Palo Santo Marron - Dogfish Head Brewery

Jazzpha

District of Columbia

4.44/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled on: 9/18/2012

Pour: Medium-slow, indistinguishable from a porter or stout. Most robust brown ale I’ve ever seen, by far. Half-finger of dark tan head fades fast, almost no carbination rising. Very, very few bubbles.

Aroma: Sweet, Old Rasputin-esque malt, quickly joined by the wood scent of the Palo Santo wood. A note of char as well, one of the most pronounced I’ve smelled.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Some beers make a smooth entrance, easing open your tastebuds before unfolding the rest of their flavors. This is not one of those beers. This thing gatecrashes your mouth and charges in full speed ahead, before assaulting your tastebuds like Old Rasputin’s crazy drunk uncle. Big, big bitter coffee notes, and dark chocolate. Bracing, powerful flavors all the way through. No sweetness to help you recover; this beer gives no quarter and I love it. Still, ridiculously smooth for 12%-- a lot smoother than the last time I remember having a bottle from this same 4-pack. Alcohol burn is limited to a slight tingle in the nostrils on the finish, like slightly mild horseradish. Malty goodness persists throughout the entire sip, and the mouthfeel is as big and chewy as an imperial stout, easily. The wood flavor borders on smoky at the very end of the finish, but in a way that smoothes out the taste in preparation for the next sip. This beer is a monster, and makes no apologies about that whatsoever. Either you roll with it or get rolled over, but I love this stuff.

Overall: This beer is awesome, definitely not sessionable, and best enjoyed savored over a decent period of time. Beastly in the most literal of senses. 4.5/5

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 20:42:52 | More by Jazzpha

tviz33

New York

4.35/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 12 oz bottle in to a Duvel tulip.

A- Pours a motor oil body with a quarter inch of brown head that settles to a small cap.

S- Really rich, sweet smell. Molasses, vanilla, toffee, chocolate, hops, wood, and definitely some alcohol.

T- Very sweet, but not overly so. This is a little boozy, but a nice woody character compliments the alcohol along with toffee and some dark fruits. I'm a fan.

M- Medium feel, which is thinner than I expected. Creamy and tingly.

O- I really enjoyed this brew. This one is a sipper at 12%, but it's quite easy to suck right down. I would love to get my hands on a 4 pack of the stuff.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 18:28:52 | More by tviz33

ChanChan

California

4.18/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: This is darker than a great number of imperial stouts!!

Aroma: The aroma in this beer reminds me of an aged Mephistopheles, perhaps the Palo Santo has a lot to do with that!

Taste: Very good taste of dark fruits, vanilla and a good amount of wood character!

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied.

Overall: This beer is fantastic, its pricey but if one has the patience to age this beer!!I really like it!!

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 06:12:07 | More by ChanChan

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Slight mocha head around the edges of the glass over black liquid.

S: Wood, molasses, toffee and raisins.

T: Wood, molasses, toffee, raisins, prunes, grass, earth.

M: Medium viscosity and carbonation.

O: Very tasty and smooth. The wood is quite subtle on this beer and not overpowering which complements the other flavors nicely.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 03:04:17 | More by DaftCaskBC

macrosmatic

Florida

4.19/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a Cigar City pint glass.

A: Pours a very dark brown that lets almost no light through. A two finger brown head forms on top, and last pretty well. This rather looks like a glass of Coke, but with way less visible carbonation.

S: Toasted malt, cacao, sweet, a little boozy. Hints of vanilla, toffee, nuts. Some caramel character shows up as the beer warms a little. What aroma is here smells quite good, but there's not a huge nose on this beer.

T: Wow, this is a big ol' malt bomb! Roasty toasty malt flavors without being big on chocolate or coffee or any particular flavor, nor particularly bitter - the flavors all meld nicely. Then vanilla, toffee, and a woody sweetness. Minimal hop bitterness, and only near the swallow do they show up. As it warms up, I do start to get a bit more sweetness - dark fruit and raisins.

