Well, I figured it was time that I reviewed something from Dogfish Head. I think it's great how big of a name they have made for themselves, and they really do a lot of interesting things, but I have to say that I find them a bit overrated. They've become the poster child for the craft beer industry, which they get a lot of credit for with their great beer and marketing, but it has created an image for them that really no brewery could live up to. They really do make some fantastic stuff, though.
The Indian Brown Ale pours a rather dark brown with a bright cherry red hue. A solid finger of creamy, frothy head was produced with great retention. Upon sniffing, the aroma is dominated by a very, very sweet malt aroma that would be described as brown sugar. I'm getting some strong spice character to it like a cinnamon or a ginger. A woody spice hop bouquet is there, but it is definitely taking backseat to the malt bomb.
Like the aroma, this thing is just incredibly sweet and could be described as drinking a cookie with lots of brown sugar. Definitely picking up some added spice that doesn't seem to be hops or malt. The sweetness does mellow a bit and ends with some herbal hops.
Definitely a solid beer, and I love the blend of styles, but I think they need to balance it out some more. With Indian in the name, I'm definitely expect a stronger hop presence than what is here. Just some minor tweaks to the sweetness and hops and this would be one hell of a drink.
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