Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA

Dogfish Head has long been guilty of stunt brewing. It seems they will throw just about anything into a beer and sell it. At either of their brewpub/restaurants, they have served up an ale made with a rare algae that only grows in the still water of Tibet. They have aged beer in Pinot Noir barrels. They constantly push the limits of alcohol content in their beers. Usually, however, their beers are on point, and they have set new standards in the world of craft beers.

Enter Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA ($). The name comes from a 2-hour, continual addition of hops -- there are also 60 and 90 minute versions. While the 60 and 90 come off as standard to above-standard IPAs, the 120 Minute introduces the average consumer to a new realm of beer. Not quite barleywine, and definitely not beer beer, the 120 minute IPA is 2 different beers.
First, the 120 Minute IPA is a strong, syrupy beer that will remind you of brown sugar and oatmeal (with way too much brown sugar). Age the 120 Minute, however, for a year or two, and you are left with a heavy port-wine-like brew that lacks most of it's carbonation, but has increased in alcohol content. It starts out around 12-14% (for reference, a Guinness is around 3 1/2%).
This beer should be shared with a friend (yes, split the pint) and served in a brandy snifter at room temperature, or slightly chilled.

Others to try (and to age), are...
Dogfish Head Old School Barleywine ($)
Dogfish Head Raison d'Etre ($)
Dogfish Head Worldwide Stout ($)
(these beers are around $8-10 per bottle)

For the highest octane Black 'N Tan you've ever had, mix 50% Dogfish 120 minute IPA and 50% Dogfish Worldwide Stout. To make it a bit more digestible, use the 90 Minute IPA.

Look for 120 Minute tastings at snooty beer-bars. The rep.s from Dogfish come out with a paintball-gun hopper filled with fresh hops, pour the 120 through it into a glass, making a 125 minute IPA.