Namaste - Dogfish Head Brewery

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From a capped 750ml bottle stamped "bottled in 2010" into a shaped DFH pint glass. I picked this up a few months back during a visit to the DFH Rehoboth brewpub location.

Pours a cloudy straw yellow color with a finger of white head that has pretty good retention supported by the constantly rising bubbles of carbonation. There is a constant film of white bubbles atop this brew that congregates along the side of the glass in a thicker layer. A light swirl revives the cap back to a finger's strength and provides some faint patchy lace.

The aroma of this brew is fruity with the spice of coriander induced lemon, smooth lasting light banana notes, a bit of clove and a sweet candy smell like that of pink "original flavored" bubblegum. Overall this is a fine smelling witbier. The lemon is more pronounced than other examples of the style but overall it works and makes a very enjoyable blended yet bold nose.

The taste of this brew is light and refreshing. Right upfront is the taste of coriander with a pine-sol like exaggerated and almost fake tasting lemony flavor that is clingy to the inside of the mouth. There is a spice of clove included along with a smooth mellow banana flavor before it gives way to a very light wheat grainy base. It finishes fairly tart as expected for a wit. A little bit of belgian style alcohol warmth becomes evident in the backend of this brew.

This is a very easy drinking and enjoyable brew. It is light to medium bodied with a high level of carbonation. Overall it is well balanced yet bold with it's flavor and scent for the style. The lemony aspect could be tamed down a bit but it was a pleasure to drink and probably the best example of the style I have had in recent memory despite the exaggerated lemon flavor. This beer needs to be around come summertime next year.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2010 01:23:30 | More by stakem

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy yellow color with a white head. In the aroma, faint orange citrus, lemon grass and somewhat earthy. In the taste, orange notes, dry earthiness and lemon grass. A spice bite and light to a medium bodied mouthfeel, with a semi dry orange to coriander like aftertaste. Almost saison like, mellow with a nice spice profile.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2010 15:38:35 | More by OWSLEY069

hosehead83

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a "bomber" bottle into a standard pint glass.
Cloudy gold in color, supended sediment, two-inch head of white foam.
Aroma-Orange zest and coriander
Taste-Belgianesque-Spicy, coriander, orange and lemon zest, coarse, peppery finish. Very light and refreshing. Where was this beer during the summer? Unfortunately, not around these parts.
Tasty, and very refreshing, would make an excellent match for seafood or salad. Highly recommended(especially in summer).

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2010 23:36:21 | More by hosehead83

despainmakesbeer

Kentucky

4.53/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Hazy dark straw color, thin head. This beer is without a doubt the most hated beer by my nose! The most intense, complex, aromatically changing beer I've ever smalles. I smelled everything from the barn, to cat litter, to orange, it was awesome to say te least and things only got crazier as the beer warmed. Definetely usuall spice aroma was present for the style. Spice
was also present in the taste, however for the smell, the spice flavor was not nearly as intense as expected. Flavor left quickly after swallowing. Light, very drinkable, but the aroma and flavor will keep you wanting more. A great and aweful beer to practice trying to pick out smells and flavors. And glad I can say I finally had something that Kevin Patterson hadn't had before. Harumph!

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2010 05:01:43 | More by despainmakesbeer

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

Frosty80

Michigan

4.68/5  rDev +21.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Color: sits a gorgeous hazy, golden yellow with plenty of floating sediment.

Smell: very elegant aromas of spicy yeast, coriander and wheat malt with more subtle yet obvious notes of orange and lemongrass.

Taste: soft flavors all around reflecting obvious citrus notes (orange and lemon) with coriander, wheat and yeast character. very very subtle hop flavor with very light bitterness in the finish, which is somewhat dry

Mouthfeel: light-medium body with moderate carbonation

Notes: very refreshing, perfectly done wit.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2010 03:25:25 | More by Frosty80

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.2/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Extremely perfumy, vibrant, and fruity/citrusy, this beer provides an awakening spicy zest.

The pour delivers a hazy beer of canary yellow hue. Creamy white foam gives a fluid texture with good persistance and moderate lace. A classic Witbier appearance.

The aromas are the high point for the beer with a perfumy nose that is likely the best I've had. Bright orange zest, spicy corriander, lightly peppery, and with a fruity-alcoholic note that resembles tangerine marmalade.

