Palo Santo Marron - Dogfish Head Brewery

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

kangarooAdam59

Wyoming

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

DenverLogan

Colorado

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

On tap at Hops & Pies in Denver.
Black with dark head.
Subtle aroma of dark roasted malts and barrel wood.
Significant carbonation and mouthfeel.
Flavors of dark roasted malts, dark chcolate, bakers chcoclate, subtle espresso, cinnamon, and rosemary. Overall very satisfying and smooth given the big abv.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2013 03:29:02 | More by DenverLogan

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

4.24/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Tap pour, update of a previous review.

Pours dark brown opaque with an inch of yellowish head. Dissipates slowly.

Smells of brown sugar, grapes and molasses.

Tastes of molasses, grapes, and slightly acidic roasted coffee.

The mouthfeel is full with a warming sensation on the way down, light tingles of carbonation.

A good flavorful big ale. Fruity elements add a uniqueness and a balance to the more savory sweetness of the base malts. Hides it's strength well enough, but still a sipper. Another winner from DFH.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2013 02:16:33 | More by Cylinsier

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.48/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

Bartender poured this sucka in a pint glass. 16oz later will coincide with the end of my night. Looks dooming. Dark as night with a nice-looking finger of light brown head. Laces like a motherfucker. Not used to looking at this beer in a pint. Head rush overflowed down the sides after the pour, and believe me when I tell you, this glass is sticky.

Bright palo santo wood character upfront that's rathery cedary. Rich coffee, Madagascar Vanilla, and molasses notes in the sweetness. Heavy roasty notes and evident booze.

Woody and bright despite caramelly-rich and boat-sinking maltiness. Maple sweet with coffee, char, booze, toffee, vanilla, bitter roast, and unique barrel wood. The palo santo staves catapult this ale from 'great-tasting' to 'epic'.

Thick and a bit syrupy. Alcohol is pleasantly disguised for a clean-up hitter like this at 12%. Well-carbonated, too. Feels big and sticky, but beery.

One awesome brew! Probably my favorite from DFH!

Serving type: on-tap

06-24-2012 04:57:01 | More by thecheapies

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

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

On-tap, served in a DFH signature glass

I had this on randall with coffee and vanilla beans.

The color was a deep brown, near black, with a one finger off white cap. Some mild lacing as the cap retreated. Sip marks emerge as I move my way through.

The vanilla beans pop a little more than the coffee, but both are very noticeable on top of the wood, caramel, toffee, cocoa powder, and rum soaked fruits.

I find Palo to be a vanilla forward beer to begin with, so the addition of the fresh vanilla beans really made this pop. The coffee beans help bring down the sweetness a notch, blending with the oak and rum soaked fruits on the other end of the spectrum.

Medium to full body, smooth, easy drinker. A touch of booze leaves its mark.

This is like an amped up version of Palo with more robust vanilla notes and the addition of roast coffee to the mix. Highly enjoyable fusion of new flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

06-22-2012 20:46:51 | More by ColForbinBC

Barrelista

California

3.73/5  rDev -11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Was introduced to craft beer via the 2008 New Yorker piece on Dogfish, so, naturally, I was excited to try this beer. Palo Santo, you are:

Well-crafted
Dark brown and thick-headed
Sans frills
Visually pleasing
Aged and stunningly textured
Fragrant of dark cherries, spices unidentifiable to a Western palate, rich soil and new roots

PS, I love you.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2012 02:47:46 | More by Barrelista

JohnnyMc

Ohio

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

Probably my new favorite from Dogfish Head.

Poured out a black with hints of brown and an off-white head.

Smelled strongly of smoke, wood, vanilla and a hint of toffee.

The taste had a strong amount of the Palo Santo wood, followed by dark chocolate notes, hints of caramel and roasted malts. The mouthfeel was very creamy and rich almost like a Milk Stout. Despite the 12% I couldn't taste, smell or feel it which makes this brew kinda dangerous.

Overall, I'm very impressed with this and this is definitely the best Brown Ale I have ever tried.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2012 04:27:52 | More by JohnnyMc

vonnegut21

New York

3.83/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a 10 oz. snifter glass. Pours s deep dark brown, with a huge, tan head. The smell is mellow roasted malts, with notes of the wood barrels and vanilla. Taste is strong roasted malts, mild wood notes and a nicely balanced hop spice. Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy. Overall a decent beer, but far from DFH's best.

