Dinner | Maine Beer Company
Brewed by:
Maine Beer Company
Maine, United States
mainebeercompany.com
Style: American Double / Imperial IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.20%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
Our first Double IPA – dry, refreshing and hoppy. We really focused on hop flavor and aroma here. To maximize hop character, we dry hopped Dinner twice with over 6 lbs. of hops per barrel. For the best experience, please enjoy fresh as possible.
Added by ThatsThatDude on 03-10-2014
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 237 | Ratings: 1,969
4.68/5 rDev +0.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I didn't get the hype machine here. It's a very clean and tasty beer with pronounced hop flavor, but it's not very distinctive. Honestly, this should be produced and released more so the rarity won't influence reviews and interpretations. It's great, sure. I'd happily drink it again but I like Lunch just as much and can find that on draft without trading an arm or a leg.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I didn't get the hype machine here. It's a very clean and tasty beer with pronounced hop flavor, but it's not very distinctive. Honestly, this should be produced and released more so the rarity won't influence reviews and interpretations. It's great, sure. I'd happily drink it again but I like Lunch just as much and can find that on draft without trading an arm or a leg.
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4.99/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Is it worth the effort to get it? If you love Imperial IPAs, its a must try. Aromatic and smooth with citrus and mild piney flavors. Yes it's worth the effort...if you get into their lottery.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Is it worth the effort to get it? If you love Imperial IPAs, its a must try. Aromatic and smooth with citrus and mild piney flavors. Yes it's worth the effort...if you get into their lottery.
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4/5 rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Followed the directions on this beer and had it with dinner the other day. Simplistic feel with a dry, hoppy finish. Feels very smooth for a double but gives that nice bitter aftertaste.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Followed the directions on this beer and had it with dinner the other day. Simplistic feel with a dry, hoppy finish. Feels very smooth for a double but gives that nice bitter aftertaste.
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4.59/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
wow i didn't realize this has been on my wants for 2 years. finally getting a crack at it. man i should have opened this side by side with pliny
500ml into a perfect ipa glass
looks great in the glass. hazy yellow with a great eggshell whight fluffy head
aroma at first was a bit mute, but it definitly ramps up into juicy tropical fruit, great layers of hops, malty sweetness. very aromatic
flavor definity packs a punch.ots of tropical fruit, nice sweet back bone. more tasty hops without any overwhelming bitterness. very good
mouthfeel is slick, a tad watery. hides the abv extremely well.
overall it's very good and deserves some recognition, but it's slightly behind the real best. i wouldn't turn it down ever tho!
thank you thippe
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
wow i didn't realize this has been on my wants for 2 years. finally getting a crack at it. man i should have opened this side by side with pliny
500ml into a perfect ipa glass
looks great in the glass. hazy yellow with a great eggshell whight fluffy head
aroma at first was a bit mute, but it definitly ramps up into juicy tropical fruit, great layers of hops, malty sweetness. very aromatic
flavor definity packs a punch.ots of tropical fruit, nice sweet back bone. more tasty hops without any overwhelming bitterness. very good
mouthfeel is slick, a tad watery. hides the abv extremely well.
overall it's very good and deserves some recognition, but it's slightly behind the real best. i wouldn't turn it down ever tho!
thank you thippe
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4.93/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Didn't write the review while having it but happy to finally check this one off the list.
2 week old bottle. Still seemed perfectly fresh. Great balance of juicey and resinous goodness. Worth the hype, especially given how long this has been around.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Didn't write the review while having it but happy to finally check this one off the list.
2 week old bottle. Still seemed perfectly fresh. Great balance of juicey and resinous goodness. Worth the hype, especially given how long this has been around.
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4.92/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Bottled dated 2-18-17 poured into a tulip. This beer has wowed me in every aspect and I've been waiting to try it for 2 years! The look is what I am trying to emulate on my homebrew DIPAs; light golden hazy color with a thick white head. Lacing sticks as you drink, leaving rings all the way to the bottom. It smells of rich and ripe tropical fruits, light dank, soft white bread. Tastes like it smells but in layers, fruits, dank, pine, bread, sooo good! Very balanced feel to it with a soft bite that fades when your ready for the next sip. Overall fantastic DIPA that I'll try to get a case of the next time sales are available. Seek this one out if your a hop head like me! Cheers.
