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

Jason

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750 ml brown champagne style magnum with just a cap. No freshness date, but a beer this strong will age quite well.

A- The lace crackles as it slowly loses retention, good clarity ... the sediment was left behind during this pouring.

S- Smells of a raspberry cordial, sweet with a huge fruity raspberry nose.

T&M- Clean malt palate, touch of neutral yet mildly nutty yeast. Loads of berry flavors but predominantly raspberry juice. Moderate body with a slick crispness on the palate. Clean but lightly solvent alcohol warms with each sip. Clean and semi-dry finish with a fading fruitiness.

D- Wow, quite an amazing ride for a fruit beer. A little bit more alcohol and I'd be drinking gourmet schnapps. Share this beer between a few friends with a slab of raspberry filled baked Brie cheese.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2006 02:10:41 | More by Jason

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle from the first batch of Fort brewed just before the Extreme Beer Fest in Jan 2005. Hand-bottled by the brewer, unlabeled and sealed with cap, red wax and string with a black wax tip. This one is back when the beer was "Forte" : French for "strong," and the World's Strongest Fruit Beer, brewed with Oregon and Delaware raspberries. 20% ABV

Pours a hazed amber orange, topped with a ringed white lace. Little head retention.

Aroma was a bit off-putting initially, but once warmed ... smells like fruity antacid or zinc lozenges. A bit musty. Deep raspberry cordial and solvent in the nose.

G'damn! This is one hot and fruity beer! The heat creates one harsh mouthfeel. Super solvent-like alcohol burn that taunts with heartburn, and seeps into the palate. Loads of alcohol spice. Peppery palate smack. Sticky cough-syrup and cheap schnapps cling and deliver the palate a major beat-down. Raspberry character is strong and distinct. Lime-like stab across the palate, just beneath the berries. Big fusel alcohol rips your esophagus to pieces. Surprisingly, the finish is pretty damn clean and bone dry.

It burns! It burns! We swear this is Devil's blood. The juice of Satan! But we can't stop drinking it! And each sip makes the pain more ... pleasant. All hail Fort!

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2005 00:22:09 | More by BeerAdvocate

Kreko7

California

4.75/5  rDev +30.1%

05-20-2013 19:39:30 | More by Kreko7

jkane101

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +9.6%

05-19-2013 02:35:44 | More by jkane101

atone315

Wisconsin

4.75/5  rDev +30.1%

05-15-2013 02:59:58 | More by atone315

TheRuss9585

Vermont

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%

05-14-2013 01:54:53 | More by TheRuss9585

chippo33

Vermont

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%

05-14-2013 01:53:15 | More by chippo33

deadliest

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%

05-14-2013 00:35:12 | More by deadliest

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North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +23.3%

05-13-2013 05:10:42 | More by Bonko_the_sane

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +9.6%

05-12-2013 17:47:11 | More by mikeburd1128

Lorianneb

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%

05-12-2013 16:52:33 | More by Lorianneb

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Virginia

4/5  rDev +9.6%

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twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +2.7%

05-10-2013 17:42:44 | More by twenty5

BMan33

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%

05-10-2013 03:40:31 | More by BMan33

JakeDebus

Maryland

4/5  rDev +9.6%

05-08-2013 13:43:52 | More by JakeDebus

dalepryor

Kentucky

4.5/5  rDev +23.3%

05-08-2013 04:02:49 | More by dalepryor

cadaugherty

Illinois

4/5  rDev +9.6%

05-08-2013 00:58:01 | More by cadaugherty

MADPolo

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -4.1%

05-07-2013 17:17:16 | More by MADPolo

myron317

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -11%

05-01-2013 01:08:20 | More by myron317

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Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%

04-27-2013 22:46:19 | More by Devilman

bossmanbuzz

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +2.7%

04-27-2013 02:24:34 | More by bossmanbuzz

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Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +23.3%

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North Carolina

4/5  rDev +9.6%

04-24-2013 05:50:32 | More by jak

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New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +9.6%

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