Dogfish Head Scavenger Hunt

Ben over at Petrol Station is one lucky, connected dude. He managed to score 10 different vintage Dogfish Head Beers, right out of Sam Calagione‘s private stash to put together a scavenger hunt in Houston.  On Petrol’s Facebook a cryptic message was posted to let everyone know about the hunt:

The scavenger hunt was scheduled from October 14-24th, and wednesday the 13th, as promised, a clue was given! We were told we could take the beers with us to stash rather than drink right then, but TABC rules don’t allow that if the place has a mixed liquor license. There were also 2 cases per place, or 48 (sometimes less) beers up for grabs, and 1 keg.

Clue 1: Thursday October 14
“This Guy opened up his private stash of vintage beers. You’ll find one tomorrow at a British pub that’s been around forever and hosted some amazing musical acts. If you find it tell the bartender you want the “rusty trumbone”"

Obviously, the answer was Rudyard’s Pub over on Waugh. A classic English Pub known for it’s years of live music.  Upon arrival I discovered that the password got me an 09 Burton Baton (read about it from the Dogfish site here) . I loved the Burton Baton when I had it at petrol a few weeks back.  Beer deets:

Dogfish Head Burton Baton (09)
Brewed by: Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, Delaware
ABV: 10%
Style: English-style Old Ale and an Imperial IPA

Dogfish Head Burton Baton (2009)

Clue 2: Friday October 15
“dfh event day two…youll find this vintage brew at a place named after j.p. donleavys novel. be sure to tell the bar tender…the dude abides.””

This one was easy too- Gingerman in Rice village.  So when I arrived shortly after they opened, the bartender let the 10 or so of us dying of anticipation know that he was waiting on their manager to release the beer, they didn’t know the price or if we were allowed to take it to go. While I waited I had  Green Flash IPA, boring. So when they finally got the beers out we learned it was an 09 Squall IPA (read about it from the Dogfish site here). I haven’t had a chance to try this one yet, so I was pretty excited. I got one to take home and 2 friends and I split another one to drink while there. I am not a big IPA person, unless it is really well balanced and not overflowing with hop bitterness, well let me just say this changes my bar for IPAs. It’s like going to see a football game in the badass box suites, you never want to go again and sit in the peasant seats, hahah! Anyway, beer deets:

Dogfish Head Squall IPA (09)
Brewed by: Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, Delaware
ABV: 9%
Style: American Double/ Imperial IPA

Dogfish Head Squall IPA (2009)

Clue 3: Saturday October 16
“Beers as big as Texas day THREE–SATURDAY…you can find the next brew at a candy store for beer aficionados . Awesome craft selection yet no taps. “Fluffy green shoes”"

Now this one I had a lot of trouble with. My very first thought was Spec’s Midtown- but I just felt that couldn’t be it. Then I saw some more clues, like the place sells coffee by the pound and they also have Real Ale’s 08 Sisyphus, then I was sure it was Spec’s, only after visiting Coffee Groundz and calling a few other coffee/beer places. I hauled ass downtown (after already having been there once!) and got to the beer section said my password and was presented with an 07 Fort (read about it from the Dogfish site here)! woo!! This is the first beer of the scavenger hunt older than an 09. It was also cheaper at Spec’s than at Gingerman (hallelujah). I am saving this one for a special occasion so I actually cannot tell you what it tastes like since I have never had this beer before! I’ll let you know when I do though! Beer deets:

Dogfish Head Fort (07)
Brewed by: Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, Delaware
ABV: 18%
Style: Fruit/ Vegetable Beer

Dogfish Head Fort (2007)

Clue 4: Sunday October 17
“beers as big as Texas day four sunday–you can find this rare vintage brew at the most awesome bar in the world. Tell the grungy red haired hippy with a bad attitude “fuck you”"

Obviously, this is Petrol Station. I had to send a great friend to go retrieve my beer (I felt a tad guilty making a friend go tell a bartender “fuck you” to get my sepcial beer, but I am so glad he obliged) He picked up an 07 Chateau for me! WOO! Beer deets:

Dogfish Head Chateau Jiahu (07)
Brewed by: Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, Delaware
ABV: 8%
Style: Herbed/Spiced Beer

Dogfish Head CHateau Jiahu (07)

Clue 5: Monday October 18th
“Beers as big as Texas day five Monday. You will find the next brew at the winner of this years Houston press best bar. “Felcher”"

A little googling will get you this answer real quick- The Big Star Bar on W 19th. The bar won Best Of Houston- Best Bar (obviously from the clue) but here is the article.

The plot thickens: a post later in the day revealed it wouldn’t be Big Star Bar. “Todays vintage brew location actually won best NEW bar. My mistake.” So, some more googling brought me to Grand Prize Bar (HP article here), which used to be Ernie’s on Banks. I’ve been there several times for World Cup matches this past summer, but was not really impressed. Needed some serious work on the A/C! When I arrived there were already two DFH enthusiasts there. I asked for the “felcher” with a little bit of embarrassment (do not Google that, by the way) and I received an 09 Immort Ale. Read about the occasional rarity from Dogfish here. It was smooth, rich and creamy. It had hints of vanilla, roasty malts and even some maple syrup. I’m glad I got to try this since I’ve never seen it here, not sure if that is TABC, distribution or I just haven’t seen it yet. Beer deets:

Dogfish Head Immort Ale (09)
Brewed by: Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, Delaware
ABV: 11%
Style: American Strong Ale

Dogfish Head Immort Ale (09)

Clue 6: Tuesday October 19th
“Beers as big as Texas day 6 Tuesday. You’ll find this kick ass vintage beer just south of Hooters. You might want to show up hungry cause they have amazing food as well as a cool bar. Be sure to let them know that you’re a “cunning linguist”"

I was definitely thinking about this way too literally until my boo, Christine, called me to tell me “ITS BEAVERS!!” hahaha. Love that woman. Mostly because she knew her husband and I were trying to figure it out and she didn’t want him to take the credit!

