Raison D'Être - Dogfish Head Brewery

Longstaff

Massachusetts

2.88/5  rDev -21.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

I bought a six pack of this due to the high reviews it gets here and other people's recommendations and I have been trying my best to like it. I tried it cold and warm, with food and without, even with a cigar, and it just doesn't seem to cut the mustard for me.

I find it to be overly sweet with brown sugar and raisin flavors that don't blend well with the alcohol flavors. I will say that this is a well crafted and complex beer, but all the different flavors just don't seem to come together. That makes me 0 for 2 with Dogfish Head. BTW, it totally ruined the flavor of the nice Cuban I was smoking.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2002 09:29:54 | More by Longstaff

Jdiddy

Rhode Island

4.58/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I was really blown away by this. I guess it is considered a Belgian Ale, although it does not taste much like Chimay or the others. I actually like this a bit better than the usual Belgians. It is very full, somewhat heavy, and awesome all around! The smell is that of raisins and a touch of alcohol (but not overpowering). The taste is bold and fruitlike (raisins, currants). The alcohol comes through in the taste but in all the right places. Exceptional beer!!!

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2002 16:33:32 | More by Jdiddy

aracauna

Georgia

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

I drank this in contrast to the Chimay Red I tried tonight. Less of the Y-grass/raw carrot taste than the chimay, but more of the raisony flavor a lot of belgians have. Perhaps because I also drank the World Wide Stout on the same tasting, I also noticed a lot more caramelly/toffeeish flavors than in a typical belgian. I like the dark malt flavors in this beer. Makes for a nice twist on a Belgian. Palate still heavily carbonated, but less fuzzy than chimay. This beer is also more ruby and less brown than the Chimay.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2002 17:51:23 | More by aracauna

ADR

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear, deep-brown color, controlled 1/2 inch head. Aroma is a little fruity, touch of sharpness approaching skunk. Dense initial mouthfeel, lower carbonation. Sweet and just a touch of raisin and other dried fruit flavors. Actually, more of a plum taste in some ways. Hops are reserved to my tongue. Nice mixture of robustness and lack of greasy slickness. Sturdy without being heavy or overly fruity. Alcohol content was pretty unnoticed by me until close to the end. Cool brew, quality. Thanks to Bighuge for dropping off a sixer.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2002 07:41:10 | More by ADR

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +18%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This brew pours pretty dark. Dark Ruby. Has a thin laced tan head that laces nicely. Interesting aroma. Like brown sugar and rock candy. Some malt tones too. Nice. This beer has some definite sweet tones mixed in with alcohol. It's a nice taste. Rock candy comes to mind again. An undenying sweet flavor. Some lingering alcohol and bitterness on the tongue. Body is medium to full. Nice brew here.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2002 21:06:01 | More by Bighuge

Thrasher

Oregon

3.8/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Something completely different. Poured from the bottle to not much head. Chemical fruit aroma, like cherry cough syrup. You can smell the alcohol. Initially like wine, then chocolatey sweet, fruity but an alarming finish - incredibly bitter. Cleans out the back of the throat as it goes down. I'm getting very medicinal qualities from this. The alcohol is blatant. I like this beer, I admire this beer... True, I wouldn't want to drink more than one at a time, but hey, this is art, right?

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2002 19:44:27 | More by Thrasher

Andy

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Very different on tap than in the bottle. Here is a bottle review: Pours with a quickly dissipating head. Dark ruby color. Aroma is big alcohol, sweet sugar, and some nutty like cashew with spicy, yeasty hints. Complex flavor, sometimes mellow, with deep peppery hints and some yeast bite. Finish is smoky like true scotch ales.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2002 07:48:48 | More by Andy

WilliamPhilaPa

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +18%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is another brew I had Sat. at the Manayunk beer festival, this and the Black Radish were the only two none IPA’s or Pale Ale’s that I had, with the exception of one Wit beer. (I actually managed to jot some notes down on the two beers.)

Anyway this brew has very nice deep copper / orange-ish color to it. The aroma is that of sweet malt, raisins and slight alcohol, all the same can be tasted on the palate, but the high alcohol is barely even noticed while drinking, it is so tasty and balanced so well. The mouth feel is creamy and smooth. Overall this brew was excellent!
This may not be a Belgian-style brew per say, but a excellent brew nonetheless!

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2002 11:27:30 | More by WilliamPhilaPa

inebrius

Michigan

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

The controversial Raison D'etre. Initial blast of alcohol recedes under a chocolatey malt profile to build up again and finish warm along with a lingering bitterness. There is definitely more than malt that has been fermented in this brew, but it is not quite as complex as I expected.

Cheers to frank4sail for the sample.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2002 19:33:00 | More by inebrius

sponberg

New York

3.38/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Sample: 12 oz bottle, cooler temperature, in pint glass

Can you say "alcohol?" Some beers keep that warming surge of alcohol for the finish. Raison slaps you upside the head with it from the get go. There are some nice, rather sweet flavors going on in the background - fruity maltiness with some Thompson raisin and figgy/grape-y notes, but it's hard for them to say a lot with the alcohol standing up tall and screaming like that.

