When I walked into my beer store to grab something to make
the week go away and get the weekend off to a happy start the beer manager was
near the front door.
When he saw me he grabbed my arm and guided me towards the back of the
store and said to me, “Have I got something for you!”
I was like, “Huh? Wha?”
I quickly recovered my sensibilities and said,”Listen. You’re kind of cute and I’m really flattered
but I’m married. Besides, I barely even
know y…”
By this time we had reached the rear aisles. Before I could finish he turned around an looked at me as if
I had some sort of mental defect. He was
handing me something.
When I saw what was in his hand I was like, “oh.” Then I was like, “OH!”
He handed me a
four-pack of Dogfish Head Sixty-one.
Sheepishly, I took the four-pack from his outstretched hand,
mumbled my thanks, and headed for the check-out counter.
I got home and immediately popped a couple Sixty-ones into
the freezer for quick chillage. Fifteen minutes later I’m drinking a Dogfish Head brew and the loooong week begin to
slip-slide away.
Now, Dogfish Head has rarely – like never – disappointed me. So,
I’m used to being impressed by their beers.
This is a “WOW”!
It's no wonder I like it so much. It's a blend of my favorite Dogfish Head beer - 60-Minute IPA - and red wine. I've had beer/wine blends before and I'm surprised that I like them so much; they seem like an odd mixture but they're actually quite good.
Sixty-one (6.5% ABV) pours a beautiful ruby red with very little head that kind of just swirls around. The aroma was very interesting - sweet grapes, earthy/resiny hops and an underlying dankness.
The flavor is remarkable. The sweetness of the grapes comes forward in a big way and pairs well with the bitterness of the hops. There is an undercurrent of caramel malt somehow fits in there quite nicely. The finish is dry with a lingering sweetness.
The mouthfeel is medium and loaded with tingly effervescence. Sixty-one is dangerously quaffable, two bottles went down way to easily.
I would like to add that there is a subtle mustiness that is exactly like what I find so offensive in Founders All Day IPA and Stone Enjoy by 04/01/13. Except that in Sixty-one it is only a suggestion instead of being in-your-face and adds a unique characteristic that somehow just works.
This is a strange and unique blend of IPA and red wine that is complex and unusual. I know that not everyone is going to like this beer. It's like nothing I've ever tasted before and I like it. No, I dare say, I love it. Dogfish Head ROCKS!
Overall: Excellent!