At Beavers, after saying the password, I was served an 09 red & White. I had R&W at the Dogfish Head dinner at Vic N Anthony’s a few months ago. My memory was of it being sweet, but I was a little smashed, haha! Anyway tonight it was sweet but very mellow. You could see the sediment and it oured a dark honey color with a small white head. I definitely got hints of citrus, as described on the bottle.

Dogfish Head Red & White (09)
Brewed by: Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, Delaware
ABV: 10%
Style: Witbier

Dogfish Head Red & White (09)

Clue 7: Wednesday October 20th
“Beers as big as Texas day 7 Wednesday- you can find the next brew at the former home of Anna’s spa, royal studio and paint house studio spa. This one is the rarest one yet, so rare its not made anymore. “Vagazzle”"

This one was easy enough with some Googling, since I have never been here before, typing in “paint house studio spa” will give you an address and if you re-Google that, you get The Usual. Houston Beer Week kicked off here, but I was unable to attend. Anyway, headed there right after work to discover (although someone on Facebook sad it would be) an 07 Raison D’Extra, something they don’t even make anymore. The aforementioned Dogfish Head dinner featured some of this, but it was a 2006 (Fancy!). Beer:

Dogfish Head Rasion D’Extra (07)
Brewed by: Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, Delaware
ABV: 18%
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale

It was sweet and I could taste the raisins as well as some chocolate. It was silky and full-bodied and I quite enjoyed it, especially with a tootsie roll :) Would be a great dessert beer, and I definitely wouldn’t drink more than one.

Dogfish Head Raison D'Extra (07)

Dogfish Head Raison D'Extra (07)

Clue 8: Thursday October 21st
“Beers as big as Texas day 8. Look for the next brew at a place that requires you to go through an old meat locker door to get to the restroom. If you’re still thirsty after your tasty vintage dfh, try the corpse reviver 2. “Donkey punch”"

ANVIL! Some of the other scavenger hunters and I were discussing the places that were left while drinking the D’Extra on Wednesday night at the Usual. Best guesses were Anvil and Flying Saucer, since Saturday- the last day- would be at Petrol. Well, since Flying Saucer doesn’t specialize in badass cocktails, its obviously Anvil. Upon saying the password, Donkey Punch, the crew was presented me with an 09 Theobroma. I was excited becasue I have had this year’s production and liked it, while sweet it was still a good tasting beer. But when I tasted 09′s I was surprised, it didn’t even taste like the same beer. I didn’t get the sweet so much as the spices, and definitely no chocolate this time around. crazy!

Dogfish Head Theobroma (09)
Brewed by: Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, Delaware
ABV: 9%
Style: Chile Beer

Dogfish Head Theobroma (09)

Clue 9: Friday October 22nd
“We’ll give u 120 reasons to find the next brew at a place that shares its name with a famous Houston pie place. “Dirty Sanchez”"

This one is Flying Saucer for sure and, again obviously, the 120 Minute IPA. It was an April 2008 production of 120, and was heavy, sweet, aromatic and delicious. I’ve had a 2007 and 2009 120 IPA (at the Dogfish dinner) so now I feel like I’ve had a vertical, not all in one sitting of course. At 18% it was quite a drink for a regular 12 oz bottle and well worth the $18 price tag.

Dogfish Head 120 IPA (08)
Brewed by: Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, Delaware
ABV: 18%
Style: American Double/ Imperial IPA

Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA (08)

Day 10: Saturday October 23rd
Well, no clue for today, but I think anyone who had been to a few of the days knew we would be ending the hunt at Petrol Station where Ben had a keg of Black and Blue, as well as Theobroma and Burton Baton on tap. The facebook posts said there would be free DFH swag (who doesn’t like free shit?!) starting at 7.

Dogfish Head Black & Blue
Brewed by: Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, Delaware
ABV: 10%
Style: Fruit/ Vegetable Beer

Dogfish Head Black & Blue (thanks to Amanda for the picture!)

A little info from the Dogfish website on Black & Blue: “A belgian-style Golden Ale fermented with blackberries and blueberries. This beer is dosed with real, pureed blackberries and blueberries which allow the fruit flavors and aromas to be woven into the actual taste of the beer. The beer is fermented with the same yeast that we use in our Red & White and Pangaea.”

I was pretty excited to try this since I haven’t before, and because I loved the aged Red & Whites I’ve had before. Suffice it to say, it was delicious, VERY sweet, and probably would be better had with a good meal. As Diane said, quite like a lambic, but with a punch. It went so fast, I ordered one and becasue of the style and alcohol content I was savoring it, and before I knew it someone said it had sold out!

I also scored a t-shirt and a 4 pack of 90 Minute IPA, since I’m a bad-ass and completed the challenge.

Thanks to Diane for the picture!

I really hope that at some point in the future we get to do this again. I also hope that it isn’t so easy and that every bar or restaurant that participates gets to sell out in one day. Cheers to Houston and Dogfish Head, and most of all Ben, for bringing us this beer. preciatecha. :)