Sah'tea - Dogfish Head Brewery

Nerudamann

Arizona

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

Look - reddish golden color, hazy, with good carbonation and about a finger's worth of frothy off-white colored foam.

Smell - You can definitely smell the herbalness of the juniper. I don't get much of the chai though.

Taste - somewhat of a sweet taste at first, like a lambic, but that melds into a more wheaty taste. There's a bubbly feeling at the end.

Mouthfeel - bubbly but overall pretty well-balanced.

Overall - very interesting brew, and great to try one of the older styles.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 04:27:38 | More by Nerudamann

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

4.53/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from tasting notes.

Poured an orangish-amber color with some manageable sediment chunks and a flash head, no lacing.
Right away my nose is bombarded by aggressively cardamom-forward chai tea spicing aroma with lesser levels of ginger and cracked juniper berries. All of these aspects from the nose carry through into the flavor very well. The lingering finish also has a fair amount of peppery banana character to it. I'm really enjoying the way it takes the chai tea spicing and blends it seamlessly with the gin-like qualities of the juniper berries. The ABV is completely hidden. It works, despite looking crazy on paper. Medium body and soft carbonation keep a leash on the spicing from taking over completely.

A really nice beer!

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 03:28:02 | More by WastingFreetime

Swazzle

4.7/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

One of the best beers Dogfish Head has to offer. Had on tap at the Rehoboth Brewpub

A - Amberlike in color, it came out with a nice head with slow retention. Left a nice lacing on the glass that remained sticky while drinking.

S - Big on the caramel and booze smells, with subtle hints of cinnamon and clove and tea as well.

T - Just wow. as an avid tea drinker, this beer was a dream come true after the first sip. With all the spices and flavors of a Chai tea, a home run in my book. Strong notes of cinnamon and pretty sweet for a beer, but this is an exception where it's not a bad thing.

M - Medium bodied with the spiciness of a Chai tea. Goes down pretty easy for a 9% beer.

O - One of my favorite beers hands down. Simply fantastic. If you have ever had and enjoyed a Chai tea, this is a must try.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2012 02:24:57 | More by Swazzle

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I poured this 22oz bottle into a snifter glass. It has a nice murkey yellow gold color body with no head but a thin lace around the edge. The smell is very inviting of chai and black tea with some malt coming through. The taste is a blast of chai right up front and the juniper flavor come on the back of the tongue. Very well balanced in flavor. Nice mouth feel and overall a really interesting good beer. couldn't drink it all the time but i'm glad i tryed this one.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 19:29:17 | More by chefhatt

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.15/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from 7/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a cloudy orange amber. Thin head and no lacing. Spicy sweet malt aroma with pine and Belgian spice elements. A clove spice flavor reminiscent of Belgian ales with a light, sweet malt body. Medium malts and spices. Slight hop and spicy finish with a hint of the tea. Interesting and satisfying. Worth a revisit.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 23:11:32 | More by LiquidAmber

BurgeoningBrewhead

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 1pt 9oz bottle into a mug.

Appearance: Pours a slightly murky yellow; has a 2 finger fizzy white head with some retention (the mug was scored on the bottom). Some sticky lacing as I drink it.

Smell: Malt hits the nose first, followed by spicy whiffs of black tea and chai, with a light juniper note at the end. Also some yeast, and maybe green apples.

Taste: Spicy chai over bready malt, no bitterness. Juniper not really noticeable until the aftertaste. Also some sweet flavors from the chai tea, perhaps cinnamon; the alcohol is hidden quite well for 9%.

Mouthfeel: Delightfully fizzy, almost champagne-like carbonation; but a much thicker body.

Overall: Quite different; not sure if it's something I would pick up again for the price but it was definitely tasty.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 04:24:47 | More by BurgeoningBrewhead

WoodBrew

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Well, this is one of those beers to which I really have no comparison to base it on, style-wise. It pours a light gold color, and clear. Like a crystal-weiss, almost. I get juniper and some menthol notes—which does but shouldn’t remind me of menthol cigarettes, since the aroma is nothing like that. More… herbal? Piney? Eucalyptus? More like the smell of evergreens after a spring rainfall. A complex finish that lingers and takes some getting used to. An interesting beer from an interesting brewery. I’ll have to try more sahti and see how this compares.

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2012 03:20:29 | More by WoodBrew

kylehay2004

Florida

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed at the brewpub in Rehoboth Beach, DE

A: half finger head with nice lacing on a cloudy golden with slight crimson hue body.

S: lots of honey, candied citrus, wheat and barley. Nice juniper notes.

T: opens with honey and wheat and turns to honey, juniper and herbs finishing with a slightly sweet citrus note.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: I have heard this one is better bottled. The flavor is full and there are no off putting notes. This one becomes more and more drinkable as it is enjoyed.