M: Thick, heavy mouthfeel and body. Carbonation on the low side. Alcohol is quite noticeable, but honestly not as much as I expected for a 12% beer. I'm not sure how to rate the beer here...I'm certain that this is out of the listed style, but the ABV is as well - I think the beer is in an entirely different category, though I'm not sure what it would be.

O: Not really my favorite style of beer, but I'm digging this one. I was going to write that it was a sipper, especially with the high ABV - but the glass is already half-empty. Not a beer that I would go back to often, but it is solid. Recommended to try, and expand what you think a Brown Ale can be. I believe I may have a new favorite Brown...

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 00:10:50 | More by macrosmatic

ThaneMcC

Maryland

4.45/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: long neck bottle, poured into tulip glass

Appearance- deep dark brown bordering on black, fine effervescent with thin but persistent minimal foam

Smell: new leather, molasses, cocoa, brown sugar

Taste: so malty! sweet with complex medley of contrasting malty, smokey sweetness with just a hint of hops, clean finish with no significant aftertaste. You'll feel you lips about to stick together from all the sticky malty sweetness

Notes: overall a very complex, sweet and malty beverage - enjoyable sipper, aperitif or after dinner desert beer. tasty!

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 23:40:09 | More by ThaneMcC

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.41/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours a super dark brown, basically black, with only a think layer of creamy caramel colored head. The foam fades fairly quickly, leaving only a thin ring along the edges of the glass.

S: The nose is nose is sweet of vanilla and oak, boozy, and with just a hint of cedar spice. Smells great.

T: It starts out sweet with malt, some milk chocolate and a bit of vanilla. The beer starts to show it's massive alcohol content, but it's hidden well beneath the other flavors. As it moves into the middle I get some cedar and more vanilla oak. The spice is cranked up a notch as is moves towards the finish. Really nice.

M: Full bodied beer. It's sweet and sticky to start, coats the palate, and lingers for days. The alcohol is a bit overwhelming and warming, but I kinda like it.

O: Delicious beer. I had this years ago and loved it. I still really enjoy this beer. It's not something you'd pick up every day, but it's damn delicious. In fact, I might grab a few more bottles and throw them in the cellar for a few years, because why not?

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 18:57:48 | More by trxxpaxxs

Durtdiggler

Illinois

4.46/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Big bold black thick pour into snifter glass. Massive white head alot of lacing.

Aroma extremely complex with bourbon, molasses, vanilla and dried cherrie. Big bold malty backbone.

The taste is very similar. The flavor and complex as described in the aroma. A bit boozy but not syrupy. If it cellared I bet it would smooth out but tastes awesome as is. Sweet brown ale malt. Don't think I can do justice to describe how complex the beer is.

Mouth feel is medium big. Drinks slowly as it should be.

Buy a 4 pack, drink 1 and cellar the rest. This is an outstanding beer. Definition of a complex American style barley wine. Very unique.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 02:18:53 | More by Durtdiggler

RenownedHack

Kentucky

4.36/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Samuel Smith pint glass.

A: Pour is a nearly opaque and deep brown, a finger and a half of taupe, foamy head that is slow to dissipate.

S: Very pleasant notes of wood, sweet malts - kind of brings to mind woody...cappucino, almost with the sweetness and the coffee intermingling.

T: Very interesting flavor, very powerful wood especially in the finish. There's a booziness here that tingles the tongue - although at 12% ABV, that is certainly to be expected. The sweetness of caramel, vanilla notes, and alcohol shine at first, but wood comes up big in the finish. Exceptional balance of the flavors.

M: Medium to heavy, with light carbonation and a nice bit lingering on the palate. Very pleasant.

O: Very pleasant to sip on, nice appearance, and a good bit of flavor. This is a brew I'd certainly return to, and it's quite satisfying as brown ales go.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 02:15:40 | More by RenownedHack

Lognar

Illinois

4.51/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Pours a thick dark brown, a finger of dense mocha foam.

Malt sweetness and a bit of bitterness, along with a woody/sawdust aroma from the Palo Santo wood. Very pleasant nose on this one.

