Buying Dogfish Head 120

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Helenasman, Sep 14, 2012.

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  1. Stormfield

    Stormfield Savant (1,065) Feb 21, 2011 Massachusetts

    I've had it aged. I prefer it fresh. But then again, that's just me. Lots of folks like it aged. It becomes very, very different over time. To me, it becomes sickly sweet. But to each his own.
     
    #21 Stormfield, Sep 15, 2012
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  2. jtmiller03

    jtmiller03 Initiate (0) Feb 2, 2008 Oklahoma

    2009 fresh, I thought tasted like a bouquet of flowers. After their problems and reworking the recipe, I thought the first batch they put out in 2011 was fantastic.
     
    #22 jtmiller03, Sep 15, 2012
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  3. ShogoKawada

    ShogoKawada Initiate (0) May 31, 2009 Pennsylvania

    it's a good novelty beer, I get a hankerin' for one every 3-6 months. Worth a try worth a buy.
     
    #23 ShogoKawada, Sep 15, 2012
  4. KISSFR33K

    KISSFR33K Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2012 Michigan

    my local beer store sells these for 20.00 a bottle
     
    #24 KISSFR33K, Sep 15, 2012
  5. dennis3951

    dennis3951 Initiate (0) Mar 6, 2008 New Jersey

    It's a very good price for DFH 120 but $8.00 more than i would pay for it.
     
    #25 dennis3951, Sep 16, 2012
  6. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    "There is nothing else to compare it to in my opinion and feel it gets unfairly judged.'

    I agee with you, but I feel as if Sam has no one to blame but himself for that. Whether you like it or hate it, one thing is for sure, it's like no other DIPA on the planet. I know the first time I had it, back when it came in a 750 ml. bottle, I was completely shocked by what I tasted. I was expecting some monstrous hop bomb, and so I was completely unprepared for how sweet and boozy the beer was. Back then, I would have been much more appreciative if the beer was labeled as a barleywine, one that had more than the normal amount of hops. I've had the beer on a number of occassions since then, and I truly do think the beer is much better balanced and more DIPA-like than it once was, but I still don't appreciate the level of alcohol the beer has (as I really don't think it adds much to the flavor profile), and so I just don't think there's any place in my life for this beer any more. I don't drink to get drunk or buzzed, so the last thing I want is a beer that will make me a DUI candidate after drinking a single glass. Add to that the nearly 450 calories per 12 ounce serving this beer offers up (I have enough problems keeping my weight in check), and you've pretty much covered all the reasons why I don't order this beer any more.

    Usually after my first glass of beer, my thoughts turn to what I want to have next. After a glass or bottle of 120 minute, all I'm thinking about is how I'm going to get myself home.
     
    #26 John_M, Sep 16, 2012
  7. beerassociate

    beerassociate Initiate (0) Apr 21, 2011 New Jersey

    I don't think the beer is worth the money, it's too much.
     
    #27 beerassociate, Sep 17, 2012
  8. SerialTicker

    SerialTicker Pooh-Bah (2,851) Jun 18, 2012 Missouri
    Pooh-Bah

    Haven't had it... but I do know a pub in Detroit has DFH 60/90 for $5 and $6 respectively per bottle. Is 120 really THAT much more expensive? Or that much "better"?
     
    #28 SerialTicker, Sep 17, 2012
  9. RichardMNixon

    RichardMNixon Maven (1,431) Jun 24, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Yes
    They aren't really comparable - I like 120 but it isn't an IPA.
     
    #29 RichardMNixon, Sep 17, 2012
  10. Kadonny

    Kadonny Pooh-Bah (2,616) Sep 5, 2007 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Sure it is. What else would you label it? Barleywine? It doesn't have a barleywine malt bill.

    120 is an IPA, albeit an extreme one do doubt, but still. I still enjoy it in small quantities and never when I have to drive anywhere, same goes for WWS.
     
    #30 Kadonny, Sep 17, 2012
  11. TheJollyHop

    TheJollyHop Initiate (0) Sep 2, 2009 California

    Technically it's not an IPA, but an American Strong Ale. Also, after tasting it, there is no way in hell you could consider it an IPA. Sweet, cloying, and boozy, does not make an IPA make.
     
