Raison D'Extra - Dogfish Head Brewery

BostonHops

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

on tap at sunset grill & tap in allston, ma.

pours very dark mahogany / chestnut with no head. good amount of sediment.

aroma is sweet, boozy, and malty with a strong raisin presence.
taste is surprisingly sweet: malty; raisins; molasses. the booze follows, but not as strongly as you'd think considering the ABV. still, this one is a heavy hitter.

thick, syrupy mouthfeel.

the definition of a sipper. not one i'd want on a regular basis but would have again. raisin d'etre on steroids, i prefer the regular version.

originally reviewed on: 06-10-2010

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2012 14:44:52 | More by BostonHops

thetomG

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Very interesting murky mahogany color with just a slight ring of head.

Even at over 3 years old, the alcohol still dominates the nose and is VERY prevalent in the taste. I'm also piking up some slight raisin flavors along with a strong malty body.

Mouthfeel is great - very smooth but not overly sticky.

It is an interesting beer - amazingly boozy still even after all this time (which takes away from the drinkability a bit), but flavorful nonetheless.

Definitely worth trying, but you would be wise to split this monster between a few friends.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2011 01:55:01 | More by thetomG

JonathanL7890

Texas

3.8/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at the Flying Saucer in Austin. Thanks Sam (not Caligione).
Poured into a Dogfish Head snifter. Color is a brown-amber. Just a slight ring of head.
Smell: not much smell , some sweetness, alcohol.
Taste: Lots of raisin flavor, Dried fruit. Carmel, Very, very sweet.
Mouthfeel: Good , medium level of carbonation.
Drinkability: this is a sipper. It is very sweet a bit on the cloying side. I could only have one of these.

A very unusual beer. This beer is more apt to be an after dinner drink after a very good meal. Lots of food pairings possibilities for this.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2009 15:18:37 | More by JonathanL7890

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.8/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Hard to know what to think about this beer. It's clearly another completely over the top, extreme beer, from Sam C.

The beer pours a rich amber/mahogony color. The beer has good head retention and excellent lacing, but the nose is something else. I get sweet corn syrup with cherries and pineapple added in.

On the palate... jeez loueezzzeeee.... This is like drinking a beer version of a chocolate Sunday or bannana split. This beer is hugely sweet and fruity, with flavors of cocoa, chocalate, cherries, golden raisans and pineapple. The beer is overwhelmingly rich and sweet, but with a soft, viscuous mouthfeel. The texture is very creamy and long, with the richness well disguising the considerable abv. Amazing stuff, but a little bit goes a long way. Can't drink very much of this at all.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2007 16:43:54 | More by johnmichaelsen

jdoherty

New York

4.05/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

This was an amazing beer at the Mugs Belgian Beer Fest. It was wine, liquor, and beer all rolled into one 5oz sample glass

A: Dark and mahogany. I really thought they were exaggerating that it looked like shiny mahogany liquid when advertised, but there it was, I could see my reflection in it almost.

S: Smells rich and sugary. It really makes you sit back and have to prepare yourself to drink something this strong and complex, because it comes off on first whiff

T: Holy crap, theres so many different flavors I couldn't even begin to pick up on all of them. Tastes of a very sugary liquere, the raisins are the particular strong taste you get, which somehow all mixes together for an aftertaste making you feel like you've sipped red wine.

M: Deep and heavy, as would be expected. Fills your palate with layers upon layers of complexity.

D: More than 5oz is almost unnecessary. Its too strong and too complex to get more than that.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2006 23:35:23 | More by jdoherty

MuenchenerKindl

Germany

4.15/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the tap at the Ale House to a 12 oz snifter. The liquid is a orangish amber with good carbonation. The head one finger light tan and left a slight bit of lace.

The smell is sugared dark fruit, plums, raisins, figs, and dates. Some alcohol but well covered by the sweet malt.

The taste was very good, follows the nose well very malty on the sweetened dried fruit side.

The mouth feel is good full body and nice carbonation. DFH always does these big beers so well.

The drinkability is good, very good for a 18-20% ABV brew. Very enjoyable. Prosit MK

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2006 00:18:50 | More by MuenchenerKindl

hopsaplenty

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on draft at the Brewings and Eats in Rehoboth Beach. A 10oz. draft served in a snifter which is appropriate given its immense alcohol.

It appears a deep amber, with ruby highlights at the edges. No head to speak of and minimal carbonation. No lacing. It smells of rich fruit, raisins, and whiffs of the alcohol float around as well. It tastes a bit sweet, malty and raisiny with hints of vanilla and maybe clove. The alcohol is surprisingly masked and there is nothing harsh about it. Luscious mouthfeel, full of malt and warming on the tongue. Highly, almost dangerously drinkable and everything is wonderfully balanced. A second one would taste oh so good, but would pack quite a hit. One at a time is enough, but this is a fantastic beer and I'll be back for more.

