Dogfish Head- Method to the madness

DFH makers quality brews, they're sometimes a bit quirky though, which IMO is nice, they take chances, and they don't really do standard. 60 was a staple, I like a 90 every now and then too, but the ABV is a little high to have a few when I'm out. Some I just flat out don't like, but so what? Some do, and that's their point.

 

Tried Piercing Pils last night! Interesting beer, but pils is just not my style! Typical DFH beer for me, different, glad I tried it, but wouldn't buy it again! Too many good/great beers that I have trouble keeping up with!

 

Love DFH and some of their Beers. There is always at least one DFH option that is a good fall back for going to events and dropping in a gas station that sells minimal non bud products. I like them but the hunt is more fun than anything else. Part of the culture is finding new gems and DFH is so big that i generally only buy their products when no trades or other releases are going on.

 

DFH's yeast gives me awful gas.

 

I get violent diarrhea and vomiting from all DFH beers.

 

Well said, and echoes my thoughts exactly. Also, it's 6% abv. No "straight up Czech Pils" even approaches that abv. If they lowered it to a more appropriate 4.5% to 5%, how would that transform the beer? Is the pear and elevated alcohol covering up what they are incapable of brewing?

I'm not saying they can or can't brew a great pils, nor would they attempt it, I'm simply thinking out loud.

 

Just because you like a beer doesn't make it good.
Just because you like a brewery, doesn't mean they don't suck.

 

And finally....just because I can't resist....

I don't hate or love Dogfish Head. Honestly, I rarely buy their beer, but I'm not their target market. I'm not a fan of "gimmicky" beers, but whatever creative attempt Dogfish tries, I'm ok with. Why? Because they were one of the first to do this, and it's their image, it's who they are. I've met Sam multiple times, great guy, passionate brewer, and he's willing to take risks. He's also one of the pioneers for the modern American IPA, which is easily the US beer scene's greatest achievement thus far.

 

DFH really inspires me as a homebrewer.
I made a clone of their Raison D'etre and everyone thought it was the best thing I ever made. (i disagree but it was pretty great). I plan to try to replicate Palo Santo as closely as I can. I also have plans to make an Indian Brown clone.
And one of these days I hope to put together a Poppa Skull approximation, although I'll never get the wood aged blend right I love Cardamom and this was the first beer I ever had that really featured it(as opposed to say Imperial Pumpkin from Wyerbacher, which i am very fond of). Hell if anyone has a Poppa Skull for trade(doubtful) send me a message.
Bitches Brew blew me away the first time I had it. I think it's best fresh. I won't go on and on but I don't see why anyone would "hate" their beers. It's a liquid luxury and if you desire some other form of it(as I often do), seek it out and enjoy it.

 

How do you plan to replicate Palo Santo without the Palo Santo wood aging vessel?

 

I'd say My Antonia (first brewed in 2010) sets the standard for all Doubel Pils.

The other would be Hellhound (first brewed in 2011), which I think is a unique DIPA and in my personal top ten DIPAs.

 

I rest my case

 

For me personally I love the fact that Sam rekindles his connection to his Italian hertiage by being one the first and at this time as far as I know, the only America Brewery to be collaborating with the Birra Del Borgo and Baladin. That is special to me. It is a shame the last episode of Brew Masters was not aired which featured Sam going to Italy and making some brews.

As far as their attitude, I love it because I have always felt off centered compared to my peers and those in general. As many have shared, some beers are great and some are not but I do find myself enjoying many of them.

 

by using Palo Wood chips. I know it won't be exactly the same, but they are out there.

 

While I appreciate that DFH is willing to experiment, they need to set their threshold higher for what gets bottled. They've released too many things that other good breweries would have tried but decided not worthy of committing to bottle, and the result has been a lot of "well...that was interesting, I guess" and not enough "wow -- great stuff!"

The creativity and skill is clearly there; it just needs to be more focused.

 

Yes, that is a converse and equally valid point. Quite exactly how subjectivity works.

Profound.

 

I can't say I've tried all of the DFH offerings. But of what I have tasted, I enjoy them all. I like that they really don't try to make just traditionally defined styles. And Sam Calagione is a master marketer. This latest offering, "American Beauty", pulling in all the Deadheads was genius. One would think using the most famous studio dead album would be a gimmick for pushing an average beer on the shelves, but instead the stuff is outstanding.
American Beauty continues in the thread of the beer being derived from an "inspiration". Many people find themselves pulled in by the inspiration and then really enjoying the taste profile that has been created. I mean who knows what a miles davis or grateful dead beer should taste like? So Sam is creating these and his followers are gladly drinking the kool aid.
A big smile comes over my face whenever I am in a good restaurant and see 90 minute on the beer menu. One of the best beers to sip as a wine alternative with a nice entrée.

 

Just wanted to throw in my two cents. I wasnt into craft beer the last time they were in RI and now that they just came back I decided to try one of their offerings. The store had 60 min, 90 min, 1 other one I cant remember, and the India Brown Ale. I got the 60 min and it was bottled early Dec so it was less than 3 weeks old. Honestly, I wasnt too impressed. It was more malt forward than I expected. I knew nothing about DFH so I expected their IPAs to be more hop forward but that really wasnt the case. Again, not a bad beer but not one of the best IPA's Ive had.

 

I found Piercing Pils to be exceptionally good beer for the style, but then again I'm a pilsner/lager lover. Don't let the Pear think its going to be a fruity beer. Its a Pilsner through and through. Maybe a touch of notice of the pear but very, very subtle.

 

I am a huge fan of Pilsners and hit or miss with DFH; I do respect their willingness to experiment, though. I picked up Piercing Pils last night and loved it!