World Wide Stout - Dogfish Head Brewery

World Wide StoutWorld Wide Stout

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BA SCORE
93
exceptional
-
2,680 Ratings
THE BROS
98
world-class
-
read more »
rAvg: 4.15
pDev: 15.66%
Reviews: 1537
Hads: 1143

Ratings Help


Brewed by:
Dogfish Head Brewery visit their website
Delaware, United States

Style | ABV
American Double / Imperial Stout |  18.00% ABV

Availability: Rotating. bottle (1428), on-tap (104), nitro-tap (2), growler (2), cask (1)

Notes:
Brewed with a ridiculous amount of barley, World Wide Stout is dark, rich, roasty and complex. This Ageable Ale clocks in at 15-20% ABV and has a depth more in line with a fine port than with a can of cheap, mass-marketed beer.

70 IBU

Reviews

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Photo of RacerX5k
RacerX5k

Pennsylvania

4.86/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

What a treat to find this on draft $6.25 8 oz pour Grey Lodge Pub lower NE Philly so let's have two. Highest compliment this can be mentioned in the same sentence as my beloved Bourbon County. Beautiful, looks, smells and tastes like the world class beer it is. Thick, rich chocolate fudge cake, very sweet molasses and dark fruits even a nice hop presence for balance. Alcohol is well hidden but you know this is an alcoholic beast. So smooth and very complex; so strongly flavored you would think this was barrel aged. Outstanding, this could easily score all 5's.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2013 23:24:10 | More by RacerX5k
Photo of weonfire
weonfire

Kentucky

3.46/5  rDev -16.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Enjoyed an aged 2009 Vintage at the Holy Grale in Louisville, KY in a 5oz snifter.

A - Black as black gets. Mocha head, pencil thin. dissipates 2-3 min. light lacing.

S - Good god. Serious Alcohol. waives of it. just fuming from 12-18" from my glass. If you can get beyond that there is a bit of chocolate, toffee, biscuit and earthy tones. But this really smells awful.

T - Whew, better than expected. better then the god awful scent. mellowish chocolate and raison. yes, the alcohol dominates but not actually in a bad way. doesn't burn.

M - viscosity is high, moderately creamy - booze dominates but doesn't burn like you would expect.

O - Alcohol straight dominates.- everything. Its really tough to get beyond it. 4 years of aging gets it to this point? I'd hate to think what a fresh, un-mellowed version tastes/smells/feels like. I would not recommend this.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2013 00:59:53 | More by weonfire
Photo of tectactoe
tectactoe

Michigan

3.94/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

On tap at the Oak cafe. Pours jet black, virtually no light is allowed to pass through this sucker. Tan head made of fine bubbles, about a half-inch, settles somewhat quickly to a ring and leaves a tiny bit of lacing as it does down. This brew looks like a widow-maker, appearing heavy, thick, and robust.

A deep java aroma is the first thing to hit my nose; super deep espresso flavor with a nice helping of creamy, malty sweetness. Alcohol is noticeable in the aroma, not too surprising for an 18% ABV brew. Some chocolate and charred, roasted notes bring up the tail end. The first sip provides a warm, alcoholic bite. Again, to be expected from a beer with such a high ABV. However, I would never guess it was 18%... maybe more like 10 or 11%. The alcohol takes on a bourbon-whiskey type flavor. The backbone of the beer is woodsy; burnt, charred oak chips, vanilla hints, and a wine-like essence come crashing through. Ripe, dark figs, black berries, and slight anise provide a sweetness to battle the alcohol's warmth and it works quite well. Dark mocha cocoa powder shows up near the end, along with some light, peppery hops. The beer is all about the malt, though, and while it's relatively sweet, the warmth and robust power does a good balancing job in place of a huge hop bill. Body is medium-heavy, not quite as thick as expected, but not a bad thing. Smooth and not too sticky, either.

