41/100) Dogfishhead

I have set myself the goal to review three beers or ciders every week for 100 weeks. I will be learning about beer and ciders more as I do this, and if I am successful in this venture, I will have tried about 300 unique drinks. If you're curious how I'm doing, the number in the post's title tells you which week I am in now.

90-minute imperial IPA, Beer Thousand, Midas Touch, Raison D'extra

Thanks to a friend who was gracious enough to snag me these bottles, I have now tried some of the "legendary" Dogfish Head fare. Aside from plain just knowing how to make amazing beers, they resurrect recipes to brew "ancient ales." From what I understand, that means they have even used amphora to brew beers.

90-minute imperial IPA) I am seriously going to have to start taking hop-heavy beers off my list of things to review. Piney, resiny, and yet very smooth, I only made it through a small glass of this beer before my taste buds were nuked. Don't let my two-star on this one fool you, it only means that I, personally, don't want to have another all that much. My hop-loving friends rave about this one, and for those of you curious, they also make a 60 and 120 minute versions. It's just not my style. ☆☆

Beer Thousand) Made with 10 different grains and 10 different hops, this beer was dialed to a 10% ABV. And that's how you get the name: 10x10x10 = Beer Thousand. The smell is like that of sauvingon grapes with a touch of peach and plum. The flavor tastes similar to that aroma, but there is more to it as a bit of a yeasty flavor rides in the background. A lot of complexity to this one, but a smooth easy finish. ☆☆☆☆

Midas Touch) So apt is the name that you could say that this beer is gold-touched. The pour is a golden apricot. The ingredients even include honey, muscat grapes, and saffron. The aroma is something like grape juice, but the taste is on a different plane. It's very easy to drink and no harsh nuggets of hop-originating bitterness. ☆☆☆☆

Raison D'extra) My attempts to describe this beer will not do it justice. It has characteristics of a brown ale, but the raisins -yes, there are tons of raisins in this beer - do something special to the finish. My only advice is let this baby warm up and sip it slowly. The flavors change and open up as it approaches to room temp. This is a truly upgraded raison de etre. ☆☆☆☆☆