Faithfull Ale - Dogfish Head Brewery

BeerDawgs

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A 750 ML botle I picked up a year ago and has been sitting in my cabinet

A - Deep golden yello, no clarity. Nice 2 fingers of head and lace left all over the glass.

S - Smells delicous. Belgian candy yeast, apples, currants

T - Mild, not as tasty as the aroma would lead you into expecting. Not quite sweet/fruity enough.

M - Dry, light bodied, heavy carbonation.

O - After its appearance and aroma, I was expecting more. Not bad by any means, but dissapointing nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 01:06:42 | More by BeerDawgs

writerLJBerg

Oregon

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

750mL bottle. Split with my wife on 10-24-12

A: Clear gold with a fading white head. No legs.

N: Fruity and sweet. Currants and plenty of pilsner type malt. Some floral elements. White grape and green apple.

T: Very pilsner like again, but that’s not what I’d expect from a Belgian golden. Yeasty. The currents and grape are somewhat distant. Biscuity. Really, this doesn’t have enough of the fruit evident in the nose.

M: Very light, but very sharply carbonated. Alcohol is well-hidden.

O: It’s decent and worth a try if you have someone to split it with, but it would have benefited from more body and more currant.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 17:42:11 | More by writerLJBerg

vandemonian

Maryland

3.28/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Dogfish Head Faithfull Ale is a very dry Belgian pale ale that doesn't taste so great. Meh.

A: Yellow orange colour and a 3 mm head that lasts reasonably well. 3.5

S: Malty and sweet like most DFH beers with some fruitiness. 4

T: Malty with a dusty, metallic base. It's pretty dry. Nothing much else going on. 3

M: Foamy and dry. 3.5

O: 3

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 05:09:00 | More by vandemonian

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

3.83/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a tumbler pint glass.

A: Poured a hazy, golden yellow color beneath a thing, tight head of thin, white carbonation that left a bit of lace on the glass.

S: Fruity and floral, with hints of licorice and blackberries. A mellow, spicy hop aroma highlights the delicate, sugary nose.

T: There's an initial wave of raspberry and blackberry flavors that rush the tongue and dry out quickly with confectioner sugary sweetness. This segues into a more traditional, spicy, peppery and minty effervescence with floral and tropical fruity flavors of a traditional Belgian pale. The finish is dry, buttery and crackery malts with a mild, spicy, herbal hop resin and sugary booze flavor that wipes away with a mellow finish.

M: Medium-bodied ale with a slight chew from yeast and malt sediment, dry, crackery and sugary malts with a slightly spicy and alcohol-tinged finish.

O: The currants are downplayed a bit, aside from the initial fruitiness of the brew. This 7% ABV specialty, fruit and music inspired Belgian pale ale has appeal at a base level, and does not disappoint there. However, the grand scheme of things is not entirely interesting or monumental. It's a good ale, but not one I'm clamoring to put back in production.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 03:17:13 | More by Gambrinus1184

MacQ32

South Carolina

3.28/5  rDev -3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I bought this around a year ago if I had to guess, it was in a dark stable temperatured cabinite for about 8 months and in my fridge for about 3, not ideal, I know.

A - Pours a very light golden/yellow with lots of stations sediment throughout the drink once the carbonation relaxes. Poured a large 2 inch near white head that had ok retention, lacing is ok. Looks a little thin.

S - Some sweet fruity apple and yeasty flavors, sweet caramel malts are obvious as well as a biscuity quality. A little weak.

T - There are the currants, pretty sweet overall and just like it smells. Yeastyness is minimal, maybe a little at the finish. Sweet biscuit malts and sweet apples/currant, maybe slightly grassy.

M - Much thicker than anticipated, medium bodied, at first it appeared extremely carbonated but now has minimal carbonation, this is a good thing in my opinion.