Surprisingly easy to drink for an 18% ABV beer. The alcohol isn't hidden - it's certainly there, and definitely powerful, but it never becomes a problem, and it goes hand in hand with the incredible malt concoction. Glad I finally got a chance to try this one.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2013 04:19:36 | More by tectactoe
Photo of ehammond1
ehammond1

California

3.08/5  rDev -25.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

On Tap (2011)

Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA

(Aged for 1 year)

Thick, black body with no head. This leaves the glass with an oily sheen, but no real sticky lace.

Sweet and boozy aroma with good amounts of port-like qualities, roast, dark fruits, caramel and toffee, and high alcohol presence.

The flavor isn't quite as successful, as the booze dominates the complex flavors, along with a rubbing alcohol/chemical note. There is still good amounts of dark fruits, licorice, and roast, but they're not particularly easy to access.

Medium bodied with low carbonation, slightly oily and creamy. Impressive and appropriate for the style and the magnitude.

I don't think I need to try this one again. I haven't been particularly impressed with Dogfish Head's super-high ABV offerings, but it's by no means bad.

Serving type: on-tap

08-10-2012 16:10:27 | More by ehammond1
Photo of OMGTheyKilkenny
OMGTheyKilkenny

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Draft into a snifter.

Note: I arose one afternoon to find a nasty, bloody scrape on my left knee, another on my right elbow, an aching shoulder, and a very angry wife. I am told that my prior evening included at least one (very plausibly more than one) Dogfishhead World Wide Stout and a drunken fight with a stop sign. The sign won.

My memory is, as you might imagine, a bit hazy. I do remember this being a very good, very strong beer. I also remember noting that it was 100% opaque, even held up to the light. Fortunately, I discovered a review scrawled on both sides of a bar receipt. Apparently, I did not make it to drinkability, so I will simply say, “No.” In my personal experience, this beer was not drinkable. I will add that World Wide Stout goes down much easier than you might expect, given the exceptionally high ABV. That probably explains my evening. I'm giving it a 4 in this department, with the caveat that this is based on one serving, sipped slowly and responsibly.

What follows is my “review,” unedited:

A: Suprising ly little lacing. Dark as a black fuckinghole.

S: Smells like moxor oil espresso strong coffee alcohol—frat prarty

T: Strongest stout beer eve delivers or expeclations. Every deark beer you ever tasted. Bitter, coffee

MF: Thick as fuck – heavy coats mouth syrup syrup

Serving type: on-tap

07-01-2012 02:18:50 | More by OMGTheyKilkenny
Photo of MicroBeerMan1980
MicroBeerMan1980

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: This ale is as dark as crude oil. It pours like oil as well. Thick and rich. It has a tan to brown thin head with subtle retention.

S: It smells like a roasted barley angel on high. The alcohol is definitely there, but I've been told it dissipates with age. Oak, oats, deep rich roasted barley. Hints of vanilla and chocolate.

T: If you take the alcohol out of the equation (which happens after a few sips), you can really unfold the depth and complexity of this beer. Is it a barley wine? Is it a stout? Is it a port? Is it all of those? The roasted notes and bittersweet cocoa dominate this beer, but there are underlying flavors such as warm baked bread and licorice.

M: Thick, distinct and invasive. This is a professional drinker's beer. Be prepared to drink this, and end with it. It leaves the mouth and palate tired, but happy.

D: If I was a Viking warrior, I would want this beer when I came back from battle. It's drinkable, but it also says: Be warned.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2012 06:17:50 | More by MicroBeerMan1980
Photo of Bdubz
Bdubz

Florida

4.73/5  rDev +14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

leave it to dog fish head to double a imperial stout. wow what a beer! sweater and more malty than a tradtional russian, but thats to be expected at 18%. that being said its still preity well ballanced. You may want to take your time with this one. stay thirsty my friends

Serving type: on-tap

06-07-2012 20:34:02 | More by Bdubz
Photo of vonnegut21
vonnegut21

New York

4.43/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap through a randal filled with cocoa and espresso beans. Pours a deep black with a thick, caramel head. Smell is roasted malt, chocolate, and strong coffee notes. Taste has big, impressive chocolate notes, coffee, and a big alcohol burn. Carbonation level is perfect and it drinks very smoothly for such a big beer. Overall, I would recommend trying this beer. Especially if you can find it randalled through cocoa and espresso.