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look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Bottled dated 2-18-17 poured into a tulip. This beer has wowed me in every aspect and I've been waiting to try it for 2 years! The look is what I am trying to emulate on my homebrew DIPAs; light golden hazy color with a thick white head. Lacing sticks as you drink, leaving rings all the way to the bottom. It smells of rich and ripe tropical fruits, light dank, soft white bread. Tastes like it smells but in layers, fruits, dank, pine, bread, sooo good! Very balanced feel to it with a soft bite that fades when your ready for the next sip. Overall fantastic DIPA that I'll try to get a case of the next time sales are available. Seek this one out if your a hop head like me! Cheers.
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3.59/5 rDev -23%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Yet another example of a hype beer that was quite good, but not as good as expected. MBC lives up to its reputation of making solid beers, but nothing earth-shattering. This was a solid DIPA, but something in those hops exude too much earthy onion and garlic to get past before you get any good resin or citrus notes. 2 bottles were mailed to me in Winter: I drank one and gave the other to a friend for her birthday. That's how little I cared. Lunch was better.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Yet another example of a hype beer that was quite good, but not as good as expected. MBC lives up to its reputation of making solid beers, but nothing earth-shattering. This was a solid DIPA, but something in those hops exude too much earthy onion and garlic to get past before you get any good resin or citrus notes. 2 bottles were mailed to me in Winter: I drank one and gave the other to a friend for her birthday. That's how little I cared. Lunch was better.
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4.63/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Draft to a tulip glass at the brewery.
Look of my favorite cloudy double IPAs.
Smell of a hoppy grapefruit juice spiked smoothy.
Taste was just a tad disappointing, not quite up to Epiphany at the brewery, Sip of Sunshine on draft at a restaurant or, today, Neverender at the brewery.
Overall, a really good New England double IPA; up there with the best, but the competition keeps growing and I can get Epiphany most every weekend at 1 Industrial Way; that's a better use of my time than waiting in line to buy a case of Dinner. Also, if you want Maine Beer Company, Mo is just as good a drinking experience and, again, more readily available.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Draft to a tulip glass at the brewery.
Look of my favorite cloudy double IPAs.
Smell of a hoppy grapefruit juice spiked smoothy.
Taste was just a tad disappointing, not quite up to Epiphany at the brewery, Sip of Sunshine on draft at a restaurant or, today, Neverender at the brewery.
Overall, a really good New England double IPA; up there with the best, but the competition keeps growing and I can get Epiphany most every weekend at 1 Industrial Way; that's a better use of my time than waiting in line to buy a case of Dinner. Also, if you want Maine Beer Company, Mo is just as good a drinking experience and, again, more readily available.
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4.6/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Date on bottle: 021817
Was lucky enough to get a ticket for a case.
Very pungent floral and fruity flavors. MBC malt flavors are some of my favorite and this one is at the top. Often 8% ABV distracts from the flavor of hoppy brews, but in this case it works well. This is one of the best brewed beverages I've ever had.
Slightly over rated, but then again, ratings are just opinions.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Date on bottle: 021817
Was lucky enough to get a ticket for a case.
Very pungent floral and fruity flavors. MBC malt flavors are some of my favorite and this one is at the top. Often 8% ABV distracts from the flavor of hoppy brews, but in this case it works well. This is one of the best brewed beverages I've ever had.
Slightly over rated, but then again, ratings are just opinions.
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4.02/5 rDev -13.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy opaque orangey hue. Pillowy, cloudy head that you would totally sleep on because you would be smelling something so good in your dreams. Aromatic mango frooti. If y’all don’t know what that is, go to your local Patel Brothers and get some, may be you won’t have the beer, but you’ll have the aroma and flavor.
