Noble Rot - Dogfish Head Brewery

spoony

Colorado

3.79/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

From a 750 ml into a tulip.

A-The color is very light, golden-yellow (like white wine) and mostly clear. There is about one fat finger of white, shiny foam. Some nice lacing is left on the glass.

S-Smell is a pleasantly tart (though not sour) mixture of lemon, straw, and white wine scents. Touch of funk, too.

T-The taste follows the smell with some sweet lemon drop flavor and a mild tartness being the dominant components. There is a funky undertone that fades to an herbal, warming alcohol flavor on the finish.

M-This is a light-weight brew. Carbonation is fine. Easy to drink.

O-The wine character is very noticeable and makes for a unique brew. Flavor is not as complex as some, but the beer has a pleasing, drinkable tartness and feel. I'm not sure that I'm completely sold on the wine juice/must concept, but I have certainly tasted worse beers.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 18:02:40 | More by spoony

JRed

New Jersey

3.89/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bright, transparent golden with champagne bubbly white head. Aroma of lemon skin, white grapes similar to fruit juice, vague vanilla, and floral notes. Tastes of spiked apple juice, grapes, sour notes, floral notes, slight funk, wine-like towards the finish. Light and bubbly. A champagne beer. The 9% is there but easy to handle. Sweet but reserved.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 00:39:37 | More by JRed

ESPNman

California

3.89/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Served in a Stone IRS Snifter

A - Pours a white wine-like (shocking, huh?) straw yellow. It looks like an extremely pale pils, but more like white wine mixed with a pale cider. A vigorous pour results in two fingers of thick, pure white, fluffy head. Some spotty lacing.

S - Plenty of wine, funk, barnyard, and a bit of pale malt. There's definitely a musty funk smell there, but plenty of wine character shines through, giving this a sweet juicy aroma. The yeast lends a bit of extra fruit character to the nose.

T - Definitely an interesting and complex flavor to this brew. It starts out with some sweet grape juice notes mixed with some malt. It transitions from there into the musty, funky, mouth-puckering sour notes that this brew is best known for. It finishes tart and quite dry with a lingering barrel funk flavor... and a bit of cheese-like taste.

M - Medium carbonation, but very champagne-like in how it looks in the glass. It really feels like a sparkling wine in the mouth. Very dry on the finish.

O - Solid brew, and a successful experiment to be sure. It's sweet, it's tart, it has some solid yeast character, it retains all of the characteristics of its ingredients, and yet doesn't come across as muddled. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 04:18:02 | More by ESPNman

NickG1202

Virginia

3.69/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into an over sized wine glass from a 750

Appearance was a soft, hazy, yellow with high carbonation with slight to no real lacing.

It smelled of a musty fruity concoction that quickly fades into a wine laden flavor fest. The taste is just as musty as the smell and has a super long finish. I still taste my first sip three minutes in.

They mouth feel is light and delicate. Truly seems like the champagne of beers.

Overall an other solid beer from Sam and his crew in Delaware. For me a tad sweet and a little too much must but hey...some find that irresistible. I would drink again perhaps on a warm summers eve. Be warned, at 9% it'll get ya. Cheers!!

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 03:41:42 | More by NickG1202

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From BeerAdvocate magazine Issue #62 (Mar 2012):

LOOK: Very pale, bright, clear, Pils-like, active, big frothy white foam head

SMELL: Vinous, Pinot Gris, cheese, fruity, musty

TASTE: Light, vinous, concentrated white grape juice, fruity, slightly acidic, dry, spicy, cheesy, musty, tannic

This Saison (of sorts) was brewed with botrytis (noble rot) infected juice from Viognier grapes and Pinot Gris must, which was intensified by “dropping fruit” (cropping the grapes). It’s then balanced with Pilsner and wheat malts, and finished with a Belgian yeast strain. Although its wine-like flavors dominate, Noble Rot tastes just as interesting as it sounds; demanding a “must” try for adventurous palates.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 03:37:03 | More by BeerAdvocate