O - For what it is its pretty nicely done. I would like to try a fresh batch but this has no sign of aging too long, maybe I would have picked up on some bitterness had it been consumed months ago but the sweet malty and fruit flavors seem to be where they should be.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 22:02:02 | More by MacQ32

Halcyondays

California

2.98/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

On-tap at Beachwood II,

A: Pours a relatively clear straw yellow to goldenrod, with a light white head leaving some lace.

S: Bready malt, some yeasty notes, apple with a hint of currants.

T: Malt and yellow apples. The currants are noticable adding a hint of jam, but the overall flavour is dominated by the yeast and malt character.

M: Medium-bodied, crisp, a little too powerful carbonation. Off-dry.

O: I was a tad disappointed in this. I really wanted the currants to play a lot more of a part in the overall character of the beer. I got an OK pale ale with a bit of astringent fruit.

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2012 23:20:50 | More by Halcyondays

kagent777

Utah

3.75/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle purchased while in Boston a while back, poured into my Perfect Pint.

Appearance: Very tight half finger thick head atop a slightly hazy straw. Loads of bubbles streaming from the bottom. Little lacing.

Smell: Fruit in the nose but not as strong as I was expecting, which may be good. A light yeast note adds to the bisquity malts.

Taste: I am glad the currants do not extend too far out, this beer is very balanced. The slight fruity sweetness is the first part of the taste. Imagine how the Belgian phenols smell, that fills in the rest of the taste, subtly. Very little bitterness or sour, but a tiny bit of tart. This one grows on me.

Mouthfeel: One of the smoothest beers I have ever had. The body is middle to heavy, with a lower carbonation. I am not sure how brewers control mouthfeel, but Dogfish Head nailed it with this one.

Overall: I am glad to have tried this beer, I really enjoy Pearl Jam's music. I was not bowled over by this beer, but it is well made. I cannot imagine a random person just picking this one up in the beer store, so newbs need not be warned of anything.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 03:44:04 | More by kagent777

dacrza1

New Jersey

3.43/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

glassware: Infinium flute....occasion: the deck is officially framed...appearance: bubbly white head that rises on a hazy gold body...aroma: fruit-fortified--the currants are sour and stronger than some reviewers have stated; not a turn-on or a turn-off, but abrupt...palate: light and spritzy--not as strong as Pearl Jam's early or late catalogue--and easily drinkable (a.k.a. little character--decidely not Eddie Vedder!)...taste: slightly pungeant, sour fruit flavors....overall: like Pearl Jam's better songs, the subtle power (alcohol) of this beer is best served in an easily drinkable package...

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 03:33:34 | More by dacrza1

Jacobob10

New Jersey

3.48/5  rDev +3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Full disclosure - I am a huge Pearl Jam fan. Big thanks to my mom for getting me a bottle of this as a present on my 29th birthday! Best mom ever. I brought the bottle to dinner to celebrate getting engaged and shared it with the best man at my upcoming wedding, also a lifelong PJ fan.

Poured into a wine glass, its color was straw yellow. Mostly clear with a slight haze and a small white head. Above average carbonation. Aroma consisted of bread and yeast with subtle fruits from the currants and a touch of alcohol. Flavor was slightly sweet but not overpowering. Lightly hopped. Would be more refreshing if the alcohol wasn't as present, but the carbonation makes it easier to drink.

I tried this beer on tap several months before and was really disappointed. Something seemed off about it so I held off on reviewing it until I could try the bottled version. Overall, not a bad beer and something different than your usual strong pale ale. If they knocked the alcohol down a bit, I think it would benefit the beer. I probably wouldn't get it again but I am glad I got a chance to try it.

Here's to 20 more incredible years of Pearl Jam! Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 18:13:34 | More by Jacobob10

ehammond1

California

3.75/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On Tap

Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA

Clear golden, small white head, that doesn't leave much behind in the way of stick. This appears rather ordinary.

Bread, yeast, and very mild, interesting funk are present, along with the sweet, juicy aroma of black currants. Mild overall, but pleasant.

