Namaste - Dogfish Head Brewery

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I guess this is one of their MANY summer seasonals. I split this one with my wife:

A: Very light, almost peach colored, cloudy, with about a 1 inch head. Very appropriate for the style.

S: Coriander first, then lemon, orange, and with a hint of pepper. I also detected a very faint grassy sort of aroma.

T: Earthy with a capital "E!" This really didn't even taste like an alcoholic beverage at all, and all of the blended ingredients really work! The coriander really keeps the citrus in check and keeps it from being too "hot."

M: Bubbly, champagne-like, and with a very frothy lacing. Also, the head never subsided throughout the entire session.

D: I really admire the understated nature of this brew. Lots of ingredients are listed, and on the first taste, I was initially let down. After a few more sips, study, and contemplation, the brewers' intention started to hit me in a revelatory way. A great summer Witbier.

My wife hated it of course....just like she does most beer. Oh well....

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2010 01:43:55 | More by Chaney

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at Al's of Hampden -served chilled in a tulip.

A - A sunny golden yellow like lemonade w/ slight hazy appearance and thick inch of bone white cap. The beading is tiny and lacing is think and clings in a ring

S - The smell is better than I imagined w/ floral, tropical and citrus elments represented. There is a light herbal-lemongrass aroma which compliments the yeast and also a mild mango/passionfruit scent is there w/ slight pepper tinge

M - The feel is very lively in a good way w/ high carbonation and spritzy effect on the palate w/ mild citrus tang and mild yeasty spice tinges w/ very dry finish which refreshes the palate w/ each sip

T - I was please with the flavor -a taste that is light and tropical w/ slight tinge of lemongrass and herbal complement to the yeast flavor. The wit has a nice light citrus sweetness and subtle dry spice element w/ mild toasted malt flavor. The beer blends all the flavors in a way that is better combined than each individual flavor on its own. I enjoyed the citrus rind flavor combined with the dry finish

D -A beer I consider to be pure refreshment- I was surprised by this but happy w/ how good it was. I could enjoy this for hours and it is clean and refreshing w/out sacrificing flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

09-30-2010 14:09:18 | More by Slatetank

Naugros

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

If not for the off-putting color I would have rated this higher because it raises and sustains a lovely head and leaves behind spiderweb lacing. The color is a hazy pale greenish-yellow...almost the color of bottled lime juice.

I really like the smell of this one. It's like a Belgian wit with a little more. In this case the little more is orange peel and lemon grass, both of which you can make out, vying for dominance with the wheat yeast esters and the coriander. It all marries together nicely.

The taste doesn't quite live up to the billing that the nose came up with. It does taste like a wit but without as much flavor. Despite being light in flavor it does manage a slight phenolic astringency which I'm guessing is coming off the lemongrass and coriander.

The mouthfeel is as light as the taste making this exceptionally drinkable and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2010 23:27:05 | More by Naugros

merlin48

Kentucky

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750 pours a hazy pale golden body with a small white head that leaves some pretty island chain lacing.

Aroma is coriander, orange rind, and lemon.

Airy mouthfeel is light bodied and has an ideal carbonation.

Taste has lots of coriander and lemongrass. Wheaty and yeasty elements are complimented by lemon and orange notes. Finishes a bit dry with a lemony aftertaste.

Possibly the most drinkable of the entire Dogfish line. Very quenching and an ideal warm weather beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2010 14:54:19 | More by merlin48

adamette

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Live Review. Poured from the 1 Pint, 9.4 oz bottle that I bought at World Wines & Liquor in Mentor for $8.99 into my Brewery Ommegang Witte tumbler. "BOTTLED IN 2010 2A" stamped on the neck of the bottle, just above the right portion of the label.