TheBrewo

Michigan

4.08/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

We pour a brew of pale yellow coloring. It holds a fizzy half finger tall head of tight white bubbles, showing okay retention. Thick rings and spots of lacing are seen around the glass. There is utter clarity to the beer, with no haze or sediment noted, while carbonation appears fast and active, much like champagne. The nose gives pale and chalky malts, with sweetness of their own that matches plastics and stark and souring green grapes. This gives an aroma comparable to the base notes of champagne, as noted in the look as well. The yeast gives metallics, and with warmth, almost borders on Brettiness, mineral, and barnyard grassiness. Hops give bitterness and sweetness in the form of lemony citrus. Our first impression is that, in very much the same fashion as the rest of the beer, it is much like champagne, but with a more soured, yeasty finish. As we sip, metallic malts, green grape skin dryness, white sugar sweetness, soured Bretty and Belgian yeast muskiness, and that pale malt base. The middle peaks with more chalky pale grain, metallic yeast, musk grapes of champagne, soured grape skins, and juicy citric sourness. The final wash comes with the juiciness of sweet grapes, souring citrus, cellar musk, pale and wheaty malts, mineral, white sugar sweetness, and the balancing bittered starkness of drying yeast. The aftertaste breathes of green grape skin, chalky wheat, metallic yeast, alcohol, soured lemon rind, and chalky, puckering pale graininess. The body is medium, and the carbonation is higher, with big froth and cream to the lip. Each sip gives nice sip and smack, with a good finishing pop. The mouth is coated with bubbles and foam, but quickly dries with grapey astringency. The residual sugariness gives the stickiness to the lips of a much more syrupy brew. The abv is appropriate, and the beer drinks easily.

Overall, what we liked best about this beer was the juiciness of the flavoring via the grape, while keeping so much musky dryness, and qualities of champagne. This beer truly is the champagne of beers. The look, the nose, the flavoring, and the feel all overlap significantly with that beverage, all while keeping a distinct funky sourness to it, and enough seriousness to keep the flavoring appropriate, and the beer drinking smoothly. This is an impressive beer, and we might have to employ it every year now to ring in the New Year.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 02:24:59 | More by TheBrewo

Alieniloquium

Florida

2.83/5  rDev -27.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

750 mL bottle poured into a tumbler. Reviewed from notes.

Appearance - Nearly clear dark yellow. White head and nice lacing.

Smell - Musty fruity aroma. Grape juice, specifically. Strong white wine presence.

Taste - Sweet as hell. Much more white wine flavor. Pilsner malt before a touch of bitterness.

Mouthfeel - Immensely sweet. It hints that it might dry out a bit into a musty fruity finish, but nowhere near it yet.

Overall - Hardly a saison, but I guess that's what Dogfish does. Really heavy and winey. Only a little bit of what I'd call beer behind the sugars.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 20:49:14 | More by Alieniloquium

Billolick

New York

4.33/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Birdsall House, in Peekskill, NY. At least a few months ago and reviewed from notes.

Pours near clear, light and yellowish. Also a near white delicate head, that leaves dense sheeting and ample fine lace.

Fruity wine like nose, grapey, dry and acidic.

This is a bittingly dry and at the same time quite fruity and flavorful creation. Wine like, crisp, complex and yummy in general. Nice job here by DFH

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2012 15:42:14 | More by Billolick

cosmicevan

New York

4.33/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Notes taken from early 2012 (March?) from a bottle share i hosted with the local crew.