Dinner is a combination of super soft honey dew and cantaloupe flesh, with a touch of mango. There’s zero to no bitterness which errs far from the MBC wheelhouse of bitter, earthy, but clean and well made West Coast IPAs on the Northeast coastline.
It is so soft that I hope that the gorillas my $5 went to for buying a ticket have a similarly soft and inviting habitat. I hope those gorillas don’t have a damn worry in the world and only think about how comfortable they are. I hope they’re not worried about getting shot by a zookeeper because a dumb kid with irresponsible parents invaded their habitat. I hope they’re not worried about a poachers bullet. I hope they’re concerned with how comfortable they are and how comfortable they are only. Similarly, I feel that Dinner is only a one thought beer. It’s a one note beer. It’s a helluva a note, but it’s one note just the same.
Could you just hear the first bend on Jimmy Page’s guitar on his solo for Stairway over and over again? Or do you need the rest of the solo in order to appreciate that first note? Dinner is undoubtedly a very nice beer. However, it’s Beethoven with only violins and missing the rest of the orchestra. The only thing it shares in common with Marcy Playground’s “Sex and Candy” is that it is also a one hit wonder.
When I think of great IPAs, I think of ones that have everything. Multiple notes. Fruit and bitterness. An evolution of flavors. A veritable concerto to taste. Dinner is not those things.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy opaque orangey hue. Pillowy, cloudy head that you would totally sleep on because you would be smelling something so good in your dreams. Aromatic mango frooti. If y’all don’t know what that is, go to your local Patel Brothers and get some, may be you won’t have the beer, but you’ll have the aroma and flavor.
Dinner is a combination of super soft honey dew and cantaloupe flesh, with a touch of mango. There’s zero to no bitterness which errs far from the MBC wheelhouse of bitter, earthy, but clean and well made West Coast IPAs on the Northeast coastline.
It is so soft that I hope that the gorillas my $5 went to for buying a ticket have a similarly soft and inviting habitat. I hope those gorillas don’t have a damn worry in the world and only think about how comfortable they are. I hope they’re not worried about getting shot by a zookeeper because a dumb kid with irresponsible parents invaded their habitat. I hope they’re not worried about a poachers bullet. I hope they’re concerned with how comfortable they are and how comfortable they are only. Similarly, I feel that Dinner is only a one thought beer. It’s a one note beer. It’s a helluva a note, but it’s one note just the same.
Could you just hear the first bend on Jimmy Page’s guitar on his solo for Stairway over and over again? Or do you need the rest of the solo in order to appreciate that first note? Dinner is undoubtedly a very nice beer. However, it’s Beethoven with only violins and missing the rest of the orchestra. The only thing it shares in common with Marcy Playground’s “Sex and Candy” is that it is also a one hit wonder.
When I think of great IPAs, I think of ones that have everything. Multiple notes. Fruit and bitterness. An evolution of flavors. A veritable concerto to taste. Dinner is not those things.
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4.96/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Bottle on 11-11-16 poured into a snifter glass. About a 1 finger of white creamy head.
Look: A medium orange slightly hazy tint. Lacing left most of the way up the glass.
Smell: An awesome fruit explosion. Tropical fruit comes through with pineapple and then some apricot or other similar aroma. A slight hint of pine in there reminds me of a more traditional IPA.
Taste: Not the fruit monster I was expecting. It finishes sort of dry and a little bitter finish.
Mouthfeel: Reminds me of other NE IPAs. A nice thickness to it, not too much.
Overall: A nearly perfect balance of everything. Never would have pegged this to be a double IPA. The fruit mixes with the texture for a fantastic taste every sip.
I am always hesitant to buy into the hype about these hard (nearly impossible) to get beers. This one definitely lives up to the hype and I highly recommend getting it if you can.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Bottle on 11-11-16 poured into a snifter glass. About a 1 finger of white creamy head.
Look: A medium orange slightly hazy tint. Lacing left most of the way up the glass.
Smell: An awesome fruit explosion. Tropical fruit comes through with pineapple and then some apricot or other similar aroma. A slight hint of pine in there reminds me of a more traditional IPA.
