Palo Santo Marron - Dogfish Head Brewery

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

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

Finally a good use for brown beer. Malty and so I can use this to turn people on to craft beer. The wood worked superb wonders without being overbearing, and balanced not too sweet. Dark brown and rich-looking, above average mouthfeel. Very drinkable for 12%. Roastiness also there and well constrained. Six months later, room temperature, more chocolate, thick and woody.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2008 03:07:06 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

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

Opaque onyx with a glimmer of reddish orange along the edges. This has to be the darkest American brown ale on planet Earth... and is blacker than most stouts. The golden brown sugar colored head persists nicely, looks good while doing so, and is laying down tattered sheets of lace that are pleasing to the eye.

The nose is exactly what was expected for such a big bruisin' brown ale. Since I have no idea what Palo Santo wood smells or tastes like, I have no idea how it has impacted the aroma. There's nothing especially different or exotic about it, but that's fine by me.

The whole idea of a massively malty brown ale aged in monsterous wooden vats built out of Paraguayan wood is exactly what I would expect from Sam and the boys at Dogfish Head. That said, like the nose, I can't appreciate anything different or unique on the palate. Maybe something will come to the fore once the beer continues to warm.

None of that really matters, because good beer is good beer, no matter the backstory or the inspiration for its creation. Palo Santo Marron is good beer. Actually, it might end up convincing me that it's great beer by the time the twelfth ounce rolls around. It looks like DFH knows their browns, because Indian Brown is damn good stuff too.

The incredibly broad and deep flavor profile includes brown bread (not quite pumpernickel) covered with melted Hershey's kisses, melted caramels, candided cherries, sugared pecans and crushed vanilla beans. According to the label, the wood adds 'caramel and vanilla complexity'. Alright then.

Alcohol? Not a trace. The mouthfeel is superb, as any beer with this much malt is bound to be. However, it still takes talented brewers and perfectly dialed-in carbonation to put it all together.

I'm not sure what Palo Santo Marron (Marron is Portuguese for 'brown') tastes like fresh, but it's simply sublime after almost 15 months in the bottle. Without a doubt, this is one of Dogfish Head's best. If they keep brewing it, I'll keep buying it.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2009 14:39:26 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

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

I made up a special trip up to Asheville to pick up this one when it came out as I knew it was going to be one I would like, well at least I hoped it would be. I mean c'mon what is there not to like about barrel aged imperial brown ales, from Dogfish none the less. So anyway, I put one in the fridge
the other day and when I got home last night I decided it was going to be the time to open this as a good night cap. I let it warm up a bit to a comfortable 55 degrees and poured it into my Rodenbach snifter. The pour was very dark, extremely dark brown with a slight burgundy tint to it. Completely opaque, with no light coming through even when held up to the light, remarkable. No head at all, well let me rephrase that, there was a touch of tan colored foam on the top but it quickly faded leaving it wide open, very interesting, and a little different then what I was expecting.



The aroma was very rich and sweet. A mild alcohol warming coming through on it, but not much, which was a touch surprising given the percentages involved here. Lots of weird oak-like, or maple-like, some kind of wood like smell coming of this, but hard to describe. Hints of caramel and earthy malts
permeating down through it really bringing out some depth. Now some really nice dark fruit like tone, not sure what to call it, but really nice, almost like a weird raisin, spice and odd sort of mix. When I took a sip I was amazed at how smooth this was. A rich medium bodied awaited me with tons of creamy
carbonation. This was incredible, as for being so strong, the alcohol was a mere afterthought. Tons of wood flavor were all over this and really quite nicely done to be honest. Really great flavors of light grass in the background mixing around with a good amount of spices. Hints of maple and cinnamon
way in the back and a nice raisin like fruitiness. Very dark and deep. Tons of caramel sweetness and a really great malt profile here. The finish was very strong, with lots of drying. Nice long lasting flavor towards the end as well with a really well balanced profile and a really great bit of balance. For something that was so big it was remarkably drinkable as the alcohol was more of an accent then a hindrance. Very well blended and just a great sipper.