The flavor is quite nice, and the fruit is able to shine through, as there is hardly much bitterness to get in the way. There's also some grass and bread and a very mild, farmhouse funk.

Medium bodied with high carbonation. Crisp and drinkable.

Much better than I was anticipating.

Serving type: on-tap

08-16-2012 17:53:00 | More by ehammond1

philbe311

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I'm a little nervous given some of the reviews, but I might as well crank some Pearl Jam and enjoy...

A - A finger's worth of fluffy creamy delicate off-white colored head to start... Limited retention gives way to a full mostly thin veil of lacing with a dollop of froth in the center of the glass... The color is a pale amber... A slight haziness... Loaded with carbonation to start before becoming fairly still with only a slight cyclone of micro-bubbles int he center of the glass... Not a bad looking brew by any means...

S - Interesting aroma... A variety of smells dominate... Candied sugars... Black currants... A slight booziness reminiscent of cheap Irish whiskey... A faint Belgian yeast component... While the individual parts may not seem appealing, the odd mix makes for a unique and interesting and fairly appealing aroma...

T - Everything alluded to by the aroma is present, but becomes much more muddled... The Belgian yeast takes on a more dominant presence... The candied sugars and cheap whiskey are present... The black currants take a distant back seat... There is also a faint medicinal presence above and beyond the cheap booze presence...

M - Medium bodied... Lightly carbonation... A bit sticky... Surprisingly dense... Coats the mouth evenly and fully...

D - Not a bad brew by any means... I'm actually a bit surprised by composite low score this one has received to date... Not something I would drink with regularity, but a nice take on style by DFH... Perhaps kicking back with any brew and a little PJ in the background will make anything taste better, but then again isn't that the ponit of this beer???

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 21:39:57 | More by philbe311

scootny

New York

3.38/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A clear golden ale with a thin head but decent lacing. Smell is light malt and bread with a bit of fusel alcohol. A bit of fruitiness as well, apples and grapes mostly. Taste is much the same with a mild hoppiness. A nice honeyed overall malt base with some bread and sweet rolls. Alcohol in the finish is a bit hot though the sweetness is nice, a warming swallow. Very mild hop bitterness. Feel is medium light with a crispness when cold that settles into a fuller creaminess as it warms and the carbonation becomes more expansive. A nice beer overall though not a world shaker. The price makes it a bit of a disappointment but not a big one. I just wish the alcohol presence was a bit more subdued making for a more drinkable and better overall beer imo

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 23:49:44 | More by scootny

Alieniloquium

Florida

2.98/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

750 mL bottle shared with some Pearl Jam fans. Reviewed from notes.

Appearance - Crystal clear yellow. Nice white head and some good lacing. But really, it looks flavorless.

Smell - Musty dry smell. Somewhat yeasty and sweet smelling. Fruits, but I couldn't possibly identify it as currants.

Taste - Sweet light malts and a slight acidic tinge to it. Mildly bitter finish and just a hint of, again, unrecognizable fruit. Apparently it's currants.

Mouthfeel - Thick. Really thick for something so light in flavor. Very musty finish.

Overall - A very average BPA, if that's really what it is. Lacking complexity and fruit. Just about nothing exciting about this beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 16:40:11 | More by Alieniloquium

lacqueredmouse

Australia

2.4/5  rDev -29%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

750ml bottle purchased from Bevmo in Sunnyvale, CA.

Pours a very light golden colour, with a white head that froths up initially, but then forms a flimsy film atop the body. The beer itself seems a little light, although it forms really nice fine carbonation. Some positives, some negatives to the appearance.

Nose is uninspired. Mostly flat, with a fermented sugar or grainy adjunct character, mingled with a cloying sweetness and a hint of paint thinner. Some sugary notes could be the currants, although it could just be booze. Unimpressed.

