Palo Santo Marron - Dogfish Head Brewery

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

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

timc100

Illinois

3.49/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Very underwhelmed by this. Pours a very dark brown, almost black - looks like an imperial stout, and very promising. The aroma is that of a spicy coffee porter - nice but no complexity and barrel character. The taste is very similar - kind of syrupy chocolate in this, pretty bitter but with a coffee molasses sweetness. Feels very this for a 12abv beer, amazingly well hidden in every way. This is not a terrible beer, a decent one that left me wanting a hell of a lot more.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 19:45:00 | More by timc100

beagle75

Iowa

3.25/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a tulip glass.

A: Opaque, dark brown color with less than one finger of rapidly diminishing beige foam head. Light lacing remains on the glass.

S: Cocoa and prune juice establish dark qualities in the smell. While spirituous, it does not come across as boozy here.

T: Begins off-dry, with vanilla extract, slightly cakey dark fruit, and floral aromatic flavors. Acidity is moderate into the middle where early flavors give way to peaking alcohol quality, with an overall medicinal effect. Drying cocoa powder and Dr. Pepper are observable amongst the muddled, earthy finish.

M: Thick viscosity, acidic on the palate, with moderate carbonation.

D/O: A challenging strong ale, this beer stands out because it is an (extremely) high-gravity example of its style. In fact, it forfeits most distinctive brown ale qualities, instead coming across as interchangeably Baltic porter/imperial Russian stout. It is not an especially delicious version of either due to cloying alcohol and acidity that diminishes its smoothness.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 00:16:13 | More by beagle75

WunderLlama

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottle poured into a Sam Adams glass

Deep, dark chocolate brown in which light is impenetrable. Two fingers of foam quickly settles down to a tan almost cappuccino type cap. If there is carbonation, you cannot see through the darkness.

Sherry, vanilla and caramel ans sweet coffee aroma.

Smooth taste of Roasted Coffee and raisins. Alcohol after taste on the finish. Medium to medium heavy mouthfeel. The wood imparts an unique taste which is quite good. Would be a great after dinner , savor it by the fireplace type of beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 03:16:40 | More by WunderLlama

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

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle into signature tulip glass, bottled on 10/22/2012. Pours almost pitch black color with a small foamy dark tan head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty lacing clings on the glass, with a good amount of streaming carbonation retaining the small head. Aromas of big caramel, brown sugar, molasses, raisin, fig, toast, dark bread, roasted malt, light char, wood, light vanilla, and roasted earthiness. Damn nice aromas with good balance and complexity of malt and wood aging notes. Taste of big raisin, fig, molasses, brown sugar, caramel, toast, dark bread, wood, roasted malt, light char, light vanilla, and roasted earthiness. Lingering notes of dark fruits, molasses, brown sugar, toast, dark bread, wood, roasted malt, and roasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Damn nice balance and complexity of very robust dark malt flavors with fruitiness; and hardly any cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and full bodied; with a very creamy, slick, and thick mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent imperial brown ale. Very nice complexity and balance of flavors; and quite smooth to sip on. A very enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 03:52:26 | More by superspak

Braz

Washington

4.86/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Purchased at BevMo. Gorgeous to look at. Dark brown almost black with a thin tan head. Looks and smells much like an imperial stout. After tasting I don't think I'd call this a brown ale, imperial all the way in my opinion. Smells of vanilla, touch of booze. Taste is creamy and smooth. A little woody, definitely barrel aged. Delicious. Body is heavenly. Lightly carbonated but a heavy full mouthfeel. Booze is amazingly hidden for 12% ABV, noticeable still but well masked. Love this, recommend for sure.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 15:58:35 | More by Braz

kristenspaintings

California

3.48/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

This beer is dark, dark as the night. Disregarding the temperature it could easily be mistaken as coffee. It even produces a dark, rich and malty smelling head. Hops and malt dance in your nose as you take your first inhale, and with the first flavor come many tastes.

Upon the second taste you notice the domination of sweet. With each drink comes a more intense flavor experience, but always overpowered by sweetness.

Simply put, too sweet! The sweetness many times overpowers the delicious and light flavors I have come to love from Dogfish Head.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 00:57:15 | More by kristenspaintings

BruceBruce

Texas

4.59/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

2011 bottle opened today, just WOW

A. It really doesn't matter, the stuff looks good

S. It is great, almost makes me think of bourbon but it has a hint of chocolate and alcohol

T. Light carb, but great flavor, bit of alcohol, then coco and bitter with a bunch of love and wood. It is great right now, I will admit I haven't had this fresh but will update with a fresh one after trying this.

