Birra Etrusca - Dogfish Head Brewery

n2185

North Carolina

3.4/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a clear copper with two fingers of beige head that recedes into a thin ring with no lacing.

S: Sweet Belgian yeast-like aromas with spices and bubblegum dominating. There are notes of vanilla and caramel, as well as some that I can't quite put my finger on (probably from the unique ingredients used).

T: Sweet Belgian spices and bubblegum here as well followed by a fruity tartness that is slightly bitter, like the aftertaste of cranberry juice. I imagine this is again from the unique ingredients. The finish is clean and slightly tart.

M: Medium-light body with lowish carbonation, this beer avoids being watery but could use more of a carbonation bite.

O: An interesting and decent beer overall. Not bad or particularly offensive by any means, but this is definitely a unique beer with a many aromas and flavors that I can't really name. Still, it is enjoyable and more successful than some of their other Ancient Ales series.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 02:57:04 | More by n2185

prototypic

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Birra Etrusca pours a gold color. It’s crystal clear. Backlighting brightens it up a bit. There is a slight reddish tint to it. It’s subtle. Looks good though. It’s topped with a white head that rises to about a finger or so in height. It’s rather quick to recede. Lacing was non-existent. That’s a bit disappointing. Color looks pretty good though.

The nose is alright. It’s a bit weak and could use more strength. It kicks off with strong earthy and grainy notes. They’re prominent throughout. It smells a lit sweet and sugary. Fruit notes are apparent. Smells like berries, but I assume it’s the pomegranates. It does feature some interesting floral and herbal notes. They’re a decent complement to the other scents, but I wouldn’t say great. Alcohol is there. Not too strong, but it’s there. Not bad. More strength would be better.

The flavor is pretty good. It is earthy and grainy up front. Those flavors resonate throughout each sip. A mix of fruity, floral, and herbal flavors follows. The fruit flavor tastes like berries. It’s not all that strong. That’s a good thing here. It is sweet, a bit sugary. The floral and herbal notes are alright. They add some depth, but don’t taste great. Honey is definitely in the mix and adds a nice flavor. Nice complement to the other flavors. Alcohol is a little noticeable, but blends fairly well. Finishes earthy, sweet, and a little floral.

The body is on the lighter side of medium. Carbonation is light and soft for the most part. Feels a bit thin though. Either more body or more carbonation would help. Either way.

Birra Etrusca is nothing short of interesting. In terms of beer, it’s alright. Not bad. I do think the mix of sweet and floral flavors is just okay. More body or bubbles would help too. I’m not particular on which. It’s interesting, worth checking out. It’s another in Dogfish’s growing line of trailblazing beers.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 03:12:49 | More by prototypic

tectactoe

Michigan

3.44/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep copper color, maybe some shade of amber. Light, ruby-red notes show up as the light passes through the translucent body. The foamy white head lasts for a few minutes, but then retains as a ring around the glass for the largest portion of the beer. The aroma is very unique - zesty and vibrant; fruity, somewhat tart, berries, wheat, grains, crispy, musky hops. Spices are abundant as well; ginger, coriander, pepper... I know none of these things are listed on the beer, but I really am picking up some ginger. Perhaps from the hodge-podge of stuff thrown into this one?

The flavor is fruit like the aroma leads you to believe; honey-coated cherries, strawberry, pomegranate, raspberries. Unfortunately, there is a bit of an off-flavored, medicinal twang that's coming out and gets stronger as the beer gets warmer. Similar to crushed vitamins, they leave a weird, residual, chalky feeling and taste on the palate. Luckily, however, there are so many other, random flavors going on, that this weird flavor doesn't completely kill the vibe. Tartness shows up about halfway through as it eventually turns into a bitter sweetness. Hop flavors are very slightly floral, but mostly ashy, musty, and dry. Some more ginger and spices in the flavor, but once again, undetectable as to exactly what they are. I don't taste any hazelnut like the label says, but the big wheat backbone is definitely there. This beer reminds me of a weird attempt at a fruity, American-made tripel or BSPA. Carbonated to the brim with a medium body.

I honestly can't decide if I like this beer or not. Some sips were okay. Others were very mediocre. It's definitely unique, and overall - it wasn't bad. It just bounces around the walls a little bit too much. Not really worth the price in my opinion, either.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 18:13:57 | More by tectactoe

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

3.46/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

Bottle shared by Jon, 750ml into a tulip.

