.

Their best is the 75, which they sell at the brew pubs--it's literally just a mix of 60 and 90, which you can do at home if you buy 'em both.

Now THAT sounds delicious cause I agree the 90 is a tad too sweet. 75 sounds about perfect. Bottle it DFH!

 

[PanzerBanana]

I really dug their 90 minute. I still can't bring myself to pay what I believe may actually be $8 for a bottle. $5 is my cut off for 12oz.

 

[Hammy71]

Welcome to the club of 120 dislikers. One of two beers I ever poured out.

 

[humann_brewing]

yeah, I have heard that, seems with that much malt, you aren't going to get much hot taste. I am sure it is an ager too which doesn't go well with a hoppy beer.

 

[Danny013]

My thoughts on 120 and DFH...

I think most people buy it an expect a super hoppy monster - as they should; it's labeled as an IPA with a ton of hops. The problem is, it is not an "IPA" and it's not super hoppy. When I had my first bottle I was a bit disappointed, but after letting it warm up to near room temps it really brought out the flavor of the malt and a delicious floral/herbal hop aroma and flavor became evident. Very smooth, very malty ('syrupy' as others have said), very unique. This beer wasn't made to be balanced or to punch you in the face with hops; there are hundreds of good examples of both out there. Rather, I think it's more of a 'beer liquor.' It really is just as much about the hops as the malt. Grab a bottle, age it for a year or two, pour it into a snifter, and make sure it's cool/warm.

Oh, and their 'Heaven and Hell' is awesome. 120 layered on top of WWS. Balla!

The 60 minute is awesome, the 90 minute is awesome (letting it warm really brings out the hops, much like the 120). I've never tried the 75, that is definitely next on my list.

Sure, a lot of their beers are "extreme," but how many micro breweries are out there that make just another IPA or pale ale or brown ale or stout or IIPA, etc. etc. etc.? There are awesome breweries out there, of course, but most of it is only good and/or so similar to dozens of others it's forgettable. That's what I like about DFH; they make an awesome IPA and everything else is unique and different. I don't enjoy all their offerings but I can appreciate the difference and enjoy it for what it is.

Well, that's it for now. This wasn't in reply to any specific comments, just my opinion of the 120 and DFH! But seriously, let your 90/120 warm up a bit!

 

[Skacorica]

Welcome to the club of 120 dislikers. One of two beers I ever poured out.

So then I have to ask....what was the other?

 

[GraphBrew]

I poured out their World Wide Stout. It hurt me and I tried, man did I try to like it. I got through about 6 ounces of it (poured into a wine glass) and had to dump the remaining 6 that was left in the bottle. I made sure to feel out the beer and pick up on everything before I did pour it out but my final judgement is that it's all together just nasty.

DFH is still my favorite brewery...guess I'm a homer.

 

[SumnerH]

This beer wasn't made to be balanced or to punch you in the face with hops; there are hundreds of good examples of both out there. Rather, I think it's more of a 'beer liquor.' It really is just as much about the hops as the malt. Grab a bottle, age it for a year or two, pour it into a snifter, and make sure it's cool/warm.

Been there, done that. It's better, but still cloyingly sweet.

Their Immort Ale, on the other hand, is fantastic when drunk in this manner after a couple of years aging.

 

[madbaldman]

Like many others, I had great expectations (why else would you plunk down $10 for a 12oz bottle?). But I found myself struggling to like it and ultimately failing to do so. The thing was so syrupy and sticky I felt like I needed a shower afterward. It was a good effort from DFH to attempt something like that, and while some may like it, it's definitely not to my liking.

 

[Netflyer]

I'll just bide my time until the obsession with adding three times as much of any given ingredient that is needed has died down a little, and the chances of picking up a well balanced beer have improved.

Keep hope alive!!

 

[laketraviswatts]

DFH 120 is the best beer in America...IMHO.
If you cant take the hops, get out of the kitchen!

 

[GregR]

DFH 120 is the best beer in America...IMHO.
If you cant take the hops, get out of the kitchen!

but that's what everyone's initial complaint is. that there is little to no hop bitterness in it to balance out the extreme (cloying IMO) malty sweetness. it's labeled as an IPA and it simply is not one.

I didn't like probably for the fact that I was expecting an extreme IPA and it was nothing like what I had convinced myself it would be. I poured a whole glass that was chilled and I almost couldn't finish it. I had to force myself to drink it.

now on the other hand, Sam Adams Utopias is every bit as sweet and I love that stuff. but I knew what it was supposed to be like. if I could get my hands on another 120 I'd probably let it sit at room temp and drink only a 2ish oz serving like utopias and just recap the bottle.

I'm willing to give it another shot but Ill go about drinking it in an entirely different fashion.