Another hit from DFH.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2005 13:44:43 | More by hopsaplenty

chOAKbarrell

Maryland

3.48/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Available now on tap at Max's On Broadway in Fells Point, Baltimore, which is where I tried it.

This beer arrived in a small flute glass - probably only 6 ounces. Possibly less. But then, as this beer was listed on the menu at 21%, 6oz is all you need.

As you already know, everything about this beer is strong, dark, and handsome. The only other beer i've had as strong as this is Samuel Adams Triple Bock. Unlike that beer, though, the Raison D'Extra is palatable. For being so strong in alcohol content, it is really quite smooth in the finish. The alcohol is very present, of course, but it blends well with all the spices in the beer.

The mouthfeel? Its as if you could chew this beer. Very thick and complex.

Unfortunately, or maybe just obviously, this beer has a low drinkability level. I'm surprised it comes in 12oz bottles. That seems like too much at once. 6oz was enough for me, and i split it with 2 friends!

Serving type: on-tap

09-26-2005 20:22:29 | More by chOAKbarrell

kaimcm

California

4.5/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Had on tap at Publik House 9/24/05. Right on for having it guys!

A: Beautiful tawny copper color. No head at all, none, but not a surprise with ABV 20%. Nice and clear.

S: The nose was interesting and complex, but not overwhelming. Notes of raisons and caramel, not really any alcohol.

T: Just delicious. Strong rasin quality, very vinous. Very reminiscent of an Oloross sherry. Sweet but not too much. Big malt profile, the alcohol is almost unnoticeable. A touch of honey. Really a brilliant balance in this beer, everything works together.

M: Quite syrupy, with just a hint of carbonation. Just enough to keep it lively. Great wieght.

D: Very high alcohol, but its balanced very well. Could get you in trouble real fast if you werent careful. As Ive mentioned before, I dont know how to handle this category. It was "exceptionally drinkable" so it gets a 5.

Just awesome. DFH has done it again. I feel like their real genious is evident in the balance of most of their beers, espicially the huge ones like this. Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

09-24-2005 23:17:43 | More by kaimcm

nriech

Virginia

4.45/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap in Richmond. Great aroma as with the normal Raison but you can definately detect the alcohol being at 20 percent. I woudnt say this is a Belgian Strong, more like a barley wine. Think sherry. Oranges and raisins but not as much as the regular stuff. The hops were present but not overpowering. Cant go wrong with Dogfish.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2005 13:37:52 | More by nriech

RocketWidget

Massachusetts

4.65/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Reviewed from notes.

Enjoyed as a 2oz sample at the Belgian Beer Fest 2004. Exceptionally balanced for a beer of this magnitude. Pours a clear golden color, cider-like with a light head. Smell is unsurprisingly strongly alcoholic. Taste is euphoric - a whirlwind tour of raisins, brown sugar and hops. Very satisfying, and drinkability is amazing. Truly excellent!

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2005 20:32:53 | More by RocketWidget

Hefe

Maryland

4.63/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Tasted on 7/15/04. Served plastic tasting cup at the DFH - Avery Brewing tasting at R.F.D.
D.A. dug up a 2 1/2 year old keg he had been cellaring. Way to go!

Appearance: Golden/orange in colour with a sticky lace around the edges.

Smell: Sweet malt, candied orange, spice, plum, oloroso sherry, brandy.

Taste: Layered with caramel, orange, plum, yeast, toffee, spice, dried figs/cherries all fighting for center stage. The finish is long and vinous.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with solid carbonation.

Drinkability: Well masked abv that could get you in trouble if you arent careful.

Sam said this is coming back into rotation in 4pks, but not until summer 2005. Woohoo!

Serving type: on-tap

07-19-2004 20:17:11 | More by Hefe

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I sampled this at a beer tasting event. It was served on draught!

Appearance: Nice amber liquid, slightly cloudy (chill haze?), with some white foam that settled quickly.

Smell: A very nice sweet malty aroma.

Taste: Sweet (almost candy sugar) and malty. Tasty.

Mouthfeel: Thick, full bodied, moderate carbonation, very warming.

Drinkability: Very good, but also nice to sip and savor at this alcohol content.

I hope this becomes available in Massachusetts.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2003 21:05:16 | More by UncleJimbo

mophie

Delaware

4.8/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

What a treat. I had this tonight at the source in Rehoboth Beach, served in a brandy snifter (yes, it's OK to be jealous). Deep, deep mahogony color with absolutely no head. Smell of cooked/burnt raisins, currants and dates. The taste is actually a more subtle version of their Raison D'etre, almost like a barleywine (which is how some other, less informed sites are categorizing this brew; I'm calling it an experiment). At 20%, you'd expect the alcohol to be overwhelming. It's not. In fact, on the whole this is an incredibly balanced brew, not nearly as heavy as you might expect. Finishes like a sherry, but I like it much, much more.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2002 22:17:01 | More by mophie

One2Remeber

Florida

4/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled 09/29/06. Thanks Steve.