A Creamy, near white short lived head (appropriate to the style) floats on top of a slightly hazy but very translucent body of straw yellow. Copius sediment floating about and collecting on the bottom of the bottle as well. 4.0

S That classic Belgian yeast, organic smell with some spices thrown in. The bottle label indicates: coriander, orange and lemongrass. That sound hauntingly familiar (it seems to be that all of these were included in the Great Lakes Hale Ale (name later changed to Great Lakes Grassroots Ale). That was a beer that I really enjoyed. The smell of Namaste is pleasing and inviting. 4.5

T Well, all of the indication that the smell gave is there in the taste. There is a strong Belgian yeast taste, the coriander, orange and lemongrass but also a significant citrus tartness that I did not necessarily pick up in the smell. This is very close to a classic Witbier taste but the citrus component is turned up a notch in my opinion. It is at least a good tasting beer and if you like the tang of some citrus you will probably enjoy this even more! 4.0

M Suitably moderate with the tartness of the citrus notes, the earthy grains of the Belgian yeast and some slight smoothness of the malt. Witbiers are mostly on the thin side (at least the 25 or so that I have had) and this is no exception. 3.5

D Very good indeed with the very manageable ABV of 5% and the interesting tastes and smells that keep you coming back for more. 4.5

Ommegange Witte was better but my favorite is Great Lakes Grassroots Ale (formerly Great Lakes Hale Ale). Both of those are more affordable and more available but Namaste remains a good beer that I would be proud to serve.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2010 04:04:29 | More by adamette

sweemzander

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750mL bottle poured into a tulip. Thank you to cjacobsen for sharing!

(A)- Pours a hazy yellow color. Some white bubbles.

(S)- A complex profile of lemon/orange peel. A spicy cardamon too with underlying dry yeasty wheat aspects.

(T)- Same as the smell. Nice layered lemon and orange peel with a subtle honey sweetness and bits of banana in the far background.

(M)- A crisp carbonation level. A nice combo of fruits, spice, and mellow sweetness.

(D)- An easy crisp drinker with fresh fruit tastes. Great for a summer afternoon.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2011 15:56:42 | More by sweemzander

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

"To be bowed by grief is folly;
Naught is gained by melancholy;
Better than the pain of thinking,
Is to steep the sense in drinking."

--Alcaeus

Beautifully blurry lemon peel with drifting clouds of fine yeast and an attractive crown of sheep's wool white. The head lasts long enough and isn't shy about leaving lace.

What a wonderfully fragrant blast of lemongrass greets the nose! Most finely crafted witbiers are a pleasure to sniff, but that extra ingredient puts this one over the top. Here's hoping the flavor follows suit.

After several ounces of Namaste, it's becoming increasingly obvious that lemongrass is underutilized in craft beer. The best part is that it doesn't overwhelme the orange zest fruitiness and the coriander spiciness that are the hallmarks of the style. If you're in search of the perfect picnic beer, search no further.

Pale and/or pilsner malt is not abundant, nor does it need to be. This offering is all about the top notes mentioned above. Lightly sweet, lightly bitter and lightly tart are balanced on a razor's edge. Drinkability, needless to say, is through the roof.

The mouthfeel tries to achieve a meager hint of creaminess as mid-bottle approaches... and just does succeed. Sparkly bubbles early become slightly less sparkly bubbles late. Better than lackluster carbonation, that's for sure.

Namaste is a common spoken greeting in India that means, literally, "I bow to you". All of us need to bow to Dogfish Head Craft Brewery for creating one of the most unique and delicious witbiers in America. Six-packs please. Bottom line: lovely lemongrassy libation.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2011 13:30:18 | More by BuckeyeNation

webmanspidey

Michigan

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle poured into a snifter. This is a fizzy cloudy pale yellow, with a very foamy inch of head. Smell is sour and dominated by lemon with a strong mix of cloves and coriander spiciness. Taste is extremely spicy.. again heavy on the cloves and coriander with some peppercorn-ish flavors as well. Very light bodied and easy to drink. Lots of orange and lemon flavors as well. Mouthfeel is foamy and creamy.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2011 01:42:30 | More by webmanspidey