Really unique. Sweet bready malt. Balanced bitterness. Creamy caramel and vanilla. Earthly, woody dryness on the finish. A bit of boozy heat comes on the finish as well, but it is quite pleasant. The Palo Santo wood adds a really unique, dry, sweet, bitter, nutty characteristic.

Medium to thick body. Very creamy.

Easily the best brown ale I've had. The Palo Santo wood just adds to the brown ale characteristics. It tastes almost as if it is bourbon barrel aged because it's got the heat, the caramel and vanilla, and the woodiness. For 12% this one goes down very easy, dangerously easy.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 01:51:26 | More by Lognar

CesarLopes

Illinois

4.16/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured on a pint glass.

Really dark for a Brown Ale, leaning to a coffee black color, with some coffee aroma also. Comes out of the bottle beautifully thick and viscous, with a very thin head, but the right amount of carbonation overall. Definitively some taste caramel and vanilla. The bourbony taste of alcohol also comes out strong.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 02:10:48 | More by CesarLopes

jmendels

Michigan

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

For being a rich beer, this was incredibly smooth. It pours a smooth dark brown, with a small amount of lace on the glass There are smells of wood, toffee, caramel, and malt. The taste follows with a rich mouthfeel, yet it does not coat the mouth. Many flavors present themselves, but in such a well balanced manner. This is certainly one of the best Brown Ales I've tried and is a testament to the talent of the Dogfish Head brewery.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 21:03:31 | More by jmendels

atr2605

New York

4.23/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-pours black with a small tan head that lingers and leaves a nice lace around the glass.
S-vanilla, caramel, wood comes through very nicely
T-Palate is dominated by the caramel and vanilla characteristics, with the wood coming through softly in the finish
M-full bodied and silky.
O-really really nice beer. Definitely alot going on. Thinking about picking up another bottle to age.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 00:45:42 | More by atr2605

kagent777

Utah

4.26/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Excited to try this beer, poured into my CCB snifter after a short time outside the fridge. Bottled in 5/16/12, so almost a year old.

Appearance: This one is as black as any stout I have had. The head looks like a thin layer of tight tan foam bubbles. The lacing is sticky and persistent.

Smell: Roasty and malty followed by caramel and wood. At 12 ABV, I can smell the alcohol as well. Wonder how much longer this could have aged.

Taste: In addition to all of the above, I do get a note of vanilla in the taste as well. The wood character is slightly diminished from what I would have expected. I guess they do not call this one a stout because it lacks roasted un-malted barley? As it warms I get a molasses like taste coming in a bit. There is no oak flavor, but I do get a general wood like flavor. I suppose it would be from the Palo Santo wood used for aging. It does seem a bit smoother than your average RIS, with less hops bitterness as well.

Moutfeel: Very thick, but not unexpected. The flavors are huge and cover the mouth very well. The carbonation is expectedly low.

Overall: One of my favorite DFH brews. I could have sworn this was an RIS. A solid curve ball that I will have to look out for again soon.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 02:52:09 | More by kagent777

kangarooAdam59

Maine

3.78/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

At Rehoboth location:

In a snifter:

A: dark brown body, light white lacing, no head ( possibly filled to top at the bar, no worries)

S: molasses, tobacco, alcohol, light malts

T: sweet through previously mentioned flavors, light coffee came out as it warmed

M: medium, wasn't exactly sessionable, became more of a sipper after my meal, ABV wasslightly felt, carbonate just right

O: American Brown Ale is what BA has this as, and I think I can see this could be one, well, I liked it and would have it again

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2013 17:45:28 | More by kangarooAdam59

lighthabit

Oregon

4.36/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

wow, what a sleeper here . . .

had this sitting on the shelf, a gift, for a few months. finally cracked it open, and, wow, simply impressive! i love how thick it looks swirling it around, and the mouth feel is incredibly smooth. carbonation is low, but i like it that way for this style. it lets me appreciate the texture more. the wood comes through, subtle but unmistakable. it makes me think of the tropics for some reason (the wood flavor, but not the rest of the brew). abv is very well hidden. malty chocolate flavors abound for my taste buds.