    #31 TheJollyHop, Sep 17, 2012
  12. gtermi

    gtermi Initiate (0) Apr 21, 2010 Texas

    I actually really love this beer. I got 7 bottles this time around at $5 a bottle (my aunt works at a liquor store and hooked me up) and i can't wait to taste them aged. My bottles from a few years ago aged great
     
    #32 gtermi, Sep 17, 2012
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  13. Handle

    Handle Initiate (0) Mar 16, 2009 North Carolina

    Agreed. It tastes more like a barleywine or strong ale to me. I'm not a huge fan of the stuff.
     
    #33 Handle, Sep 17, 2012
  14. Kadonny

    Kadonny Pooh-Bah (2,616) Sep 5, 2007 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    DIPA/IIPa Guideline from BA:

    Take an India Pale Ale and feed it steroids, ergo the term Double IPA. Although open to the same interpretation as its sister styles, you should expect something robust, malty, alcoholic and with a hop profile that might rip your tongue out.

    It's a variation on an Imperial IPA but even more extreme with the ingredients. Not sure how you can say it's not an IPA.

    Sweet, cloying and boozy can (not necessary though) an IPA make. See Southern Tier Unearthly, Double Crooked Tree and to an extent Pliny the Younger.
     
    #34 Kadonny, Sep 17, 2012
  15. TheNoodleIncident

    TheNoodleIncident Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2012 New York

    I've found this beer to be highly available lately - I'm talking multiple 4-packs just sitting on the shelf for long periods of time. Have others noticed this? I'm in NY.

    I'm yet to try it - $12 is a bit much, but I think at $8 I would give it a shot.
     
    #35 TheNoodleIncident, Sep 17, 2012
  16. RichardMNixon

    RichardMNixon Maven (1,431) Jun 24, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Barleywine Guideline from BA:

    Expect anything from an amber to dark brown colored beer, with aromas ranging from intense fruits to intense hops. Body is typically thick, alcohol will definitely be perceived, and flavors can range from dominant fruits to palate smacking, resiny hops.

    Regardless of how elastic you consider the guidelines of IPA to be (do you think the BJCP would accept 120 as an IIPA? I don't), do you not agree that it is so different from 90 minute as to not be comparable?
     
    #36 RichardMNixon, Sep 17, 2012
  17. jchoffman

    jchoffman Crusader (436) Jan 28, 2012 Georgia

    I wish I could get a bottle , but can't in Georgia... would like to try it once at least....
     
    #37 jchoffman, Sep 17, 2012
  18. RocketFrogDavid

    RocketFrogDavid Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2010 Virginia

    Seeing as DFH themselves sell it for $9 a bottle, that is a good price.
     
    #38 RocketFrogDavid, Sep 17, 2012
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  19. cavedave

    cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York
    In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

    I don't know man, I kinda respectfully disagree. The American Barleywines I have a brewed, and recipes catalogued, have huge hop bills, including late addition, designed to mature 3 years down the road. The difference in recipe you speak of is quite minor in most recipes of huge barleywines, or nonexistent. Our last bw used Chico yeast too, like many IIPA's we know and love.

    I gotta agree 120 is a Barleywine, it definitely matures to be one. Plus I'd bet the final gravity on 120 is a lot higher than IIPA standard. Our Pliny clone finished at 10.012, for instance.

    OP, they are 9.99 cheapest you can find locally to me. Buy, Buy, and cellar, cellar.
     
    #39 cavedave, Sep 17, 2012
  20. TheJollyHop

    TheJollyHop Initiate (0) Sep 2, 2009 California

    I can say it's not an IPA because it doesn't even fit within the abv standards of the description you quoted. According to BA, above 14% abv is no longer DIPA territory. Furthermore, according to BJCP guidelines(2008) an Imperial IPA tops out at 10% abv. An American Strong Ale on the other hand can reach an abv of 25%. Therefore based on abv alone, I rest my case.
     
    #40 TheJollyHop, Sep 17, 2012
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