Positive Contact - Dogfish Head Brewery

sjones5045

New Jersey

3.64/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

This pours a yellowish orange with a nice white head. Kind of lighter than a cider and darker than a whitbier. The smell is nothing remarkable. Reminds me a little of a farmhouse ale and a little like a Belgium strong. The taste was also a lot more ordinary than I was expecting. I really pick up no cilantro or cheyann or really not a whole heck of a lot of cider either. It does have a Belgium spice to it with a nice finish but was hoping for a lot more. Most disappointed in the missing cheyann since I was wishing this would have a little bit to it. Overall, very drinkable and clean. Not what I was expecting at all though. Just another me too kind of beer. Still love Dogfish Head though.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2013 23:49:32 | More by sjones5045

Krakistophales

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours straw colored with a two finger fluffy white head

S: Apple, caramel, spices. Honestly, I can't smell cilantro or cayenne, and Im glad I can't, the spices blend very well with the smell. Basically apples, caramel/candied sweetness, and spice.

T: Again, lots of apple and sweetness up front, some aromatic spice in the middle, and honestly this thing burns just a little bit on the back end. Im not sure if Im just sensitive to cayenne, but this thing actually lights up my mouth with some residual heat. Quite nice.

O: A fine cider offering from DFH. If you're interested in something sweet, spicy, and hot, this is one for you.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2013 00:21:31 | More by Krakistophales

mtomlins

Ontario (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 750 ml bomber into a tulip glass

A: Straw in color and very clear pouring to a creamy white head dropping to a nice white collar and leaving a bit of lacing.

S: There is a nice fruity nose dominated by the fuji apples. There are slight hints of spiciness and high floral notes from the hops or perhaps the cayenne and cilantro.

T: At first, the taste is dominated by sweet apples and lemon spiciness, followed by that classic Belgian yeastiness and finishes dry and slightly bitter (cayenne?). As the beer warms however, the sweetness and spiciness enhances and becomes heavy and much less drinkable.

M: Bubbly (medium-high carbonation) and light in body at first but ‘thickens’ as it warms.

O: A very interesting beer; a complex mix of fruit, bitterness and spice, very enjoyable at first but turning heavy and cloying as it warmed. While it was not my favorite witbier, I found it complex and challenging and worth trying to find a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2013 18:17:36 | More by mtomlins

ONUMello

Ohio

3.95/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750ml bottle poured into a xxxx glass
A: Golden color with a two-finger head that slowly settles
S: Wheat, apples, a bit of spice
T: Matches the nose but more pronounced. Wheat, apple, pear, herbs, spice, Somewhat sweet but nice complexity
M: Light-bodied, good carbonation
O: Solid, enjoyable, but won't necessarily be memorable. Hides its 9% abv very well

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2013 04:11:37 | More by ONUMello

Suds

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A tempest of bubbles violently race to the top of the glass, contributing to a crown-like white head. This is a pretty beer. The smell is enticing...sweetness...blossoms and yeast, a but of malt, candy, and spice. Wit-like, but powerful and perfume. The taste is complex, sweet, warming, and spicy. Fruit is very present, but I don't know if I would have identified cider. Exceptional smoothness, and just a touch of warmth. Exceptional.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2013 23:20:25 | More by Suds

boesesfleisch

California

3.96/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: Hazy, more of a golden color than a typical witbier.

S: Apple hits you right in the face, followed by a citrus resembling the classic witbier style. Slight pine on the back of the nose.

T: The first taste follows the smell; apple and citrus being most prominent, with a hint of cilantro. The lingering flavor is cayenne without the heat.

M: Initially, it was very hard to believe that it was a 9% ABV; it drank much closer to a 6-7. After warming up, the alcohol became more palpable. It has a mild prickliness at lower temperatures similar to a hard cider.