Taste: Not the fruit monster I was expecting. It finishes sort of dry and a little bitter finish.
Mouthfeel: Reminds me of other NE IPAs. A nice thickness to it, not too much.
Overall: A nearly perfect balance of everything. Never would have pegged this to be a double IPA. The fruit mixes with the texture for a fantastic taste every sip.
I am always hesitant to buy into the hype about these hard (nearly impossible) to get beers. This one definitely lives up to the hype and I highly recommend getting it if you can.
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5/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Obviously near impossible to get but if you are lucky enough to have a taste....it's one of the best beers you will ever taste. Can we score over 100?
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look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Obviously near impossible to get but if you are lucky enough to have a taste....it's one of the best beers you will ever taste. Can we score over 100?
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4.66/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Amongst the best for me.
I have recently fallen hard for TH and Trillium, thinking I need to drink them all the time. They put forth fabulous beers, but "Dinner" reminds me that brewing is an art. It's all about balance here. There'a huge nose that appropriately advertises what's to come and flavors that almost keep up (in true MBC fashion it's very clean). Yet, nothing dominates. More so than some of the heavy handed hop bombs these days, this one makes you think. Balance beats the bombs. A classic double that, at the same time, acknowledges the newer players in the field.
Well done, MBC.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Amongst the best for me.
I have recently fallen hard for TH and Trillium, thinking I need to drink them all the time. They put forth fabulous beers, but "Dinner" reminds me that brewing is an art. It's all about balance here. There'a huge nose that appropriately advertises what's to come and flavors that almost keep up (in true MBC fashion it's very clean). Yet, nothing dominates. More so than some of the heavy handed hop bombs these days, this one makes you think. Balance beats the bombs. A classic double that, at the same time, acknowledges the newer players in the field.
Well done, MBC.
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4.64/5 rDev -0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
One of the top IPAs I have ever had. Period. Excellent nose of tropical fruit that was completely backed up by the flavors on the palate. Great bitterness that melds very well with those tropical flavors as well. Lived up to the hype for me for sure. Delicious
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
One of the top IPAs I have ever had. Period. Excellent nose of tropical fruit that was completely backed up by the flavors on the palate. Great bitterness that melds very well with those tropical flavors as well. Lived up to the hype for me for sure. Delicious
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4.25/5 rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Big thanks to mfurlone for a hop-for-hop trade early this month. 500ML bottle dated 8/20/16 with Maine’s trademark understated label.
Pour: only about 2/3 of the bottle will go into my travel mug, so it’s clear orange for now. Smells of fruity tangerines & oranges, with some citrus repping the IPA tag. Smells like NE.
Dinner: I already had one, but this is better than a Holiday Inn burger & fries (I gave it a B-). From sip one I can understand that appeal. The bitterness is rending up front, giving me that slightly tased top-of-the-mouth feel from aggressive hops. Counteracting the hop poisoning is most of a fruit bowl. Apricots, tangerines, grapefruit, probably some exotic Sumatran stuff I haven’t heard of & couldn’t pronounce. Finish is a mélange of odd flavors including wet dough (the yeast?), caramel, prairie grass. Thick enough to stand a lead spoon up in, & heavy enough in my swollen tummy to make me think this would be better in 12 oz. bottles.
Excellent IPA. So many don’t live up to the hype. This one at least scrapes on the belly of the train.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Big thanks to mfurlone for a hop-for-hop trade early this month. 500ML bottle dated 8/20/16 with Maine’s trademark understated label.
Pour: only about 2/3 of the bottle will go into my travel mug, so it’s clear orange for now. Smells of fruity tangerines & oranges, with some citrus repping the IPA tag. Smells like NE.
Dinner: I already had one, but this is better than a Holiday Inn burger & fries (I gave it a B-). From sip one I can understand that appeal. The bitterness is rending up front, giving me that slightly tased top-of-the-mouth feel from aggressive hops. Counteracting the hop poisoning is most of a fruit bowl. Apricots, tangerines, grapefruit, probably some exotic Sumatran stuff I haven’t heard of & couldn’t pronounce. Finish is a mélange of odd flavors including wet dough (the yeast?), caramel, prairie grass. Thick enough to stand a lead spoon up in, & heavy enough in my swollen tummy to make me think this would be better in 12 oz. bottles.
