Dogfish Head Craft Brewery- 90 Minute Imperial IPA: Like A Perfectly Choreographed Fight Scene Where Nobody Wins Except You

After trying Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA, I figured that my next obvious progression would be to try the 90 Minute Imperial IPA.  Yes, I am still on my IPA kick as well as the fact that Wes texted to tell me he was trying one as well.  So I went to the garage to grab me a 90 Minute Imperial IPA, my favorite tasting glass, my tasting note pad and my trusty writing utensil.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery classifies this brew as an Imperial IPA and their website describes 90 Minute Imperial IPA as “Esquire Magazine calls our 90 Minute IPA, "perhaps the best I.P.A. in America."  An Imperial I.P.A. brewed to be savored from a snifter.  A big beer with a great malt backbone that stands up to the extreme hopping rate.

90 Minute IPA was our first continually-hopped beer, which is a method of hopping that allows for a pungent, but not crushing hop flavor.  Since introducing the world to the continual-hopping method with our 90 Minute IPA, we've since released a continually-hopped 60 Minute IPA, 120 Minute IPA and even a 75 Minute IPA (a cask-conditioned blend of 60 & 90 Minute IPAs).

In addition to the continual-hopping 90 Minute IPA receives during the boil, we also utilize our 'Me So Hoppy' device to dry-hop the beer during conditioning.”  I highly recommend checking out the video on the brewery’s 90 Minute Imperial IPA page to check out the explanation of exactly how the beer is created…it’s worth the watch.

This beer pours an amber/orange color with a light cream colored 1” head with a harmonious blend of hop/malt aromas and it a stout 9% ABV.

Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute Imperial IPA’s flavor reminds me of what a groom thinks as he is participating in his “first dance” at his wedding reception.  His thoughts are a fine balance of “I finally landed my dream girl” & “Is this my dream girl?”  The thoughts are so balanced that they keep him from running out of the reception screaming.  I can understand why Esquire might claim this as the best IPA in America but to me it’s not quite as good as their 60 Minute IPA.  This is a really good IPA and I recommend that you head out and pick up a four pack and try it for yourself.

ABV: 9%

Consumed: New Belgium Globe Glass

Verdict: Buy A Twelve Pack

Dogfish Head- 90 Minute Imperial IPA: Worth The Price Of Admission!

I was prepared to bitch and cut this beer down. First of all I have heard so much about it. Oh my god, Dogfish Head 90 minute Imperial IPA, have you tried it? It’s so good! And on and on and on it went. Second of all was the price issue. I am used to paying 10 bucks a six pack. But when you are trying to write reviews sometimes you get a beer you simply only want to drink once. Don’t worry I donate the extras to “Toys for Tots.” So for twelve dollars a four pack this stuff better be awesome.

Fortunately it is. This beer is busy. Multiple smells, tastes and even textures hit your mouth and nose at once. This is like the D-day of beers. It has a beautiful amber hue with a very active amount of carbonation. Even ten minutes after I poured it, the bubbles continue to surge upward releasing its intoxicating aroma skyward. It has the standard hop smell of an IPA; however it also has this amazing roast, grainy, sweet smell. For some reason it kept reminding me of the smell of caramel corn. The late edition dry hops really create a euphoric scent.

This beer’s flavor is truly one of a kind. The IPA is really subdued behind a sweet almost liquor flavor. It reminded me of the cereal, Kellogg’s Smacks, yeah the one with the frog, but not in a disgusting way. This beer just had so much to offer, it might take the whole four pack to unlock all of its mysteries. But be warned, at 9% ABV, this brew is no light weight. If you like IPA’s try it. If you like one-of-a-kind beers, try it. Screw it, just try it. If you’re a real beer fan you need this notch on your beer belt.   

 ABV: 9%

 Consumed: Pint Glass

 Verdict: Buy A Case!