Fort - Dogfish Head Brewery

chadb

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev +21.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Just ordered yesterday and picked up today. These bottles are stamped July. Poured into a red wine glass, almost a greenish tinge looking from the top. Fine looking from side with lots of carbonation sitting on the glass.

Smell, like a wine. Wife who doesn't like beer was asked to smell this one and she flat out said it smells like wine. Sweet, with more of a hint of raspberries than flat out berry, but as said very sweet smelling.

This would be a great tasting drink after the first one. The second glass was much smoother than the first with more fruit and floral than the first. I would hate to loose the taste with something else before, so try this one twice in the same sitting.

Savor the sip, don't drink. Keeping this in the mouth for a few seconds (or more) before swallow really allows alot more to come out.

My drinkability would rate higher, but you really can't drink this as easy as I would have liked. This may be because of my usual drinking instead of sip and savor of beers.

Really like this, only issue may be the high level of alcohol. If others think of this as a wine instead of a "beer" you will enjoy this.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2008 02:40:07 | More by chadb

thespaceman

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev +21.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured froma 750ml bottle into a DFH signature glass

Bottle Date: 2009

Appearance: Pours a deep ruby in color, small size head likely from the alcohol slowly dissapates leaving a thin sheet of lace around the glass. This beer has a beautiful color likely from the boatloads of raspberries that go into this beer.

Smell: Whew, not only do I get a ton of sweet raspberry and cranberry flavors up front but I get a thick aroma of booze on the back end. The fruitiness smells very authentic, with the hoppiness pairing well giving out a tiny bit of citrus here as well. The "booze" element reminds me of a 120 Minute or Olde School in the fact that it's very pungent yet very sweet smelling.

Taste: Wow, I guess a year really did good things for this beer. As much as I thought alcohol bite was going to kill this beer, it's barely noticeable! Sweet raspberry flavors burst off the glass, again very authentic, almost like crushing up a bunch of raspberries and straining the juice into the glass! A red wine like tannin flavor mixes in here making this very comparable to a port wine. Very tart without being overly sour. The hops used give off a small citrus bite towards the finish, but nothing too noticeable. The last sip shows off a tiny touch of alcohol sweetness with more of that earthy raspberry flavor.

Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is a bit thick, and the carbonation is low yet a tad prickly, almost like a champagne that's gone a bit flat. A good amount of bitterness from the hops come into play here as well. This one sits nicely on the tongue without getting too wet.

Drinkability: This is by all means a sipper, coming in at 18% ABV, this one will really creep up on you with a bit of age (let this sit for a year to really experience the depth of the flavors). I like that the raspberry flavors are not fake tasting, and that the alcohol bite from sitting for a year really took a backseat so I could experience all of the fruit flavors billowing from this beer! Very comparable to a wine, your snobby red wine drinkers would really get a taste for this one! Very glad I finally got a bottle of this to experience it, because it's one of the better fruit beers out there with nothing lacking on any level. Great job DFH!

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2010 02:15:18 | More by thespaceman

Krakistophales

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev +21.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours red with almost no head

S: Lots of raspberries, cherries, and assorted berries, along with a rum raisin sort of booziness.

T: Raspberries, a sherry sort of booziness, general fruity flavors. Very nice, like a really strong lambic.

O: This is quite nice. I have to mention that this is a 2008 bottle, so with 3 years on it it's probably much less boozy than when it was fresh. Still, I like it quite a bit.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 02:56:18 | More by Krakistophales

jameaterblues

New York

4.45/5  rDev +21.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

One bottle shared among friends: this review is from notes.

This bottle was brewed in 2005.

