Chicory Stout - Dogfish Head Brewery

ranger60

New Jersey

3.51/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had it on tap at Isaac Newton's in Newtown, PA.
Very dark and opaque appearance.
Very pleasant smell, with coffee notes.
Flavor is generally good, but I'm picking up some sourness. Maybe it is actually bitterness from the chicory?
Mouthfeel is high carbonation for a stout.
Overall not bad, it might be better on nitro.

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2013 18:09:00 | More by ranger60

brureview

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The beer poured an attractive dark cocoa color. Good lacing.

A good chocolate-lemon smell from the head.

Nicely carbonated.

There was stronger coffee initially in the taste which mellowed with warming.
The lemon-coffee finish is pleasantly light.

This is a decent stout. Will try again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2013 16:49:59 | More by brureview

jtierney89

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep brown, nearly black with faded yellow head. Silky mouthfeel. Excellent lacing. Charcoal and deep roasted malts on the nose. Subdued nose. Big mouthfeel with subtle flavor. Some chocolate, lots of roastiness. Coffee, charcoal, and touches of smoke. Some stringiness on the back end but nothing that takes away from the beer too much. Pretty clean finish. Overall an easy drinking stout with pretty good well rounded and well blended flavors.

Some astringency, not perfect but really a nice change of pace from dogfish. Not over the top just a simple and well done stout.

The only problem is the price for a 5% 4 pack. This beer proabbly would've scored higher if it werent for that.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2012 04:39:20 | More by jtierney89

thydarkprevails

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at moejoes in Plainfield. Dark brown with a creamy finger length head. Aroma is coffee, chicory, and barley. Taste is the same. Very well balanced with a mild hop kick. Creamy mouthfeel. Great beer. I've had this in bottles in many occasions over the years and it's even better on draft.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2012 04:57:39 | More by thydarkprevails

cagocubs

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap into pint glass.

A: Pours real dark brown, near black. The head was minimal on the tap pour with a slight half finger ivory head that retained as a film and laced where it could.

S: Coffee dominates the nose. Chocolate, roasted malts, and some sweet scents accompany the bitter character. Some dark fruit sweetness perhaps.

T: A nice balanced stout. Gives the roasted malt and coffee bitterness while the hops and earthy elements give this a refreshing experience.

M: A medium body with light carbonation. A nice refreshing stout with the flavors of a hard hitter.

O: Probably not one of DFH most notable brews, but a darn good one.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2012 04:07:01 | More by cagocubs

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance – A nice deep brown color with a moderate tan head upon serving. The head faded and left a bit of lacing on the sides of the glass.

Smell – Sweet chocolate and roasted aromas first meet the nose. The sweet chocolate aromas fade over time giving more bitter roasty aromas of chocolate and coffee as well as a bit of smoke toward the end.

Taste – The taste matches the smell quite nicely. It begins with a bit of sweeter dark malt flavors with coffee and chocolate flavors mixed in. As the taste experience progresses these flavors begin to bitter, eventually finishing out with a nice bitter spiced cocoa flavor.

Mouthfeel - Surprisingly it had a rather light body. It was a bit watery and not the most pleasing on the pallet for the beer style. With the lighter body however, it was matched quite well with a bit higher carbonation level.

Overall – The stout had some fairly nice flavor, smell, and appearance, but its quite light body took what could have been a really nice moderate abv leveled stout to something of a bit lesser quality. Not bad, but not great.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2012 02:41:40 | More by Darkmagus82

AleWatcher

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Ontap at The Taphouse in Plainfield IL.
$3.50 for a 16 oz pint. That's what I'm talking bout!

Really dark brown with some reddish tan notes in the legs. Creamy ran head of two fingers held on for more than half the glass. Lots of lacing-- nice sheets of frothy lace everywhere. One nice looking American stout!

Smells of chocolate with a woody note that falls short of being oaky. The flavor is quite dry, with a big roasty malt profile. Lots of coffee-like flavor comes across, especially at the finish. Dry, woody, and lightly bitter at the swallow. as this warms, the cocoa and coffee open up, but I also pick up a slight metallic flavor.