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2012 17:15:18 | More by kylehay2004

byancey12

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750mL bottle into a glass.

A- Medium gold color, with an hint of orange. Slightly cloudy. Poured with a significant amount of head, which settled quickly, and medium lacing left behind when drinking.

S- Can slightly smell the alcohol. Hints of chai spices and fruit are there, but not overpowering.

T- Slight Chai, with some frutiness. I don't recognize the fruit, so I take it I am tasting the juniper berries. Starts with a hint of Chai, then a big kick of juniper, then a small punch of alcohol.

M- Light yet full. A little oily

O- I would recommend this beer. The high abv sneaks up on you, so be careful. But it is quite tasty, I will be stocking up.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 23:34:30 | More by byancey12

trxxpaxxs

New York

3.45/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a murky gold with peach hues. There are roughly two fingers of pure white head that settle very quickly. Only a thin ring is left around the edges of the glass.

S: The nose is big on the alcohol and big on Christmas spices. I get cinnamon, allspice, pumpkin, herbal tea, and booze. It's quite a wacky mix.

T: The alcohol hits hard, mixed with spices and fruit. It's really packed with cinnamon, fennel, peppercorns, and candied yams. It reminds me of Chinese tea mixed with booze. It's really interesting, but it's not exactly good.

M: Medium bodied beer. It's boozy to start, gets spicy in the middle, and it finishes hot and spicy.

O: This beer is mediocre at best. It's too boozy and too spicy all at once. I don't think it's bad, but it's not all that good either.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 13:07:27 | More by trxxpaxxs

dananabanana

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Looks like a dull gold in regular room lighting. Brilliant orange when held up to the sunlight. 1-finger beige head. Translucent.

S: Sweet with chai spice. Cinnamon sticks out a little. Doesn't really smell like a traditional beer-- hard to detect wheat-like or hop-like scents.

T: Really hard to figure this one out. It's good, for sure. Tea and chai spices. The label said it's made with juniper. I'm sure that's the distinctive flavor that I can't identify, but I don't think I've ever tasted juniper before. Very sweet-- the alcohol sneaks up on you.

M: Light and bubbly. Quite refreshing with a hint of tartness.

O: Another excellent beer from Dogfish Head. Enjoyable for the summertime.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 00:22:00 | More by dananabanana

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

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

Served on-tap in an 8-oz. tulip shaped glass at DFH Brewings & Eats in Rehoboth Beach, Del.

A: Poured a hazy, copper orange color with a very thin head of fizzy, white foam which settles to nothing. Bits of yeast and streams of carbonation can be seen along the edges of the glass.

S: Vinous and fruity, with a hint of spicy, white grape must, coriander and turmeric. A slightly tart, acidic scent rises as well.

T: Dry, fruity, flavorful malts smack the palate first, imparting dry citrus and grapeskin accents. A semi-sweet, tart apple flavor creeps into a grassy, herbal hop and slightly hot alcohol taste. The finish is spicy and sweet with a slightly yeasty, spicy Belgian ale flavor.

M: Dry and crisp with a tart, yet medium-bodied feel. Spicy and dry in the finish, despite pulling fruitiness.

O: A pretty refreshing brew for a warm July afternoon at the brewpub. The 9% ABV isn't fully detected and the tart fruitiness is a nice reprieve. However, most of these "ancient ale" recipes all veer too close to Midas Touch for my taste. It was good but I'm unlikely to get it again.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2012 22:07:30 | More by Gambrinus1184

ONUMello

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle poured into a pint glass
A: Pours a hazy orange with a large 1.5 finger head that settles slowly. Quite a few carbonation bubbles.
S: Tea, powdered lemonade, and spice make up most of the aromas. There's a hint of sweet malt underneath.
T: Whoa tea. Almost overwhelming. Here you can pick out the juniper berries- along with the 9% abv contributing a bit of heat, this is almost a bit gin-like. Long bitter finish.
M: Medium-bodied with a spicy kick.
O: This is certainly unique and I like it, but the spice is so intense I'm having trouble finishing a glass let alone the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2012 18:04:20 | More by ONUMello

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.95/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance – Pours a hazy golden color with a light white head. The head fades quickly leave a light amount of lacing.

Smell – The smell is fruity and spicy. Aromas of citrus and berry are a nice base with which aromas of some juniper spice and a light pine aroma rest upon. Mixed with these are smells of yeast and some light breadiness as well.

Taste – The taste starts out on the fruitier and sweet side with a good dose of citrus and some berry flavors. These are mixed with juniper and some yeast tastes. The juniper soon becomes more potent with other spices of nutmeg and cinnamon coming to the tongue as well. As the taste advances further a herbal tea flavor comes to the tongue and takes the taste to the end where some floral flavors mix in with the herbal tea to leave a very interesting flavor on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer was on the medium side with the carbonation level just a hint above average. The average body was good for the tea, spice and fruit flavors with the carbonation level making it more refreshing then a standard 9 % abv brew.