Excellent IPA. So many don’t live up to the hype. This one at least scrapes on the belly of the train.
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4.73/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
From bottle into a teku.
Beautiful hazy orange appearance with a descent head upon the pour. Orange-mango-pineapple nose with a very faint hint of pine. Taste is loaded with juicy tropical flavors, followed by a balanced, mildly sweet back bone. Very easy to drink and glad I finally got to try this epic DIPA. Are there better ones out there, sure... but this will measure up with the top tier.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
From bottle into a teku.
Beautiful hazy orange appearance with a descent head upon the pour. Orange-mango-pineapple nose with a very faint hint of pine. Taste is loaded with juicy tropical flavors, followed by a balanced, mildly sweet back bone. Very easy to drink and glad I finally got to try this epic DIPA. Are there better ones out there, sure... but this will measure up with the top tier.
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4.08/5 rDev -12.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Clear, amber pour, leads to notes of mixed citrus aromas. Nice balance of bitter hops, citrus, and malt. Carbonation helps move the flavors throughout pallate. Great beer, but there are better DIPA's with more bang for the buck out there.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Clear, amber pour, leads to notes of mixed citrus aromas. Nice balance of bitter hops, citrus, and malt. Carbonation helps move the flavors throughout pallate. Great beer, but there are better DIPA's with more bang for the buck out there.
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4.1/5 rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a very dark amber with small white head. Clear pour, no turbidity. Very light citrus on the nose. Slight citrus notes on the taste with a clean/bitter finish. Overall I was a bit disappointed given how highly rated this beer was. Had alongside 7 other really highly rated IPA/DIPAs and it was towards the bottom of the list when compared to the others.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a very dark amber with small white head. Clear pour, no turbidity. Very light citrus on the nose. Slight citrus notes on the taste with a clean/bitter finish. Overall I was a bit disappointed given how highly rated this beer was. Had alongside 7 other really highly rated IPA/DIPAs and it was towards the bottom of the list when compared to the others.
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4.73/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Finally got to try the rare and ellusive dinner. Thanks Kevin Bottled 8/20 drank on 9/5.
Appearance-color of pineapple juice with fantastic lacing , nice carbonation minimal head.
Aroma - pine forrest, then pineapple. Very very nice
Taste- dankness immediately with pineapple citrus on back end. Def west coast IPA. Bitterness is evident
Mouthfeel- not creamy like typical ne iPas. However not watery at all. Medium bodied . Appropriate for style.
Overall- been waiting a long time to try this beer and it did not disappoint. Not sure if beer is worth top 10 ranking but it is damn good. Pine/pineapple combination is delicious, and bitterness is not hidden like most ne iPas. This is a 94/100 beer
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Finally got to try the rare and ellusive dinner. Thanks Kevin Bottled 8/20 drank on 9/5.
Appearance-color of pineapple juice with fantastic lacing , nice carbonation minimal head.
Aroma - pine forrest, then pineapple. Very very nice
Taste- dankness immediately with pineapple citrus on back end. Def west coast IPA. Bitterness is evident
Mouthfeel- not creamy like typical ne iPas. However not watery at all. Medium bodied . Appropriate for style.
Overall- been waiting a long time to try this beer and it did not disappoint. Not sure if beer is worth top 10 ranking but it is damn good. Pine/pineapple combination is delicious, and bitterness is not hidden like most ne iPas. This is a 94/100 beer
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4.76/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Drank side by side with King Julius.
Maine brewing is one of my favorite breweries. Far from one trick ponies, they are diverse, but intimate. This beer exemplifies their flawless representation of the simplicity in beer, while complex at the same time. I was almost done with hops until these guys showed me the light in MO over a year ago. Stay classy Maine.