M. Perfect, a little thick but great for the taste

O. I have passes this beer for a long time not realizing how great it was. I hope the fresh lives up to the vintage, but I could drink this all the time. I seem to get a bit of coffee (typical right) but this beer has really aged well not knowing what a fresh one taste like. Gets better as it warms and is everything I want out of this style.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 06:57:17 | More by BruceBruce

TheSixthRing

California

3.71/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance - Pours a deep, dark cordovan brown with a light tan, half finger head. Sub-par retention. Virtually no lacing.

Smell - Boozy aroma. Lesser notes of caramel, brown sugar and whiffs of faint vanilla.

Taste - Strong, boozy character. Caramel, chocolate, brown sugar sweetness. Molasses. Raisin. Subtle vanilla notes on the finish.

Mouthfeel - Full-bodied, near syrupy with low amounts of carbonation. Boozy, but smooth. Finishes bone dry.

Overall - Drinks much closer to a barleywine than it does a brown. Does nothing to hide it's boozy nature. Good, but for the price there are comparable brews I'd rather purchase.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 02:43:17 | More by TheSixthRing

AaronHomoya

Indiana

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

Been aging this bottle of Palo Santo Marron for probably a year or so.

Quite an attractive brew. Very dark for a brown ale. Carbonation is now rather light. The head is dark tan and lingers nicely. The aroma started out boozy and a touch metallic. This faded though, and left mostly sweet caramel, dates and vanilla. The flavor is much more complex. Smooth, sweet with chocolate and dark fruit, then a bit of bite and hops and ending with vanilla, oak, some woody dryness and a bit of smoke. I really like the mouthfeel - not too thick, but pretty heavy. Has a dry, mouthwatering finish that makes you want more. Really nice.

Overall I am liking this beer with some age. It's not perfect, but there are some good things going on.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 01:04:31 | More by AaronHomoya

mazeroski

Illinois

3.13/5  rDev -25.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Appearance was great- a great dark maroonish-brown with a small head. I found the carbonation to be just a bit light, and I found it to have a cloyingly metallic aftertaste. Based upon the 6-pack I bought I cannot recommend this. I usually really like Dogfish Head, but this one missed the mark for me.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 04:28:37 | More by mazeroski

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

4.34/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Had this on 2013-02-17 in Bowling Green, KY

A - Completely opaque dark brown with a 1-finger light brown head that drops to a skim coating quickly but leaves good lacing.

S - Figs, dates, medium-dark roasted grain, woody, dark cherry, brown sugar. Very pleasant and pretty full aroma.

T - Much like the smell but the roasted grain has more char, there's carmel and brown sugar sweetness, raisin and dried cherry tang, which is well-moderated by the woody tannin, alcohol and good roasted and hop bitterness. It is very tasty; more like a fruity-roasted imperial stout than a brown ale.

M - Medium-heavy body and light-carbonation. Smooth, creamy, thick, clinging but not cloying.

O - I really enjoyed this brew. I had it at about 60 degrees and it seemed about right. Lots of flavors that I enjoy. Well-balanced. Well-done. Gonna have to add this to the have-again list.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 23:16:18 | More by Tucquan

jvillefan

California

4.19/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A: An extremely dark brown with a two finger head that hangs around for the entire length of the beer.

S: It smells of soggy roasted malts. I am not a fan of the nose of this beer.

T: Extrememly complex. It starts with some subtle chocolate flavors then goes into some dark fruit flavors with a alcohol. It finishes with a roasted oak flavor.

M: Great body and carbonation.

O: Great beer. Definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 06:43:13 | More by jvillefan

Indybier

Illinois

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

Without breaking it down into micro-categories, I'll just say this is one hell of a bad-ass beer. Big, bold, complex, and tasty and hell. Sweet, bitter, smooth, delicious, etc, etc. Adjectives are boundless w/this one.

It took me an hour to finish one - mainly because it developed every-so-slowly in the glass and every sip was different than the last. Much more of a strong ale than brown, but, that's a very forgiving trait given just how good this beer is.

I would challenge any wine drinker/afficiando to sip on this for a while and take some notes.

IMO - one of the few $15+ plus four bangers out there actually worth the money.

Kudos, DFH...kudos!! A league of its own, if you will.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 20:10:50 | More by Indybier