definitely one to grab next time i see it. and to think, i let it sit on the shelf for so long :)

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 06:40:41 | More by lighthabit

PDawson

Colorado

3.45/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

a 2008 vintage. five years old at this point.

app: dark brown with quickly dissipating head. clear.

sm: figs, molasses and dates. fantastic.

ta: wet tobacco. weak malt. charred wood. dried fruit. a disappointment after the aroma, but still enjoyable.

mf: very thin. the malt aspects have fallen out. low carbonation.

overall: a bit over the hill at this point. the boozy notes have mellowed and transformed nicely, but there were not enough residual sugars to allow this guy to make it through the long haul. I'd guess this peaks around 1-2 years.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 03:46:16 | More by PDawson

dar482

New York

4.78/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

It dark brown/black color with a one finger head. It’s coffee brown with a creamy, foamy quality. It looks like an imperial stout.

The aroma has sweet roasted malt and some wood oak barrel. There’s some vanilla, caramel, coffee, and bitter chocolate. And then there's big rum soaked raisins and prunes.

Wow, the flavor tastes more like a barrel aged stout than anything. There’s a creamy mouthfeel with kick of vanilla, big espresso, bitter chocolate, and roasted and burnt notes. Then there’s a woody, earthy finish. However, the malt in there gives it some brown ale flavor instead of exactly like a stout. It however leans towards stout and strong ale instead of being straight up like Indian Brown. This is an amazingly well balanced beer at 12%.

Having had KBS last night, this barrel beer aged definitely surprises me with how good it is. Not that it’s better than KBS, but I’m happy that this quite available. One of my favorite beers made by Dogfish, possibly the best.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 02:40:36 | More by dar482

Zandramasrp

Texas

4.1/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Served in a tulip glass at approx. 45 degrees.

A - Somehow, I am surprised every time I pour this one out in how dark it is. While not completely opaque, like an imperial stout, it is still very dark. Thick. When swirled around the glass you can see how it sticks to the sides. Low carbonation and dissipates quickly, leaving some lacing. A good sign as I do not like much carbonation in my beer.

S - Can definitely smell the booze in this one. The vanilla is very up front as well. Sweet smelling like caramelized plums.

T - The taste is much like it smells. When it warms up a little the booze is even more apparent. Not sure what Palo Santo wood is like, but it seems to me to be very similar to aging in a spiced rum barrel, or perhaps bourbon. The vanilla is probably the main factor contributing to my previous statement. Might have preferred less of a spiced rum taste as it was very prominent.

M - Thick. I was not sure exactly what to expect from a 'Brown Ale' at 12% but I guess, thinking of it now, this might be it. Has the mouth-feel, if not the taste or smoothness, of an imperial stout. Makes you have to lick your lips occasionally because they will get sticky.

O - This is one of my favorite beers from Dogfish Head. Currently, I am into extremely full bodied, hefty beers and this definitely fits very nicely.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 04:35:08 | More by Zandramasrp

mfnmbvp

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle, with a bottled on date reading 05/16/2012, so this beer is approaching it's first birthday. I have had this beer sometime last year, probably around when it was fresh, but I can't remember anything beyond that, so this is like a new experience to me.

Poured into a Firestone Walker pint glass.

A - Pours an oily, thick, dark-as-the-night shade of black. Aggressive pour yielded about a quarter inch of creamy brown head, dying out quickly. Thin ring of wispy lacing.

S - Smell is of roasted malts. Barrel-aged, wood smell, obviously. Potent alcohol booze smell. Chocolatey, but more vanilla. Slight hint of smoke. Earth & wood. A lot happening here, but it is all mostly subdued by the alcohol smell. As it sits, vanilla & caramel malts become it's dominant traits, as the bottle says.

T - Taste is of rich roasted malts, and a deep, lasting taste of spicy alcohol warmth from the Palo Santo wood. Sticky, coffee bean bitterness present. Almost a very fermented dark fruit / wine like quality to it. A smooth easy drinking beer, especially for such a high abv, yet it's just a bit too harsh for my liking. Very well-made, and an enjoyable & interesting concept though. I wonder what a few more years of age would do to one of these bottles.