Copper/bronze body, offwhite head that doesn't retain or lace. Nose has toasty breads, grains, herbal, honey and pomegranate are prominent as well. Taste is composed of pomegranate, herbals notes, grains, toasty and nutty character. Medium full palate, low carbonation. Sweet, and pomegranate lingers.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 15:37:54 | More by liamt07

cvm4

Mississippi

3.49/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a medium amber with an eggshell head.

S - Nutty, grainy, funky and dark sweet fruits.

T - Honey, raisins/pomegranate and slightly sour. There's a herbal & spice element throughout.

M - Medium bodied and somewhat high carbonation. Somewhat cloying.

O - I love the tartness in it, but the overdone spices & slight cloying aspect to this beer is over the top.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 20:33:26 | More by cvm4

peabody

Kentucky

3.51/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Definately a bronze color and almost reddish brown with a finger of off-white suds. Some lacing around the glass.
Smell is all over the place. Mostly I get belgian spice with a peppery note then some fruit in the grape/pommegranet family. Can really smell the sugar and just a hint of the alcohol.
Taste is sour and sweet and bitter and hard fruit candy all at one time. The spices do come in towards the end of the sip along with some phenol notes.
Mouthfeel is pretty sticky and the aftertaste of grape skin and belgian spice.
Overall this isn't bad but it has way too many things going on for my palate. Good to try once but would not visit it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 00:51:50 | More by peabody

JRed

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Transparent copper color with white bubbly head that fades. Aroma of wheat, dark candi sugar, dark honey, booze, apple skins, herbal notes, black cherry liqueur. Tastes of buckwheat, dark honey, apple skins, herbal liquids, black cherry, hazelnut sweetness, and tree resin. Medium bodied with medium carbonation. Slick, resiny, oily that coats the palate. Pretty good for the complexity of the ingredients.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 02:22:21 | More by JRed

PorterLambic

Florida

3.54/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Arrives a dark copper color, clear with a white head with great retention.
Smell is medicinally sweet, malt, wood and ginger. Balance is decent.
Taste is malt, wood, pomegranate, some light dark fruits and graham cracker.
Smooth and warming, medium-full body with light effervescence. Pretty good but not memorable. Not one of DFH's better offerings.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2013 04:27:17 | More by PorterLambic

sixerofelixir

Ohio

3.56/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

25.4 oz bottle poured into a Lagunitas mason jar glass (I didn't have a crock handy). Bottling code present. Dig the label.

Poured a dark bronze as indicated, with lots of white patchy head that stuck around. Smell is fruit and grain, like it came from a juicer. I get a LOT of juice (pomegranate, cherry) on the taste. Also some of the exact same wheat flavor that I remember with Rhizing Bines, along with the soft feel of that beer. A lot of honey for the finish. The bittering is unique. There are a LOT of different things happening here; this is a very filling beer, even when sipped for an entire evening.

This brew blurs the “beer” expectation considerably, and although the DFH ancient ales haven't been my favorite things from them, I will definitely try each new one when it's released. I appreciate the efforts and the history. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 18:06:34 | More by sixerofelixir

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.59/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

Bottle opened on 1.8.13

A - Pours a clear dark copper with a two inch foamy light tan head with good retention.

S - Spicy and nutty, citrus and almost minty.

T - Lots going on here, spice, nutty, fruity, then the hazelnut, then floral. Not working for me.

D - Good carbonation with a light body.

O - Not sure how I feel about this one. Ok, but I wouldn't seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 06:18:42 | More by HuskyinPDX

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.64/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Bronze coloured body, no head. Honey smooth, raisiny. FInish is way too banana yeasty. Not super drinkable, glad it was shared out. Honey overruled the hazelnut. On the sweet side.
Thanks, Jon. Middiling mouthfeel, honey booss smoothness. Like a herbal tea with carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 03:45:56 | More by northyorksammy

DavidST

Texas

3.64/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a tulip glass, 2012 version. This pours a reddish brown color with a two finger white head. The smells are of pomegranate, honey, ginger, raisins, mostly sweet very little hops. The feel is medium, mostly sweet, honey, juice a little noticeable alcohol very mild hops.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 01:38:21 | More by DavidST

UCLABrewN84

California

3.64/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

On tap at Story Tavern in Burbank, CA.

