Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA is a beer that has been reviewed countless times, and as far I as I can tell, it’s universally regarded as being one of America’s best craft beers. Another review really isn’t necessary, but since Dogfish Head just recently began to distribute in California, I can’t help but offer my own assessment of this fine brew. In short, this is a great beer; in fact, it’s quite possibly my favorite beer. However, that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. I’ve tried to humbly include some constructive criticism below.
First, the good: this is a massively hoppy beer that impressively includes enough of a malt counterpunch to be smooth from start to finish. Poured into a pint glass (Dogfish Head says a snifter is preferable, but I’m currently snifter-less), this brew offers a think, fluffy head, and the alcohol (9.0% ABV) is very noticeable in the aroma. The hops stick with you throughout the 90 Minute IPA experience, but the primary flavor in this brew is in the neighborhood of plums verging on prunes.
I’ve never had a double IPA with the kind of malt background that the 90 Minute IPA provides. All the malt provides a texture and mouthfeel that I can only describe as chewy. There’s so much to this beer that you could almost chew it! I’m not sure if that sounds appealing, but that’s the way it is. Anyway, any hop enthusiast will certainly get his fix by enjoying one of these, and as the lacing follows you sip-by-sip through your experience, it reminds you that you want another as soon as you’ve finished the first. Be careful, though, this is a deceptively alcoholic beer. At 9.0% ABV, you might think the alcohol would be front and center, but you don’t notice the alcohol as much as you’d think.
Now for some criticism: I go back and forth on this point, but the flavor profile can verge on being overly sweet. Plum is interesting; prune and raisin are borderline medicinal (a complaint I have about Dogfish Head’s Raison D’Etre). In my opinion, no double IPA should be close to being too sweet. I’d like to see Dogfish lift the pedal on the malt a little bit to let the hops take greater control, but your mileage may vary. Overall, I give Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA a Mamacoke record of 94 points out of 100.
Good review – glad you can finally enjoy it in CA!
As a Dogfish enthusiast who has tried every one of the beers they’ve offered, I’d recommend giving the 120 a shot if you can – runs about seven bucks a bottle, but it is worth it. It is a wicked strong beer, but I would say it tops the 90.
Also, Steelhead Double IPA gives the 90 minute a run for its money.