Raison D'Être - Dogfish Head Brewery

OldSchoolGamer

Ohio

3.58/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This is probably one of the least talked about Dogfish Head brews. While somewhat lacking compared to others in their lineup, this is still a quality beer. Here is my review:

A: Pours a hazy brownish amber color. Head dissipates rather quickly, but there is some really nice lacing action.

S/T: The aroma is full of dark fruit along with a nice malty sweetness. Maybe some brown sugar in there. Taste is pretty good. The dark fruit is the very first thing you get. Mostly plum and raisin. Then the sweet malt comes through with hint of toffee and brown sugar. There is also a touch of green apple in there as well. A nice, complex Belgian Ale. Not my favorite, but still very good.

M/D: Mouthfeel is on the medium side. Carbonation is good and is slightly bubbly in the mouth. Drinkability is fine. This is a type of beer I drink on occasion. Not something to session or have everyday.

Of all the year-round beers from Dogfish Head, I think this is probably my least favorite. Not a bad beer by any means, this is definetly worth checking out, especially if you like Belgian Ales and raisins.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2010 21:50:03 | More by OldSchoolGamer

BeerForMuscle

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +9%

05-20-2013 20:51:31 | More by BeerForMuscle

RemyLebeu

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-20-2013 18:49:05 | More by RemyLebeu

JG_McNaulty

Ontario (Canada)

2/5  rDev -45.5%

05-20-2013 00:40:17 | More by JG_McNaulty

NJB145

Michigan

4/5  rDev +9%

05-20-2013 00:25:10 | More by NJB145

nebula1999

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +15.8%

05-20-2013 00:24:36 | More by nebula1999

stanowsf

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

05-19-2013 20:19:45 | More by stanowsf

jkane101

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-19-2013 02:37:09 | More by jkane101

TXhomebrewer

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-19-2013 01:23:44 | More by TXhomebrewer

DaGio

Florida

2.75/5  rDev -25.1%

05-18-2013 23:37:18 | More by DaGio

TheDoak

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

05-18-2013 22:55:34 | More by TheDoak

jbarletto

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -11.4%

05-18-2013 21:05:40 | More by jbarletto

reitzbrewing

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +22.6%

05-18-2013 17:11:18 | More by reitzbrewing

megamass

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

05-18-2013 04:11:29 | More by megamass

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

4/5  rDev +9%

05-18-2013 02:59:24 | More by SmellsofMahagony

Honus1

Ohio

3/5  rDev -18.3%

05-18-2013 02:51:27 | More by Honus1

purppy

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

05-18-2013 01:03:55 | More by purppy

sodensp

Virginia

3/5  rDev -18.3%

05-17-2013 06:01:25 | More by sodensp

Jsmick

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

05-17-2013 05:04:32 | More by Jsmick

ElizabethEleanor

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +15.8%

05-17-2013 03:25:56 | More by ElizabethEleanor

Kunstman

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a New Glarus proprietary tasting glass. Bottled 7/20/2012.

A: Brown with copper hues, no haze. One finger tan head, no lacing. Let's say 18 degrees SRM.

S: Sweet molasses, brown sugar, dark fruit - mostly raisons. Grape, maybe? For 8% ABV no alcohol detected.

T: Dark fruit, brown sugar, prune/raisin. Sweet and malty with no hops detected - in true fashion for this style.

M: Full, thick body. Not as much carbonation as I am used to with this the few examples I have had in this style. However, I enjoy the lack of ‘over carbonation'.

O: An excellent beer. I haven't had a bad Belgian Strong Dark yet, and this one is arguably my favorite.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 02:51:41 | More by Kunstman

Roman5150

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25

bottle into snifter

appearance: dark brown with a ruby red hue, slight half finger white head

smell: heavy raisins, plums, dark fruits, licorice, anise, subtle roasted malt, bready notes, caramel

taste: dark fruits, plums, sort of like a watered down trappist with raisin notes. malt backbone is very sweet, not much hoppiness

mouthfeel: high carbonation with a full body

overall: A great offering from Dogfish Head, while it's hard to classify most of their beers, I would say this is their take on a trappist ale with a slight raisin touch. Very well balanced and I would buy this again in a heartbeat, if you like trappist beers, belgian strong ales, or trippels (and quads) you can find some common ground here. Great beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 03:39:33 | More by Roman5150

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

4.04/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

From notes

Appearance: It has a nice hazy orangy/amber color to it. It has a nice off-white head that dies down somewhat fast and leaves next to no lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of sweet dark fruit (raisins), brown sugar, some roasted malts and some yeast.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has a some dark fruit, roasted malts, mild chocolate, brown sugar and Belgian Candi sugar.

Mouthfeel: It has a medium carbonation with a nice overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with good flavors and aromas.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 22:55:40 | More by SebD

aLenwell

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

05-13-2013 23:23:43 | More by aLenwell

jkball01

Kentucky

2.75/5  rDev -25.1%

05-13-2013 16:29:04 | More by jkball01