Flavors are softly of pilsner malt and light wheat for a powdered sugar and bready taste. Layers upon layers of citrus zest and spice alternate from orange peel, lemon zest, peppery, cumin-like, grassy, and herbal-tea like notes throughout. All lead to a fleeting spicy finish.

With a soft, creamy, fresh upstart, the beer has a smooth fade towards a powdery dry finish with a minty alcoholic evaporative feel. Mild herbal hop bitterness provides light bitterness and dryness along side of the alcohol warmth and dry cracker-like maltiness.

A delicious Witbier with sharp aggression towards the spicy and aromatic notes, yet perserving the delicate and soft textures that make classic Witbiers so refreshing and thirst quenching.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2010 03:49:28 | More by BEERchitect

tjsdomer2

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Excellent crystalline foam covering a fairly thick/immobile yellow wheat beer. Most of this is due to the cloudiness, however I have definitely seen cloudier beers so this falls in the middle of the pack for cloudy wheat beers.

Smell: Excellent smell. Lemongrass (as promised), and lots of it. A nice herbal waft as well. The relative lack of malt is my only complaint, but that's being picky. Overall, I love the subtly of the smell here.

Taste/Mouthfeel: More lemongrass. Almost tastes a bit like chamomile as well. That would explain the herbal part in the smell. Pretty good mouthfeel, maybe a tad bit watery, but again, the low-key nature of this beer lends itself to a thinner beer.

Drinkability: Awesome relaxation comes with this one.

Overall: A good beer to kick back and read a book with.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2010 02:19:11 | More by tjsdomer2

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

The label definately catches the eye thats for sure. Between the name and nice picture I picked this dogfish head up immediately. Sadly, wasnt really a fan. This was poured into a pint glass.

A - Pours a glorious light straw that almost seems to radiate with a yellow hue, complete with little bubbles coming up from the bottom. The head though is where this wit is really, really lacking. Starts off with a nice one finger head that quickly disappeared leaving a slight white halo. Very disappointing for a witbier.

S - While I'm not a fan of it, I have to give this high marks based on the fact that this DOES smell of corriander and lemongrass. Right after that initial yeasty wit aroma.

T - Upfront, I get some nice mild wheat and an almost bitter orange rind taste. Right after that theres an herbal flavour that is distinctly a combination of well, corriander and lemongrass. While the flavours are what Dogfish Head promised, it just really isnt making for an enjoyable beer for me.

M - For the amount of carbonation in this I was expecting something ALOT more crisp and refreshing. Just kinda sits in the mouth, almost watery.

D - Its a good beer, if the flavour combination is yout thing. For me it just didnt work. Maybe paired with the right food it would pop a little better. The flavour is spot on, but that mouthfeel is just far too thin.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2010 05:42:34 | More by rudzud

nickd717

California

3.78/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle as a trade extra.

Nice appearance that is more or less what you want for a Belgian-style witbier. Cloudy golden-straw color with a one-finger white head and good lacing.

The aroma is pretty nice, with wheat, lemon, orange peel, and coriander. Big on the citrus fruits.

The flavor is also rather citrusy and spicy, yet not as in-your-face as a lot of other Dogfish Head beers. Wheaty with orange and lemon, with slight sweetness.

Fairly dry on the palate with medium body and a medium-high carbonation.

A solid beer overall. I don't get the hate for it.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2010 04:29:02 | More by nickd717

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

Poured into a tulip. The body is a hazy yellow-golden color with a white head and some pretty good lacing. The nose is nice with some light citrus notes--mostly orange and lemon. A bit of grain as well. The flavor is pretty nice though a bit one-dimensional with citrus. Good, light body and nice carbonation. Drinks quite well and is a nice hot-weather brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2010 00:53:10 | More by Thorpe429

vette2006c5r

Wisconsin

3.65/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 5

This beer pours a hazy yellow with a little head that did last. Overall this beer kinds stinks, smells strongly of wheat and lemon. Has a nice complex taste alot of wheat flavors, strong orange and lemon flavors. A light flavor, but very easy to drink. Overall a complex and very good wheat beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2010 20:27:58 | More by vette2006c5r

WeisGuy

New York

3.23/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

750ml bottles shared by Ari - thanks!

