Dogfish Head Brewery Romantic Chemistry IPA American IPA at 7.2% ABV | 40 IBU (US$3.67 at Specs Main Houston, 355 ml, packaged on 3-Jan-2018, acquired 3-Mar-2018, reviewed 5-Mar-2018)
Appearance: clear pale amber with one fat finger of rocky pale ivory head, good retention and spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: ginger, tropical & stone fruit, caramel, pine. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, mild spice. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration slightly spicy finish. (4/5)
I wouldn’t call this a complete success: it’s got exactly the character the label notes would imply (mango, apricot, and ginger) but I’m left wondering why. The ginger is fairly dominant on the nose, and the overall impression is one of cedar or a similar aromatic wood, which isn’t exactly the first thing one would think to try for in an IPA. It’s well-implemented overall, I guess, but is just not a flavour profile that works especially well for me. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