vgarneth

North Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer had a hazy appearance with small bits of sediment; although, it had a nice citrus, floral nose. Amazing taste as if you're biting into a fresh orange that finishes with lingering hints of lemongrass on the palate. A refreshing brew for warmer weather.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2011 03:42:11 | More by vgarneth

schmoopsbeer

California

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle
2010 vinatge
poured into tulip

thanks to njbeernerd for this fine beer

Color: A hazy golden straw color. Big white head of at least 3 fingers. This beer is well carbonates and leaves behind minimal lacing.

Nose: Big on the orange... sweet juicy oranges. Also evident is lemon grass which is later complimented by the coriander. Traces of wheat as well

Palate: soft and gentle. A light bodied beer with plenty of character and presence. The lemon grass is big on the tongue and the the orange taste floats in the background.

Finish: Crisp and refreshing. Goes down smooth and with a nice body of flavors. Very well done

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2011 23:21:15 | More by schmoopsbeer

clayrock81

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a light and cloudy dull gold with a fizzy head thanks to sharp/great carbonation that dies quick and is sitting atop a very sharp, lemony wheat aroma. Picking up a lot citric, mostly loemon with some orange (banana even?) and a spicey, clove-like smell as well w/ a touch of sweetness coming from somewhere. A great witbier to drink is what follows; a smooth, fluffy body thanks to the wheat/yeast that is real smooth and there's a good amount of balance to this beer as there's a sharpness as well thanks to spices and a sharp but not overpowering citric bite. Citric consists of lemon and some orange and there's again that touch of sweetness I can't identify. A well-balanced beer that alternates between spicy and sharp citric and throws in a touch of sweet stuff for a very enjoyable brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2011 20:35:10 | More by clayrock81

JMWEB2

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Nice hazy yellow, foamy white head is very nice and remains, also some lacing.

S: Citrus smell which is ok, some coriander.

T: Great spiced citrus, and coriander is present, very enjoyable,

M: Very easy drinking, smooth and leaves a tingle.

O: Not your typical Wit and thats kind of what I expected from Dogfish. I liked the complexity of it, and would def enjoy a few more.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 00:01:40 | More by JMWEB2

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Devil's Backbone willibecher.

I missed this guy at the brewpub, but apparently fate intervened to give me a second chance. It pours a cloudy pale straw topped by about two fingers of white sudsy foam. The nose comprises wheat, pepper, coriander, lemon peel, clove, rice cakes, banana, cardamom, and the slightest possible touch of funk (and I use funk in its loosest form). The taste leans heavily on the citrus and wheat, leaving the spicier notes languishing in the fetal position. Actually, to properly describe the situation, the pepper's on Prozac, so it's still dancing about in the finish, as though all of its problems were really gone (how sad, really...). The body is light, with a light carbonation and a fairly dry finish. Overall, a very nice wit. 'Nuff said, baby.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2010 04:23:49 | More by TMoney2591

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle. Served in a nonic pint glass, the beer pours a hazy straw gold color with an inch white head. Head retention and lacing are both pretty good. The brew smells like coriander, orange peel, wheat and some yeast. It tastes like oranges, lemon peel, coriander, wheat and a bit of peppery spice. Mouthfeel/body is light/medium, it's crisp and is well carbonated. Drinkability is very good, it's nice, refreshing and really easy to drink. It's a great choice for a summer day or an unseasonably warm 65 degree mid-November day like today is. I think this is a good overall brew, nice and sessionable. I'd like to see this beer put in a 6-pack, but I'll still buy bombers of this.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2010 23:22:00 | More by bluejacket74

prototypic

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Namaste pours a light gold color. It's a little hazy, and looks yellow with backlighting. A soft, white head covers it. It's quick to recede, and leaves a very light coat of lace clinging to the glass. For the style, it's pretty good.