Feels medium bodied with too much carbonation.

Overall-- a sold stout from a solid brewery. It has enough going on that I'll enjoy it from time to time, but I won't eagerly await it's release.

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2012 21:57:15 | More by AleWatcher

ehammond1

California

3.58/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On Tap

Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA

A not quite opaque black pour, with a moderately sized, light brown head that leaves the glass sticky with spiderweb lace.

The aroma is somewhat muted and faraway, but what's here is nice enough: roasted malt, slight coffee, and a bit of earth, grass, and wood. If this was amplified and simply stronger, it'd score far better.

The flavor follows suit, with some roasted coffee elements leading the way, along with a bit of licorice and earth. Moderate bitterness.

Medium mouthfeel with ample carbonation.

This is a somewhat plain, uninteresting stout. Drinkable, but unexciting.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2012 02:16:22 | More by ehammond1

9InchNails

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Copper Mine

Brown head, leaves nice lacing on the glass. Dark body as you expect from a stout but has some ruby highlights

Chocolate, brown sugar, molasses, hint of alcohol and caramel.

Dark fruits, slight woody taste, smoke, some alcohol, caramel, chocolate and brown sugar.

Mouth is smooth, silky and easy to drink. It does leave the mouth feeling a little dry. It doesn't leave the lips sticky. Light but noticeable carbonation.

This is a tasty stout. Easy to drink, I don't about the alcohol content but its slightly noticeable - it doesn't hurt the beet though.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2012 09:05:08 | More by 9InchNails

FanofHefe

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap in a DFH Signature glass. Dark brown body with a little light getting through and a touch of red hue. A little over a one-finger creamy tan head that has good retention but doesn't leave much lacing.

The aroma is light but has definite notes of roasted malt and chocolate. Not much more than that in this pour.

The flavor is better than I would have expected from the aroma. The roasted malt is primary and followed by a lighter chocolate note. A very tasty earthy wood flavor binds the malt and chocolate together. The taste finishes with an excellent spicy flavor that I must assume comes from the chicory. Nice.

Light texture in the mouthfeel as expected from a low abv brew but not detracting in any way. Overall this is an solid beer that is tasty and very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2012 23:37:07 | More by FanofHefe

devinoconnor

New Jersey

3.83/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Somewhat surprised to find a rather low rating for the Chicory. Although I admit I'm not a huge stout lover, this one stuck out as one of my faves.

Pours a black draught with two frothy fingers of head. Wonderful in appearance.

Smell is fantastic. Coffee and chocolate with some nice citrus from the hops. Very well-balanced and complex.

Taste is sweeter than the nose, some licorice notes, but overall it's the coffee and chocolate. Nicely done!

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2012 00:06:34 | More by devinoconnor

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

served from the tap in a regular pint glass at the brewpub in Rehoboth Beach.

opaque black with color, with thin cream colored head. aroma is slightly smokey, peppery. taste is quite roasty, with some flavors similar to root beer soda. almost savory. medium body and carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2011 05:01:42 | More by jmdrpi

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a DFH signature glass.

Appearance: The color of the beer is nearly pitch black, maybe closer to ebony. A few streaks of ruby touch the edge where some light sneaks through as I rotate the glass in my hands. A creamy tan head slowly recedes from an initially frothy state.

Smell: The aroma is full of roasted malt, bitter chocolate, some coffee, molasses, and some black licorice.

Taste: The flavor starts out with the entire moderate amount of molasses sweetness. Dark roasted malt, black licorice, and bitter chocolate come in next. As dark chocolate turns to roast drip coffee, some earthy spice comes in, adding a light level of hoppiness.

Mouthfeel: The carbonation is full, fairly creamy, and robust. The bod falls squarely in the middle of the expected range for the style. There is a lightly astringency that I get toward the end of each sip.

Overall: I found this to be a fairly enjoyable stout. Maybe the recipe was altered or I just had a pour from a good keg, but I really did not get any of the off sour flavors that so many other people mentioned.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2011 03:54:11 | More by KickInTheChalice

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Papago Brewing in Scottsdale, AZ.

