Raison D'Être - Dogfish Head Brewery

elvisnj

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from bottle into my Duvel Tulip chalice.

Slow pour with not alot of head. Incredible color. Just beautiful dark ruby. The sun shined through it and it almost looks like a red wine. It made for an exciting start.

Smell is clearly Belgian yeast but with american malty nose. Its a good mix. I think they must use crystal malts.

Taste is right along with the nose. Its got raisins and full malt flavor. Plum and cherrys. Its also got a medium hop hit with a clean finish. Slight phenol warmth as well.

I like it alot. I am sorry I only had a single 12oz. I could have easily had another. 2 thumbs up to Dogfish for this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2010 00:15:26 | More by elvisnj

johntfox

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

05-21-2013 18:37:57 | More by johntfox

Lucoli

New York

3/5  rDev -18.3%

05-21-2013 01:25:48 | More by Lucoli

JT99125

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

05-21-2013 00:36:32 | More by JT99125

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