A: No head, at all. Murky as could be. Dirty brown body with a bright ruby red/mahogany hue.

S: Tootise roll candy. Soft chocolate, chewey caramel, light toffee. Booze, metallic notes in undertone, really have to look.

T/M: Sherry-like, mouth puckering astringent bite. Really hard going down. Malts flavors are intensely unique and quite enjoyable.

O: May have aged just a bit too long. Booze is too hot to enjoy the evolved malt profile. Impressed for taking the shot. Would def try again and hope for different results.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2013 03:51:58 | More by One2Remeber

maxcoinage

Illinois

4.59/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2007 Vintage acquired in a trade. Surprised to hear a nice carbonated sound when cracking it open. As I was pouring it then aroma was quite prevalent.

Poured into a snifter a dark brown color with a couple cm white head which dissipated quickly.

Aroma is fantastic - brown sugar, figs, dates, oak

Mouthfeel - fairly heavy and still a bit of carb, not as oxided as I would have expected.

Taste is just outstanding - similar to aroma- sweet, brown sugar, raisins, old port, definitely boozy

Finish is strong and hot. Enjoying this very much!

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2013 03:04:00 | More by maxcoinage

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.01/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A: Pours a hazy dark reddish brown in color with minimal amounts of visible carbonation and some garnet red highlights. The beer has a minimal amount of light beige head that quickly reduces to a very thin ring at the edges of the glass. Minimal amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate to strong aromas of dark fruits (raisins, prunes, and plums) and candi sugar.

T: Overall this beer is pretty sweet, with moderate to strong flavors of dark fruit malt sweetness with raisin, prune, and plum all making a strong presence. There is a strong presence of candi sugar as well which contributes to the overall sweetness.

M: Full bodied with light amounts of carbonation. Syrupy with light amounts of alcohol warming.

O: It is a shame that DFH stopped making this beer and continues to make the Raison D'Etre (the watered down version of this beer) - I would love to see DFH pull this one out once every 3-5 years as it is so much better. Nice amounts of complexity but it is not the easiest beer to drink as the alcohol is not as well hidden as would appeal to the masses.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 02:44:56 | More by dbrauneis

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.28/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a snifter.
18% ABV, Bottled on (hard to make out- '06 some time)
[Reviewed on 06-08-11 - from notes]

A - Brilliant clarity and color, Raison D'Extra has a sexy Merlot-hued dark mahogany color. Almost no head forms and the loose, effervescent tan bubbles that do are driven off by alcohol almost immediately. Legs-city!

S - Heavy boozy, solvent alcohol does a good job of burning the nostrils right off the bat. Belgian yeast undertones flourish timidly white fruity raisin and prune billow fourth. Subtle nuances are largely overrun by burning alcohol heat.

T - Surprisingly, shocking even, Raison D'Extra is much more mellow in flavor than aroma. Sweet raisin and bold caramel malt step it up and keep the hops and alcohol flavors at bay. Subtle Belgian nuances play with earth hints and light clay in the background.

M - Smooth and soft, almost all traces of carbonation have been fended off by the incredibly warm alcohol. Warm and solventy in feel but not burning at all, it's warm in the stomach and retronasally.

O - Holy crap is this a huge brew. Thankfully the extremely boozy aroma didn't make it through the to the flavor allowing tons of nuances hidden behind layers of malt to arise. This is quite and enjoyable beer but it'll take a while to finish.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 21:51:24 | More by BeerFMAndy

Derranged

New York

3.23/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle which reads "Bottled on 9/29/06". Purchased circa late 2011, consumed and reviewed on 12/29/12. Six years and three months old.

Poured into a small Samiclaus glass tulip of sorts.

A- Dark amber brownish in color. Thin almost non existent head.

S- Raisins soaked in alcohol, maple syrup and molasses.

T- Wow this stuff is sweet. Candied sugar, raisins, molasses, maple sugar and a little alcohol. Slight bitter after taste.

M- Super thin with virtually no carbonation. Numbs the lips a little, lingering bitterness throughout. Touch of booze burn lingers a bit as well.

O- Wasn't great, probably aged a bit too long. Very easy to drink though, be careful.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 02:21:05 | More by Derranged

Jules11788

California

4.45/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

To the amazement of the tasting group we actually opened this five years to the day after it was bottled, but didn't even realize it until the tasting was over and we checked out the bottle date. Talk about coincidence.