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look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Drank side by side with King Julius.
Maine brewing is one of my favorite breweries. Far from one trick ponies, they are diverse, but intimate. This beer exemplifies their flawless representation of the simplicity in beer, while complex at the same time. I was almost done with hops until these guys showed me the light in MO over a year ago. Stay classy Maine.
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4.54/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Finally got to try this last night - thanks Chet. When you have a big/hyped beer like this one you never know. Some beers go beyond the hype n blow you away while others fall short. This one .... was exactly as I expected. It was smooth and delicious. Didn't blow me away but I can see why its talked up so much. Very - very good. Would I wait in an insane line for it - not sure. But I'm glad some made its way back to NJ and into my fridge. Another whale off the list.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Finally got to try this last night - thanks Chet. When you have a big/hyped beer like this one you never know. Some beers go beyond the hype n blow you away while others fall short. This one .... was exactly as I expected. It was smooth and delicious. Didn't blow me away but I can see why its talked up so much. Very - very good. Would I wait in an insane line for it - not sure. But I'm glad some made its way back to NJ and into my fridge. Another whale off the list.
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4.96/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Bottle on 08/20/2016 (7 days old)
Orange in color with a medium-hazy look.
Frutty on the nose, mostly pineapple and papaya. I also wanna say it has a pine quality to it, but it isn't dank or resinous. It is more of a fresh winter-green note; a little bit minty, or even like eucalyptus.
Palate follows the nose upfront, with a peppery feel in the middle and a nice subtlely dry and bitter finish. No malt presence, even as it warms it.
Mouthfeel is full to medium. I've been drinking a lot of trillium and Tree House beers, so it feels a little bit aqueous; wish it was a little bit thicker.
Overall this a perfectly balanced beer with very nice fruit notes and some very unsual fresh deliciousness. One of my favorite beers ever.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Bottle on 08/20/2016 (7 days old)
Orange in color with a medium-hazy look.
Frutty on the nose, mostly pineapple and papaya. I also wanna say it has a pine quality to it, but it isn't dank or resinous. It is more of a fresh winter-green note; a little bit minty, or even like eucalyptus.
Palate follows the nose upfront, with a peppery feel in the middle and a nice subtlely dry and bitter finish. No malt presence, even as it warms it.
Mouthfeel is full to medium. I've been drinking a lot of trillium and Tree House beers, so it feels a little bit aqueous; wish it was a little bit thicker.
Overall this a perfectly balanced beer with very nice fruit notes and some very unsual fresh deliciousness. One of my favorite beers ever.
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4.74/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Bottled 8/20/16. Consumed 8/25/16.
A: Moderately hazy, slightly transluscent when held up to bright light. Sits in the glass just a gorgeous, vibrant, glowing light orange / gold. Soft white head isn't too thick and fades relatively quickly.
S: Strong notes of pineapple, mango, and ripe, almost overripe stone fruit. Hints of citrus, but the sweet, juicy tropical fruit really overwhelms everything else. Pretty much no dankness or malt presence to be found on the nose. Aroma doesn’t pop out of the glass as much as that of some of the NE-style IPAs, but it’s close to the most appealing and enticing I’ve experienced.
T: Huge super juicy pineapple and peach up front, complemented perfectly by a mid-mouth appearance of sweet, bready malt. A welcome piney dankness—more minty and brightly herbal than oniony—hits on the finish, but it doesn’t overwhelm the aftertaste, instead complementing the tropical fruitiness to achieve a harmoniously balanced finish.
M: Leaning on the full side of medium, definitely deserving of the ‘creamy’ descriptor. It’s difficult to evaluate the feel of IPAs after drinking a bunch of Tree House beers, but Dinner holds its own. What’s so crazy about this particular beer is the fusion of such a rich and almost full mouthfeel with an assertive piney bitterness.
