derryX Dogfish Head Review: Midas Touch

Early in 2010, at the recommendation of John Jordan, I tried a Dogfish Head 60 Minute India Pale Ale. This came with much reluctance because I have never been a fan of IPA style beer or any beer with a decent bitterness; as a matter of fact, in the past, I got into homebrewing and decreased the intensity of the hops used in almost every recipe that I made.

There was something special about this 60 minute IPA. I couldn’t put my finger on it at the time, but, while out with my friends, I kept ordering Dogfish beers whenever I would see them on the menu. After trying a few different styles of beer by Dogfish Head Brewery, it occurred to me that they put a decent amount of effort into toying with the intrinsic concept of “beer,” and, if you visit the Dogfish Head website, you’ll come across their motto: “Off centered stuff for off centered people.”

As a result of my curiosity, I decided to do the “derryX Dogfish Head Reviews,” and, in doing so, spending a decent amount of money to seek out a number of different style Dogfish beers.

Aside from the descriptions contained herein (all of which were copied from www.dogfish.com), all comments are the opinion of derryX.

derryX Dogfish Head Review: Midas Touch

Description – From www.dogfish.com:

This recipe is the actual oldest-known fermented beverage in the world! It is an ancient Turkish recipe using the original ingredients from the 2700 year old drinking vessels discovered in the tomb of King Midas. Somewhere between wine & mead; this smooth, sweet, yet dry ale will please the Chardonnay of beer drinker alike.

Price – $ 16.99/4 pack of 12 oz bottles (Source: Latham Beverage)

Alcohol by volume – 9 %

Nose –The smell is very floral. Also lightly malty, kind of crisp  like champagne.

First Sip – Extremely complex, nice and sweet, honey, grapes and hops pop right from first sip.

As You Drink – As it goes down, the smell reminds you it’s a beer; it smells a lot like a pilsner. It drinks sweet and smooth. Almost tastes like a mead.

Last Sip – In the last sip, you really taste grape. The last sip seems a little more bitter.

Food Pairings – white fish or shellfish, pork sausage, lamb