Thanks kindly to blake for the share.

pours clear yellow with thick foamy bubbly head and it coats the glass with lacing. very light pilsner look. smells grape, belgiany, pilsnery. flavor follows the nose. nice white grape. easy drinker really enjoyable and one of the better DFH beers I've had to date.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 20:39:26 | More by cosmicevan

dfillius

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass.
A: Moderate pour yields 1 finger of fizzy white head with poor retention but a nice layer of foam remains and redeems it. Slightly hazy faded straw-yellow liquid is inviting on a hot day.
S: Citrus, slight Belgian funk, very complex. Slight bleu cheese, sauvignon blanc fruitiness. Pineapple, some honey.
T: Lemon citrus, tart barnyard. Like a hybrid shandy/radler and kolsch or lager. Very mellow and tasty. Restrained but complex and refined. Wine-iness increases as it warms. Sauvignon blanc-esque. Is this a braggot? I like it a lot. Honey is noticeable in the finish.
M: Very effervescent. A tad too much, which makes it a gut filler. Smooth, tart, expectorant from the tartness. Dry finish is similar to a sauvignon blanc.
O: Very high drinkability. Great for fancy meals or hot days. Priced for fancy meals! Would love another and will buy again. Only negative is the price!

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 21:44:02 | More by dfillius

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.7/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

- Brewed with botrytis infected viognier grape must.

A: Rapid efferversce of micro-bubbles rise in a bead on a string fashion with a rapid transit in a sparkling lemon gold body. Creamy frothy whipped head shows a finger high statue and a steady hold of retention leaving a big sloppy mesh of lacing on the vessel.

S: Sour grape mash, fresh raisins, um yeah no surprises here, a low to moderate state of delivery.

T: Flavor was wine like, sour grapes, acidic, but seems to maintain a nice balance and level of the infected grapes, not overly done or obnoxious but easy for the sake of drinkability hitting that sweet spot.

M: Good sense of carbonation is about, syrupy slickness texture with a strong medium malt support for body.

O: Interesting take, sour grapes? not at all, a different take per style, but probably best split on the bomber. The alcohol doesnt seem to interfere and is well behaved for its abv.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 22:44:01 | More by beerthulhu

ToddT

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

L- Crystal clear golden yellow topped with a large off white head. Head fades slowly and leaves some spotty lace on the glass.

S- If I didn't know better I would have thought this was a white wine, but I think that was the point. Lots of sweet grape characteristics, hints of oak, musty earthiness, and bubblegum, there is a slight tint of citric acid at the tail end of this.

T- Sweet grape juice is dominate throughout the entire profile, dryness doesn't wait till the finish but comes in right in the middle and brings a slight citric tartness along. Bone dry finish slightly green apple tart and musty.

M- Light in the mouth and a little more than medium in carbonation. Drying finish leaves you wanting one more sip, but it does become somewhat trying on the palate with the growing puckering effect as you work your way through this.

O- Outstanding experiment, I don't think I would want a lot of this one though, one serving was more than enough for me. The 9.0% ABV was well hidden and it went down pretty easy, except for the overly dry finish this could have been epic. Don't get me wrong this is a beer to seek out and try and it does blur the lines of what a beer can be. Nice job, Dogfish Head!

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 18:47:45 | More by ToddT

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.55/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle poured into tulip 18/10/12, cheers liamt07 for sending the bottle

A clear yellow liquid with just a few tiny bubbles feeding a thin cap of white head that sits for a few sips leaving a single partial ring

S smells of apple juice then a bubblegum forward saison yeast takes over, a little pear and vinous notes, sorta smells of oxidized white wine

T not quite funky but earthy notes and vinous aspects sneak around the heavy blast of apple juice, a little sweetness but I was expecting a very sweet beer from the name, interesting idea and attempt but not overly impressive

m not overly thick but a little fluffy from the bubbles, just some faint heat but at 9% I'd expect much more

O reminds me more of a cider then anything, vinous notes and a nice farmhouse is trying to shine through but its not that bright, its a decent beverage and an interesting concept but not really rocking my world

I'll hand it to Dogfish Head they try new things and take chances, this is far from a bad brew but perhaps I'm just not in the mood for a cidery, vinous style beer, props for hiding 9% though this one has some well concealed liquor

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 05:35:24 | More by wordemupg

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I poured this from a 22oz bottle, it has a nice clear yellowish color body with a nice small white head that hangs around for a while. The smill is of white grapes with a wine aroma. the taste is very crisp and kinda tart of white grapes, border line chardoney. The mouth feel is very nice and smooth, and overall, a outstanding beer from DFH.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 01:57:15 | More by chefhatt

philbe311

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Slightly more than a finger's worth of crisp pure white colored head... Minimal retention gives way to a mostly full lacing that ultimately recedes to nothing more than a moderate collar... A few fairly quick paced carbonation streaks rise within comprised of medium sized bubbled... The color is a pale golden straw color reminiscent of white wine...