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2012 21:04:09 | More by vonnegut21
Photo of Gambrinus1184
Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on-tap at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats in downtown Rehoboth Beach, Del. 2009 vintage served on way-back Wednesday.

A: Pitch black with a thin, creamy head of off-white foam. Light cannot penetrate this deep, inviting stout.

S: Rich, sweet and fruity malt aroma throw hints of licorice, tobacco leaf, juicy hops and raisins galore. A deep, complex, woody and cellared boozy aroma prevail.

T: Loads of rich, roasted, sweet malts up front with waves of herbal, bittersweet cocoa, licorice, grapes and blackened malts. The sweet, herbal licorice flavor gives way to some more plummy, grapeskin flavors before washing back with a muted, tobacco leaf flavor in tow.

M: Robust, full-bodied and almost chewy body leave velvety soft, aged and bourbonesque lush feelings on the tongue.

O: A very nice, robust sipper for this dreary, April Rehoboth Beach day. The 18% ABV is barely noted beneath the sweet, soft malt overtones as the brew warms. A bit brashy and boozy up front but let it sit and you'll be handsomely rewarded.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2012 23:04:24 | More by Gambrinus1184
Photo of angelogarcia3
angelogarcia3

New York

4.98/5  rDev +20%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Sapsuckers pours this beer in a snifter glass. This is a very strong beer, at 18 to 19% ABV it will knock your socks off. On the nose it has aromas of caramel, alcohol, and chocolate cordial. It pours dark black with a thick tan head, almost an inch. It has flavors of chocolate cordials, caramel, and a smooth creamy texture with a slight effervensce. It went very well with the shell steak with black pepper & gorgonzola sauce.

Serving type: on-tap

04-15-2012 01:14:04 | More by angelogarcia3
Photo of ThickNStout
ThickNStout

Georgia

3.43/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at World Of Beer (St Petersburg, FL). Served in a snifter. 

Came out black with a half finger of khaki head that quickly faded to a thin layer. Occassional lacing. 

Initial smell is almost a cross between a red wine and a stout. Dark fruits, roasted coffee and a slight hop note. Booze lingers in the background. 

Taste delivers big bold dark fruits in a way few others stouts do. Plenty of toasted malts, coffee and bakers chocolate. As it warms the flavors smooth out nicely. The abv is never fully hidden but it rarely overpowers the rest of what's going on. 

Big and full bodied. Low to moderate carbonation. Nice creamy slick coating feel. 

Really glad I finally got to try this while in town for Hunahpu's Day (GA law prohibits the sale of such high abv). Hopefully I'll find a few bottles someday because I'd like to try some aged a few years. Not at all the best stout I've tried (it actually tastes much more like a dark barleywine) but it's worthy and I'll happily drink it again if offered. 

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2012 01:24:52 | More by ThickNStout
Photo of Kbogac
Kbogac

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had the opportunity to try this on draft. Arrived in a small snifter. About 1/2 inch of dark foam on top of a dark brown/black beer.

Smell is caramel, coffee, chocolate and molasses.

Taste is intense. Sweet toasty malt mixed with chocolate and caramel. Sweeter as it warms with less chocolate. Also more heat when warmer. This beer was fairly young so there was a noticeable alcohol finish. A couple years of aging calm it down nicely.

The mouthfeel is heavy with some carbonation. Almost creamy.

Overall this is a great beer. Flavors are complex and enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2012 01:49:40 | More by Kbogac
Photo of Darkmagus82
Darkmagus82

Montana

5/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A special Dogfish Head tasting at Zeno’s bar in State College. I opted out of the larger tasting so I could savor more of the World Wide then just a 4 oz serving. It was on tap and filtered through vanilla and espresso coffee beans prior to being served in a 10 oz chalice shaped glass.

