Dogfish Head "75 Minute" IPA

I very much enjoyed the 60 minute IPA, and I loved the 90 minute IPA even more. It seems that there was a plateau at that point, and the 120 minute IPA was a fantastic beer, but it really wasn't better than the 90 minute. So, I guess the natural question should have been if there was an increment somewhere between 60 and 90 that was really the break point where the law of diminishing returns was hit. After all, these beers get more expensive the longer that they are dry hopped. The 120 is excellent, but it's not worth what they ask for it.

The hazy, amber beer has a frothy, off-white head that leaves lacing as it goes down. The aroma is mostly floral hops and what seems to be a bread malt. It's possible that bread malt is more of a cracker malt or maybe it's just the bread crust. Its presentation, much like the other beers in this line, is excellent. I really want to drink this beer, and I can't take of any good reason why I shouldn't.

First sip is significantly lighter than I remember any of the other beers in this line to have been. It seems to be a bit more sweet, and there is a certain amount of flaky maple that has been imbued into the floral hops and malt. That malt, by the way, appears to be actually leaning more toward the bread side then cracker. But, you hopefully won't fault me for guessing based entirely on aroma.

Tip-in is furious carbonation sizzle with maple sweetness and floral brightness lighting the path. The middle brings in a caramel with bread to give backing to the floral and maple, and the sweetness carries a thickness through the center of the beer. The finish is a flash of bitterness before the trailing off floral breeze.

Bottom Line: A darn good beer that seems very different from its siblings.

3.75/5