O: A very good beer that is an interesting take on the witbier style. pick it up.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2013 23:41:12 | More by boesesfleisch

brewtus

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours straw yellow, pretty clear with a two finger bubbly head. Smell is amazing begian wheat, sweet slight malt. The taste is also starts with predominant Belgian yeast, plenty of apple, but not in a sweet way. The cayenne is also pleaseny present at the end. The after taste is dry cinnamon apple. This beer isn't as sweet as I expected and the texture was thicker than I figured it would be. This is a great dinner beer, but you'd be understandably deceived if you wanted to sip this on a 90 degree day. Reminded me a lot of a more complex, fruitier, slightly lighter, version of Birra Etrusca

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 23:51:09 | More by brewtus

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle. Served in a DFH Signature glass, the beer pours a hazy golden/orange color with about an inch and a half frothy off-white head. Head retention is excellent, and there's a good amount of lacing. Aroma is fruity and spicy, the brew smells like apples (sweet and tart), peppery spice, bananas, straw, grainy malt, pears, and cilantro. Taste is similar to the aroma, but there's also grape, cloves and some very light cayenne noticeable. The aroma and taste reminds me more of a Tripel because of the fruit and yeast. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit creamy and is well carbonated. The soft carbonation helps make this brew easy to drink. Also, the 9% ABV is well hidden. I think it's a good overall brew, definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2013 22:12:46 | More by bluejacket74

circus_cat

Virginia

3.65/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A: Solid, hazy yellow to orange with a huge, fluffy white head. Not much alcohol leg presence or lacing on mine.

S: Punched in the nose by Belgian yeast. Bread, over-ripe bananas, over-ripe sour apples, fruity esters.

T: Very sour from start to finish with a sweetness hanging out in the background. Apple juice, yeast, and coriander carry the taste.

M: Spry, medium-bodied, crisp.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2013 00:39:14 | More by circus_cat

clayrock81

Virginia

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a clearish gold body with two finger head that slowly receeds and left plenty of lace. I pick up citric notes and yeast as well as some peppery spice, but also get some type of apple like sweetness which I guess is the cider and there is a slight sweet malt aroma as well. This kind of reminded me less of a wit and more of a Belgian Pale only because the citric twang and spicey zip I associate with those brews is not as pronounced as one would normally find in a wit. They are in there, but there's also some plush juicy and tropical fruit notes and some sugary malt sweetness as well. Beer is light-to-medium bodied, creamy at times and sharp at others thanks to carbonation and the ABV is well-hidden.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 11:24:37 | More by clayrock81

kojevergas

California

3.29/5  rDev -15%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

9% ABV confirmed. 1 pint 9.4 fl oz brown glass bottle with okay label art and branded copper pressure cap acquired at Cap N Cork Junior Market for $15.00 and served into a Mitchells of Lancaster flared stem-tulip in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are high; I'm in the mood for a good witbier - but I'm skeptical about Dogfish Head.

Served cold, straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

The cap yielded a crisp "psh" upon opening; no beer surged out or anything. Carbonation appears adequate but not overdone.

A: Pours a two finger white colour head of nice cream and thickness. Retention is good for the ABV - about 4 minutes. Body colour is a clear pale straw yellow. Translucent and transparent. It's got me worried; every good witbier I've had has been cloudy but this isn't. Was it filtered? Seems off for the style. I'm hesitant. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show.

Sm: Lemon and orange citrus fruit notes. Estery. Pale malts. Fresh, fruity, and inviting. No yeast character is detectable. No alcohol is detectable. Some cream. Light spices - cilantro sticks out. Not getting the cidery notes mentioned on the label. The aroma is typical of the style overall. Minimal floral hop character. A moderate strength aroma - pretty assertive for a witbier. Appealing and inviting.

T: Orange and lemon citrus fruit esters. Pale malts. No real yeasty character. Alcohol is more prominent than in most witbiers, but still well concealed. Vague cilantro does come through. Apple skin. Not getting any cayenne pepper as listed on the label. Clean and crisp. Pleasant to drink. Decently balanced. Forceful for the style; it doesn't come off natural or traditional. The alcohol in particular is upsetting. Attempts to be complex at the expense of balance and purity. Not at all subtle. Approachable, but it misses the mark for the style.

Mf: Crisp and clean. Smooth and wet. Suits the flavour profile well. To style. Overcarbonated. Decent presence on the palate.

Dr: Price point is way too high considering the quality here. I wouldn't get it again but it's an interesting take on a witbier. It feels very American and non-traditional; the brewers are trying to pack in flavour needlessly. A witbier is a subtle and balanced style; these brewers are forcing complexity where it has no place. Alcohol is too high and noticeable for the style. A decent attempt at the style, but a misguided one. The efforts to make it cidery and spicy largely fail, and we're left with a bad excuse for a witbier in terms of conventions. I'll be sticking to Allagash White; it's supremely better and the price point is more respectable - even though it's imported farther.