Taste is better only because it is blander. Light grainy sweetness through to the back, when there's a slight uptilt in metal and booze, and perhaps a slight fruity acidity on the aftertaste. Feel is exceptionally light, almost absent. Overall, a really unimpressive brew.

Urgh. I'm totally off DFH's beers. Why did I buy this one? I knew it was going to follow the same trajectory. Something about the promise of currants through the boil intrigued me. But like most Dogfish beers I've had, the intrigue is one thing, and the execution is quite another.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 04:09:08 | More by lacqueredmouse

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.45/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into an E&J Cask & Cream glass on 5/31/12

Straw yellow and golden color; mostly clear. The head swoops up to over three finger and spills out of the glass. Napkin time. The foam is smooth and drops to about a half an inch, leaving good trails of lace. Overall retention is a thin layer.

When first in the glass, Faithfull Ale smelled strongly of husks, grass and nobel-ish hops. Touch of toasty grain, too. As the head falls away, modest grape aromas emerge. I wondered where those currants were hiding.

The taste is a tad more vinous than outright grape flavored. This is especially so starting in the middle and on to the latter half where the currants jostle the grassy base beer. There is a subtle hop rub on the finish as well. All told, the flavor work pretty well together.

The body is fairly light, with a slight puffy, granular feel. Carbonation is a shade lower than moderate and suits the beer nicely. The finish is dry and rather clean.

Overall impression - The best part about this beer is that nothing is over the top. In the land of the Dogfish, this is a pretty tame critter. It drinks easily and doesn't seem like 7% abv.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 00:35:20 | More by Ryan011235

beer2day

North Carolina

3.2/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Very light in color, lemon to yellow gold with 1/2 finger white head. No retention and no lace.

Nose is almost more lager and ale. Yeast, bread, a bit of light spice ... and little else. The currants do give a fruity underbelly to things, but smells like a fruit beer vs a pale ale. Ok.

Fruit really comes out on the tongue. That's the big takeaway here. Not much taste up front, but strong currant/blueberry in the finish. Not much else to report.

A bit fizzy, but otherwise medium bodied.

Overall, a miss for me.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2012 01:35:29 | More by beer2day

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750 ml bottle into a couple of tulip glasses.

Pours a clear gold, with 1 ½ fingers of rich bright-white head. This maintains a solid ½ finger of sudsy froth, which slathers the sides of the glass with robust spotty lacing. The aroma smells festive in the nose, with a mix of spice, currants, green citrus, and a honeyed sweetness, which is all propped up in the nostrils by a little alcohol thickness. The spice and currants really stick out here in the aroma.

The taste is similar, with dark currant flavor that is prominent but not overbearing, thanks to an equally strong malt backbone of honey sweetness and toasted bread. There is a decent bit of earthy bitterness present as well which in turn helps offset some of that sweetness, while a fairly lively spice presence lingers into a dry finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, possibly a touch fuller, with a firm and prickly feel on the tongue that segues into more of a rigid creaminess across the back of the palate. The overall body on this is actually pretty drinkable considering the amount of warm chewiness that is present from the alcohol.

This wasn’t bad. It might not have been the most complex beer I’ve ever had but what is here is pretty well balanced and worked well enough together. The currant flavor and spice were probably the highlights of this for me. It’s probably worth checking out if you still see it out there.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2012 14:22:33 | More by Kegatron

ngeunit1

California

4.1/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

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

S - Aroma is a mix of light fruits, Belgian yeast, some coriander, lemon, and some light pale malts.

T - Starts off with some sweet fruity esters with some pale malt and some lemon and other citrus flavors. Through the middle, the fruit flavors come through with some currants, alongside some Belgian yeasts, with some light spices. The finish is a mix of sweet light fruits, pale malts, yeast, and some lemon.

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

D - Very drinkable. There is quite a bit of fruity flavor mixed in, but the beer still stays nicely balanced and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 04:39:42 | More by ngeunit1

nickfl

Florida

3.63/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours with half a finger of bone white foam on top of a hazy, golden body. The foam fades away quickly and leaves light lace on the glass.