A-Light amber with a slight dark purple and ruby tint. 1/4 inch head with big white rings of lace.
S-Big sweet malts, ripe red fruit (raspberry of course)...light alcohol, fruity yeast, and this beer really opens up as it warms.
T- Sweet raspberry balanced by alcoholic bitterness...light floral hops, and light raspberry and light alcohol in the finish .
M/D- Delicious and well balances. Strong and thick...not overly sweet....medium bodied, bubbly and very complex....a bottle I would definitely purchase again even at the $19 dollar price tag.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2007 21:55:12 | More by jameaterblues

1Adam12

Indiana

4.45/5  rDev +21.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Murky orange color poured from the bottle. Beautiful raspberry alcohol smell. Smells like real raspberries though. Tastes like it smells. Tons of raspberry, and no hiding of the ABV in this bad boy. But it works. I think it works because even with the major alcohol taste, theres that much raspberry to balance it out, all while tasting like a beer still. Not overly sweet. Mouthfeel is medium. Nicely carbonated. I'm so bummed that my state no longer gets dogfish head (yet again dogfish head, PLEASE COME BACK TO US!), but this can still be found here and there around the state and it is something I will drive out of my way to find while I can get it.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2011 00:59:33 | More by 1Adam12

Dithyramb

Maryland

4.47/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shared this with my wife over a snowy evening. Purcahsed as a bomber from the Wine joint in Hamden. No freshness date, but ink jet labeled that it was "Bottled on 11/28/05."
Poured a clear pretty pink pink with a small white head. Comes off like a well-fermented blush wine. Limited waves of carbonation within the body and retention, but excellent lacing.

Big raspberry nose soaked in grain alcohol.

Fort was berry berry good to me. You get a rush of raspberry flavors. Not like a clingy syrup, but like a nice hint of raspberry reduction tossed into a good dessert. Some mellony undertones are there as well. It is spicey and boozy as it warmed, becoming more big-beer like and less like a nice wine. I'm convinced you could serve this chilled at a party, and the ladies would think you've concocted some sort of new martini.

Medium bodied, leaving some warm sugar in your mouth afterwards. The bomber didn't have a chance, really. The only thing that would keep this as a revolving beer in the fridge would be cost. Just consider it a fine underpriced bottle of wine...

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2006 20:52:15 | More by Dithyramb

kundabuffer

Indiana

4.47/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A luxurious treat....the smell is of raspberries and alcohol, not surpisingly....mouthfeel is a little thick at first but finishes drier....The alcohol is well-masked, I find, and I would find it hard to believe another recent reviewer's contention that the alcohol is higher than 18%...I've nearly finished a bottle and am still feeling fairly coherent. Altogether the flavor is very pleasing--the raspberry taste dominates without at all becoming cough-syrupy. I plan to have this again, but with a) friends and b) some sort of dessert.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2007 04:54:35 | More by kundabuffer

slvrmon82

Delaware

4.47/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - It's a thick creamy gold color. Thick can't see through it at all. Very heavy appearance.
S - Pure raspberries. No doubt about it. It hits you as soon as its in front of you. I was excited just by the smell of this beer.
T - Amazing. Delicious. I was blown away that it could be that high in alcohol and taste so good. There is so much fresh raspberry taste that it is hard to call it beer.
M - Pretty nice. Very nice sipping beer in the winter. Not much of a summer beer. Heavy on the palate and the tongue.
D - Average, I couldn't have more than one or two of these beers. It is heavy and stays on the palate for a while. Can't wait to have some more but couldn't see drinking much of it in the summer.

Dogfish always blows me away with their beers.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2007 01:35:54 | More by slvrmon82

MOB210SA

Texas

4.47/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bought and reviewed on my 23 birthday.

Gently fizziling half finger light tan, off white heads quickly dissipates to almost nothing but maintains thin ring of bubbles. No lacing but clings to the walls some. Reddish cherry amber in color.

Sweet eminating effervescent rasberry fruitness slightly stings the nose. Smells awesome but somewhat alcoholic which is no suprise. I dont smell any hops and rasberry overwhelms in a good way.

Moderatly thick, lingering sticky mouthfeel that is not too syrupy. Just enough carbonation.

Not much into fruit beers but this is hands down the best ive ever had. A little bit expensive price tag, but it was a special occasion- and I think it was very worth it. This beer was quite an experience. Hope to pick this up again sometime. Very different from anything Ive ever had. Dogfish Head has never dissapointed (at least for me!)