Overall I was more then happy with this release. This has to be one of my favorite of the big Dogfish Head releases. It was really quite mellow and unique with just a great balanced flavor. The wood aging really mellowed this out and it shows. I would love to drink this again, and I plan on going to pick
up more as soon as I can. I would really have to recommend this one to anyone who is a fan of big creations or wood aging. It is tremendously well done and refined, and one of the best things I have scene come out of Dogfish in a long time. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2008 11:29:53 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

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

Bottle from 2008 courtesy of Jason. Thanks!

Dark, dark brown in color with a thin tan head. Smells quite sweet. Lots of brown sugar, molasses, and toffee. The wood is prominent and gives an almost spicy aroma. A hint of vanilla in there which balances some of the roast nicely. Mildly spicy with lots of dark sugar notes--molasses, burnt sugar, and caramel. Light vanilla flavor and a subtle roast flavor. Really well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 06:16:29 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

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

A: Very, very dark with a medium brown colored head.

S: Lots going on here. Chocolate comes out as well as a lot of dark malts and their adjoining sweetness. The vanilla-type flavors from the wood definitely come in.

T: Similar to the smell, with hints of some dark fruits coming in here. Very, very complex and interesting.

M: Very full-bodied and creamy.

D: Definitely one to sip. Glad Sam sort of went crazy with this one--it really worked out.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2009 22:03:23 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

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

Appearance: Pours a dark brown body with a creamy-looking, tan head.

Smell: Rich, blended aroma of cocoa powder, smokey wood, molasses, black currants, and a beefy Argentina red wine.

Taste: Intense, chewy maltiness with flavors of with chocolate, molasses, and light coffee all with a medium sweetness. Black currant jam fruitiness. Subtle, earthy wood component. The palo santo adds to the complexity of the brew, sure, but doesn't really bash you in the head with wood. Hints of vanilla, green peppercorns, and red wine. Light touch of acidity. Rather restrained hop bitterness. Finishes semi-sweet with a touch of spice.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Medium carbonation. Smooth mouthfeel.

Drinkability: Very enjoyable. The 12% is quite well hidden within this fine beer. The palo santo wood really brings a little some extra to the beer, like when they give you extra peanuts on a flight.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2008 01:37:04 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Looks almost like a RIS, although the color might be a tone or two lighter as ruby highlights clearly burst through; the head fades quickly to an espresso cap and leaves a few dots and dashes of lace around the glass

Smell: Complex aromas from a variety of sources, including dark fruit, fusel alcohol, molasses and chocolate and, of course, a heavy dose of smokey wood esters

Taste: Opens with a rich black bread and caramel/vanilla flavor that moves in a dark fruit and smokey, woody direction by mid-palate, with a bit a black currant jam providing additional sweetness; after the swallow, the chocolate and coffee flavors enter and provide a roasty bitterness that counters the sweet flavors that dominated earlier in the taste profile; the smokey wood sticks around long after the finish

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate carbonation; clearly some warmth from the high abv as well

Drinkability: I love Dogfish Head's experimental efforts and this beer is among the best they have released, if not the best

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2008 19:22:20 | More by brentk56

UCLABrewN84

California

3.93/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours an opaque super dark brown (almost black really) with a foamy dark khaki head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of roasted malt, caramel, vanilla, slight soy sauce, wood, and alcohol. Taste is much the same with an alcohol kick and a mild roasty bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that has some nice flavors and aromas but it's quite strong and definitely something you have to take your time with.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 02:21:57 | More by UCLABrewN84

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

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

Bottle courtesy of Jay23: Poured a pitch-black color ale with a large brown foamy head with good retention and some nice lacing. Aroma of vanilla and oak is pretty pleasant with some light roasted malt notes. Taste is a mix between some roasted malt notes with a mix of vanilla and oak and some creamy lactose notes. Full creamy body is really enjoyable with some great carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Very well done and probably one of the best new seasonal from Dogfish.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2008 19:41:26 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.9/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I've never had a 4-pack to come wiht a CD before. I thought I was getting a deal with Left Hand 6-packs with the free sticker. Our homebrew club recently brewed an Imperial Brown and aged it in a Four Roses Bourbon Barrel for the '08 NHC. Interesting to compare the differences. This beer surely qualifies for a Double Brown without loosing any balance, falling into Porter or Stout territory. A nice chocolaty, nutty flavor with a hearty helping of malt, sweetness, and berry-like esters. Good hopping rates give the beer a grassy, piney flavor while offsetting the heavy sweetness. The wood gives a well-roundness to the flavors, but don't give a whole lot of wood flavor or astringency. Quite delicate in it's balance, despite a dominant alcohol (ethanol)taste and slightly harsh textures, but does thin the weighted brew a bit. Surprised to see a fizzy head formation that didn't last any time at all, nor did the carbination -- strange for DFH.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2008 16:58:55 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