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2012 20:56:58 | More by vonnegut21

srhoadsy

Florida

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

Let me start by saying I had almost given up on DFH. I have had a couple of their more recent beers that just didn't do it for me. This beer won me back from the first sip.

It pours black with a nice 2-3 finger tan head. Nice sweet, roasted malt aroma.

Tastes of vanilla, caramel, chocolate with a hint of licorice.

The surprise for me was the drinkability and mouthfeel for 12% abv. While the alcohol is present it is not overbearing, nor is the mouthfeel to thick.

All in all a very delicious beer. Definitely one to look out for.

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2012 03:29:38 | More by srhoadsy

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

4.43/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured on-tap and served in a tumbler pint, the beer is almost jet black, with a tall, light, fluffy brown head. Aromas are subtle, with caramel and vanilla highlights and some woody characteristics. Flavors are booze forward, with a hard, roasted backbone to balance, and a blast of vanilla and oak throughout the palate. Heavy hitter for a brown, but this is a damn good beer! The aftertaste is surprisingly smooth and light, with a touch of booze and some nutty sweetness. Clean, slick finish that has a touch of drying from the increased ABV. Easy enough to drink that you could get into some trouble.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2012 16:48:56 | More by GarthDanielson

DoubleSimcoe

New York

3.68/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Palo Santo on tap at Pony during a mighty Dogfish tap takeover.

Appearance: Looks like a mighty Imperial Stout, oily shiny black.
One finger of coffee head that dies soon, leaving abundant lacing.

Smell: Wood, fancy chocolate, braising liquid, stew. Nourishing! Molasses and sugar.

Taste: Follows nose, with added smoke, country ham and bacon. Booze and a pinch of bourbon at the end. Nice-but-odd barrel feel all around. Cafe con leche, milk foam.

Mouthfeel: Alright good, not great. Medium flavor, carbonation, body. Nice smoky finish.

Overall: A damn good beer, rich and delicious, but I like the bottled version so much better!

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2012 06:00:28 | More by DoubleSimcoe

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.33/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the DFH Alehouse in Falls Church, VA.
Deep brown color. No head or lacing.
Smells of oaky dried fruits and malts.
Taste is of an oaky chocolatey vanilla...but very mild across the board. This is a sipping beer for sure. The oaky vanilla dominates, but is very subtle at the same time. You really taste the earthy wood.
Very nice brown ale...but this may be a call of its own with an Imperial Brown Ale.
Nice.

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2012 00:34:49 | More by DrinkSlurm

UpToMeBeer

Colorado

4.15/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A-Very dark brown, bordering on black, with approximately two-finger tan head that dissipates rapidly.
S-Molasses, candy fruits, a hint of anise and spices.
T- Almost stout-like. Coffee. Semi-sweet. The alcohol is subtle and as it warms the alcohol nearly disappears. Nice!
M-- Excellent feel. Quite full-bodied. Creaminess mixes with slight stickiness. The net effect is a gentle, smooth feel.
Overall, I liked it a lot. Complex and bold, yet easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2011 02:56:09 | More by UpToMeBeer

Kmccabe33

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Ordered on-tap at Dogfish Head Alehouse in Fairfax, was very interested to have it on tap fresh.

Appearance- At first glance, a very dark color, dark brown with a very fluffy head, great appearance, served in a tulip glass at the Alehouse.

Smell- Tons of different smells in the nose on this one, I really noticed a coffee smell, some caramel notes, and a hint of a wood type smell.

Taste- Very strong wood taste, usually a fan of wood flavors but in this case it was not good, I felt that the alcohol was very overpowering along with the wood flavor, and only got hints of the roast flavor and coffee flavor.

Mouthfeel- Very smooth and good in the mouth.

Overall- Great in every aspect except I felt that the alcohol was too overpowering, I believe that if I had it in a bottle or maybe aged a bit, it would be a lot better of a beer.

Serving Style: On-Tap at Dogfish Head Alehouse Fairfax

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2011 16:12:08 | More by Kmccabe33

Radome

Spain

4.83/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Tasted on tap at the DFH Alehouse in Falls Church, VA.

A - Deepest brown just short of black. No light penetrates. Head is brown and creamy and retreats to a ring around the glass. Thick lacing.