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2010 14:34:09 | More by MOB210SA

jlenik

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had two servings of this at the International Great Beer Expo in Cuddebackville, NY.

notes from 07/24/10:

750ml bottle

2006 vintage

a: reddish in appearance and kind of hazy
s: a bit fruit and a bit boozy
t: amazing. I've tried this fresh and it is in no way even close to this one from 2006. It's strong but four years definitely gave it enough time to cool down. It's definitely fortified.
m: minimal carbonation. very dry.
d: Almost a little too good for something that's 18% abv. I've also had this problem with a few DFH's other brews (WWS and Raison D'extra). Get a few years on them and you are set.

summary: try it fresh. then store a few away for a while.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2010 06:46:16 | More by jlenik

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.48/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours an amber color but with a shade towards red/pink - definitely showing some raspberry color. Head is decent at pour, lingers, and laces for a bit along with the beer but then disappates. Smell from this 1 yr old brew is somewhat boozy but with a berry sweet note present. Taste is heavy sweet upfront with candy showing, alcohol burn on the back of the throat through the middle (but expected at 18%), and then raspberry and candy to finish. A treat to be enjoyed every once in a while!

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 01:51:49 | More by Oakenator

littlebibs

New Hampshire

4.5/5  rDev +23.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I first had this at the Boston Beer Fest with
Sam himself pouring and it was the biggest hit
at the Fest. Big lines and Sam trying his best to give out a taste sample and with
everybody going back for more, I don't think
it lasted very long. It has a unique
taste but although its strong it has many flavors
mixing around the raspberry theme. Its an outstanding addition to the extreme side of
beers/ale. Its creamy, with a candied sweetness
that quickly moves past the alcohol, tartness
and a touch of some kind of lime, interesting
nightcap to say the least. Got this for a 50th
birthday gift and had to open it right away.
Classy stuff from a great craft brewer. Sam
you are amoung the best out there, keep it up!

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2008 03:34:52 | More by littlebibs

MinorThreat

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +23.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I want to preface this review: I am not an expert when it comes to fruit beer. My girlfriend however; she knows her way around a bottle of framboise. So with regard to my lack of expertise and respect for hers... Sarah take the wheel:

A-Clarity was nice, color is similar to a tawny port, head was pinkish in color and reduces to a skim.

S-shitloads of raspberries (duh)

T-Almost tastes like a raspberry wine, light and refreshing with no cloying sweetness after taste.

M-Hits the pallet with a bright alcohol sense similar to wine but washes clean

D-I could and did chug this

Sam, you're the shit...I found my new beer...buh-bye lambic

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2010 03:01:00 | More by MinorThreat

JohnCurran

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +23.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance -Pinkish amber color topped by a half finger white head.

Smell -Imagine standing in a field of raspberries on a cool morning. Now multiply by 10. Slightly tart, slightly sweet, very boozy.

Taste -MMM...raspberries, funk, raspberries, booze, raspberries, malt, booze, raspberries. Not cloyingly sweet, not too tart. A nice balance.

Mouthfeel -A bit heavier than expected but the raspberry, booze, funk and tartness dance around the tongue.

Drinkability -More drinkable than expected. Plowed through the 750 mls on my own over the course of a couple of hours and never got burnt out of the taste.

An enjoyable "extreme" beer. Not for everyday but fun every now and then. Great work Dogfish Head!!!

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2011 04:03:11 | More by JohnCurran

berpwillie

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +24.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

i was pleasantly supprised by this beer. not that i though it wouldn't be good, but i suggest taking your first sip while sitting down. The first sip or two is a bit strong but with the abv that is to be expected. Very distinct orange color, with a raspberry aroma you could probably smell from a mile away. Although the taste of raspberry is very strong i thought it was neither over-powering nor over-whelming. Becafeful-for those not prepared a glass or two of this will surely have you buzzzing

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2010 12:58:11 | More by berpwillie

drumstik

Maryland

4.55/5  rDev +24.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a ruby/amber color. Almost looks like a mix of grapefruit and apple juices. Minimal head the fizzles away.