Appearance - Served a deep –deep brown ,nearly black, color with a brown billowy head. The head faded slowly over time. Just from the look you know it was thick. The body of the beer seemed to hang on the glass both when the head faded, giving very nice lacing, as well as when swirled. It was a wonderful sight.

Smell – The aroma was huge upfront with an amazing coffee and vanilla aroma. It was a sweet delicious smell that excited and stimulated. Sweet chocolate aromas started to develop more toward the middle of the aroma and mixed wonderfully with the roasty coffee and vanilla. While at 18 % abv there was really no alcohol/boozy aroma; the roast, coffee, vanilla and chocolate aromas were so strong and enticing that no alcohol could be detected.

Taste – What else can be said, but Wow!!! The taste matched the aroma amazingly and pleased with every sip from start to finish. Coffee and vanilla met the taste buds with some potency, but were soon meet with an equally, if not stronger, chocolate. The three flavors were the base, but were mixed with more sublet dark fruit, brown sugar, and caramel flavors as well. The experience overwhelmed the tastebuds with an amazing intensity and complexity of flavors. While intense and complex, they melded together perfectly, almost seeming as though they were all just meant to be one “super” flavor.

Mouthfeel- Thick, viscous, and smooth. It coated the mouth with a perfect feel. It was smooth like silk, yet stimulating due to the thick feel. The carbonation was perfect – not over-effervescent to take away from the smoothness, but just enough to stimulate. Amazing.

Overall – This is by far the greatest beer I have ever had. It is strong at 18 % but does not taste that way in its booziness. Instead its incredible body and flavor make it a beer you just want to sip over the long haul; one to experience over the longest amount of time possible. These features coupled with its wonderful look and aroma make the whole drinking experience one that will ever be difficult to top. Thank you Dogfish Head for the wonderful brew and thank you Zeno’s pub for serving it up to me perfectly.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2012 01:32:14 | More by Darkmagus82
Photo of thain709
thain709

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Served with a thick, black body that yielded a one finger, creamy, tan head...I was surprised at how long the head stuck around...it actually left some patches of lacing

S - Strong booze, dark fruits, molasses, roasted malt, dark chocolate, and some charcoal...a very wide-spread nose that shows a lot of character

T - Again the booze is hot and never really goes away, but there is so much going on that sometimes it goes unnoticed...the dark fruits present dates, prunes, plums, and even some grapes...the dates help to add a little sweetness and there is a thick molasses flavor that pushes that level up...the malts are heavily roasted and give off an array of flavors towards the end...dark chocolate, coffee grounds, and charcoal

M - Full bodied...thick and creamy...hot alcohol...roasty

O - The 10 oz. snifter I had was more than enough...there is no way I could drink any more of this one...the flavors were very deep and complex...I would like to try a vintage version because I'm sure it's not as hot

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2012 13:22:12 | More by thain709
Photo of DrinkSlurm
DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.38/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at DFH Falls Church, VA.
Pours a deep black but light let's red shine.
Brown thick foamy head.
Smells of dried fruity roasted malts.
Taste is of cherry chocolatey coffee roasted malts. High abv hits the mouth and really wakes you up.
Nice stout. Actually really nice.smooth for the abv, and full of flavor. Price is high, but its something everyone must try. Cheers.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2012 23:49:57 | More by DrinkSlurm
Photo of PorterLambic
PorterLambic

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Arrives dark, dark, dark brown with a dark tan head that is naught more than a thin film with a ring. Not surprisingly, there is no lace left here.
Smell is amazing with rich malt, a sour note and a whole fruitcake worth of dark fruits and wheat.
Taste is exactly the same albeit with a lesser sour aspect. Balance is very good.
Rich, full-bodied to start but thinning at the swallow, warming, this is a really nice brew. Light effervescence and a well disguised ABV. Worth every penny.

