As a sommelier and brewer, I can tell you that taste perception is a highly personal and subjective experience. While the International Bitterness Unit (IBU) rating can give us a general idea of the bitterness level in a beer, it doesn't necessarily mean that a beer with a higher IBU rating will always taste more bitter to everyone.
When it comes to the Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA, which has a 90 IBU rating, it is indeed considered a highly bitter beer. However, the perception of bitterness can vary greatly from person to person. Some individuals may find it exceptionally bitter, while others may find it more balanced or even enjoy the bitterness.
Our taste buds have different sensitivities, and our previous experiences with bitter flavors can also play a role in how we perceive bitterness in beer. For example, someone who regularly drinks hop-forward beers may have developed a higher tolerance for bitterness and may not find a 90 IBU beer as overwhelmingly bitter as someone who is new to hoppy beers.
Additionally, other factors such as the malt sweetness, alcohol content, and overall flavor profile of the beer can influence how we perceive bitterness. A beer with a higher malt sweetness can help balance out the bitterness and make it more palatable, while a beer with a lower malt sweetness may accentuate the bitterness.
It's also worth noting that our taste buds can adapt and change over time. I have personally experienced this in my own journey as a beer enthusiast. When I first started exploring craft beers, I found higher IBU beers to be quite bitter and challenging to drink. However, as I continued to explore and develop my palate, I found myself appreciating and enjoying the bitterness in these beers.
While a 90 IBU rating indicates a beer with a high level of bitterness, the perception of bitterness can vary greatly from person to person. It is ultimately a subjective experience that is influenced by individual taste preferences, previous experiences, and other factors in the beer's flavor profile.