Smells of sugary raspberries, alcohol, and just the slightest hint of hops.

Carbonation is felt on the tounge as well as a slight alcohol warmth followed up by a juicy/tart raspberry flavor. Hints of vanilla and caramel come through along with a bit of spice and hops. The raspberry flavor is very natural and almost more of a candied raspberry shortcake type flavor.

This would go great with a piece of rich creamy cheesecake to finish off the night and put you to bed! One of the most out there fruit beers I have ever tasted and it is oh so good! Thanks DFH!

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2006 03:23:29 | More by drumstik

NolateM

Connecticut

4.55/5  rDev +24.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Very fresh bottle, only about a month old.

Poured into a Corsendonk Christmas Ale goblet. Fairly cloudy amber color. Dissipated head, but nice ring and lacing.

Lots of alcohol in the aroma, but fresh fruit comes through as well.

I had this beer last spring and thought it was good, but getting it fresh this time truly made all the difference, as the fresh bottle REALLY has all the raspberry flavor still intact. Some suggestions of apple and pear come through, as were also apparent when I had it last spring. It has a nice hint of champagne-like tartness (tastes as though it may have been brewed with champagne yeast or something).

Mouthfeel is good for what this beer is... obviously there's a generous amount of alcohol heat (which keeps getting more prevalent as the beer warms), but that goes without saying. Nice spritzy carbonation too.

Buy this as fresh as you possibly can, and serve it at fridge temperature. It really is worth it. What a fantastic, warming, strong, flavorful brew this is. Have it at the end of the night, or with dessert - I paired it with home-made tiramisu, and it was truly exceptional. It makes a delicious (and less expensive) substitute for port wine. It's PORT BEER! I should copyright that name.

About $16 for a 750 mL

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2006 20:22:30 | More by NolateM

jordanmills

Texas

4.55/5  rDev +24.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured a cloudy red-amber with a little head that left fast. Smells of raspberries and sweetness. Tastes of raspberries and sweetness. Enough of the alcohol comes through to let you know that it's there, but it surprisingly does not at all overwhelm the taste. It's very light on the tongue, compares well to a sparkling fruit wine. I could drink this all night, except the price would break my wallet, and the alcohol would break my balance. It would go very well with a dark chocolate dessert that wasn't too sweet.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2006 04:25:47 | More by jordanmills

cindyjeffsmith

Georgia

4.55/5  rDev +24.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2008 vintage.
Appearance: hazy yellowish read. Not much of an off white head. No surprise for an 18% monster.
Smell: Sweet, rich raspberries. Exotic and inviting.
Taste: more of the same. Braced for an alcohol punch that never came. Sweet but not overly so. The richness and depth offset the sweetness like a fine port.
Overall: Awesome. A work of art from Sam and team. How in the hell do they make an 18%er this easy to drink?

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 21:45:14 | More by cindyjeffsmith

nriech

Virginia

4.58/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Purchased in Richmond Va at Carytown W&B. Poured with a slight head that disappears quickly. The smell of raspberries and alcohol come immediately from the glass.

The first sip I think this is some sort of raspberry champagne. Then the hops come out slightly and then as you breath the alcohol comes out. Nice warm feeling on the tounge, doesnt overpower the flavors though. Excellent ballance of the 3. The berry flavor seems to stay in the cheeks.

The only down for me was the body was pretty good but seemed a little heavier than I would have expected. Im not sure how much sugar was used but maybe a little less, even if it lowered the alcohol, would have been nice.