S - A big complex nose... Lots of wine like characteristics will leave wondering whether your drinking a beer or wine... Sweet white grapes... A bit musky... Golden raisins... A slight grainy wheat component as well...

T - The blurred line of beer and wine continues on the palate... Lots of sweet white grape notes... A touch of honey... Golden raisins... A bit grainy... Muted white wine for lack of a better descriptor... Quite a bit of complexity...

M - On the lighter side of medium bodied... Clean... Crisp... Dry... Sharp biting carbonation... Very straight forward...

D - This beer truly walks a fine line between beer and wine unlike any I have tried to date in 1,000+ reviews... Not outstanding and not something I would drink with regularity, but it is what DFH does best - pushing the bounds of brewing creativity while still producing rock solid brews... An interesting offering all the way around... Kudos...

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 01:33:23 | More by philbe311

SHODriver

California

4.23/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours a clear yellow with a small white head that recedes to a small mat and a collar in a Dogfish snifter
S: smells of grapes, melon, kinda buttery, slight pale malt, a slight oakiness and a bit of spicy yeast
T: tart grapes, nice pale malt flavor, a bit of melon, a little spice from the yeast. swallow brings a bit more grape/wine and some clean pale malt flavor
M: slightly drying with soft carb and a medium mouthfeel. it feels a bit slick
O: quite an interesting beer and an interesting concept. it tastes like you would expect as a mix of a beer and a wine. it's a bit off for a saison but it tastes good for what it is. the complexity is nice and it's about what you would expect. I was really excited to get this beer in a trade and it did not disappoint.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 03:52:15 | More by SHODriver

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.98/5  rDev +28.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Off the charts excellent but not your typical beer. As indicated it is borderline wine - a great bubbly Chardonnay like white. Nose is white grape, sour and some citrus. On the tongue beer is not the first thing present - you almost have to search for the beer. For fans of wine and beer with an open mind this is a great surprise. Texture up front is excellent fading only slightly through the back with a lingering white grape and lemon flavor. Could be considered in the sour class but i think its actually in a class by itself. Excellent pairing with sushi. Thank you DFH for going outside of the box.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 23:26:00 | More by Oakenator

claspada

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a translucent golden color with a medium size white head that sticks around before falling and leaving a good amount of lacing.

Aromas begin with a balance between the wine and beer elements; the pilsner malt is discernable but the grape aromatics from the Viognier grapes are more prominent. As it warms you get a but more of the tart grapes and a light citrus zest with a touch of honey sweetness.

The tastes begin with the same pilsner maltiness and then the tart grape flavors take over, adding a lemony bite by mid-palate. As it warms you get some of the underlying Belgian doughy yeastiness. The lingering flavors are primarily white vinous induced.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with low to moderate carbonation. Finish is semi-sweet with the grapes adding a mild puckery element. ABV makes the flavor profile a little heavy for the style.

Overall these Dogfish Head experiments are usually hit or miss for me; this one is a little different as I enjoyed it but would be unlikely to seek it out again. A nice blend of the White Wine Grape flavor with a Saison but the ABV/malt heft makes this a tad bit of a chore to finish the whole bottle.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 16:33:19 | More by claspada

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.58/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from tasting notes.

Poured out a lighter yellow color, semi-hazy, with a fast-fading head and minimal lacing.
Smells of lemons, white wine (really nice white wine BTW) and gains a tiny little garnish of funk / spice as it warms up. Very straightforward nose on this one.
Tastes a bit more sugary than I had expected from the nose. There is some residual left over in there, but the wine is definitely the dominant force over the beer characteristics in this one. White grape must transitions into a semi-dry white wine blended with a touch of Belgian yeast tones.
Sparkly carbonation and lighter body makes the texture more akin to a wine spritzer than a beer as well.
Overall, this was a worthwhile experiment IMHO, even though the beer qualities tend to get drowned out somewhat by the wine aspects.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 03:09:31 | More by WastingFreetime

garuda

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Clear bright golden body, thick white cap that has great retention with some lacing.