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

Poured into a standard pint glass a deep chocolate brown with just a little light showing through a quick to form quick to fade brown head atop.Alot of stuff going on in the nose deep wood and vanilla mixed with dark fruit and chocolate just really appetizing.This brew went down very easy for such a high abv I thought it would be more of a sipping brew (wich it could be)but it glided down quite easily,flavors of dark fruit, chocolate, vanilla-like nuget and caramel mixed with slight wood this would be a fine dessert brew.A great beer almost like a port flavor wise,ejoyable.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2008 22:43:23 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I picked up a bottle of the Palo Santo Marron somewhere in my travels, not knowing what it was, and not even looking at the 12% abv on the label. After a few weeks in the fridge I finally got around to it and opened it up the same , without a care. I was quite surprised (and excited) to see a rich, very brown stream pouring into my glass. Ruby highlights could been seen through the stream, but when it hit the glass it turned black. A creamy head of dark tan rose up above it. I couldn't help but take a sip before finishing the pour. It was dark, rich, and slightly fruity and slightly nutty. I checked it for clarity... well that was out, I couldn't see through it. The dark ruby highlight at the base of the glass was nice though.

On to the nose. I sniffed it, and then I sniffed it again. Definite dark malts, and some dark malt acidity, kind of like you get in black coffee - not the coffee smell, but something else that to me says acidity. Maybe I just mean a roasted edge. Fruitiness. It's kind of undefineable, but fruitiness is there... melon rind, perhaps some strawberry. There's a little bit of alcohol to it, and that sometimes suggests fruit. I had to sniff again. Some mild caramel.... but kind of almost scorched and crispy caramel. Burnt sugar I guess. A touch of vegetation.... like fresh cut sapling. Maybe the 'sap' smell was what I was picking up as 'acidic'. Chlorofil-like? Yeah, I think to a certain extent. But what about wood? Now that I know it's aged in wood, did I smell any? Yes, I think so, but just a touch. Of course maybe it's a fruity kind of wood? Maybe what I was smelling smells exactly like Palo Santo? I don't know.

In the mouth it was smooth, richly medium in body, with the silky feel of alcohol infused malt. A very fine-bubbled moderate carbonation helped it acquire a velvet creaminess.

The flavor was rich, and somewhat bold, but not really complex. It offered some moderate fruitiness, and distinct alcohol. There was no direct chocolate, but it ricocheted about here and there until some fudge actually appeared in the finish. Then there was some nuttiness, and a wash of alcohol to boot. The chocolate echoed. Deep cocoa. Real milk chocolate. But it was also fruit tinged as that never really left the palate. Nutiness, and the bitterness of brazil nut skins appeared. I hadn't really thought of the bitterness... up until that point it was just about the maltiness and fruitiness. I guess that's because the bitterness is kept restrained. There's enough alcohol available to dry it in the finish that a solid bitterness isn't needed. And such a dark beer has cutting acidity as well. So - nicely balanced overall. And the hops that are there seem to be covered over, but mainly leafy and grassy, and perhaps a touch spicy (although I think that's the alcohol making itself known).

Interesting? Yes. Enjoyable? Yes. Remarkable? No. I'd much rather have an ImmortAle or World Wide Stout for the price.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2008 00:07:21 | More by NeroFiddled

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in DFH Alehouse snifter.

The dawn is dark, deeply brown nearing a light black (...if such a hue is possible...), almost too dark for the circumstances, but lovely nonetheless. Spirits are high. A communique intercepted from the aroma warns of maltiness with an oaken support network. But the message was improperly decoded: the palo santo brigade leads the invasion, with reinforcements coming from squads of malts. The assault complete, the beachhead encampment is not very heavy, and the mood is rather laid back, especially considering the alcohol.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2010 18:23:39 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

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

DFH Palo Santo Marron

Impenetrable black, slim brown ring of foam.

