Took my wife to lunch on Sunday (Pawleys Island Tavern in Pawleys Island SC). They have a pretty good beer menu (nothing rare or expensive) and I noticed they had Victory Dirt Wolf for the first time. Poured into an un-chilled pint glass and let it breath for about 5 minutes. Did not see a date code on the bottle so I do not know how fresh it was. I have to say it was a let down. I much prefer Victory Hop Devil. I know that Dirt Wolf is a DIPA (8.7%) and Hop Devil is a regular IPA (6.7%) but the DW tasted very hash and overly bitter. And I like bitter but DW was not to my taste. ( SN torpedo is my go-to IPA). Maybe the alcohol was not well enough masked. I will try it again just to make sure it was not a single old or mishandled bottle. Overall not a good first impression
Try another one before you decide. I love Dirt Wolf but a few weeks ago I had one and it had such a bad bitter taste to it that I questioned whether or not I ever really liked it. I'm not sure what it was about that bottle, if it was old or whether I drank it too warm or something, but everything before and after has been wonderful
I LOVE it, sounds like maybe it wasn't so fresh? Give it another shot, also Victory Ranch is out soon, supposed to be as good or better
I had it on tap the first time I tried it and loved it. Had it a 2nd time on tap and didn't like it. Eventually was able to find a 4 pack and it's delicious. Give it another try and if you don't like it, you don't like it, no big deal.
It sounds like there is some variability, which tends to happen with American IPAs. The first batch I had was crazy good with lots of pineapple and tangerine flavors. I just picked up some of the latest batch, hopefully it's in that ballpark.
My experience as well. I'm assuming the bottle OP had was a bit old. The alcohol was masked very well. I was 3/4 into a 4pk more than once before I knew what was going on.
First impression was not the best. Second was awesome and third and fourth and...I think you get the idea
In my opinion Torpedo and Dirt Wolf are two very different beers, it's understandable how you'd like one and not the other, but that doesn't mean the other is subpar.
It's a decent beer, but I expected more. I'll probably give it another shot, but there are plenty of other beers I'd rather grab off of the shelf.
I only had 1 fresh bottle about a month ago and thought it was quite tasty, fresh citrusy hops, not very bitter at all and not boozy either.
I like Dirt Wolf because for a DIPA it has good hop flavor. In my oipinion most DIPA's seem to be much to bitter and lacking in flavor.
There should be a best by date on the neck of the bottle. Victory says it should be enjoyed in six months so doing math you can figure out the brewed on date. I've had many many bottles and find it a great beer.
Please post a beer review ... http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/345/99873 And there's numerous threads re: this beer already. Thanks,
