Noble Rot - Dogfish Head Brewery

BuxMontBeerLover

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Found this on tap at the TGI Friday's in Rehoboth Beach, DE

Served and enjoyed from a goblet glass.

A - The beer is a nearly translucent, pale yellow color. Beer was delivered to the table with a one finger, white, fizzy head. It fades away to a light skim. A small amount of lacing left on the glass.

S - A slightly sweet, almost wine-like smell.

T - The initial sip totally reminded me of drinking a white wine. A very distinct, tart and sour taste. The grapes and juice used in the brewing process really shine through. Very smooth. As the beer sits a bit and the sampling went on, more of the yeasty, Belgian-style tastes came through(spicy and banana-like taste). The alcohol is slightly noticeable but this is really a highly drinkable beer.

M - Medium consistency. Moderate carbonation.

O - This beer really surprised me. I don't know what I was expecting but what I got was a fantastic beer from DFH. This beer, more than any other beer I've tried, would easily be enjoyed by both wine and beer lovers alike. Another great creation from DFH. Recommended.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

05-29-2012 13:09:01 | More by BuxMontBeerLover

ngeunit1

California

4.43/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a clear golden-yellow with a finger of frothy white head atop. The head fades down fairly slowly leaving behind some nice lace.

S - Aroma is a mix of farmhouse yeast and spices with some lemon zest, grape, with a bit of wheat and grains.

T - Starts off with a mix of grains, pilsner malt, white grapes, and a bit of tart lemon. Through the middle, some Belgian yeast comes through with a bit of spice and some more tart lemon peel. The finish is a mix of tart lemon, Belgian yeast, white grapes, and a bit of light yeast.

M - Medium bodied with moderate-plus carbonation. Feels smooth with a tart and dry finish.

D - Very drinkable. Really nice flavor added by the white grape, and the base saison is really nice. Good balance.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2012 06:51:00 | More by ngeunit1

warnerry

Michigan

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

A - Pours clear yellow/golden brown with almost two fingers of creamy white head. Head has good retention. Pretty nice lacing.

S - Light earthy musty funk, pils malt and white wine. also some grain in the aroma. Somewhat mild, but nice.

T - The grape component of this is quite prominent. Taste includes some grape juice flavors, as well as white wine flavors. Has a pleasant tartness to it, especially near the finish. Also a nice funk presence, not overly heavy, but present throughout and more prominent on the finish.

M - Medium mouthfeel has a nice acidity, with a dry earthy finish.

O - In some ways, this is one of my favorites from DFH. Definitely not a traditional saison, but a nice twist on the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 02:35:09 | More by warnerry

ummswimmin

New Jersey

3.6/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I picked up this bottle on the day it was released. I was really excited to try something completely new.

It looks perfect for a beer made in the pilsner style. You've got that perfect golden color, with really tiny bubbles. I like the way that the foam sticks to the glass to leave some really good lacing.

It smells like a really good saison. I like the sour presence. You also get some really healthy wine-like smells.

The flavor is very dry. It is very challenging to drink.

It is definitely something completely different. I'm glad for having had this beer, but I don't think I will be buying another.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 01:20:45 | More by ummswimmin

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On Tap at Whole Foods Plymouth Meeting.

The Noble Rot sports a nice golden yellowish color coming from the glass. A firm inch of off white bubbles that form like voltron. Nice stick towards the sides coating the glass. Retention is there. Smell is of the vinious/wine quality with underlining Saison traits.

The addition of whatever grapes used are bold and light rather than those purple type grapes. Wheat in the background with some earthy quality as well. This tastes fairly decent and the more sips that go down, the more I am digging this.

White wine character up front with some juice quality, some wheat mixing in with pale malt flavor with some twang on the finish. I thought this would be one of those syrup rich DFH beers but the lightness and non over sweetness bring this down to earth. While the 9% is quite high, this goes down easy like with no intrusion of the alcohol.

If this were 2 percent lighter, this would be even easier to take more gulps from quicker. Body is a sturdy medium with spritzy carb and a tart finish. Alive with flavor, Noble Rot is a nice step away from the overly extreme beers that make DFH a hit or miss brewery with me. This one is a hit, I just wish it came back in 4 packs.

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2012 01:51:37 | More by onix1agr

Ryanm1

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +24.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Was given a 22 ounce bottle of this as a gift. Poured it out into a pint glass about a month after recieving. A mediocre amount of white head.

Very golden in color. Transparent which differs from some Saisons which can be cloudy. Served very chilled. Grape effervescence in the bouquet. Fruity, floral smell.

The first sip sweetness was dectected. You can tell that belgian yeast was used for the fuity taste that had a hint of grapes. Upon research pinot gris grapes were used in the fermentation process. High 9% + abv.