Pours a slightly hazy, bright golden color with a one-finger white head. Head retention is light and lacing is minimal. The aroma is dominated by lemongrass and coriander. You also can pick out some yeastiness and a little orange peel if you search for it. As with the aroma, the taste is almost entirely lemongrass and coriander with ligher hints of orange and yeast and virtually no alcohol noticeable. It's a fairly clean taste, but I'd really like to taste the base beer more and the adjuncts less. The body is a bit light on this one with moderate carbonation and no alcohol warming. Not overly drinkable because of the dominance of the lemongrass and coriander and the relative lack of complexity. It doesn't help either that I'm not a huge fan of witbiers. This one is probably not worth the pricetag unless you really love lemongrass and coriander.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2010 18:06:24 | More by WeisGuy

womencantsail

California

3.08/5  rDev -20%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Thanks to Jason for this one.

A: The pour is a cloudy pale orange color with some yellow/gold notes and a thin white head.

S: A big herbal aroma that is also sort of meaty. Some woody lemongrass and a strong coriander note. The malt aroma is primarily of wheat and is fairly bready.

T: A lot more bitter than I would have expected and there is a mild astringency. Lots of lemongrass and orange rind are present with only a mild wheat flavor. Not all that sweet and somewhat watery.

M: The body is medium (or there abouts) and the carbonation is medium to high.

D: I guess I just don't "get" most of these Dogfish Head beers. I think the ideas are generally cool/interesting, but I don't always find they translate well in application.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2010 20:52:48 | More by womencantsail

maximum12

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks both beerlocos for this, amongst other treats, sent during the excellent Anniversary BIF. Came with a pair of stylin' DFH glasses, too. Split the big bomber with my wife.

Pours is fizzy, flippant yellow. All you have to do is look at it cross-ways for it to develop a new white cap. Lemongrass stalks the nose - I just brought home one of those little hotel bottles of lemongrass lotion because I liked the smell so much - along with waves of wheeat. There's a touch of something less pleasant, almost like burned rubber, that begins to emerge as it warms & knocks down the good smell a bit.

Namaste is a good twist on a style that's pretty ho-hum to me. Pairs really well with pepperoni pizza, for what that's worth. Otherwise, plenty of spiciness to this one; lemongrass again, citrus, tons of wheat, fainter tang of orange. A touch yeasty on the end. Ridiculously easy to drink.

Good beer that brings a bit of welcome innovation to the style. This could be a one-session bomber.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2010 00:12:08 | More by maximum12

sisuspeed

New Hampshire

4.18/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into an Ommegang tulip. A thin, white, foamy head sits on top of a cloudy peach juice body. Almost no lacing.

Lots of juicy orange, a hint of coriander and a nice balanced helping of lemongrass. Floral and fruity. I really like the way this smells.

The flavor is malty, slightly lactic with orange and wheat. Some coriander, but it takes a back seat, which I like. The lemongrass adds a touch of acidity and tartness.

Mouthfeel is somewhat malty, yet crisp and refreshing on the finish. Carbonation is about spot on.

Drinkability is great. I really hope DFH brings this one back next summer. A perfect, refreshing summer afternoon beer. Quaffable and tasty. Not extreme like most of DFH's beers, but very well done. Worth picking up if you're looking for a balanced, tasty, easy drinking beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2010 22:59:56 | More by sisuspeed

abuliarose

New Hampshire

4.43/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a goblet, revealing light and cloudy yellow body under a little bit of white, lively head. Lots of bubbles. Looking decent. Smells wheaty and fruity with a nice lemongrass presence. Very refreshing smelling. The slight spice from the coriander comes through and the orange citrus evokes the smell of hops.

Tastes light, wheaty and a little like a lemongrass tisane but with a nice complexity highlighted by the slight bitterness and fresh orange citrus. Mouthfeel is pleasant with a smooth but almost medium body and volume-adding carbonation that rapidly disappears on the tongue with only a slight tickle. Very, very drinkable. Glad it comes in a large bottle.

Overall I am very impressed with this offering. A unique take on a witbier, but they do a good job.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2010 22:56:25 | More by abuliarose

largadeer

California

2.55/5  rDev -33.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Thanks, Andrew. A cloudy straw body is topped by a small white head that drops to a thin collar. Smells like herbal tea and wheat bread. Lemongrass and coriander both come through very very strongly. The adjuncts are overpowering, as usual with DFH. Tastes of watery herbal tea, white bread, white pepper and strong coriander. Spices linger on the tongue in the finish. Not necessarily awful, but not good - it's over spiced yet somewhat watery.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2010 09:04:39 | More by largadeer

gford217

Georgia

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

Pours a hazy yellow with a fizzy white head fed by a steady stream of bubbles from the bottom.