O: So MBC describes this as an "east coast take on a west coast style," and I can definitely see where they're coming from. Fundamentally, Dinner is a juicy, NE-style fruit bomb. The aroma fires out pure tropical fruit notes unlike almost any other beer I've had. The taste is where the west coast style really comes in. The sweet malt backbone--while noticeable--takes a backseat to an array of hop flavors, which bring notes that both follow the nose--pineapple, peach, mango--and depart from it--pine, earth, and light resin. Overall, Dinner exemplifies extraordinary balance. While it doesn't have the most pungent nose or the most tropical flavor, it seems to bring with it a little bit of everything--in a way such that nothing clashes. It's a wonderfully unique DIPA, one that I'm thankful to have had the pleasure to try.
ALSO! The aromas/flavors came out so much more as it warmed. Seriously, this is one of those IPAs that I'd HIGHLY recommend you let sit out of the fridge for 20-30 minutes before opening.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Bottled 8/20/16. Consumed 8/25/16.
A: Moderately hazy, slightly transluscent when held up to bright light. Sits in the glass just a gorgeous, vibrant, glowing light orange / gold. Soft white head isn't too thick and fades relatively quickly.
S: Strong notes of pineapple, mango, and ripe, almost overripe stone fruit. Hints of citrus, but the sweet, juicy tropical fruit really overwhelms everything else. Pretty much no dankness or malt presence to be found on the nose. Aroma doesn’t pop out of the glass as much as that of some of the NE-style IPAs, but it’s close to the most appealing and enticing I’ve experienced.
T: Huge super juicy pineapple and peach up front, complemented perfectly by a mid-mouth appearance of sweet, bready malt. A welcome piney dankness—more minty and brightly herbal than oniony—hits on the finish, but it doesn’t overwhelm the aftertaste, instead complementing the tropical fruitiness to achieve a harmoniously balanced finish.
M: Leaning on the full side of medium, definitely deserving of the ‘creamy’ descriptor. It’s difficult to evaluate the feel of IPAs after drinking a bunch of Tree House beers, but Dinner holds its own. What’s so crazy about this particular beer is the fusion of such a rich and almost full mouthfeel with an assertive piney bitterness.
O: So MBC describes this as an "east coast take on a west coast style," and I can definitely see where they're coming from. Fundamentally, Dinner is a juicy, NE-style fruit bomb. The aroma fires out pure tropical fruit notes unlike almost any other beer I've had. The taste is where the west coast style really comes in. The sweet malt backbone--while noticeable--takes a backseat to an array of hop flavors, which bring notes that both follow the nose--pineapple, peach, mango--and depart from it--pine, earth, and light resin. Overall, Dinner exemplifies extraordinary balance. While it doesn't have the most pungent nose or the most tropical flavor, it seems to bring with it a little bit of everything--in a way such that nothing clashes. It's a wonderfully unique DIPA, one that I'm thankful to have had the pleasure to try.
ALSO! The aromas/flavors came out so much more as it warmed. Seriously, this is one of those IPAs that I'd HIGHLY recommend you let sit out of the fridge for 20-30 minutes before opening.
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4.68/5 rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Great hazy golden color. Wonderful nose of pineapple and melon. Same flavors on the taste with a balanced bitterness throughout. I think there is also a hint of maltiness. A very pleasant full feel with a pleasant effervescence. Fabulous beer!
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Great hazy golden color. Wonderful nose of pineapple and melon. Same flavors on the taste with a balanced bitterness throughout. I think there is also a hint of maltiness. A very pleasant full feel with a pleasant effervescence. Fabulous beer!
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Dinner from Maine Beer Company
4.66
out of 5
based on 1,969 ratings.
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
I can say without hesitation that this is the best beer I've ever had. Poured into a Teku glass a golden amber color with a finger of laced white foam. Heavy mango and tropical fruit notes in the nose with a bit of pine & a touch of funk. This is a stellar example of the NE IPA revolution of the last several years. As an imperial, you can pick up on a bit of alcohol, but not in a way detrimental to the overall flavor profile of the beer. Not as juicy as other NE IPAs, but you can definitely pick up on more complexities that can be drowned out by juicier IPAs. Overall, incredibly well balanced from look to finish and everything in between. Definitely worth the hype.
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