This is overall the best beer to introduce someone unlearned in the quality beer world, or even beer for that matter. It would absolutely hook anyone, including me, who didnt mind a little cha-ching for an excellent beer. Got one more Im holding on to with a Pangea for special occasions.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2006 13:51:47 | More by nriech

clvand0

Kentucky

4.58/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a light red color with a small head that falls quickly and doesn't leave much lacing on the glass. The aroma is only slightly sweet with a lot of raspberry notes and almost no alcohol. Very interesting. A lot less sweetness than I expected. The flavor is much the same - lots of raspberry flavors without being too sweet. The finish is smooth and leaves a great aftertaste. Absolutely no hint of the 18% abv. The body is moderate and the drinkability is wonderful for the alcohol levels. Another great one from DFH.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2006 17:49:47 | More by clvand0

kindacold

Virginia

4.58/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from bottle into a goblet of sorts. Nice color, exactly what one would expect with the pureed raspberries. Nice white head. Smelled pleasantly of berries and alcohol. First taste was very powerful. The alcohol give it almost a spicy/cinnamon flavor, which combines nicely with the sweetness of the raspberries. If one holds it in the mouth for a bit, allowing it to hit different parts of the tongue, the alcohol becomes more evident, but still goes down easy. Aftertaste is of berries and a bit of malt. Very drinkable, especially sitting outside on a hot sunny day. After about 1/4 of the bottle, I drank the rest while eating a roast beef panini, and it was an excellent combination. I think it would also go well with a chocolate torte or some other heavy meal or dessert. Can't wait to get another bottle of this!

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2007 17:07:36 | More by kindacold

KFaulkner

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hooooly crap... this beer is awesome.

So this is the first beer I've sampled that is more than 13% ABV... and I really thought I'd be far more disappointed than this....

Thankfully I was way off.

First of all, it was sort of what I expected strangely enough. I sort of imagined this "raspberry fruit beer" to be more like a sour/Flemish ale. And strangely enough, this beer reminds me very much of Rodenbach.

I think this brew is world class and only wish it could be more than just a fruit beer; I feel like it's more of a sour ale. It's deep, complex and exciting all at once. This is what all you Russian Imperial fanboys only wished Imperial Stouts could be.

Not that I don't love a good Russian Imperial. But this beer knocked my socks off. And maybe I haven't had enough great beers, but Rodenbach knocked my socks off too, but this beer knocked them off MORE.

Unfair to put this in a category as specialized as Rodenbach? Maybe... but who am I but a beer lover. I know what I like... this beer isn't sweet or overpowering. It's not comparable to anything else out here. It's 18% ABV of nearly unintentional beer bliss that goes down way smoother than it should and begs (literally BEGS) for another sip.

And that, to me, is what great beer is all about.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2008 01:07:25 | More by KFaulkner

pastradul

California

4.58/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Big thanks to wchesak for this one.

Appearance is a burgundy brown, with a slight bit of head but not a lot.

The smell is almost ripe rasberries, just leaving tart and entering sweet.

the flavour is great. Not at all what i was expecting. Nothing like other rasberry beers where it tastes like melted sherbet. This is fir sure a strong ale made with fruit. I nice malt backbone supporting the rasberry flovour through out the whole taste.

Paired with a rasberry dark chocolate is amazing.

might need to get another bottle and age this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2010 15:11:09 | More by pastradul

beergurujr

Illinois

4.6/5  rDev +26%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

first thing: i cannot believe that this is an 18% beer. way, way too well balanced. however, i'll go along with the listed ABV, for now anyway.

visual: hazy strawberry blonde. moderate head and carbonation.

aroma: raspberries. simple, but good.

foretaste: raspberry extract-like. interesting. i like it.

mouthfeel: medium to heavy.

midpalate: raspberry and hop; alcohol (assuming it is really 18% ABV) extremely well hidden. perhaps a huge hopping rate to make this so drinkable?

aftertaste: pretty much raspberry extract. dry.

you'd expect such an extreme beer to be way malty, way sweet. this isn't. kudos to DFH.

buzz is hitting me now, shortly after downing this one rather quickly. it may actually be 18% ABV as listed. but as i wrote, very, very well balanced, regardless of actual ABV. a winner!

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2005 06:34:37 | More by beergurujr