Different flavor profile in the bottle than on tap, where the alcohol was much more muted. The tap brew is much more drinkable and enjoyable, IMO.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2002 10:33:05 | More by sponberg

Murph

Arizona

4.13/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a beautiful deep red/orange with a thick creamy head that lasts well. Smell is of sweet malt (caramel?), tartness of the raisins and slight alcohol. The first taste is of a slight roasted malt bitterness that is quickly erased by the sweetness of the brew. Not a sticky sugary sweet but a natural one that goes nicely (from the beet sugar?.) There is also some tartness from the raisins. The beer is creamy and smooth across the palate. The surprising lack of alcohol in the taste makes this beer extremely drinkable. I really liked this beer. Very different, this is one of my favorite things about this brewery, there products are always different. Even when they fit into a style they put a nice twist on the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2002 07:33:01 | More by Murph

Todd

Massachusetts

2.9/5  rDev -21%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Had a big 32oz mug of this last night at Bukowski's (Boston), and wasn't that impressed. A dark beer with a decent head. Aroma was pure grape bubblegum. Flavour also had a dominant bubblegum character with burnt orange and raisin flavour kicking about.

Interesting. Glad I tried it. However, I won't be ordering it again.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2002 06:31:58 | More by Todd

frank4sail

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle. Deep red sweet belgian ale. Smell of sweet, malt, and belgian yeast. Complex flavor, tart raisins, malt, and lots of alcohol. Not a drink for the timid. I like this beer very much as a nightcap. It is a change of pace. It is perfect to unwind with but, @ 8%ABV be careful. Well crafted with unique flavor, it is rare to taste these divergent flavors of beet sugars, candy sugar, hops, and malt in an American Brew (or any brew). "A" for effort to the Delaware guys.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2002 00:03:16 | More by frank4sail

mophie

Delaware

3.63/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This review pains me somewhat. You see, I'm a Delaware native and have a special fondness for Dogfish Head. That being said, try as I might to love this beer, I can't. It's definitely complex, and I admire Dogfish Head for the effort. Just a bit too much going on, in my opinion, to add to my list of favorites. Of course, that will not stop me from drinking it when I'm visiting my folks down in Lewes!

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2002 22:38:50 | More by mophie

Alewife

New Hampshire

4.58/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Turned on to this one by Bierman9 (not a complete fool, he!!) Its dark copper color and fine head are good, and things get better from there. Sweet malty, fruity nose, and verrry good body and mouthfeel. The taste is of currants, raisins, malty sweetness and candy sugar....mmmmmm!! Easy to drink plenty o' these, especially on tap!

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2002 19:33:30 | More by Alewife

cokes

Wisconsin

3.9/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I purchased this beer with high expectations. I had read nothing but positive things about it and, personally, had nothing but good fortune with Dogfish brews. Even the label that read: "Brewed with belgian beet sugar....and green raisins" couldn't deter me from trying this beer (luckily, neither seemed to greatly influence the taste)
Upon sampling this beer, I was initially disappointed. Tasted like and old ale, with the sweetness amped-up. Then as I continued drinking (and as the beer grew on me), I realized the belgian aspect to the beer. Basically, this is how a strong ale would taste if monks were to brew it. Strong yet drinkable. It is an Interesting brew but not mind-blowing (which, judging from other Dogfish brews, I was expecting it to be)..
However, it is a beer that as I drink more of it, the more I like it. Surely, worth a try for anyone

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2002 00:50:36 | More by cokes

Bierman9

New Hampshire

4.3/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Says here an old ale...Dude at Redbones said it was a Dubbel...seems more on the Belgian side to me (Edit: 08JUL04 - now a Belgian Strong Dark Ale according to the Bros new stylings). Dark copper color, with a small fine, fading head. Mild, sweet nose. Medium-full body and a medium-smooth tongue, which I found very enticing. Sweet start, with hints of Belgian yeast and candy-sugar before fading into a mild bitterness. Suggestions of spices linger in the dry-ish finish. Nice bier.

overall: 4.3
appearance: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | mouthfeel: 4.5 | drinkability: 4.5

46

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2002 19:46:00 | More by Bierman9

mmthompson33

Kansas

4.95/5  rDev +34.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Wow! This 8% alcohol beer is quite a treat. I couldn't tell it from a beer straight out of Belgium. It has so much complexity that it could be integrated into a fancy meal, yet it's cheap price and sweet taste make it an ideal beer to drink for a night of interesting conversation. A superb brew. NOTE: I just had another of these beers in March, and it was not near as good as the batch last November - too flat and sweet. There seems to be some inconsistency in their brews at Dogfishead.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2001 02:04:53 | More by mmthompson33

John

New York

4.7/5  rDev +28.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Hugely complex as indicated by the other comments. Obvious alcohol taste and aroma. Think of dark raisin bread topped with caramelized brown sugar, add a hint of chocolate, liquify, enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2001 12:57:10 | More by John

Brent

Kentucky

4.35/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Hoo-hah! This is one serious beer! Venom is right, this is an old-style ale, to me almost a barlywine. Very chewy with dark fruit and a wine-like backbone. Had it with skewered beef and a very hot dipping sauce. This beer just laughed at the sauce and put it out without any effort.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2001 11:34:40 | More by Brent