The nose is extremely impressive. It's tough to find a great smelling Witbier. This is one of the few. It kicks off with a really nice mix of coriander and orange peel . Grainy, earthy, and floral notes linger throughout. It smells sweet and just a tad sugary. It really is a wonderful complement to the initial spicy scents. It's not complex, but it smells damn nice!

The flavor is not quite as impressive, but is good. Grainy and earthy flavors are noted up front. The orange peel and coriander presence is obvious and really drives the overall flavor. It's a wonderful mix, but doesn't come through as strong here. Light pepper and a bit of hop bitterness follow. The hops taste like noble hops to me. They have a nice floral, slightly spicy character. Alcohol isn't noticeable at all. Finishes grainy, spicy, and a little bitter.

Namaste has a lighter body. Carbonation is restrained, but it's too thin to attain any real degree of smoothness. Not uncommon for the style. Drinkability is very high. This is a tasty Witbier that's very easy to drink. At 5% abv, it's very friendly. On a hot summer day, a 750 ml bottle simply wouldn't be enough.

To my knowledge, Namaste is an Indian greeting that means "bow to you." The label alludes to something similar. I'm not sure that there's any real Indian tie to this beer, but there doesn't need to be. It's a damn tasty Witbier that's worthy of your attention. The nose is extremely impressive. The flavor could maybe use a few more amps on the coriander/orange peel to really ramp it up, but I can't complain. I really enjoyed this, and I'm not a huge fan of the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2010 03:45:38 | More by prototypic

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle - $7.99 at Olde Crabapple Bottle Shoppe in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Bottled in 2011.

Appearance: Pours a cloudy, light gold body with a white, mousse-like head. Thin lace formations at every sip level, looking a bit like fine cirrus clouds.

Smell: Pale and wheat malt smelling of loaf bread soaked in a bit of cream and rounded by fragrant notes of citrus oils, herbaceous lemongrass, and spicy, vaguely nutty coriander.

Taste: Light malted barley, somewhat hay-like, along with tangy, bready wheat malt and an icing sugar sweetness. Tastes of spicy coriander and citrusy, juicy bittersweet orange are quick to follow. A little sharpness from the lemongrass, though, once you really get into it, all the flavors come together quite nicely. Straw sporadic drops of heavy cream. A low level of hop bitterness at best. A little last sip of spice and orange juice for the finish. A peppery component lingers on the tongue in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium-high carbonation provides some effervescence, though there's some soft creaminess to the mouthfeel.

Overall: Rather refreshing and thirst quenching, a fine beer suitable for drinking in the drearily warmer months ahead of us.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2011 22:34:47 | More by ChainGangGuy

Bierguy5

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle, 5% abv. Bottled in 2011. Pours cloudy, pale gold color. Pillow-like white fluffy head. Very nice head retention and lace.

Cereal grain malt, with a zesty citrusy edge. Big herbal and earthy notes blend in, with hints of spice.

Pale malt, a big grainy and tart. A bit of sweetness. Herbal notes. Some restrained spices. Very well balanced.

Light body with refreshing carbonation. Very easy to drink. Not the most exciting style, but simple and well done.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2011 22:58:11 | More by Bierguy5

JayS2629

Alabama

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A straw yellow hazy beer with creamy head that faded slow and left creamy walls of lace. The smell was of belgian yeast with banana and clove nicely balanced in the middle and citrus tones of orange and lemon grass on the back end. Nice honey, caramel and biscut notes with a good grainy wheat backbone. Nice citrus notes of orange and lemon subtly perk things up. Creamy body. It goes light on the banana in the yeast flavors and the spice is subtle too. Just a pinch of clove and pepper. Smooth, creamy, and very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2011 20:00:13 | More by JayS2629

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance - cloudy yellow-orange with a fluffy white head that lingers for quite a while.

Smell - Musty European hops and wheat upfront with bright orange and earthy coriander just behind. As it warms the lemongrass aromas emerge, as well as a sweet almond note.