A: Pours a deep mahogany red color, really beautiful; no head, no lacing

S: Deep, sweet malts, booze-soaked raisins, lots of dark fruits

T: Booze-soaked raisins, toffee, caramel, sweet bready malts, oaky/woodiness, finishes with a slight boozy warmth

M: Medium viscosity, oily texture, no carbonation, only slightly boozy

O: This beer far exceeded my expectations. The booze is amazingly well hidden and the flavor profile is fantastic. Five years has allowed this beer to mellow out and the flavors to really come through and shine. Will DEFINITELY seek out more of these.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 21:02:46 | More by Jules11788

circus_cat

Virginia

3.7/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: The color of a barleywine (actually maybe a little darker--like coffee strained with too few beans so a tan color shows around the sides) with almost the tepidity of a bourbon. Poured with a light ring of khaki head that went away quickly. Now there is literally no head even with an aggressive swirl of the glass (tulip). A few bubbles rising.

S: Licorice and bigtime raisin up front. Barley, malts, and vanilla in there. Mostly raisin.

T: Mouth full of raisin and booze. It almost tastes like a raisin wine aged in a bourbon barrel. Interesting. Doesn't taste like a beer, but it's good. Unique. Off-centered as the DFH people say :)

M: Full, few bubbles, actually less boozey than it should feel for 18%. Watch out for this one!

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 00:41:13 | More by circus_cat

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer has been aged for several years - I poured it into a DFH bulb glass. Beautiful color - a deep velvet brown with slight amber hues. Decent head at pour that dissipated very quickly to almost non-existent. The aroma is heavy raison and alcohol - smells like a fine port wine. Taste is luscious - again heavy raison, prune, brown sugar sweetness, and alcohol heat on the back end. Despite the lack of head/lacing left, there is still a fizzy carbonation tingle in the mouth. A perfect brew for a fall day.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 21:02:24 | More by Oakenator

superspak

Michigan

4.38/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle into snifter, bottled on 9/29/2006(almost 6 years old). Pours extremely hazy dark reddish brown color with a small foamy khaki head with poor retention, that reduces to a small patch of foam. Minimal wisps of lacing on the glass. Aromas of huge raisin, caramel, molasses, toffee, prune, tobacco, earth, toast, roast, and yeast spices. Fantastic aromas with awesome complexity and balance. No booze to speak of as well. Taste of big raisin, prune, molasses, caramel, toffee, toast, tobacco, roast, earth, and yeast spices. Lingering notes of dark fruit, molasses, toffee, caramel, tobacco, toast, roast, and earth on the finish for a good bit. Great flavor complexity and balance; with zero cloying sweetness on the finish. Also slightly dry surprisingly. Light carbonation and full bodied; with a creamy, slick, and thick mouthfeel that is very nice. Alcohol is insanely well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a fantastic Belgian strong ale! Huge complexity and balance of flavors; and surprisingly smooth to sip on slowly for an 18% beer. Highly enjoyable stuff.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 04:05:36 | More by superspak

womencantsail

California

3.48/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a cloudy dark amber that looks to be flat. No head to speak of. Nose of brown sugar, raisins, plums, red grapes, and cherries. Some caramel malt in there and definitely a fair amount of alcohol. Hints of spice and just a really nice caramelization to it. The taste is certainly a bit cloying. Intense sugar and caramel flavors, overripe dark fruits, tons of raisin, grape, and plum. Moderate alcohol flavor and head. I loved the aroma of this, but it's just too much to drink.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 21:01:14 | More by womencantsail

Ryan011235

Ohio

2.55/5  rDev -35.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Poured into a DFH Signature glass on 7/4/12

Bottled on 03/15/07

Pours a medium-light mahogany and settles with a crimson sheen with a rusty twinge. There is a flash of bubbles while the beer is poured that simply doesn't last. Very thin collar retention disappears, too. No lace.

Toasted sugars weigh heavily the aroma - brown sugar and molasses, raisins, sweet baked bread. Overtones of fig and plum intersect with a noticeable booziness. For an overly sweet aroma, this doesn't smell too bad.

Whew, this is a strong critter. I'd go as far as to call it daunting. Sugars and alcohol mix with a light toastiness and some oxidation tones (which don't seem entirely out of place). Some bread tones drift about, offering a dry notion at times, but this is predominantly sugar, raisin and booze.

The feel isn't the most robust or full, but it sure is heavy and quite slick with all the alcohol. Carbonation is on the lower side, but it does give the beer some movement.

As the beer warms, it starts to show some signs of it's age - slightly thin edges in terms of feel and some more appreciable oxidation.

As far as over the top, sugary DFH beers go, this makes for a fairly decent sipper.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 03:37:22 | More by Ryan011235