I think at some point between 2010-2015 timeframe I remember stating on a forum that 60 min IPA is the most “All American” IPA out there in wide distro. You could argue 2-Hearted or Torpedo or Stone as well but pre-NEIPA craze 60min was the American standard just IMO.
No, he was totally fucked up. I don't know what else he drank while he waited for me-in those days I had 6 beers on tap all the time. We made him hang around for dinner, he took off his clothes and ate wearing just his underwear. He went outside to piss, and we heard him drive away, without his pants or shirt. That was really the last time we had any serious contact. He got a couple of DUI's right after that, lost his job at Los Alamos Labs, and moved to Florida to live with his sister.
I appreciate Sam's response on this thread, as it speaks to his genuine care for the industry and to still participate here on BA. To the OP's question; I do not find them as cutting edge as they were 10-15 years ago. But the industry and expectations are also not the same as they were at that time. I have way more local options, my local stores are not putting regional craft like DogFish on the shelves as often, and the bar is raised on what is considered a great beer. Let's face it, there were many more generic breweries back then and now a large amount are closed. Where I do put DFH in my buying options is this; I know a DogFish beer on a clean tapline is going to be a good beer. The brand means something. It has a firm place in the history of the industry, and continues to be a business that produces a product people enjoy. I'm not likely to race out to a store or bar just because 120 minute IPA available. That time is gone. But I'm also not the craft beer drinker I was 15 years ago. Those were great times, and the DFH brand was a part of it. I for one am glad we have the options we have now. Are there other options I may choose over DogFish on draft? Probably. Would I ever feel disappointed if DogFish was my best option available? Never. That brand has earned a reputation to me as a long time consumer.
Dogfish Head SeaQuench Gose, 4.9% - delicious and still relevant! Cheers! -Look: Hazy light golden with a thick frothy head. -Smell: Bright lime zest and citrus, light spice. -Taste: Delicious lime and citrus, sea salt, mild spice and wheat. -Feel: Twangy zesty citrusy-tart, slight puckering, clean and fast. -Overall: Tasty and thirst quenching, tartness is just right - fantastic!
I picked up 60 Minute Thursday night. It's just a classic. There's no other way to paint it. It's a great, consistent, solid IPA. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm glad I picked some up and gave it the respect that it's due.
I heard recently that they are going to start highlighting the lo-cal and light aspect even more and that would be a wise move.
I definitely would have had a better thought-out answer had I known Sam Calagione was actually going to read this thread.
DFH beers of the mid 2000's were certainly gateway beers for me. When I moved from So Cal to Dallas in 2009 I found some DFH styles we'd never had in CA and sadly now it seems no one has. Midas Touch, Raison d'etre, Fort, among others. I'm not the same beer drinker I was back then. I do not drink IPA's often anymore but the last 2 times I bought packages IPA's they were 90 minute. I still love that beer but we only seem to have 60, 90, and Sea Quench available anymore. From the supermarkets to Total Wine that's all we get. Looking at Total Wine's site they don't even have the Sea Quench in stock. I'm not a businessman by any means but it seems to me that after the merger/acquisition whatever, our distribution was slashed. I get it, this part of north of Los Angeles (moved back 2012) is just discovering IPA's in the past 5 years so all the stores tend to really only stock IPA's and hazys. The days of the bomber section are gone. 6 packs are almost the way of the dodo in lieu of the 16oz 4 packs for $22. Otherwise all you have are 12 packs of Mind Haze variants and Voo Doo Ranger mix packs with a few others sprinkled in. If I go to the more boutique "bottle" shops they've only got 16oz singles of hazy IPAs and kettle sours that barely resemble beer. So why would I expect these places to stock to somewhat "niche" DFH beers I enjoy? I understand why their distro may not have retailers out here stock anything other than 60/90. Does it suck? Yes. The "Off Centered" ethos of the brand is sacrificed to be practical in a saturated market. I'd rather see this than what Stone went off and vomited all over before getting scooped up by Sapporo. But I'd like for a Palo Santo or Raison d'etre right about now. Also, no one makes Barley Wines anymore and that's all I want these days. Let's go back to making those.
The 90 Minute article that has been mentioned a few times here had an interesting bit about Stone: https://www.hopculture.com/dogfish-head-90-minute-ipa/ Was Arrogant Bastard ever marketed as an "imperial IPA" rather than simply an "ale." @jesskidden
@zid Well, no actual label and pre-dates the TTB (by about 1½ centuries): Then there's Rogue's beer, circa early 1990s: But they called it "I-squared Pale Ale"... That's a good question (I doubt it...). EDIT - ABA was only 7.2% ABV, is that high enough for the "Imperial" tag? Pre-craft US IPAs were that high.
Really shows you how times have changed. As I recall, the I2PA was part of their original XS series (along with the old crusty and scotch ale), and was sold in those small nip bottles because of the high alcohol (for the times at least). It was pretty good I thought, though kind of expensive. If memory serves, it was sold in the nip bottles for a few years and then Rogue moved it into the standard 12 ounce bottle.
It surprised me. Maybe Calagione is misremembering the specifics of what Koch said at the time. It would be interesting to know more about that story.
From Mitch Steele's IPA book (discussing Stone's numbered Anniversary beers): ...which kinda just adds to the confusion, huh?
Thanks for giving it some thought. With only a quick look, I didn't see anything indicating that 5th Anniversary "IPA" (2001) or Ruination "double IPA" (2002) included the word "imperial," ... but with 90 Minute in 1999 the timeline at least makes sense. Not that any of this actually matters much... but since the claim was entirely about specific language used, then that's going to be the crux of the matter.
It seems like the claim quoted in the 90 minute article has to do specifically with the use of the word imperial on an ipa label while the claim mitch makes there is more about the qualities of the beer.
I loved DFH 60 min back before there were so many good local fresh IPAs. I can't even get DFH in Southern France. I will stick with local fresh craft beer, now that we have some excellent craft breweries here on the Côte d'Azur.