One of the best beern I had in months.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2012 19:22:43 | More by Ryanm1

ChrisPratz

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

Been dying to get my hands on this and my beer shop finally had it.

A: Pours to a nice light gold color with two fingers worth of head that dissipates down to about a fingers worth of soft cloud like goodness. Reminds me of a bubbly white wine.

S: Alot of nice grape flavors going on but not very sweet grapes. Def smells like wine or champagne and the alcohol is noticeable on the nose. Also getting some hints of wheat but it is very very light.

T: Very unique. Some sweetness and tart from the get go, much like a dry white wine, however it lacks that punch u get from alcohol. Moving to a sourness that reminds me of a nice Belgian brew, with a nice flavor of yeast that hangs around for a bit as the tart dissipates. Hard to think of this as a beer but its delicious either way.

M: Above average carbonation works well with bringing home the spirit of the grapes and the feel of a nice white wine or champagne. After taste is clean and crisp and a leaves a dryness but one that is not quite as drastic as a dry pinot or other white wine.

O: Very nice brew. Not exactly what i'd call a beer but everything works very well and is a nice brew for special occaisions.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 23:58:35 | More by ChrisPratz

dasenebler

Maine

4.4/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750mL, 2012.

Pours a crystal clear, effervescent yellow-gold. Spotty lacing, decent retention.

The aroma is full of grape, melon and a funky yeast character reminiscent of fine cheese. A semi-sharp acidity also comes through.

The flavor is incredibly wine-like at first, and I feel like I'm drinking a dry, sparkling white wine. Then the bitterness kicks in on the finish, which is bone-dry but haunted by bready malts, reminding me this is beer. Acidic, with vinous notes and also sour apple and melon. Pretty funky as well, with a behind-the-scenes Saison character. The mouthfeel is well carbonated and medium-light.

A great attempt at fusing beer and wine, and also one of the best offerings, if not THE best, I've had from Dogfish Head.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 22:34:39 | More by dasenebler

KSac4115

Connecticut

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a light golden color with a one inch foam head that lingers for a while. Very filtered and lots of light coming through. An unexpected and impressive appearance for a stronger ale. Smell is mainly of belgian yeast and some light citrus/ fruity notes. Almost a wine-like scent to it which must be the grapes used in the brewing. Taste is very interesting. Very very sweet notes from the grapes. Again almost wine like flavors. Not very bitter at all. Interesting and delicious. The high alcohol content is somewhat obvious. The high carbonation makes the mouthfeel very pleasant. However the sweetness and the high alcohol content don't make it an incredibly drinkable beer. Overall, a very interesting beer. Definitely worth a try at least once.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 02:43:58 | More by KSac4115

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.8/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle opened on 5.2.12.
Bottled on date: 2012C

A - Pours a light pale yellowish-orange, looks like white wine. A fluffy white head forms and has good retention.

S - White grapes and lemons.

T - White and green grapes, green apples.

D - Tart, good carbonation, and a light body.

O - A beer that is close to white wine, cool I guess.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 04:43:37 | More by HuskyinPDX

KajII

North Carolina

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

[Best served in a Tulip glass]

The pour was a sparkling clear golden yellow with an average sized (1-2 finger) white fizzy head that diminished rapidly, leaving behind a light film with a medium collar and some pretty good sticky lacing.

The aroma was on the funky side with a mild hay malt and a musty Belgian yeast with notes of white grapes, green apple, a mild white wine and just a slight hint of alcohol.

The taste was sweetly tart with a nice note of grapes and malt early on, progressing into an almost sour funky taste with a big dose of yeast and a strong wine characteristic. The flavor stuck around for a nice long while, letting the tart yeasty wine flavor linger on the taste buds for a good long time.

Mouthfeel was light in body and nice and dry in texture with a good strong prickly carbonation.

Overall a very unique brew, a mix of wine and beer that was done so superbly that it gives it an almost champagne like quality with the body and flavor of an excellent Farmhouse Ale. Be warned this is one to be careful of; it has a 9% ABV that is virtually unnoticeable in the taste…

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 14:20:36 | More by KajII

Arborescence

Finland

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

Appearance: Golden, typical for a pilsner -- surprising as I was expecting something darker. Pours a modest white head that recedes immediately. Some carbonation is evident from the bubbling.

Aroma: Complex fruity aromas with hints of honey and floral characteristics. Yellow raisins. Some typical saison aromas: mainly yeast.

Taste: Very rich in fruity esters, quite a lot of bitterness. Honey-like sweetness and raisins still present. I think that some of characteristics are overwhelmed by the saison sourness, no doubt from the intricate mixture of Belgian yeast and botrytis.

Mouthfeel: Bubbly, almost like a sparkling wine, but not with that much carbonation. A little bit foamy in the mouth. Light bodied otherwise.