Mouthfeel - very soft and smooth, even a little powdery.

Tatse - Spicy and citrusy with a soft mineral finish. Just enough hops to tie it all together.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2011 23:01:41 | More by

bucklemyshoe

Georgia

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 mL bottle into a Duvel tulip.

A: It pours golden-orange with two fingers of white creamy fluff.

S: Horseblanket must, lemon, orange, coriander, and some floral notes.

T: Semi-sweet orange and lemon, grassy floral funk, and some light hoppiness.

M: Medium-light thickness with a little creaminess.

O: It's tasty and easy-drinking. Much better than the average Witbier.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2011 15:56:37 | More by bucklemyshoe

nickthegun12

Alabama

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pretty decent stuff from the guys that brought us sah-tea!....

pours a yellow body with beautiful white fluffy head....and nice sticky lacing...

smells awesome!...classic witbier smell with a nice overtone of fresh and refreshing....lemony...earthy smell!

taste is pretty nice not as good as the smell...but the taste is like a toned down version of the nose!

the feel is nice....medium bodied beer

overall not a bad ale...i would expect nothing less from dogfish head!

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 02:56:29 | More by nickthegun12

jwc215

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours clouded lemon-drop yellow with a large white, foamy head.

The smell is of pepper, coriander, sugar-coated oranges and lemongrass. Spicy and tangy.

The taste is bright - orange tang with a coriander spicing.

The carbonation is lively, sprizty, and crisp.

A nice, fresh, witbier with an orange flavor (no need for an orange wedge - though that's not my thing anyway). A very nice example of the style, though pricey for what it is.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 17:44:18 | More by jwc215

bbeane

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Friend picked a 25oz bottle up for me at the Rehobeth brew pub...

A- Poured into my DFH snifter... beer is a cloudy golden straw color with light white head that disappears somewhat quickly and leaves some spotted lacing

S- Honestly, smells like a typical wheat beer would... sweet banana-ish aroma with citrusy backbone. Good, but typical imo

T- Again, it's a great beer of it's style, but a bit of a letdown knowing the unique track record of the brewery. Starts sweet with citrus and corriander and finishes smooth and refreshing

M- Light bodied with light carbonation

D- Perfect beer for the summer, light with great flavor, easy to drink. Very well brewed witbier, though I love DFH for their unique concoctunes... which this isn't. Good none the less

CHEERS!!

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2010 01:02:57 | More by bbeane

billab914

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 750ml bottle into my Southern Tier tulip. Poured a pale and cloudy straw yellowish color. It almost had the color of a pineapple juice or other tropical type drink. It started with a bright white frothy head filling about one inch of the glass. The head faded a bit but left some good lacing as it did.

The aroma shows off a strong lemony citrus flavor. The coriander and lemon grass both come through in the citrus flavors. Wheat and a bit of bready yeast round out the flavors in the nose. Very nice and refreshing aroma to it.

The taste not surprisingly is very citrus forward. Lemon and coriander both are present. Like the nose the wheat and yeast come through as well. Citrus is definitely the featured flavor.

The mouthfeel is on the lighter side and carbonation is high. Drinkability is good, especially on this hot day. Very light and refreshing with some great citrus flavors. Very enjoyable beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2010 22:34:59 | More by billab914

rwinzing

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed from a 750 ml bomber. Poured into tulip style glass

A - Nice straw color, Bright white head held onto the glass nice lacing

S - Smelled of citrus very pleasant aroma

T - very mild hint of the lemongrass but not overpowering, no after taste. Citrus not as strong as in the smell

M - Very nice light mouthfeel what I would expect from the style

D - Very drinkable, summer brew while sitting on the deck with friends

Overall a beer I would drink again. Not what I expect from DFH who are known for their big brews. Nice summer brew to be enjoyed.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2010 23:54:38 | More by rwinzing