Dogfish Head Burton Baton Imperial IPA
After reading a review on the Burton Baton, I was trying to remember the beer. We had sampled it for Beer Brawl™ 9 and I know I really liked it, so here is a more in depth look at the Dogfish Head Burton Baton Imperial IPA.
Dogfish Head Burton Baton
Appearance:
The Beer was a really gorgeous mahogany crimson color, crystal clear. A small column of bubbles rises from the middle of the glass like an inverted waterfall. Thin head of thick foam sits on top. It was fairly hardy and left nice lacing.
Aroma:
Has a strong hoppy oak aroma, the two aromas have almost melded together. Hints of Vanilla from the oak were also present along with a touch of citrus.
Taste:
A heavy hand of oak dominates the first sip of the flavor profile. After a couple of sips you can start pulling a number of different flavors out. It really taste like an IPA in oak. The first part of the sip is a vanilla orange flavor, which transitions to an oaky sweetness of caramel. While the caramel dissipates in the flavor replaced by a bit of heat from the high ABV, the oak sticks around for a bit to play with the finishing hops.
Overall Impression:
Not a beer for the weak, this is a fully bodied high octane explosion of IPA and Oak. The flavors are extremely well balanced for such a complicated beer. Oak can be a finicky beast, along with the 10% abv which can really mess with the flavors, but I have to hand it to the folk at Dogfish Head. This is a kick ass beer.
Glassware: Tulip
Calories: 10% abv, will give you about 300-325 cal per 12oz
Simply Beer Rating: 96
Dear Sir,
I must respectfully disagree. My impression is that the majestic glory of Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA was polluted by unnecessary barrel exposure. The best component of the IPA- a solid, complex hops profile- is deadened rather than enhanced by the barrel-induced “vanilla orange” components you identify above.
Cheers,
Perrinator
Perrinator, thanks for leaving your thoughts, I appreciate your opinion, but that is what we have different styles of beer not everyone likes the same stuff. Curious, what are your thoughts on the 120 minute, which has almost no hop profile but is an amazingly complex and wonderful beer?
I’m glad you asked. I think that the 120 minute is a peculiar but tasty beer, though migrating towards the outer reaches of Beerdom since it weighs in at something like 18% ABV. I’m no purist about what beers “should” be, so the 120 min. is a fun experiment in excess.
120 is a drink in of its self. Nothing out there like it. I love wood on beer, which is probably why I enjoyed the Burton so much, I would love to try some 120 aged on new oak or chardonnay barrels (not necessarily bourbon or whiskey)