Palo Santo Marron - Dogfish Head Brewery

devilben02

North Carolina

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

I was excited to have this one on draft at the Dogfish Head Alehouse in Fairfax, VA. They gave me as generous a pour as they could of this deep, dark mahogany brown ale into a 12 oz. snifter, leaving only enough room for a thin, creamy head. The aroma wasn't too pronounced (maybe because of the nearly overfilled glass), but I definitely smelled some of the sweetness and maybe a bit of nuttiness that you'd expect from a high-octane brown ale, and only a faint whiff of earthy wood.

The wonderfully unique woodsy sweetness is much more dominant in the flavor, though, but it isn't so potent as to overpower the other flavors. An underlying nuttiness comes through as well, along with a bit of chocolate and a hint of vanilla. It's as if someone handed me a finely-crafted wood box with scenes of young Paraguayan women dancing naked (but tastefully) etched into the top, and without opening it I can tell that it's filled with an assortment of fine chocolates. In other words, the sweet woodsy character is enjoyable on its own, but there is also so much more goodness contained inside.

Being fairly finely carbonated, this one has a silky texture and goes down much smoother than would be expected at 12% alcohol. I enjoy this one more and more each time I try it. Simply delightful.

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2010 14:58:34 | More by devilben02

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

themantis13

Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +13.4%

05-17-2013 20:47:34 | More by themantis13

Jsmick

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +13.4%

05-17-2013 03:47:14 | More by Jsmick

ElizabethEleanor

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-17-2013 03:25:06 | More by ElizabethEleanor

mverity

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-16-2013 21:27:50 | More by mverity

abex44

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-16-2013 20:51:06 | More by abex44

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