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2012 01:54:32 | More by PorterLambic
Photo of 1Adam12
1Adam12

Indiana

4.15/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Chumleys in broad ripple. Dark black. I watched the girl pour it from the tap...ZERO head. When I got my glass, it still was dark black, but had a hint of redness on the top of the beer. Smelled of alcohol and cherry. Tasted HUGE! Big malt and alcohol, definitely cherries in there somewhere. Big burn as I swallowed. Perhaps a hint of vanilla and maybe some fig?? Huge flavor, however thin mouthfeel compared to the taste. Sipper despite the thin mouthfeel. Slightly creamy. Overall, this is a must try for stout lovers. So glad I got to try this for 6 bucks rather than having to drop 10 bucks on a bottle that I had never tried. I will definitely be buying a bottle to store away for a few years.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2011 00:58:00 | More by 1Adam12
Photo of devinoconnor
devinoconnor

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

One of, if not the best, American made stout. A classic.

Pours a black coffee looking color with a nice head.

The smell is very malty, with some hints of smoke, wood, and dark chocolate.

For such a strong stout with a high ABV, it's exceptionally smooth.

A wonderful stout.

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2011 15:01:20 | More by devinoconnor
Photo of Knapp85
Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had picked up a bottle of this a while ago and wanted to try it. I gave it a whirl and thought that it was very good overall. The flavors were rich and the color was perfectly dark for this style of beer. The mouthfeel and everything was enjoyable as well. I'd say it was worthy of at least an B+.

A little while the Spinnertown Hotel had this on tap strapped up to the Randall. They had espresso beans infused with brandy, extra hops, and a few other things the waitress mentioned. I ordered a glass and it was brought out with no head but as het black as could be. There were some espresso bean flakes or hop particals floating on top. The smell was stunning. I just held it under my nose for a while before drinking it. There was coffee and chocolate to the fullest, there was hops and brandy and so much more on the nose. The taste was unexplainable. It just didn't compare to the original at all anymore. It was just so good though. The mouthfeel was thick and syrupy. Overall it was fantastic to me. It makes me want to try everything through the Randall now.

Serving type: on-tap

06-12-2011 22:59:20 | More by Knapp85
Photo of BeerMaverick
BeerMaverick

Massachusetts

4.65/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on-tap at the American Craft Brewfest (reviewed from notes). Poured into 2oz. sampling cup.

A - Dark brown stout that resembles a coffee-like porter. Tan head with little retention (due to sampling cup size).

S - Due to the fact that it was pumped through coffee beans, it smells like...coffee!...And alcohol...lots of alcohol...Damn. Good. Stuff.

T - Again, lots and lots of coffee and some stouty chocolate flavors come through. The alcohol is, again, dominant, but the coffee attempts to cover it up...somewhat successfully. Extremely tasty as a desert beer.

M - Very viscous just like syrup. Extremely full-bodied brew that kicks your mouth's ass...lol lets just hope that your mouth doesn't have an ass to kick.

O - This is a fantastic and extremely over-the-top heavy beer and I love it. The thickness, strong coffee character, and INSANELY high alcohol content will whoop your ass! I am pretty sure it's not possible to have (or buy) more than one of these at a time because it will burn a hole in both your stomach and wallet...have fun.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2011 14:27:13 | More by BeerMaverick
Photo of HOMEPL8
HOMEPL8

Virginia

2.3/5  rDev -44.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Not for me.

As a style, sure, it hits the major "do's" of a big stout...it's motor oil thick, it's dense and creamy, but it's way too over the top for me with alcohol smell and flavor...I like my beer to taste like beer not liquor...This is not for me. I love stouts, the appearance is fine, good even...the smell hints towards alcohol, which I don't prefer in beer...and the taste, just isn't beer...the alcohol over powered my ability to taste much in the way of the flavours I enjoy in stouts. Sorry to bring down the score on this, but this beer disappointed me big time.