Overall: A very interesting attempt at a wine/beer hybrid, and I'd say a successful one! It's a bit harsh at first, but I do really feel like drinking a champagne of beers! Dry white wine comes to mind as well.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2012 23:49:18 | More by Arborescence

LiquidAmber

Washington

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

Poured into a Nostradamus flute glass. Pours a pale golden orange, just about the color of sparkling apple juice. One finger fine white head dissipates slowly to a film and ring with good lacing. Aroma domintated by grape, leaning towards concord grape, faint malt, herbal hay. Very unusual flavor, vinous middle with a bit of sourness in the finish. Apple, grape and slight neutral malt. Dry with a hint of hops in the finish. Light to medium bodied. Some of the flavors are reminiscent of cider, but this leans more toward grape flavor and has a slight malt element not found in cider. I do not favor sour saisons, but this one I found enjoyable and quite different than anything I've had in the past. Another of Dogfish Head's experiments that worked out in an unusual, but satisfying way.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 03:09:12 | More by LiquidAmber

sailorastro

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +22.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Overall: DFH had me surprised with this one, a saison that is more or less billed as, "Grapes... with more grapes." Despite my pre-opinion, Noble Rot happily proved me wrong. It's much more than a saison or farmhouse, something I could see blazing its own clarification as a "dessert beer".

Appearance: Clear, golden color like molten gold. Mild, attractive carbonation rising to a thin, cludy head.

Smell: Grapes; wine; oatmeal; cane sugar.

Taste: It's hard to tell that you're drinking beer, because it has a Riesling flavor made rich and sweetened with the grapes. Flavors of oats, strawberry, and a tinge of bitters balance the beverage.

Mouthfeel: Light and crisp--this finished as clean as it tastes.

Sampled from a snifter

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2012 22:33:20 | More by sailorastro

oldp0rt

Quebec (Canada)

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

Wanted to try this beer for a while and I'm happy I found it and had the chance to try it.

Poured from the bottle into a tulip.

This beer looks pale but has a nice white foamy head that dissipates fairly quickly.

It smells fruity and a lot like white wine. The first sip tastes fruity with a lot of grape flavors. The carbonation was perfect with this beer and the finish was very dry just like white wine.

I enjoyed this a lot and would not hesitate to revisit.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 16:19:23 | More by oldp0rt

farrago

New Jersey

3.7/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bleached white head, very airy and delicate, starts out over three fingers when you pour put resolves down quickly with lots of dimpling across the surface, not a large amount of lacing but what’s there is very sticky and longlasting. The liquid is a pale yellow to orange hue, shiny and fully transparent with a few bubble beads which sustain themselves well. The nose is sour and freshly penetrating, the wine component comes through clearly, boosting the florality as well as peach, apple, apricot, pear fruit, light banana, the citrus is a mix of lemon and white grapefruit, there’s a solid amount of ginger, coriander like spices, more leesy than yeasty, displays good lift given its relative heaviness in your nostrils. Medium-bodied, even sourer here with the addition of a strong grassiness alongside the elevating mixed citrus and unprocessed wheat and grains. You can make a better argument for yeastiness in the mouth, softens things a touch and supports the length of the apricot, peach, pineapple, green apple fruit. The baking spices take a step or two back from center stage. As it warms more of the pils qualities come out. The carbonation level is about where it should be, perhaps a little light. The funkiness is not dominant and, accounting for the overall sourness, the total experience is pretty clean. Good retronasal action after you swallow, extends presence.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2012 00:24:58 | More by farrago

lazjuarez

Florida

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a white wine glass. Bottle dated: 2012C 9:30

A: Pours a beautiful straw-like golden yellow, very clear with a great amount of carbonation coming off the bottom of the glass. Head is white, about half a finger worth of tightly packed small bubbles, surprisingly leaving a great amount of lacing.

S: Nose is funky, almost like wet hay. Some tart green apple, white grapes, and powdery yeast. Some small esters coming out at the end as well, lots of vinous qualities.

T: Taste is great, amazing complexity. Great vinous nuances, nice green apple/green grape tartness. Some small peppery notes cut the tartness as well.

M: Light-bodied; tartness at the front of the tongue, then carbonation cuts and lends to a great drying effect at the end. Overall I appreciate what Dogfish Head is doing with this brew. Great saison-ish/pilsner/sour, whatever it is...it's good.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 03:59:26 | More by lazjuarez

jmarsh123

Indiana

4.03/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Heatwave33 for the bottle.

Pours clear gold with a sticky 2 finger white head leaving good lacing.

Aroma contains some powerful musty grape along with brett.

Starts off somewhat vinous and spicy. Big bold red grape flavor throughout. The spiciness cuts through a bit on the finish, but there's still a subtle grape presence creating a nice dry lingering flavor on the back of the tongue.

