Okay Kids. It is time to get serious.
REAL serious.
There comes a time in every hophead’s life where the hops cravings become insatiable. Regular IPAs start to taste like light lagers. Double IPAs, Imperial IPAs and Barleywines start to loose their “oomph.”
This insane phenomenon seems to occur about every 4 months throughout the year. This year it already happened in January and May. And now it is happening again in September.
WHO WHAT WHERE WHEN … and WHY?
A few times a year, Dogfish Head Brewery releases what is quite possibly the hoppiest beer on the planet …
The Mother of IPAs …
The Holy Grail for hopheads …
THE 120 MINUTE IMPERIAL INDIA PALE ALE
And each time Dogfish Head releases a batch of its very limited 120 minute Imperial IPA - the puny little Double IPA drinkers are forced to come to the realization that YES, there is something bigger and hoppier out there.
And that is when we start wanting more, MUCH more. We are no longer satisfied with our old staples and “go-to” IPAs. Oh no, not anymore. Not when we KNOW what is out there.
Unfortunately, due to the limited nature of this beer and its obscenely high percentage of alcohol - it is almost impossible to acquire. The Beer Wench knows this well, since she has never been able to get her hands on some. (Ohio has pretty strict alcohol laws which prohibit distributors from importing the 120 minute IPA. Can you say boo Ohio?)
But it seems that my luck has changed. The stars are aligned and fate has finally given me the opportunity to unite with my soulmate …
Next Monday, I will be permanently leaving the state of Ohio to explore the state of Florida. I have decided to turn my move down South into a mini road trip extravaganza.
At approximately 3pm on Tuesday afternoon, I will be standing in the Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton, DE. After recieving a tour of the brewing facilities, I plan on heading over the the Dogfish Head Brewpub for copious amounts of off-centered ale as well as some equally off-centered grub.
AND I WILL NOT LEAVE without tasting - or at least acquiring - the 120 Minute Imperial IPA. MARK MY WORDS!
The Wench means business.
Even if I have to kick and scream and hand-cuff myself to the bar - I WILL NOT LEAVE WITHOUT THE 120 MINUTE IPA!
Now, some of you [rather unfortunate folk] may be wondering just what is so special about this beer? Well, let’s let Dogfish Head tell you themselves …
DOGFISH HEAD 120 MINUTE IMPERIAL IPA
Too extreme to be called beer? Brewed to a colossal 45-degree plato, boiled for a full 2 hours while being continuously hopped with high-alpha American hops, then dry-hopped daily in the fermenter for a month & aged for another month on whole-leaf hops!!! Our 120 Minute I.P.A. is by far the biggest I.P.A. ever brewed! At 20% abv and 120 ibus you can see why we call this beer THE HOLY GRAIL for hopheads!
In case you care… the average 12 oz. serving has 450 calories.
Source: Dogfish Head Brewery
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Can’t wait to see a picture of you at the brewery with some 120 minute of your own !!!
I’ve had this beer. It, like it’s northern cousin “Hop Wallop” from Victory, isn’t so much an experience as it is a *commitment*. These are like the Chuck Norris of hoppy beers.
With your upcoming trip you will be able to taste them back to back! BONUS!
Wow 20% ABV and 450 calories and probably enough IBU’s to kill the bitter beer face man. Is this even affordable? It probably has whole chunks of hops floating in it. DFH is certainly taking brewing to the extreme. At some point you almost have to say - “Ya I guess we don’t need to add any more hops here”. I can see that they may charge up to $10 a 12oz bottle for this stuff. It may be worth buying 1 or 2 but a 4-pack or 6-pack will probably be a bit too high for most tastes.
I 120 years ago, a little too overhyped in my opinion and too sweet.
Be sure to find out if the brewpub there in Rohoboth Beach will have it on tap or else you’ll be drinking on the same bottled version that you have had before.
Still I’m more for Raison D’extra, Worldwide Stout, or Olde School Barleywine. Also, keep a look out for the next in the big bottle series, Theobrama. While it should be around in bottles soon, even in Ohio, it’s not out just yet.
I have in my possession a bottle of this elusive beer. There is one place in Columbus that I know sells this, and I was lucky enough to know someone who shelled out the insane $16.99 for a bottle.
It is in my fridge waiting for a special occassion (seriously, I am planning my day around this beer). I want to savor every minute.
I was lucky enough to try one a while back. Lucky enough because I wasn’t aware how rare it was and I’m a huge fan of super-hopped brews.
Hope you enjoy it.
Great beer! And this one isn’t hard to find in Orlando. I saw a bunch on the shelf at Total Wine and at Knightly Spirits during my trip in June. Have fun, this one packs a punch!
Cheers!
The Beerbuddha
[...] OH. Wenchie found the barrel of Dogfish Head 120 IPA - aka THE HOLY GRAIL FOR HOPHEADS. SAVE SOME FOR THE [...]