Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA

Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales

Milton, Del.

Cost: $10.99/4 pack, 12 oz. each

ABV: 9.0%

IBU: 90

4.5/5 Mugs

This is an Imperial India Pale Ale from Milton, Del. Though its alcohol, by volume, weighs in at 9.0 percent, it hides its alcohol content relatively well, making it a robust, but smooth, India pale ale. It has a bright floral and citrusy nose, primarily of grapefruit and orange. The fruits come out in the taste of the ale.

Ommegang Abbey Ale

Brewery: Brewery Ommegang

Cooperstown, N.Y.

Cost: $7.99/750 ml bottle, $8.99/4 pack, 12 oz. each

ABV: 8.5%

IBU: 27

4/5 Mugs

Ommegang, out of Cooperstown, N.Y., makes great Belgian-style beers. The Abbey Ale, a Belgian-style Dubbel, is a rich and dark beer rooted in old brewing traditions. It pours a dark caramel and has a nose of dark fruit, like plum, and a mild hoppy bitterness. But upon first taste, it is all malt. It’s not too sweet, whereby the hops balance the malt just on the aftertaste.

Founder’s Breakfast Stout

Brewery: Founders Brewing Company

Grand Rapids, Mich.

Cost: $24.99/6 pack, 12 oz. each

ABV: 8.3%

IBU: 60

4.5/5 Mugs

Founder’s comes in around 8.3 percent ABV for this amazing American Imperial Stout. It’s a beer drinker’s beer for sure, with massive roasted malty notes, complete with a lovely bitter, dark chocolate and coffee nose and taste. It pours almost pitch black, and the oatmeal flavor comes through in initial taste, shortly followed by the bitter chocolate and coffee notes. It is a truly humbling drinking experience for anyone adventurous enough to tackle an Imperial Stout.

Compiled by Lucas Sacks, contributing writer, ldsacks@syr.edu

 

Published on September 1, 2010 at 12:00 pm