A - Deep, dark, pitch black. Not even light gets through. A light brown, creamy, pillowy head that sits as a thin layer for a while.

S - Smoked malt, roasted malt, dark chocolate, chocolate-covered cherries, mesquite charcoal, chicory.

T - Very much the same as in the nose. Heavily roasted, charred malt, with dark chocolate, dark coffee and chicory, charcoal, a nice sweetness, similar to chocolate-covered cherries. Molasses, rum raisins, other dark, dried fruits. A very deep, layered stout. Expected from Dogfish Head.

M - Some decent carbonation for a stout. Smoky, roasty, medium-bodied. Very easy and enjoyable to drink. It has a fantastic lingering taste and feel.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2011 05:52:07 | More by Gatch

ShanePB

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on-tap at Paradise into a DFH shaped 16 oz pint glass.

A: Dark brown with mahogany hues along the top edges. Certainly not as dark, thick and rich looking as other stouts though this is on the low ABV end of the spectrum. Light brown colored head sticks around for a bit but fizzes out into thin little bubbles around the edges.

S: Dark roasted chocolate malts, caramel, toffee, wood and a sweet syrup note. Not overly complex, pretty average in terms of aroma for a stout. Smells like it would be a sessionable stout without too many adjuncts added.

T: Chocolate malts up front, a slight roasted quality, faint coffee beans. Mid-palate is a woodiness along with a touch of caramel in the back end. The finish is a bit dry, but doesn't leave any lingering off flavors; not bad.

M: Pretty thin and fizzy. Lots of carbonation going on, while it doesn't have the body I normally associate with a stout, it's extremely drinkable.

This is a very average offering for an American Stout. There are some good qualities here and I think the woodiness adds an interesting layer of dimension. But overall, this is just an okay beer from one of my favorite breweries.

Serving type: on-tap

11-24-2011 16:37:13 | More by ShanePB

notchucknorris

California

4.35/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Churchills during Beer Week

A: Black with a 1/2 finger tan head. Really nice lacing down the glass.

S: Roasted malt, a bit of nuttiness, a slight bit of wet earth and some coffee.

T: Slight chocolate sweetness upfront followed by chicory, roasted malt and espresso. Light mouthfeel but the flavor held really well. Full bodied, smooth and really delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2011 00:08:42 | More by notchucknorris

tlazaroff

Virginia

4.28/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: If it had a head on it, i would have given it a five. This beer looks great. It is black with ruby highlights when held to light, and the head was tan but it didn't last too long. No lacing.

S: Smells great, a bit woody/earthy, and you get those big roast notes that you do with this kind of stout.

T: Same as smell, but enhanced because of the smell. The chicory comes out a lot more in the flavor, and you get that nice robust roasted flavor that I always look for.

M: Medium-full bodied and moderate carbonation, the beer is great on the mouthfeel. Not dry, but not sticky.

D: This drinks quite nicely, very session able.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2011 20:41:50 | More by tlazaroff

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.35/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured on-tap and served in a pint glass, the beer is a very dark brown color, with nut brown highlights and a thin, bubbly head. Slight coffee aroma with a very dark sweetness to it. The beer initially has a sharp licorice sweet flavor all over the tongue, with a slight smokiness underlying it all. Very smooth and creamy in mouth. The aftertaste is sweet, with a cherry-like character, and a sweet, semi-lingering finish. Great body to help balance the unique and interesting flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

08-08-2011 04:19:50 | More by GarthDanielson

lacqueredmouse

Australia

4.03/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the East Village Tavern in New York.

Pours a very decently solid black, just brown at the tips when tilted. Head is creamy, but puckered with bubbles, in light beige. Lacing is full, sheeting and strong. Body is surprisingly good, given the relatively low ABV. Nice fine carbonation. Looks really good.

Nose is toasty, but mild, with a good, slightly smoky notes and a touch of dark liquorice. Smooth and not overpowering, but a little less exciting as a result. Certainly very pleasant.