Low B-

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 00:54:24 | More by kojevergas

JoeyRamon

New York

4.13/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Very intense for a wit, couldn't drink more than a glass. Still, very well crafted and flavorful. Apple flavor comes off differently than expected, not as cider-y as one would think... Just wish there was less alcohol for a more enjoyable summer sipper.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 20:51:36 | More by JoeyRamon

RollBounce

New York

3.58/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

smells of apples cinnamon, lemon peel, little golden color, creamy mouthfeel,with with nice carbonation that fades quickly small bubbles, no lacing, some we wheatyness.with orange, pepper, and a mild sweet aftertaste. Overall an Imperial saison style with a nice mouth feel and a small uniqueness.cool but not over interesting.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 19:34:23 | More by RollBounce

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beautiful golden ale brought forth from a cider base of pressed Fuji apples, cilantro, cayenne, and roasted faro. Hazed just slightly glowing golden body with a bright white head, forms fine lacing around the sides of my glass. Aroma has tart apples freshly sliced in the forefront with hints of herbal spice with a peppery cayenne kick in the nares....really complex well brewed offering from one of my favorite brewers and rappers Dan the Automator aka Deltron 3030 aka Del the Funky Homosapien. No overt sweetness on the palate just tasty sliced apples, spicy cayenne and cilantro interplay, a nice mix of flavors bready yeast biscuit malt and cracker dough added to the spectrum. Nares are lightly kissed with the spice additions of the cayenne and cilantro, a really well done carbonation level effervescent fine ale carries the beer just right across my palate. It works really well for me, the type of beer I can drink by myself, with friends, or with food it's a triple threat great tasting complex and drinkable you can't hate on that. Toward the end I paired it with a spicy Nicaraguan cigar Ortega Wild Bunch series #4 Tony the Boss Churchill great spicy smoke leather in the tobacco pairs well with the spice and light apple sweetness, I'm diggin' the combo it works together so nicely.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 23:22:15 | More by WVbeergeek

gabedivision

New York

3.93/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured to a Weizen glass from. 750 ml

A- pours a crystal clear golden yellow with a 1 1/2 finger head and tons of visible carbonation

S- banana up front, soft sugary fruits follow some apricot pear juice. Light spice elements also, coriander some clove, not over powering at all however

T- big carbonation opens the tongue for sugary banana, fruity eaters, vanilla cream, a touch of toasted grain, some soapiness, finishes with some coriander

M- light bodied for a 9% beer, you would never know it, lots of carbonation, fruity, soft a d finishes dry

O- loved this beer, though a tad pricey IMO, but damn good never the less

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 01:05:17 | More by gabedivision

rdilauro

Connecticut

3.49/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Pours like a a light American Lager, except this one is somewhat more brilliant and you almost see some body in this beer. The head was a nice but short white creamy head.

I had a hard time picking out one assertive bouquet. There were several different noses going on, all nice. At the first sip, the apple taste can right through. It was a crisp , not to tart of an apple taste along with some very complimenting spices.

At each sip, I discovered more apple and spices. This is a soft big round beer that you will enjoy keeping in your mouth a bit. The aftertaste trails away gracefully and I always hope beers do.

A good beer for the Spring time

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 15:52:08 | More by rdilauro

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.89/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This would be the recent batch #2. Poured from a bottle into a shaker pint, the beer is a bright yellow-gold coloring and a fluffy, white, tall, bright head that leaves a cling all over the glass as it slowly recedes. Settles in a solid half an inch. Aromas of all spice, cinnamon, subtle apple sweetness, and a touch of cloves. Flavors are smooth and light, with a cider sweet backbone and subtle pepper spicing. Very light and very well balanced. The all spice and clove become highlighting accents instead of main characteristics. Very light, crisp, clean body. The finish is slightly sweet, with a hint of spice. Great balance to a very unique brew. Tasty, light, and hugely refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 00:58:57 | More by GarthDanielson

cindyjeffsmith

Georgia

4.08/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: pale straw. Not great, but upped to above average due to the fat foamy off white head.
Smell: yeasty bread and light spice. Smells like a tripel to me.
Taste: tastes like a tripel too. Quite tasty. A bit of fruity sweetness tempered with light spice.
Overall: yes, I think the overall warrants a higher than any individual score. The experimentation warrants. Kudos to Dogfish and keep at it!

