Fort - Dogfish Head Brewery

Todd

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a long-stemmed, wide-bowled red wine glass the 1 pint, 9.6 fluid ounce bottle pours a hazy tea appearance, with shimmering orange hues and shades of pink and peach. The beer is topped with a respectable white foam head with wispy lace and gentle cling to the inside of the glass.

Big aroma of raspberries and huge solvent alcohol fumes, akin to Chambord, and pungent as the beer warms. Dots of savory spices and fresh hops in the nose, too.

The lively carbonation not only helps to retain the lacing, but it's the first introduction to the beer. It's spritzy, invigoration and amps up the beer's sharpness on the palate, followed by a smooth creamy feel. Alcohol definitely makes itself known. The heat worms its way into the palate with solvent and spice. Raspberry flavor is juicy, tart and dominates as it mingles with the alcohol to create a unique cordial-like experience. Malty backbone with sublet caramel, honey and vanilla lingering in the background. Belgian-esque with a dose of candi sugar-like sweetness and spices found in some Belgian ales. Suggestions of lime in the bitterness compliment the tart raspberry. Slight leafy hop character comes across the palate, followed by a salty edged linger on the tongue as the beer fades and dries away. Some solvent heat and spice remain in the finish with faded raspberry flavors for quite sometime.

Definitely one to share with friends, or someone special as "lights out and good nightcap." Although the beer's flavors open up as the beer warms, some might want to stick to serving cold to avoid the alcohol heat.

Pair it with something big and bold, like a Baked Brie en Croute, a hot chocolate torte, or selection of soft dark Belgian-style chocolates. Or better yet, make mini-fruit cups with fresh peaches and raspberries and soak them overnight with half a bottle of Fort. Top with fresh cream and a mint leaf, and pair the dessert with the other half of the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2006 20:28:00 | More by Todd

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California

4.75/5  rDev +30.1%

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New Jersey

4/5  rDev +9.6%

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Wisconsin

4.75/5  rDev +30.1%

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Vermont

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%

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Vermont

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%

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Texas

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%

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North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +23.3%

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New Jersey

4/5  rDev +9.6%

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New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%

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Virginia

4/5  rDev +9.6%

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Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +2.7%

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Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%

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Maryland

4/5  rDev +9.6%

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Kentucky

4.5/5  rDev +23.3%

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Illinois

4/5  rDev +9.6%

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Florida

3.5/5  rDev -4.1%

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New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -11%

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Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%

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Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +2.7%

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Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +23.3%

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North Carolina

4/5  rDev +9.6%

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New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +9.6%

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Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%

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Strix

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2009 vintage

Approximately peach colored, slightly hazy, some head that lingers as a ring.

Sugar, alcohol, slight berry note.

Sugar and booze (reminiscent of Samichlaus) definite rasperry finish. Quite floral.

Mouthfeel slick, coats the mouth.

I was quite impressed by this, really. High ABV melds with the fruit, very Samichlausesque.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 04:26:51 | More by Strix