S - Not much aroma at all at serving temp--too cold. Some roasted malt and wood notes. Tobacco and alcohol come out and complexity builds as it warms.

T - Alcohol mixed with plums initially, almost like cough syrup but somehow yummy. Tawny port. Tobacco. Smoke. Wood. Hops are there as well.

M - Moderate to heavy body, but lightened by a zing of hops bitterness and tingly carbonation. Very smooth. Alcohol is definitely there but blends with other elements.

D - Drinkability? “Sippability” would be a better way to rate this. It has so much going on, but it's all incredibly tasty. A truly world-class beer, even more so when on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2011 21:39:33 | More by Radome

mattboyer182

Indiana

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

A - black in color with a thin light brown head.

S - there's a definite chocolate scent and clearly whiskey barrels as well.

T - taste is rich lots of chocolate and wood. Sweeter than I thought that it would be.

M - super heavy body and light carbonation. Very thick.

O - one of my favorites it's so great. And so strong for a brown ale.

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2011 23:49:58 | More by mattboyer182

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A-Pours nearly stout-like. Blackest brown. Slight head. Head is tan and is barely alive.

S-Rich, deep, sweet aroma. A bunch of vanilla. The vanilla is backed by a blatant wooden scent. Brown sugar comes out too. Alcohol makes a big appearance in the nose. The wood really makes this an interesting smelling beer.

T-First taste is pretty bold. Bark covered vanilla bean flavor. Bunches of dark maltiness. Taste is overpowering at first. In the middle an unripened dark fruit flavor sets it and is pleasant. Lost going on here.

M-Heavy bodied. Carbonation is slight. Slick, viscous feel. Alcohol dries the tongue to a dried coral state.

O/D-I have been putting this off due to the fact that I a) do not like much from Dogfish Head besides 60 Minute IPA, and b) Its about $16 dollars for a four-pack of this. When I saw it on tap I knew I needed to try it out. Cool beer. Not the right time of year, and a bit too alcohol ridden for my taste. Most Dogfish brews leave me tongue awkwardly too dried up from the booze; this one is no different. Good but not exceptional in my worthless opinion.

Serving type: on-tap

09-06-2011 05:18:49 | More by VelvetExtract

Guden

Maryland

3.78/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A- A deep almost black color with a light brown film of head of good lacing and stability. Don't know how something this dark gets called a "brown ale".

S- Deep roast and whiskey like characteristics from the high alcohol and wood.

T- Sweet sugars up front are followed by light roast and whiskey with a little vanilla and a ton of tannin and wood character on the end.

M- A bit syrupy but the high alcohol keeps it from being overly thick and light carbonation having it go down easy, not great.

D- This one is a whopper, it is so strong I would not have another for a while, if ever. A fun experience but not the greatest and certainly not for most.

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2011 23:48:27 | More by Guden

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Digestif at the brewpub. Served in a snifter.

A: The brown ale is dark, black as a good stout. Opacity is the result, nestled underneath a tan head. The ale looks still.

S: The ale has a rich nose, darker malts, sweet sugars and a woody punch. Vinous aromas waft out of my glass, a complexity that carries into the taste.

T: Deep and rich, the ale has a complexity that is tough to beer. Sweet darker notes, roasted with chocolate and wine, lead directly to the palo santo wood, a full flavor that has a little more substance than oak. Each sip has a vinous fullness, sweet and boozy with plenty of darker fruits lying around. The warming finish, more fruits, is a reward in itself.

M: Bold and dark, the brown ale is easily one of the most complex wood-aged beers I've had. Glad it was on tap when we arrived.

Serving type: on-tap

08-26-2011 02:59:22 | More by akorsak

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I had this beer for the first time at the brewery on tap after the tour several years ago. I remember is being a huge beer, I remember being unsure of whether I liked it a lot or not. Just recently I had it from a bottle be aide I wanted to try it again.

