Palo Santo Marron - Dogfish Head Brewery

JamesMN

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a 12oz bottle into the DFH signature glass.

Appearance: Opaque blackness with a very small light brown head.

Aroma: For a big beer the smell is very clean. I get the vanilla and some faint dried fruits. Also a smoke-like hint of the palo santo wood. Earthy. Real nice.

Taste: For a dark beer this is nicely hopped. The bright character of the hops sits at the top of your palate as the malty undertones and alcohol ride below it. The aftertaste remains bright with a nice woody quality and a warmth from the alcohol. I'd say the 12% abv isn't completely hidden but it adds a nice flavor almost like a liqueur. The more you drink the more roasted malt profiles come out. Dark chocolate and caramel. A zingy coffee-like bitterness lingers for a while. Definite Imperial Stout qualities.

Mouthfeel: Super smooth and above average drinkability, especially given the style. Great level of carbonation. There's no question that this is a full bodied beer, it just drinks like something smaller.

Final Thoughts: I was really lucky to get my hands on this one as we don't get DFH in MN. The signature glass was also well worth the purchase for enjoying this brew. Highly recommend this one.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 05:10:25 | More by JamesMN

EduardoOrtega01

Panama

5/5  rDev +19.3%

05-22-2013 21:12:53 | More by EduardoOrtega01

Ri0

Wisconsin

4.6/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured a 12oz bottle into my snifter. Bottled dated 10/22/2012, so it has 8 months of age for this review.

A - Surprised how thick this pours considering it is a brown ale and aged. A very dark coffee like brown with a thin tan foam head that quickly dissipated leaving a thin cap and lacing around the edges.

S - Aroma is very nice with sweet malt, wood, caramel, toffee, vanilla and syrup.

T - This beer really tastes great, but not like a brown ale would. Heavy malts and syrup with caramel, vanilla and wood mixed in. I don't notice much bitterness, but it isn't overly sweet. The booze is very well hidden.

M - Low carbonation as expected from the aging. Thick and chewy mouth feel from this unlike most brow ales which are much more thin.

O - Great beer than I really enjoyed. I'll have to get a hold of more some day. Do yourself a favor and pick some of this up because it is very tasty. Thanks to deadonhisfeet for sending to me.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 19:19:49 | More by Ri0

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-22-2013 02:44:55 | More by SmellsofMahagony

jl28r1

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-21-2013 20:47:18 | More by jl28r1

shagal

Alberta (Canada)

2.25/5  rDev -46.3%

05-21-2013 17:44:54 | More by shagal

Pookie

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-21-2013 15:09:16 | More by Pookie

Angkistrodon

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-20-2013 23:59:24 | More by Angkistrodon

sevenarts

New York

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-20-2013 22:37:32 | More by sevenarts

ericwa1154

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

05-20-2013 20:33:37 | More by ericwa1154

BeerForMuscle

New Jersey

4.09/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at DFH Brewpub in Falls Church, VA.

A - Poured almost black, with a dark brown top, fading quickly. A noticeable ring of lace, and residual rings lingering around the glass like sherry.

S - The nose is a bit metallic, definitely roasty and sweet, with warming alcohol present. Smells as strong as it is.

T - Very warming and pretty sweet. Alcohol forward here, but it's delicious and smooth. Bitter grains, metallic twang. Hints of charcoal and cocoa powder in the finish.

M - This one warms the mouth, and tingles the tongue, leaving a buzzing feeling on the palate and gums.

O - The 12% abv doesn't bite you or scare you off, it's tasty. It's well disguised for how high it is, but ever present. Caught me off guard when I read brown ale, as it drinks more like an Imperial brown or a Belgian strong dark ale.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2013 19:43:55 | More by BeerForMuscle

Kreko7

California

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-20-2013 19:40:26 | More by Kreko7

RemyLebeu

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-20-2013 18:48:01 | More by RemyLebeu

RockinRob925

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-20-2013 12:51:32 | More by RockinRob925

stanowsf

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-19-2013 20:11:44 | More by stanowsf

KingSlayer

Mexico

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-19-2013 20:09:45 | More by KingSlayer

birdsellam

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

05-19-2013 18:11:14 | More by birdsellam

Fubar1453

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-19-2013 14:18:03 | More by Fubar1453

jkane101

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-19-2013 02:36:39 | More by jkane101

TXhomebrewer

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-19-2013 01:22:17 | More by TXhomebrewer

jakeox

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-19-2013 00:55:27 | More by jakeox

iCabaLLero

Georgia

5/5  rDev +19.3%

05-18-2013 21:01:35 | More by iCabaLLero

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-18-2013 20:46:49 | More by Photekut

megamass

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-18-2013 04:10:06 | More by megamass

Honus1

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

05-18-2013 02:51:03 | More by Honus1