M - Feel is dry, and slightly sticky. Hot alcohol lingerance.

Overall, a big hot boozy beer from Dogfish Head. Giant in it's concept and scope of originality, but to me, it is underwhelming. I will most likely try it again, but only because I am interested in seeing what some serious age would do to one of these bottles. Still, I'm loving the concept here.

Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron ---4/5.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 04:05:51 | More by mfnmbvp

Hopinista

Nevada

3.99/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

Poured from 12 oz bottle into Delirium snifter.

A: Black. no head to speak of, but active bubbles racing to the top.

S: Coffee, dark chocolate, dark fruits, alcohol. Very pleasant.

T: At first I wasn't impressed, The coffee flavor was overpowering. But after I let it breath in the glass for about 15 minutes it really opened up. The coffee is still there, but it's not overpowering anymore, joined by subtle chocolate undertones and a nice hint of the wood, giving it a dark rum flavor. The alcohol bites at the end but it isn't unpleasant.

M: Medium smoothness, a little oily. Sticks on the palate, and not in the best way. I can't exactly explain it but the mouthfeel doesn't match the taste.

O: I don't love this beer. There are things I really like about it, but the mouthfeel is pretty off-putting. I think I'm a little disappointed because I've been waiting to try this for a long time. I'm putting two bottles in the cellar, maybe it'll improve with age.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 02:36:12 | More by Hopinista

scot_chale

Minnesota

4.6/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A- deep dark black body with 2 fingers of thick bubbly brown head.

S- chocolate malt bomb but very pleasant. not too sweet, and not too rich. rather pungent.

T- it's got a woody taste from the palo santo. the alcohol is present. the rich dark malt flavor is very strong.

M- the carbonation is mild. it's kind of oily and soft. it's quite dry. and heavy bodied.

O- It's complex and a very tasty sippin' brown ale. I can't say I've ever had one like it. It seems to be more like an imperial stout to me. Great beer overall though.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 02:00:10 | More by scot_chale

Rlandis18

Maryland

4.59/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Bottled on 2-2-12
Drank on 3-31-13
Review based on a pour into a snifter glass.

Nice loud pop when opened.
Also good on tap or out of the bottle.

A- solid 1" thick cappucino like brown head with phenomenal lacing, pitch black brew.
Light carbonation.

S- a boozy mix of chocolate, caramel malts, fruitiness, and a prevelent aroma from the barrel that reminds one of vanilla. Very pleasant aroma

T- very tasty brew for the abv. Chocolate, malts, and alcohol meet you followed by a brief vanilla/ light coffe taste that is finished with the essence of the Palo santo wood that is quite pleasant. Booze is masked well for 12% abv.

MF- very smooth, almost creamy due to light carbonation. Very drinkable for the abv.

O- a heavy, dark beer that is enjoyed best sipped on. Well balanced brown ale on the heavy side that can be enjoyed by any dark/stout beer lovers. Boozy but what can you expect with 12% ABV. ...not for the feint of heart. Delicious

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 21:22:36 | More by Rlandis18

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A-dark brown black color with light tan head and good lacing

S-dark fruit, dark roasted malt, chocolate, vanilla, boozy

T-dark roasted malt, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, raisins, slightly bitter finish, alcohol well-integrated

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, smooth and creamy

O-a great ale for sipping and savoring, good flavor and balance

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 19:08:33 | More by MDDMD

edproctor

California

4.4/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A- dark black in the center, nice fluffy brown 2 finger head. A bit of brown around the edges.
S- dark, booze soaked fruits. Dark chocolate, nice woodsy sweetness. Just a bit of smokey ness too. Chocolate covered bourbon smoked raisins by a roaring fire. Really pleasant aroma.
A- kinda echoes the aroma. Nice malty sweetness!
M- full bodied. Coats the mouth, goes down smooth.
O- a beautiful barrell aged beer! Nice! Haven't had this one in a long time and don't know why.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 08:45:09 | More by edproctor