I gave it a pour, comes out as a really thick dark brown color with a thinner light brown head on top. The smell of the beer is full of wood that this beer is aged on. The aroma is also kind of sweet smelling and rich with brown sugar I think. The taste of the beer is a big, it's got some of the biggest flavors I've ever had from a brown ale. There is the wood flavors, some dark fruits and a touch of coffee in there. The mouthfeel is nice and thick, decent carbonation and oily. Overall this beer is really nice, if you like strong ales this one is impressive.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2011 02:43:19 | More by Knapp85

robertmarsh

North Carolina

4.93/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Overall probably one of the top 3 beers I've ever had. Has the initial appearance of imperial stout. The aroma is fantastic with the aged wood really standing out along with hints of vanilla. The taste picks up right where the aroma leaves off with the warm malty flavor with a high alcohol kick. At 12% you've gotta be careful with this one as it can be very easy to have one too many. By far the best beer in the Dogfish portfolio.

Serving type: on-tap

07-25-2011 22:06:27 | More by robertmarsh

rowingbrewer

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer pours a dark brown with nearly no light getting through, the head is dark tan to light brown in color and it recedes fairly quickly. The smell is slightly roasty with hints of vanilla and an interesting woody aroma. the flavor is similar to the smell, the different woody aroma is p front in the flavor with the finish being slightly burnt and malty. the mouthfeel is medium bodied with lower carbonation. overall this is an interesting beer not ad, but would not buy it often

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2011 01:15:07 | More by rowingbrewer

MONKandTUCK

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I gotta admit... I thought I was going to hate this.

After a long day of drinking, eating, and taking in the Delaware sun, I thought it excessive to try this one. Then I remembered how long I've wanted to visit the DFH brewery, and how long it'll probably be before I return.

The other beers I had been drinking were their most mundane... in that effect, I was already doing something very unique to DFH... my friends and I were shocked Sam has Shelter Pale Ale and Lawn Mower beer on draught, but that's what we found ourselves drinking.

So then came this one, after dinner:

APPEARANCE- Initally looks like a Brown Ale. Thick, though not perfectly opaque. round ring of off-white foam at the top.

AROMA- dark fruits, earth, bittersweet choc.

TASTE- Heat bites into the palate on the first sip. Thereafter, a heavy syrupy body rolls over the tongue and coats the mouth before being rushed off by the alcohol.
Woody, notes of caramel, raisin.

It's sweeter and not as sharp as your typical Barleywine or Old Ale. It's not like Port Wine... or Whiskey like a lot of the Bourbon Barrel-aged beers are. It's closer to a Brown Ale or Dark Mild in that respect.

If you know anyone who likes pairing Red Wine and Dark Chocolate, age some of this beer for a year and surprise them with it. You'll have a craft beer drinking convert.

It's A very complex barley wine, with the Bourdeux, bitter-sweet chocolate, Bourbon Vanilla, dominate with some woody character in the background right before the alcholic heat. This is a DFH brew, so hops prevail in the flavor and finish. Thankfully, they don't leave the beer out of whack, but work to hold all that malt together.

Not much more than that, but obviously those are all very intense flavors.

MOUTHFEEL- Not syrupy, not leathery. Just a big beer. I would liken it to the 90 Minute IPA, but w/o the hop intensity.

OVERALL- I couldn't finish it. Mostly because i had already consumed so much that day and my table was getting restless. And I'm not sure if the Pale Santo Marron really does this beer any favors besides favorable marketing.

It's a strong, strong beer. It doesn't hide that, though I suspect mine had been aged providing some mellowing.

It picks up some character as it warms. Honestly, I was worried it would present some off-flavors. It's not the greatest beer I have ever had, but the Chocolate-Red Wine date basket thing that was going on was very cool.

Again I'm not sure how much the chosen wood vessels enhanced this brew. Though, I'm glad it was aged and not in oak.

Maybe there were subtleties lost on me. I usually shy away from stronger brews due to their price tag and immaturity. I want to drink something fine-tuned for enjoyment, not a self-gratifying experiment.

So be it if I missed a few sophisticated nuances.. at the same time I probably have provided this beer more praise because it exceeded rather low expectations.

I do suggest seeking it out.... if the flavors described are your thing. However, this beer is worthless greeen. Aged two years it should be impeccable.

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2011 01:04:15 | More by MONKandTUCK

bamojr

Virginia

3.68/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Dogfish Head Ale house.
Pours very black with a thin brown head that dissipates into a thin ring.
A nice smokey smell on this one.
quite a pungent flavor with lots of charred woods and thick malts.
A creamy flavor but a but on the bitter side and a bit hard to swallow down due to the alcohol content and its carry through on the flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2011 14:57:27 | More by bamojr