Pours a hazy honey orange with a foamy off-white head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace slowly drip into the remaining beer on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, fruit, spice, and herb aromas. Taste is much the same with slightly sour fruit and herbal flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with some interesting aromas and flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

04-23-2013 04:19:43 | More by UCLABrewN84

tigg924

Massachusetts

3.66/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

Appearance: 1/4 inch head that fades quickly, high carbonation, light orange-brown in color, clear

Smell: berries, honey, and alcohol

Taste: berries, honey, alcohol, ginger, and other holiday spices

Mouthfeel: medium-light body, sweet with slight bitterness, high carbonation

Overall: Interesting and spicy, but a bit of a disappointment. I think this one would make an excellent Christmas ale, but like many Christmas ales, I prefer them in 12 ounce servings, but whole bombers. I was also hoping for a bit more pomegranate and hazelnut flavors, both of which are hidden behind the spiciness. Glad I tried this, but once is good by me.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 14:18:18 | More by tigg924

TexIndy

Texas

3.68/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 750ml bottle into a nonic pint glass. "Bottled in 2012A" lasered on the neck. I picked it up the day it hit the market here so should be pretty fresh. It was a clear bronze color with good carb streams. It had a small head that quickly dissipated into nothing. No collar and no lacing.

The aroma is very floral and sweet with honey and pomegranate leading the way. Sorta sweet wine like in aroma. Saw one review mention potpourri aroma and I can see that a little. The taste is sweet from the start and doesn't let up. Floral tones to keep it from getting overly sweet but it's borderline as is. Light mouthfeel with low carbonation and a very sweet aftertaste.

Overall, an interesting beer and glad I tried it to see what some historical ales tasted like but it was too sweet and just didn't grab me. Avail here in TX. Rotation - one is enough.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 02:29:32 | More by TexIndy

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Copper brew with great clarity and a thin bubbly lip of suds.

Smells of honey and stone fruits with some exotic spice elements. Sweet, and a little toasty.

Moroccan spices, dark honey, buckwheat, treacle syrup, and tangy fruitiness. Pomegranate is a bit of a stretch, but it's not entirely far-fetched. Warm booziness amplifies after the swallow.

Tacky sweet, a little too much so. Carbonation is medium or so.

Pretty interesting flavors. Glad I found it on-tap to avoid the big bottle. I like this Ancient Ale, but a second pour might prove difficult.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2012 02:32:29 | More by thecheapies

MrHurmateeowish

New Hampshire

3.71/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

750ml bottle purchased at Tully's in Wells. Pours a fairly clear copper with nearly an inch of khaki colored head. Smells crazy - fruity, spicy... Liquoice and root beer notes. Spicy and fruity. Pomegranate, cherry, anise. Medium in body and carbonation. Pretty good. Interesting. Unique.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 01:50:02 | More by MrHurmateeowish

davey101

Connecticut

3.71/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

2012A, 750 ml into a DFH signature glass. Ugh....another ancient ale that I must tick...

A - Pours a dark brown/red body. Very clear with some rising carbonation. Bronze? Eh, close enough. Three fingers of very dense bone white foam forms and disappears rather quickly. Leaves behind a thin soda like cap of awkwardly large bubbles. Moderate lacing with weak retention.

S - Well, theres a lot happening here. Not in the "woah, this beer is uber complex" way either. Just in the way that several very different aromas get to clash it up in my nostrils. I don't even know. Its nutty and sweet, with some herbal and savory notes. Mix in a bit of burnt plastic as well.

T - Again, just a cavalcade of question marks and nonsense. Starts off with some honey sweetness ala Midas Touch but with a bit of tart pomegranate fruit, then a wave of nutty flavors, then it all gets hit in the face with an odd savory tea/herbal like quality on the end. Its drinkable enough, just weird.

M - Thin to medium bodied with a decent carbonation.

O - Just another one of those silly ancient ales. Much, much better than the travesty that was Ta Drainpour, but this is still not a great beer. I might be tired of the beer history lessons because I've yet to have one of these beers that warrants a repeat purchase. Decent enough beer, but just wildly confusing in all aspects.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 03:54:20 | More by davey101

ianjsullivan

Maryland

3.71/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

ST: 750ml poured into a tulip.

A: Deep amber with a thin white head. Spotty lacing.

S: Strong wheat, hazelnut, a funky smell I could not place, almost corn-on-the-cob like (might be the myrrh), pomegranates, some raisin. Complex.

T: Sweet fruit, honey, and wheat at first, noticeable hazelnut and bitter raisin at the back, though somewhat cloying.

M: A little flat, alkaline.