Serving type: on-tap

05-26-2011 19:31:14 | More by HOMEPL8
Photo of Gritch
Gritch

Indiana

4.93/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I have had this numerous times from a bottle, but was able to try it on-tap at Dark Lord Day. I must say that I was excited to try this on-tap. It was all that I hoped it would be. Alas, I must say that I prefer it from a bottle.

On to the review:
It was dark brown with a thin(like a French guys mustache) tan head. First thing I tasted was the coffee followed by chocolate. I must say that this has the best aftertaste I have had so far. Considering that this is 18% ABV I have to say it tastes great, and I look forward to drinking it again.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2011 03:55:38 | More by Gritch
Photo of Rifugium
Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

First had: on tap at ? (possibly Race St. Cafe, Philly, PA)

This beer makes my eyes glaze over and roll into the back of my head. And I mean that in a good way, though at 18-20% it could potentially be in a bad way too, i.e. if I have more than one or two. Thick, creamy, sweet, alcoholic, tasty, complex, rich...and so on. Now that I've had a lot of the big boys in the stout world, WWS doesn't quite impress me the way it used to, but I still love it. For a relatively highly produced/distributed beer, this is much more enjoyable/accessible than say a Dark Lord, which you'll probably only have a few times in your life unless you live in the Great Lakes region, not to mention the hassle that even local denizens go through to get that one.

Poured pitch black into a stem glass. Small white head that retained throughout. Thick, with little to no carbonation visible. Strong smell of roasted malts, chocolate, some alcohol. Tasted of sublime chocolate cream, rich dark malts, coffee, alcohol bite, and a tad of dark dried fruit sweetness. Heavy mouthfeel, high alcohol, but still smooth and transcendent. Extremely drinkable, but I wouldn't do more than one pour in any given session. In all fairness, I've never had this in a bottle, but somehow I'd imagine it wouldn't be quite as good. I could be wrong though!

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2011 18:00:27 | More by Rifugium
Photo of scottyshades
scottyshades

Florida

4.28/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a pitch black viscous-looking monster. Not too much head given the ABV, but enough to create a small brown cap

S: Alcohol greets you right up front, especially as it decants. Vinous, port-like, dark fruit, berries, roasty and chocolaty. Nice combination

T: Similar to the nose, alcohol is very warming, but never really interferes with the taste. Berries, ripe dark fruit, chocolate, roast. Definitely more port-like than an imperial stout.

MF/O: Supremely viscous, smooth low carbonation, velvety palate. Definitely not a classic rendition of the style, but a very nice sipper

Serving type: on-tap

04-19-2011 19:58:44 | More by scottyshades
Photo of brystmar
brystmar

New York

4.78/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

On draft at the Dogfish "No Suck" beer event in Brooklyn. This 2009 vintage was served filtered through a Randall filled with bourbon-soaked espresso beans, which makes it completely different from regular WWS.

A: looks like the normal WWS -- black & oily with zero head and hints of boozy lace.

S: one whiff instantly tells you this isn't your typical WWS! Huge burst of fresh espresso beans, vanilla, and caramelized sugars. No hints of alcohol. Smells more like a vanilla cappuccino than an imperial stout. Here's hoping this aroma makes its way into those Glade plug-in scents in the near future.

T: surprisingly sweet start to finish. Roasted sweet malts, espresso, and tons of vanilla. Hints of bourbon aging show up right at the end. Exceptionally well balanced, and straight-up delicious. Easily among the best beers I've had in recent memory. Randall covers the inherent flaws in WWS like a champ.

M: medium- to full-bodied, good carbonation level, but this is a beer that would absolutely SHINE on nitro draft.

D: exceptionally easy to drink. And not in the "yeah it's kinda strong but really good for an 18% brew" way. This brew has *zero* alcoholic warmth at serving temperature, and only mild amounts as it warms up. This is the easiest drinking high-ABV beer I've ever had, and that's saying something.

To DFH: please figure out a way to bottle this. I'd happily buy a case or three.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2011 00:57:20 | More by brystmar
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World Wide Stout from Dogfish Head Brewery
93 out of 100 based on 2,680 user ratings.