Aroma is spicy with corainder and definitely has some orange peel in it. There is light lemony aroma as well as the underlying Belgian sweetness.

The taste is sweeter than the aroma and the fruity esters, bananas especially, come out a little more than in the aroma. The lemongrass is still prominent and the finish is spicy with coriander and white pepper.

The mouthfeel is effervescent with lots of carbonation and on the lighter side in terms of body.

A very good wit and very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2010 23:36:26 | More by gford217

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

aerozeppl

New York

3.85/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

The first thing I will say is that the label art is simply awesome.

A: The color was very vibrant. It was super cloudy and white with some orange thrown in. Almost looked like some examples of gose I have seen but I have not seen many. A little less than half a finger of white head.

S: Super spicy. Tons of citrus and some lemongrass. Smelled like a thai dish in a lot of ways. A touch estery but it really was in check.

T: The taste was much like the nose. Lots of citrus and the lemongrass came across nicely. You get the corriander nicely that combines with the yeast to round it out.

M: Weird in a good way. heavier than I thought it would be. Sharp carbonation.

D: The only downside to this beer is the price. We got this in PA and split it with some friends down there. Good beer but unless it was a lot cheaper I would not go for it again. Refreshing summer drinker.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2010 22:27:56 | More by aerozeppl

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly hazed gold with a decent white head. Some lacing in spots.

Funky scents. A wit, with yeast and wheat, but a real grassy edge to this one. Little must and funk for good measure.

Sweet wheat, tart grass, lemon, coriander (big time), some peppered elements, light bitterness, a little husk-like, maybe some bee-pollen. Fairly clean finish. Lighter bodied, tastes like a good summer wit with a citric twist. Goes down ok. I know I'd enjoy this more in the summer. Still good and worth the try.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2010 23:32:17 | More by OtherShoe2

TommyW

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Hazy, yellow/gold with a medium, uniform, white head.

S- Lots of coriander and orange peel with a faint wheat twang.

T- Again, packs a nice dose of coriander and orange peel with the lemongrass peaking out as well. Some orange citrus is there but not much. Little bit of a wheat twang as well.

M- Medium body with a crisp finish and feel.

D- Sorry to say that I had this on a cold and rainy New England day; it would be much better on a hot summer day. That said, this is still a top witbeer in my mind.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2010 19:34:02 | More by TommyW

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazy pale golden hue with a bright white head, fine bubbled creamy textured head forms thick and leaves behind scattered lace. Aroma is so nice a full on assault of coriander citrus peels and lemongrass notes. Sharp bright wheat note as well it works together well, I really enjoy just smelling this stuff. Flavor wise this is an excellent witbier, it's rare to see any beer brewed this much to style. Other than the lemongrass there's not much stray from a typical wit and this is an excellent fresh version of one. Heavy on the coriander, for those sensitive to it this won't be your beer, but it's definitely a rounded coriander. It's complemented with orange peel bitterness and lemon grass herbal tones, soft wheat creamy character this is excellent stuff. Mouthfeel has sturdy but smooth carbonation creamy body carries itself well light to medium in girth. Clean spicy finish these spices don't sit on the palate the carbonation and citrus helps to clear the coriander. Drinkability overall is excellent a really drinkable version of a dead on American brewed witbier. I would get more but not for 10 to 12 bucks a 750ml bottle.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2010 01:14:34 | More by WVbeergeek

Richardberg

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - poured into a chilled goblet. Bright straw-yellow, moderate layer of dense fizz around the rim, no lacing.

S - wheat, lemon zest, coriander, grass

T - pretty standard witbier flavor. Nothing to write home about, or worthy of the nifty dogfish artwork & exotic name on the bomber, either, TBH.

M - light body, not much fizz, decently oily for a 5% beer though

D - nice well made wit. Guess I was expecting something more...hoping, even, since wits are not really my thing...but in retrospect it's a pleasant, easy-drinking example of what craft brewing is all about, with no real flaws.

Now where did I put that triple imperial?

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2010 02:09:31 | More by Richardberg