S - Nicely complex with grape juice, white wine, a little earthy funk, hay, floral hops, candied sugar.

T - Kind of a let down here, with the grape juice, white wine aspects taking over, ending up on the sweet, acidic side. Vinous, but without the oakiness. Sweet acidity dominates by the end. Abv is hidden extremely well, though.

M - Medium to light in body, lively carbonation, mostly smooth across the palate, but the cloying sweetness doesn't allow a clean finish. No bite, no dryness.

O - Starts out pretty well, but ends up too sweet and acidic for me. White wine-like, without the oak.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 13:57:33 | More by garuda

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Noble Rot pours a clear golden yellow/light amber with a small frothy white head. As the foam fades away some lines and spots of lace remain on the glass.

The aroma is mainly notes of white grapes, light lemon, and wheat.

Each sip of this light to medium bodied beer is smooth and dry with moderate carbonation. The flavor is white grape (like wine), light lemon tartness, and wheat. It finishes floral (lavender?). Once gone the grapes and floral notes linger.

This is a tasty and interesting beer that makes my teeth tingle.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 00:57:58 | More by WanderingFool

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.18/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours and elegant looking, clear, golden yellow with a fluffy white head that laces. The nose is both tart and sweet with big notes of yeast followed by an alcoholic bite. The taste is a clean saison base with a very big presence from the grapes/rot. It has an outstanding, tart, green apple mouthfeel that helps balance the perfectly sweetened saison base. It finishes semi-dry and has ample carbonation, tricking me into thinking that I'm drinking a champagne. However, the saison is still a big part of this beer and contributes to DFH's overall success with this beer. Definitely worth trying, I may go stock up in case they don't re-release.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 01:07:10 | More by ThePorterSorter

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.03/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a clear golden yellow color with a two finger frothy white head that slowly settles into a lasting ring. Chunks of soapy lacing left behind.

Sweet, slightly earthy aroma with funky yeast and earthy hops countered by bread, yeast, biscuity malt and light fruit.  Light grapes, apple and alcohol.

Medium bodied with a good amount of earthy, musty funk that is overtaken by a strong, sweet vinous presence.  Hints of grassy hops and funky yeast followed by prominent vinous grapes as well as some apple, pear and sweet booze.  Not much heat though with a well masked abv.   Just a bit too sweet for my liking and could use some more funk for balance.  Decent but a bit one dimensional.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 01:30:53 | More by corby112

russwbeck

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: White wine-like clear yellow pour with a ton of bubbles racing up and a nicely retained wispy white head. Thick lacing on the glass.

S: While my friend says this smells like "ass," I think it smells pretty ok. Wheat mostly, with some nice funk, and only some fruit. Mostly a sweet saison.

T: The fruit is much more apparent on the taste. Still, it slides towards typical saison for me. The taste is quite nice with the funk and sweetness balancing quite well. Perhaps I don't understand the subtleties of the wine characteristics.

MF: Lightest body I have every come across. Lot of carbonation as well. Dry finish and really drinkable.

O: I'm glad I tried it, but it wasn't great. Nice take on the saison-style, but I doubt I would grab it again.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2012 19:26:26 | More by russwbeck

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a slightly hazy beige color ale with a rather large foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of rustic malt with light spicy yeast ester and some light dry grape notes light dry hoppy notes also distinguishable. Taste is a complex mix of rustic malt with dry hoppy notes with light dry grapes notes that are more subtle then I had expected. Body is quite full with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Very well brewed and hard to describe but very complex and still easily drinkable. I was almost expecting a mess of flavour based on the description but Dogfish were really able to create a very unique and interesting beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 18:22:00 | More by Phyl21ca