 

[jppostKW]

but that's what everyone's initial complaint is. that there is little to no hop bitterness in it to balance out the extreme (cloying IMO) malty sweetness. it's labeled as an IPA and it simply is not one.

I didn't like probably for the fact that I was expecting an extreme IPA and it was nothing like what I had convinced myself it would be. I poured a whole glass that was chilled and I almost couldn't finish it. I had to force myself to drink it.

now on the other hand, Sam Adams Utopias is every bit as sweet and I love that stuff. but I knew what it was supposed to be like. if I could get my hands on another 120 I'd probably let it sit at room temp and drink only a 2ish oz serving like utopias and just recap the bottle.

I'm willing to give it another shot but Ill go about drinking it in an entirely different fashion.

i love the utiopias as well and my first try of the 120 was while back and couldnt finish it. it was also before i had sampled as many varietys of big beers as i have now this makes sense! small dose drank as an after dinner liquor type thing bloody brilliant

 

[Zaxenexaz]

If the "cap" on IBU is around 100 then I assume it may be impossible for them to get enough bitterness into the 120 to balance out how much sugar has to go in to get it to 20%.

I also agree though, I found the beer near undrinkable when we got one for a friends bachelor party.

 

[Hammy71]

So then I have to ask....what was the other?

The other was Legacy Midnite Wit.....a trully horrible concoction.

 

[PanzerBanana]

So how's the 120min compare to Dogfish's Olde School Barley Wine? That I kinda like. Not one of my top choices but decent once in a while beer. Favorite barley wine is still Mad Anthony's, a local brewery. It's around average wine ABV. But it's hopped and dry hopped to an extent that keeps that malty bite in check.

I'd like to brew my own barley wine but I don't think I could shell out the cash for the hops to make one I'd like. hehe

 

[bovineblitz]

I've had 120 twice through a Randall, and once from a bottle.

Hated it every time. They should rename it, they're essentially tricking hopheads with that name. The hops aren't even in the forefront, even after it's piped through fresh hops in a Randall.

 

[ArcaneXor]

I have had more DFH beers that I disliked than ones I liked. The 120 is an interesting beer, and I am glad that I tried it, but I wouldn't buy it again unless it was on clearance somewhere for cheap. Most of their beers seem underattenuated and overpriced to me.

I really like their Festina Peche, Midas Touch and Theobroma. Most of the others I've had I don't care for.

 

[bovineblitz]

I have had more DFH beers that I disliked than ones I liked. The 120 is an interesting beer, and I am glad that I tried it, but I wouldn't buy it again unless it was on clearance somewhere for cheap. Most of their beers seem underattenuated and overpriced to me.

I really like their Festina Peche, Midas Touch and Theobroma. Most of the others I've had I don't care for.

Hated Peche. Hated Aprihop but I hear they changed the formula. Hated Port too.

Loved: 60, 90, Raison d'Etre/Extra, Immort Ale, punkin, Santo Palo (aged at least a year), Theobroma, Midas Touch...

I agree that a new Dogfish is a risk but it's one worth taking, IMO.

 

[Clonefarmer]

120 minute are really good at around 5 years old. I have had them fresh and not liked them, but well aged they are one of the best beers I've had.

 

[GregR]

Hated Peche. Hated Aprihop but I hear they changed the formula. Hated Port too.

Loved: 60, 90, Raison d'Etre/Extra, Immort Ale, punkin, Santo Palo (aged at least a year), Theobroma, Midas Touch...

I agree that a new Dogfish is a risk but it's one worth taking, IMO.

I loved Peche. but I really like a sour tart kick in the mouth once in a while. looking forward to seeing it on tap again soon for the summer months. not sure if I tried the Aprihop.

 

[beerjunky828]

Im a DFH fan. I think they embody true creativity. And yes the 120 is definitely overrated but it definitely needs to age and mellow to be a good beer to drink. Most of their beers are expensive but my faves are the 60, 90, punkin, palo santo (1 year aged is amazing), indian brown ale, chicory stout, red and white. The black and blue is too sweet and the midas touch is as well. Theobroma was interesting and fairly tasty. Sah'tea was good. Some of the concoctions they create are interesting to say the least. I find it to be worth the money if you can go in on half of a bottle with someone.

 

[Skacorica]

Im a DFH fan. I think they embody true creativity. And yes the 120 is definitely overrated but it definitely needs to age and mellow to be a good beer to drink. Most of their beers are expensive but my faves are the 60, 90, punkin, palo santo (1 year aged is amazing), indian brown ale, chicory stout, red and white. The black and blue is too sweet and the midas touch is as well. Theobroma was interesting and fairly tasty. Sah'tea was good. Some of the concoctions they create are interesting to say the least. I find it to be worth the money if you can go in on half of a bottle with someone.

I agree, I enjoy trying the different ones. And tbh even the 120 smell was awesome, the taste just wasnt what I was expecting.