Dogfish Head Ancient Ales
crystalflame
Posts: 1,049 Member
My local watering hole's beer dinner this month is based around the Dogfish Head Ancient Ales. Normally when I see a bottle of Dogfish Head, I move as rapidly down the beer aisle as possible - I really do not like IPAs (I know, heresy), and their non-IPA beer that I've tried has still been too hoppy for my taste. However, the descriptions of these ales steer pretty far away from what I associate with Dogfish Head brew, and I'm intrigued by the historical element of it.
So, throwing it out to beer enthusiasts everywhere... Have you tried these? Based on my distaste for excessive hops, should I drop $60 on dinner or wait for the next one?
So, throwing it out to beer enthusiasts everywhere... Have you tried these? Based on my distaste for excessive hops, should I drop $60 on dinner or wait for the next one?
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Replies
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I'm not a fan of IPAs or hoppy beers for the most part either but Dogfish Head has a sh1tload of beers that I really like and aren't hoppy at all. They're one of my favorite breweries. The only Ancient Ales that I've had is the Midas Touch which I don't think has any hops in it at all. It's a very good beer. Very different. I don't know anything about their other ones.
I'd look at the other Ancient Ales and see what the flavor profiles are like and go from there but I'd be inclined to do it.0 -
I've had a few of their ancient ales and they're pretty good. The only one I didn't care for was the Cheateau Jiahu. I can't recall what I didn't like but it was after drinking a lot of craft beers so my palate couldn't really decide properly.
The only one that maybe a bit hoppy is the barleywine, the rest are either sweet, dark, or just completely unique. The midas touch has a subtle wine flavor from the grapes. And the Fort was a bit sweater and fruit for being such a high ABV. And the world wide stoute was decent to try. It is dry at first but the stout flavor cools the burn. It's stout you would sip and drink one glass a night. A small glass I might add since it's aroun 18%.
If you can get a list of the beers they're serving, the IBU is listed on the DFH website. You can decide ahead of time which ones you'd like to try. Most are really low compared to the weakest IPA. 60 minute IPA is 60 IBU. Most of their ancient ales are a third that, some less than 10 IBU.0 -
Awesome! Sounds like I'm going, then. Thanks for the input
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The Ta Henket (egyptian) was absolutely delicious and not hoppy. There was a show on I think Discovery channel about it and watching that only made it better - not sure if they brewed this one again or not or if it will be in the dinner.
Just had the Sah'tea (finnish) two weeks ago - it's very junipery. (Not sure that's a word.) I didn't care for it but am glad to say I tried it.
Have fun!0 -
I love the crazy stuff DFH does. I was sad when they pulled out of Wisconsin a few years ago but they'll be back later this year and I can get my Palo Santo Marron fix. I really liked Midas Touch and Chateau Jiahu from the ancient ales series. Most of them aren't hoppy at all since hops weren't used in brewing in ancient times.0
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There was a show on I think Discovery channel about it and watching that only made it better - not sure if they brewed this one again or not or if it will be in the dinner.
Just had the Sah'tea (finnish) two weeks ago - it's very junipery. (Not sure that's a word.) I didn't care for it but am glad to say I tried it.
Have fun!
Brew Masters, it was a pretty good show but got cut after one season. There are conflicting reasons as to the cancellation. One production member claims low raitings, Anthony Bourdain claimed a "larger rival" beer company threatened to pull advertisements from Discovery channel. You can find the episodes on youtube; very informative! You can also visit the brew pub if you're ever in South Delaware (my home state :drinker: ) they occasionally serve new beers for taste test.
And the Sah'tea is definately different, reminded me a lot of an actual tea.0 -
yum,0