S - Bready malt with a touch of pear, honey and just a bit of fruit in the background.

T - Sweet malt with a non descript fruity character up front. Some pear and light pepper flavors in the middle which transition to a more fruity finish where the currant actually comes out as a distinctive flavor with lightly herbal hops and a touch of bitterness to balance.

M - Medium-thick body, moderately high carbonation, and a sweet finish.

D - Fruity and not overly complex, but I still like it. It manages to be sweet but never cloying and it has just enough variety of flavor to give it some legitimacy. I wouldn't feel the need to drink it again, but it was nice.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 03:13:35 | More by nickfl

kylehay2004

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: minimal head on a pale golden, murky body.

S: lots of graham cracker, pale malts, honey, with a subtle musty fruitiness.

T: graham cracker, pale malts and grains up front with a dark fruit finish, mosly dried cherry and raisins and probably currants though I am unfamiliar with their smell. Nice yeast character.

M: medium body and moderate to high carbonation. semi dry finish.

Overall: very drinkable. Nice fruit notes from the currants. The base beer seems like it follows the genre well.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 03:11:04 | More by kylehay2004

socon67

New York

3.08/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle generously shared by Ed at my first hosted tasting event.

A - Pours golden with a white foam. Some carbonation is visible. Slight lacing.

S - Smell was of fruit, but hard to say currants. I got more of a dried apricot scent.

T - Taste was.... kinda bland. Got some notes of fruit and a slight tangy vibe from belgian yeast. But overall I found it on the weak side.

M - Easily drinkable, but felt watery.

O - I'm usually a big fan of DFH, but this one didn't do much for me. Not bad, but so far from memorable.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 00:40:49 | More by socon67

vonnegut21

New York

3.33/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a golden brown, with a thin white head. Smell is very muted, with notes of Belgian yeast, light malt and very mild piney hops. Taste is fairly muted, with light malt, nice spice notes from the yeast and a mild malt backbone. Carbonation is low, but this beer is a smooth drinker. Overall a fair offering from DHF, but not worth of its assocociation with such an excellent band.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2012 02:22:51 | More by vonnegut21

Spider889

Ohio

3.78/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Unfiltered straw color with a tall creamy white head, very nice lace.

Smells like a muted Belgian Ale, the typical spice/pepper replaced with saffron and clove.

Tastes of honey, pilsner malts, with a juicy quality though it is not precisely fruity.

Soft elegant mouthfeel.

Overall much better than the band imo.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2012 05:45:54 | More by Spider889

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.23/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured a clear bright golden color ale with a large pure white foamy head. Aroma consists of light sweet malt base with note of currants and light fruity ester. Taste is an unbalanced mix between some lightly sweet malt notes with some currant notes and some weird cough syrup notes detectable in the background. Body is about average with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Another experience that is not a total hit.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2012 20:06:09 | More by Phyl21ca

rapidsequence

Virginia

4/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml crown capped bottle. Bottled 10/31/2011. I got it at Total Wine in Sterling, VA back around Thanksgiving.

Appearance: Brilliantly clear yellow-gold. Decent off white head, not much retention or lacing for a Belgian style.

Smell: Very sweet, almost like Capn Crunch cereal. I wouldnt necessarily have called the aroma currant, but its clearly not the apple/pear/white grape I often get from a Belgian pale. Clean (not musty) Belgian yeast aroma. Different, but good.

Taste: Candy-sweet fruity esters and pale malt. There's some bitterness, either from hops or alcohol that keeps the sweetness in check though. Again, the fruitiness is a little strange but good. I can't get Capn Crunch out of my head.

Mouthfeel: Not as lively as a Duvel, but quite nice in the mouth.

Overall: Well, I was prepared to be let down by this brew, but was pleasantly surprised. Its different, and good.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 02:31:23 | More by rapidsequence