Sweet, dark cocoa hits the nose first. chocolate cake meets dark fruit, raisins, port wine, a little molasses. Woody. Intriquing.

Drinking: more chocolate, more dark malt. Sweet caramel tones, vanilla, with an oaky edge. Sweetness remains strong. Hangs long on the palate, really sticks it in there. Caramel tones abound, get a little sticky, even. Ends dry, and leaves you wanting more.The next sip repeats it all. The sweet, the smooth, the dry and rounded.

Really remarkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2010 00:56:24 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4.55/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a dark brown, almost black color with a 1/4" tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is awesome. It has a warm crystal and roasted malt scent along with a nice vanilla aroma laid over a mild woodiness. The taste is just as good. It has a smooth malty flavor that is rich and complex. It's dry and roasted with hints of vanilla and a sweet crystal malt finish. The wood mellows the 12% abv. and adds another layer of compleity. The mouthfeel is perfect. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is one tastey beer. I'm glad Dogfish is back making extreme "beers", not wine/beers; or whatever you call their last few new ones. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2008 22:25:56 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Beer served on draught in a snifter. Dark, black brown head, diffuse and tight, some lacing on the glass. Roasted malt smell, obvious alcohol in aroma. Some smoke in the flavor, mellow, can taste earthy wood, also lots of alcohol. Almost no aftertaste beer finishes clean. Mouthfeel is average, a little tin. Alcohol builds on you. A good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2009 03:15:11 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

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

The beer pours a very dark brown color with a tan head. The aroma is very strong and very spicy. I get a lot of woody notes, which I presume is from the Palo Santo wood. I also get some dark fruit notes in the aroma. The flavor is very similar. I get a lot of oaked and wood notes, as well as some caramel and roasted malt, vanilla, spices and dark fruit. The alcohol is definitely present, but it is not overpowering. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. A very well done beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2011 00:40:25 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

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

A - Poured out a dark, reddish brown color with a thick, foamy, tan head that left soapy trails of lace.

S - It smelled of oak, vanilla and rich, sweet, caramel malt.

T - It has an incredibly sweet maltiness with underlying hints of vanilla. Also, a whiskey-like flavor.

M - It was crisp, yet soft as it warmed. A medium-bodied beer.

D - Despite the high ABV, this is a fairly easy-drinking beer. One of the more unique brown ales that I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2008 22:11:28 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

4.22/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is jet black and poured with a finger high tan head that quickly died down into a thin layer of bubbles. A moderate amount of carbonation is visible.
S: The aroma is very intense, especially as the beer begins to warm up, and smells from the barrel aging stand out in particular. There are some hints of alcohol.
T: Like the smell, the flavors from the barrel aging really dominate the taste, which is complex and also has hints of bittersweet chocolate, raisins, roasted coffee and rum.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and is both smooth and viscous. Not much carbonation is perceptible. There is warming from the alcohol in the finish, which also has some dryness.
D: This beer definitely needs to be sipped because it has an intense flavor and the alcohol will quickly catch up to you (the alcohol is noticeable but fairly well masked from the taste).

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2010 20:40:23 | More by metter98

Gueuzedude

Arizona

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

Bottle Date February 2008; Sampled February 2008
Pours with an almost three-finger thick, light brown colored head. The beer is a deep, burnt amber, dark brown colored head. Despite being a clear, rich brown color as I pour this beer, it is completely opaque when held up to the light. Aromas of vanilla, interesting spicy wood that is not the same as from oak (slightly peppery, cinnamon and a touch of fenugreek), candied caramel malt, almost a bit of smoke, . A substantial fruit character provides notes of cherries, raisins and red grapes mixes very well with the wood aromatics. The alcohol is hidden quite well, especially given the 12% abv. Supporting, toasty malt notes, with ample browned bread and biscuit notes and a hint of roast character; really the toasty, browned bread crust like aromas of this beer are quite distinct if you dig around in the aroma for them. This has a very interesting aroma, the use of the Palo Santo wood definitely adds a unique dimension that is a derivative, but still uniquely distinct from, the more typical oak.