Taste is similar. There's no smooth richness or overt sweetness, but a pleasant moderated roastiness and a creamy feel from the fine carbonation. Light mocha and liquorice characters come through and get cleaned up by a nice dark roast on the finish. All of this is without the sweetness I might have expected, but this actually makes the beer more light and drinkable, while maintaining a good measure of complexity.

A nice beer. It's not crazy, overly exciting or particularly full-flavoured, but it's pleasant and easy to drink. A nice, moderate ABV stout.

Serving type: on-tap

08-05-2011 01:03:20 | More by lacqueredmouse

jjboesen

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is a really sweet brown ale that has never failed to leave me wanting more. While this is not as balanced or well-crafted as Newcastle Brown, which pretty much established this style, the Dogfish Head Chickory is a pleasant rendition. It offers some intense coffee notes (alon with the eponomyous chickory) along with subtle hints of raisins and cocoa.

It has an above average mouthfeel that ends in a dry feint of sugary malt. I do enjoy drinking this - usually after several of DFH's more hoppy offerings. A real dependable brew to say the least.

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2011 00:46:33 | More by jjboesen

ckollias

Maryland

4.22/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this beer @ Dogfish head Alehouse in Gaithersburg

A: Dark, pitch-black color with a tan head that lingers for a while.

S: Aromas of Coffee, cocoa powder, and roasted malts.

T: Strong coffee and chocolate flavors cross the palate at first. Roasted malts leave a nice aftertaste.

M: Full body and medium carbonation. Smooth and creamy!

O: A great coffee stout. Very drinkable and enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2011 02:27:05 | More by ckollias

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Pinocchio's, Media, PA

Poured opaque black with a tan head. Roasted malts and over-roasted coffee to the nose. Malty and roasted coffee beans / chicory to the tongue, with some semi-sweet chocolate notes. Medium mouthfeel for a stout with some carbonation. Pretty drinkable, but not too memorable. Maybe just too big on the roast, and not quite as smooth as I prefer for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2011 13:18:31 | More by Rifugium

mdaschaf

Washington

3.48/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at DFH brewpub.

A: Presented in a pint glass. The beer was dark brown with a nice, mocha colored head, which lasted for a few minutes until it reduced down to a little bit of foam on top.

S: A good bit of ground coffee, a little smoke, hints of chocolate, and molasses.

T: Similar to the aroma, but a bit heavier on the coffee. Roasted malts, not as much chocolate, some caramel. Slightly bitter from the hops.

M: Medium bodied, but felt a little thing, decent carbonation.

O: Not bad, but not my favorite. A little thin and the coffee/chicory combination isn't my favorite. I can see how some people might really like it, but its not really for me.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2011 20:05:08 | More by mdaschaf

IronCitySteve

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a dark brown color with some reddish hues coming through on the sides. Provides a one finger tan foam head with some moderate lacing.

S: Chocolate, burnt wood/smoke and some dark roasted coffee scents. The scents strengthen as it warms but still not as potent as expected.

T: Starts off with a mix of chocolate and dark roastedcoffee. In the middle the smoke and burnt wood comes to the fore-front. Finishes smokey.

M: A little thinner than expected with a little too much carbonation. Leaves a smokey fire taste on the palate.

O: An interesting stout from DFH. Did not know what to expect of this one, but I enjoyed it. I would try this again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2011 14:50:52 | More by IronCitySteve

bierguru

Florida

2.7/5  rDev -28%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

A: Deep black body no life to it. The head pours thin tan which fades wuick to nothing.

S: The smell was really nice and pleasant. It began with a little sweetness then a sharp expresso. The expresso flavor was sharp but not overpowering. The smell finishes with a woody flavor.

T: Didnt get much in my original taste. NOr the second. Flaovrs were weak at best and mostly a coffee woodiness

M: Very light almost water

O: Let the beer warm and still got a very one dimensional beer with weak flavors

Serving type: on-tap

03-23-2011 02:13:05 | More by bierguru