Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
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Tasting Notes
The aroma leads with a complex layering of citrus peel, pine resin, and dried stone fruit — a product of the continuous hopping process the brewery uses throughout the boil. On the palate, a strong caramel malt backbone holds up against aggressive bitterness, with flavors of grapefruit, toffee, and a hint of alcohol warmth. The body is full without being syrupy, and the finish is long, resinous, and persistently bitter. It's a beer that rewards slow drinking rather than quick pints.
About the Brewery
Dogfish Head is based in Milton, Delaware and was founded by Sam Calagione in 1995. It became one of the defining craft breweries of its era, known for off-centered ales that leaned into unusual ingredients, extreme hopping techniques, and ancient recipe recreations. The 60, 90, and 120 Minute IPA series put the brewery on the map nationally and helped establish the Imperial IPA as a legitimate American craft category. The brewery merged with Boston Beer Company in 2019.
Food Pairings
Strong aged cheddar works well here because the caramel malt softens the cheese's sharpness while the bitterness cuts through its fat. Grilled or smoked meats — particularly beef burgers or brisket — hold their own against the beer's assertive hops and match its weight. Spicy Thai or Indian dishes benefit from the malt sweetness acting as a mild counterpoint to heat. Blue cheese, pungent and funky, is a classic pairing with high-IBU beers because the bitterness balances the cheese's intensity rather than clashing with it.
Style Guide
The American Double or Imperial IPA is essentially a bigger, more aggressive version of the American IPA — more hops, more malt, more alcohol, typically ranging from 7.5% to 10% or higher. It originated in American craft brewing in the late 1990s and early 2000s as brewers pushed hop bitterness and aroma to extremes while building up malt structure to keep the beer from tasting hollow. Where a standard IPA might clock in around 40-70 IBUs, a Double IPA routinely exceeds 80-100, with the added malt body providing ballast. It differs from a Barleywine in that hops dominate over malt rather than the reverse.