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 22:48:22 | More by cindyjeffsmith

FlemingVSKing

Florida

4.21/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Purely enjoyable.

The most notable thing here is the spicy finish. It's warm and complements the lighter flavor of the rest of the beer very well. It's flavorful, but doesn't go out of it's way to be an experience outside of the transition from the light fruit hints to the spice at the finish. All in all a good one trick beer that I would drink again any time. Good for all occassions.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 07:41:49 | More by FlemingVSKing

nimrod979

Maryland

3.89/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

750ml Bottle poured into a DFH snifter.

Appearance: Pours a lovely golden orange with a slight haze. Two fingers of thick white frothiness. Amazing retention and thick lacing glued to my glass.

Aroma: Interesting apple cider, fruity and yeasty, trace aromas of some spice. Hints of a banana/clove hefeweizen type aroma.

Taste: Same as nose. Apple and pear fruity flavors, wheat, and some spice quality, though not anything that is clearly detectable.(Not getting a defining cayenne or cilantro)

Mouthfeel: A bit lighter body, soft carbonation. A bit dry in the finish. 9% is not detectable. Not a bad offering.

Another off-centered-ale from DFH.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 21:12:46 | More by nimrod979

metter98

New York

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is hazy pale yellow in color. It poured with a finger high off white head that died down and left a thin head covering the surface.
S: There are aromas of apple cider and wheat in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell, but also has notes of hefeweizen yeast and hints of herbs and spices.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: Considering its strength, this beer is rather easy to drink because the alcohol is well hidden from the taste.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 01:00:30 | More by metter98

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.91/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A: Pours a hazy pale golden yellow in color with some straw yellow highlights and light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall foamy white head that reduces to a mottled very thin film covering the entire surface of the beer with a couple of small thin patches and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of carbonation are observed.

S: Moderate to strong aromas of wheat and apples fruitiness - there are some also light notes of cilantro and cinnamon. Light notes of banana and clove.

T: Upfront there is a light amount of wheat flavors with a moderate to strong flavor of apple cider with a touch of fruity sweetness. Next, you get some lighter notes of cilantro and cinnamon with just a touch of banana/clove. Very light notes of bitterness which fade almost immediately. Slightest hint of cayenne pepper towards the finish that becomes a little more noticeable as the beer warms up.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Moderate to strong amounts of dryness in the finish.

O: This beer is refreshing and easy to drink like others in the style, but the imperial nature of it makes the hidden alcohol all the more impressive. There is just a hint of hefeweizen, likely due to the yeast which contributes the very light notes of banana/cove.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 00:58:26 | More by dbrauneis

nickfl

Florida

4.19/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours with half a finger of white foam on top of a clear, golden body with tiny particles floating in it.

S - Wheat, spicy yeast, red apple, pepper, and lots of thick malt.

T - White wine, black pepper, and clove up front. Some dense malt in the middle and a finish of anise and red apple.

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

D - Not bad, it is a bit much at first but grows on me as I drink it and halfway through the glass it has become a spicy, fairly complex Belgian golden type beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 02:27:12 | More by nickfl

kylehay2004

Florida

3.64/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A: 1.5 finger head on a orange with golden hues clear body but with some floaters. Minimal lacing.

S: pear, lemon, orange peel, green apple, coriander.

T: fruit cocktail with apple and pear dominating. Pepper, herbs, caramel and hint of cilantro.

M: this one is very oily coating the palate with medium body and light to moderate carbonation.

Overall: definitely weird as expected. Reminded me a lot of cheap, packaged fruit cocktail with Belgian character. Glad stores decided to brake these 6 packs up despite the threats.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 02:24:14 | More by kylehay2004

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

3.55/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Bottle shared by Steve, 750ml into a tulip.

Clear orange, white head with ok retention and some lacing. Nose has lots of wheat, green banana, some cider character and orange rind. Cayenne is super subtle, wouldn't have picked it out had it not been on the label. Taste has banana, wheat, spice on the back. Toasty malts and a bit of alcohol in the finish. Some texture on the palate, medium body. Good enough as an imperial wit, but as with most of these DFH collab beers, I struggle to pick out any of these crazy ingredients.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 22:29:08 | More by liamt07