Rafa's Solo Beer Review - Dogfish Head Aprihop

Dogfish Head Aprihop

General:

Style: An American style IPA with Apricots.

Glass: Tulip Pint.

Price: $10.99 per 4-pack.

ABV: 7.0

IBU: 50

Color: Pale with hints of copper/amber.

Aroma:
Malty__ Balanced__ Hoppy_✓ Other__

This beer's "apricot essence" are most present in its aroma. The apricot smell accentuates the hop aroma and really brings out the malt character of the beer. At 7% ABV, I was surprised not to notice any harsh alcohol fumes pervading through the aroma. The aroma overall lends more towards a citrusy aroma - but from the apricots, not the hops - and is well balanced with the smooth, cool, malty aroma from the pilsner malt.

Flavor:
Malty__ Balanced_✓ Hoppy__ Other__

The flavor conveys a very light bodied malt presence highly complimented with the sweetness of the apricots. The apricots finally kick in when tasting this beer, and are excellently paired with the malt flavor. There is virtually zero alcohol taste in this beer - a great attribute of an above average ABV beer.

Overall Thoughts:

A great beer overall, but I wonder why it's categorized as an IPA, because it lends itself more towards the smoother, more balanced side of the spectrum. Perhaps, instead, simply a pale ale with apricots? The ABV worried me, since a light bodied beer might have trouble masking a higher alcohol presence, but the craftmanship was great and masked the aroma and taste excellently. Overall a great beer.

Craftmanship:
Dull__ Average & 'Meh'__ Average & Delicious__ Exciting_✓

8/10 for craftmanship, only because this beer could easily be ruined with its complexity due to the inclusion of apricots. It is a well-balanced brew that explodes any assumptions that fruit beers need to be sour or Belgian-like. Even with the higher ABV, this makes for a great session beer - maybe just a shorter session. Terrific work guys!

Overall Rating:

8/10