Thick and viscous, though not nearly as sweet as I was expecting. A creamy, velvety mouthfeel couples with flavors of vanillin, chewy toffee and dark fruit flavors. This is pretty well carbonated (with a nice prickle to the tongue at the beginning of each sip), but it is thick enough that it is not noticed as much as it would be otherwise. Concentrated fruit forward flavors of cherries, raisins and blackberries couple with a very light alcohol presence to contribute a Brandy like finish. This finishes with a toasted soda cracker note at times, but often this takes the backseat to the sweet, concentrated fruit notes that tend to linger on in the mouth. The wood components are a bit more subdued than in the aroma; it does provide a spicy backbone as well as a bit of tannic astringency, both of which provide a sharp note in the finish that provides balance like hop bitterness would.

As the beer warms up a bit, the aroma really starts to pick up a complex mix of cherry, mace, and distinctly sweet spices. The aroma of this brew is a bit more intriguing and interesting than the flavor, though that is by no means a dud. The malt and brown ale character seems to come through more in the aroma as does the wood. With the added wood component this is one of the more complex, even balanced big beers from Dogfish Head.

Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson AZ

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

03-01-2008 05:43:06 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

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

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep dark brown color, with a very thin light brown head that fades quickly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of roasted malts, vanilla, caramel, milk chocolate, a touch of dark fruit and a touch of hops.

T: The taste is very smoky up front with sweet flavors of caramel, vanilla and chocolate. There's a hearty stout-like malt character and a mild but complimentary hops presence. The high 12.00% ABV is well-disguised. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium-to-heavy body, medium carbonation, slightly sticky finish.

D: Tasty, goes down dangerously easily, not too filling, very strong kick, good representation of style while leaning toward being a stout. This is a nice high-powered beer to drink for a while if you're looking for something different.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

01-29-2009 02:43:08 | More by TheManiacalOne

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
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

08-24-2011 02:43:19 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours mahogany with 3 fingers of thick & beady parfait-like brown head. Above average head retention & lacing

S: Some coffee, roasted malt carob & port notes as this warms

T: A bit of coffee/bitter choclate laced booze, plums & toasted malt up front. Hints of molasses & licorice, oakyness, vanilla, dryness& dark fruit as this warms along with choclate, rum-raisins. Finishes dry, oaky, tanins & with some booze infused brown sugar. Almost pulled a 5.0, maybe with aging?

MF: Medium bodied, a touch thin & hot

Drinks easy for the complexity & ABV, the hotness does detract a bit. One to sip by a fire or enjoy with dessert or meat. This would be one to offer up to wine snobs

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

06-26-2008 05:39:28 | More by russpowell

Halcyondays

California

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle,

A: Pours a dark brown, with a thin white head, but I'll give it some slack since it is a 12% wood-aged beer, good retention, limited lacing on the sips.

S: Strong dark wood notes, molasses, sugar.

T: A tannic/herbal, almost alkaloid wood character hits at first, different from any other wood aged beer that I have had, I would say that it's pretty similar to cedar. A light sweet caramel comes out next, with a great, full French vanilla note at the end of the drink. An appetizing herbal bitterness is maintained throughout the beverage in the background.

M: Quite resiny, lighter than I expected a 12% beer to be, though it's definitely a sipper, very smooth going down, no alcohol burn at all.

D: Very easy to drink, such a tasty and complex beer, I'm glad Dogfish decided to send this out to CA.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

04-26-2008 22:11:08 | More by Halcyondays

emerge077

Illinois

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

Bottle from the first release, found in the back of the fridge.
Less than a finger of head when poured into a Duchesse goblet. Tan foam that recedes slowly, and leaves a ring. Lactic aroma with some banana ester from the yeast, and slightly roasty. Reminds me of a Bells stout. Rich, creamy feel, earthy roast and lactic taste. Not getting much of the advertised wood-aging. Abv is well disguised. Similar to Bells Kalamazoo Stout or Double Cream. Good, but not worth paying a premium for.

Serving type: bottle
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

12-31-2008 03:50:51 | More by emerge077