http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/year-round-brews/90-minute-ipa.htm
Do you remember him? Our old friend from Dogfish Head? Well if you don't then go here: 60 Min. In this video we learn a little more about both the beer and the spokesperson. For example, he apparently loves his malt mill. Also, they continually added the hops using an old school football board game when Dogfish Head first started out. See folks, you can do anything with a little research, ingenuity, and drive. So how did it go? Read on.
It was a pretty cool day which actually ended in a steady drizzle. It was my first time at Naja's Place in Redondo Beach on the International Boardwalk. I heard good things about the place and some friends and I wanted to watch the Laker game there. I arrived early, and so, got to review. I looked at the whiteboard that had their list of brews and saw the 90 minute. Well I might as well, I thought, especially since it's on tap.
Appearance
Smell
I'm regretfully going to skimp a little on this section. The bar was pretty much an outdoor bar and the sea breeze was at my back blowing away smells and blowing around the aromas of french fries and various meats from the kitchen. What I did smell, though, were scents of orange and sweet. Part of the reason I smelled it the first try, though, was that the Snifter glassware really helped the aromas come out. The smell was stronger than the 60 minute IPA and I think that's because of the glassware and not due to the drink. Sorry, that's all I really got. After the first smell, the wind started blowing hard and I lost it. All I could smell was chili fries and ocean air after that.
Taste
Damn this drink was in your face. It was strong and full; really top of the line. I tasted citrus flavors, a little bit of sweet that mixed well with the citrus. Before I move on, I'm noticing that beers tend to have two strong flavors which are usually made by a combination of different flavors. The two flavors are bitter and sweet. Yeah, I know it was simple, but I got lost thinking about notes of nutty flavors and citrus flavors and what not. Ultimately, at least to me, it's bitter and sweet and what's inside those two sections are the "notes" of flavor that reviewers taste. Hopefully that makes it easier for you in picking out what you're drinking. In this case, the sweet end was a fruity/citrus kind of taste. On the other end, the bitter had notes of almond and a bitter taste that I really can't articulate. I checked Beeradvocate and the Dogfish Head for some help and here's what I got: a brandied fruitcake with extra alcohol. That's the best I can do. That doesn't sound very appetizing but it's because I have no words! That bitter taste is the centerpiece of the beer but is settled down by the other flavors and creates a nice blend that made me happy, at least.
Mouthfeel
The mouthfeel for this drink was easy on the tongue. It wasn't heavy on the tongue nor was it light; and, by light, I mean frothy. By heavy, I mean thick like syrup. Sure you have better words but I'm writing this and you need to give me a break. The carbonation was middle high and added a nice texture to the brew. There was a slight bite but nothing harsh. There was no dryness and was rather refreshing to drink.
Overall
Overall this was a great great beer. I enjoyed this over the 60 minute, but I could pick the 60 minute over the 90 depending on how I feel that day. Either way, they're both top of the line beers. I also have to add that my friend arrived midway through my review and had a taste. He said he liked the 60 minute more and that the 90 minute was too strong for him. There you go--to each his own. I do like the strength of the bitterness in this ale but I know it's not for everyone and, if you haven't destroyed your tongue as much as I have, you'll feel the same as him. Also, like the 60 minute, the ABV and the IBU are alliterate to the number of minutes: 9.0 ABV and 90 IBU's from 90 minutes. So there you go. This is a beer I recommend you drink before you die, I think you'll like it. If you don't like it then okay, I'm better than you, I get it.
Afterthought
Glassware
I've talked about glassware before and, since I'm lazy to look up anything with more meaning, I'll just let you guys know where to get it. I recently went to Crate and Barrel and they have a great selection of glassware. Some stores that specialize in libation may have some but often they cater to the wine drinkers. Of course there's online, but if you really hate the idea that the mail man might destroy your glasses, you can go to Crate and Barrel. Sorry for those reading outside of California. I can't speak for you and you're, unfortunately, on your own. Here's where you can learn about glassware:
- Beer Glasses!
That's my favorite guide so far. And here's some sites where you can buy glasses:
- Amazon
- Pub Glasses (good luck with this site, when I went on it, it was goddamn slow)
- Crate and Barrel
- True Beer
- Mikasa
Well, there's some sites for you. If you don't like those then stop being so lazy and do your own research, come on this blog is for free. Anyway, the glasses can get expensive if you're looking for a particular kind or want yours engraved or something like that. Also, there are a lot of boots. So I've heard it's impossible to drink so fast where the bubble at the bottom of the shoe does anything (sorry frat boys). And if you run into this thing called a beer "flight paddle" that's just a thing to serve samplers (no not for beer pong). Okay guys, good luck and drink up.
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