O: Earthy, fruity, perhaps too sweet for some, Etrusca is interesting. The hazelnut flour is very noticeable in the finish along with pomegranate seeds. Worth a try, though I do not know if I would buy again considering the high price.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 19:59:05 | More by ianjsullivan

ckollias

Maryland

3.73/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed this 750ml bottle out of a tall pint glass.

A: Pours a light amber hue with a thin, 2-finger, white head that quickly dissipates into a wispy lace leaving no trail down the slide of glass.

S: Fruity aroma and I can smell the pomegranate and juice.

T: Very sweet and fruity taste – almost juice or wine like. Raisin taste is in there and finishes on the sweet side.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation

O: Very fruity beer. It was worth a try but nothing I would grab again.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 02:38:09 | More by ckollias

atr2605

New York

3.73/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-pours a red amber with an off white head that fades rather quickly
S-pomegranite, rubbing alcohol,juniper
T-honey and pomegranite, spice throughout. Bit hard to decipher the flavors
M-medium-light bodied
O-Very interesting brew. Pretty unique so there isn't much to compare it to. I think the price is a bit high but definitely worth trying

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 22:48:48 | More by atr2605

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

3.74/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Maybe it's the long hours, maybe it's the food coma I just went into but the label on the bottle didn't make a hell of a lot of sense to me. I got 8 B.C Tuscany, pomegranate, bronze and a bunch of ingredients I've never heard of. I've come to appreciate the Ancient Ales series as something new that I'd probably never try without it. With that said, a lot of these ingredients don't really change my life one way or another. I appreciate the history behind the label more than what's in the beer.

Anyway...

Crystal clear burnt copper. Half finger off white head disappeared to nothingness. No lacing, just a single row of tight bubbles around the rim.

Definitely getting the hazelnut flour and the pomegranate. Aside from those I smell a lot of caramel, brown sugar, raisins and some sweet malts.

Pomegranate, raisins, apple skins, some leather and caramel. There is a powdery flour feel along with a taste associated with it. Slightly metallic tastes (most like from the malts not the bronze lol) The taste transforms from great, to bad, to good. It's hard to explain.

Light body, medium to high carbonation.

It has an aftertaste I can't put my finger on. I've had every ancient ale except Ta Hanket (zero interest in that one really) and this ranks probably the low middle of the spectrum of those releases. It isn't necessarily bad, just not necessarily great.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 23:44:46 | More by korguy123

BeerImmediately

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

750ml into Duvel glass.

Pours with a short head that bubbles down at record speed - like a soda. High carbonation flowing up. Body is a bright, clear orange - amber. Zero lacing.

Aromas are full of heavy malt - rye cracker. Some fruit before and after - cherry.

Mouthfeel is slightly heavy even with the high carbonation. Flavors are full of bright, red ripe fruits. Cherry skins, plums, cranberries, red grapes, cabernet, and biscuit. The finishing mouthfeel leaves a light film on the tongue, sort of reminiscent of a light Mad Elf.

This puppy has plenty of flavors going on - pretty fun, and makes for a nice holiday ale. Wouldn't mind giving it a go again next year, but no way I'm paying $18 for it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 03:42:26 | More by BeerImmediately

Greywulfken

New York

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A: medium amber beer, clear, some bubbles from the bottom - two fingers of sudsy tan head was gone quickly, no lacing

S: some malts, but what I guess is most the result of the pomegranate and herbs - floral and sweet

T: the pomegranate is the most forward, with some honey sweetness and herbal tastes from the various ingredients incorporated into the brewing - not very beery-tasting - tasted like a dank fruit juice

M: thin, slick, some tingle on the back-end

O: my least favorite in their ancient ales series - too fruit juicy for my tastes - I appreciate the energy and innovation, but this is not something I'd return to.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 22:17:57 | More by Greywulfken

CFHMagnet

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

I got a little excited on this and poured a little overly aggressive. Two fingers of head sit on top of my beer. Body color is a dirty, muted yellow orange.

Smells very strongly of yeast and malt. Gardeny hops come through, as well as a smell like watered down sarsaparilla. Spices float throughout.

The taste is tart yet sweet. Sweet malt up front comes into a companionship with with strong yeast and spices. The end is very lightly hoppy, with a tidbit of sour apple.

Carbonation is strong. The beer is very smooth throughout, but that carbonation leaves a bite on your tongue. Lightly coats the throat and back of the tongue. I would call it light-medium bodied.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 01:05:23 | More by CFHMagnet