Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale

I have to admit that I’m not really a huge fan of hops. This may be beer drinker heresy, but some of the monster IPAs out there are just too much for me. But I don’t hate hops either. I like balance. Dogfish Head’s Indian Brown Ale is one of the most perfectly balanced craft beers you’ll find. Dry-hopped in the same fashion as Dogfish Head’s celebrated IPAs, the Indian Brown Ale has got plenty of spice. But the significant hop quotient is balanced by a massive malt presence. All the malts make the hops more delicious, just as all the hops make the malts more delicious. Basically this is a brown ale crossed with an IPA crossed with a Scotch ale (and its always welcome caramel notes). If you’re transitioning to the world of craft brew and are seeking something tasty but not so, uh, bitter, you really can’t go wrong with this one. Dogfish Head is, if not the best, at least one of the best craft breweries in America, and all of its beers are great. Nobody does a better IPA. But if you’re like me and perhaps are not always in the mood for an IPA, or if you think hoppy beers are kinda gross, you’ll get the same level of beer greatness from the Indian Brown Ale – without having to make the “Oh yuck!” face every time you take a sip. In addition to caramel, notes of molasses, coffee, ginger, raisinettes, and chocolate balance the 50 IBUs of hop power. This one’s neck-and-neck with the Chicory Stout for the title of my fave Dogfish Head beer.