Fairly light bodied with medium carbonation levels.

Not fantastic, but a very solid enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2012 21:45:24 | More by jmarsh123

nimrod979

Maryland

3.78/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle. Pours a crystal clear golden yellow with a two finger thick head. Long lasting foamy retention along with some lacing.

A wheaty saison yeast in the nose. Musty basement aromas. Slight fruity and floral notes.

Tart fruitiness throughout the flavor. Lemon and white wine flavors. It really reminds me of drinking a Pinot Grigio. Pilsner malts. A little yeasty with a good amount of funk with a tart finish.

Tart. Crisp. Medium bodied. Slight sour funky finish. Really does remind me of white wine in so many ways. Pretty good and interesting offering from DFH Ales.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 03:00:57 | More by nimrod979

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This is the clearest yellow that you'll ever see on a beer. It all starts off crazy biting with this acidic thing going on, but either it calms down or my taste buds get used to it. I probably get used to it as there is still a kind of bite to it. I dig it, but it may be too much for some. Nice sugar and sweet tones with lots of fruity aspects. It's a pretty unique beer that leans very much towards the Belgian style of things, though remains unique. I'd be interested to see what this is like in a few years with some age.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2012 07:37:55 | More by RblWthACoz

hoody711

Illinois

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

My second review, collaborative effort with the wife. Picked this bottle up from a little shop in West Wrigleyville.

A - pours a pale yellow reminiscent of the garbage beers I drank in college. 1 finger head that recedes to about 1/8 inch for the rest of the beer. Medium carbonation that lasts for a while. Good lacing. Besides the color, a pretty beer.

S - grassy, saison-y, sweet and fruity. Interesting, but nothing special IMO.

T - yep, that's white wine. Good lord. Smooth and velvety up front, leading to very sweet white wine taste. Just at the moment you think you can't take anymore the sweetness fades and leaves a tart, mild alcohol burn behind.

M - rich at first, then crisp, sharp and tart, and stays there.

O - love trying DFH creations. Not my favorite style of beer but they have definitely come up with something original. Not sure I'll buy it again but it was very interesting and I enjoyed drinking it. Buy a bottle to share with a friend.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2012 00:46:39 | More by hoody711

JCaweinstein

Ohio

3.78/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Light yellow, white head that disappears quickly, has lots of carbonation and is crystal clear.
I smell grapes and another aroma that I can only describe as earthiness.
Tart grapes, sweet, and another earthy funkiness. It is definitely an interesting beer.
Feels like champaign, light and effervescent. The carbonation makes it crisp and leaves a tingling sensation on my tongue.
This is a tasty beer that is not like anything I have tasted. I would be interested in having another one of these to age.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2012 22:56:32 | More by JCaweinstein

Firkin-Bunghole

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

Reviewed from notes
1 pint 9.4 fl oz bottled 2012 08:22
Poured from bottle into goblet.
A: Yellow in color with small white head that quickly recedes.
S: Grapes, sugar, saison funk.
T: Grapes more so than any other flavor dominate this beer/wine hybrid. This is really interesting and tasty. Can't believe how delicious these rotten/infected grapes are.
M: Light mouthfeel, good amount of carbonation
O: At $13.99/bottle pretty comparable in price range to other Dogfish Head beers. I will buy a couple more to pair with shellfish and to see what my mom thinks about it who loves white wine, but doesn't enjoy beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2012 01:54:07 | More by Firkin-Bunghole

jsanford

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a clear, glowing gold with a creamy white head that settles to a thin cap, leaving soapy lacing clinging to the glass.
S - Crisp aromas of white grape juice, light biscuit malt, honey, and coriander. Not a ton of character in the nose, but definitely wine-like.
T - Ok, there's the wine. Lots of buttery white wine grapes, crisp honey and biscuit malts, earthy Saison yeast, and some spicy white pepper and coriander. Definitely a great melding of beer and wine.
M - Sharp and refreshing, with a medium body and lively carbonation.
O - Very unique brew, a nice offering from DFH!

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2012 04:09:17 | More by jsanford

MatthewWilde

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sample: 1 bottle 2012

A: Golden yellow, slightly cloudy, pours a small foamy head which quickly dissipates, little to no internal carbonation

S: Quite sweet and fruity, wine and champagne dominate the nose, a touch of alcohol at the end, almost sour-smelling

T: Quite sour and sweet all at once, tastes almost exactly like champagne (sparkling wine), pure grape is present as well, nicely fruity, incredibly mild alcohol

M: Smooth, but the acidity on the palate cuts down on the drinkability, still impressive with such a high abv, light and fruity aftertaste and not too lingering

O: While Miller High Life may call itself the champagne of beers, nothing I have tried thus far tastes more like champagne than this, light, fruity, and a bit sour

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 22:53:29 | More by MatthewWilde