Overall – It was an interesting and tasty brew. One to try if you get a chance.

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2012 23:26:58 | More by Darkmagus82

jtierney89

New Jersey

4.3/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Hazy golden bright straw color with a big fluffy bright white head. Some stickiness but not a lot. Head recedes quickly. Lots of crackling carbonation.

Lots of earthy pine on the nose with caramel undertones. Reminiscent of gin a bit. Subtle but very powerful earthy and spicy nose. Some banana and clove on the nose as well.

Rich full creamy mouthfeel. Has more tea like qualities then it does beer, but I can see the relation of being like a hefeweizen in a way. Rich breadiness up front reminiscent of banana bread. Spiced with gin and tea like qualities, dry finish with some lingering banana sweetness but nothing overbearing. Extremely unique and unlike anything I've ever had. Some tannic quality as well. Touch of detectable alcohol. Super complex beer with lots of hidden flavors that want to be seeked out.

After having this and doing some research on Sahti, I've realized that Sam Adams Norse Legend can't even hold a candle to this thing. While not being part of the 19th century, I feel some how brought back by this beer. Very very good.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2012 04:35:16 | More by jtierney89

nevery

4.15/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

(750ml into a large tulip.)

Appearance is a large head that settles to a thin blanket with a slimy lacing. (That's what she said.) Yellow-orange with yellow edges. Some sediment floating. (she also said that, unfortunately.)

Smells explosively sweet with orange, mango, clove, passion fruit, slight cinnamon.

Tastes subtle, yet the flavor grows like an avalanche. Sip after sip gets more flavorful.  Almost deceptively Belgian flavor because of the clove-ey, cinnamon flavor and banana esters. Kinda malty and maybe lactose? Black tea. Not too complex but the sweet and earthy flavor rolls on and lingers, ending in a sweet citrusy (almost grapefruit) aftertaste. Minimal traces of alcohol. Almost like a cider or mead.

Mouthfeel is champaign-ish bubbles, but good for the style. Wet, yet medium bodied and easy to drink. Extremely smooth like silk. Well worth the wait and one of few that exceeded my expectations.

Overall, my first DogFish turned out well. I see what the buzz is about and, although somewhat simple, this was a very well balanced and fresh brew, and certainly an experience for me. It was almost like a Van Gogh in a bottle, but towards his later years when things got vivid, colorful and crazy.

Good shiz'.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2012 03:12:18 | More by nevery

Sco

New York

3.3/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dogfish Head Sah'Tea

Enjoyed in a tall stemmed glass. 

A- Pours a half inch head which dissipates relatively quickly.  Color is a hazy, deep gold. 

S- Definitely some spice there. Slightly astringent and sweet smelling. Apple cider vinegar?

M- Fairly light and lightly carbonated. This is a surprisingly easy beer to drink - doesn't feel like a 9 percenter. 

T- Starts malty sweet and quickly shifts to clove. I'm really getting a lot of clove - not overbearing, just ever-present. Juniper flavor seems to be more in the background.   I can taste the chai tea in the finish, which is smooth and a bit dry. 

O- This is my first sahtea, and I like it! Definitely a change of pace, especially for an IPA drinker. It might be a sessionable beer for some, but for me, it will remain a change-up pitch. I think this beer would be a great selection in the winter to lighten up from all the heavier winter beers without losing that warming holiday spice. 

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2012 22:46:21 | More by Sco

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into globe. Really awesome and thoughtful bottle art - finnish reindeer with the Indian princess...really cool and seemingly un related culture pairing.
Pours a golden rusty orange with lots of sediment - it looks like its on the verge of freezing. Aromas are of chai spice, earthy pine, and earthy wood, a hint of citrus. Nice chai aftertaste.
Taste is very sweet pine, but obviously juniper. Hints of spice and citrus as well. Slightly overly sweet, but nice mouthfeel although booze is present. Overall,a very unique brew and something I hope to have again; maybe even aged.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2012 00:45:22 | More by DrinkSlurm

BigPlay1824

New York

3.58/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed in a pint glass

A: pours a nicely hazed straw yellow color with an ample amount of sediment in suspension which is white in color and i would assume to be yeast, pours with a finger of very fine bubbled pure white head which lingers for a short time as it is aided by the carbonation bubbles rising to the surface, leaves
S: so i definitely get a berry note but its more of a spicy or even piney berry note and it brings to mind Christmas time and wreaths, im assuming this is the juniper notes coming through
T: interesting complexity in this brew, begins first with a bit of a sharp spice note from the junipers then moves into more of just a pure berry note, the early finish actually has a slight lemony note to it and it leaves a lingering taste of juniper, im reminded quite fondly of anchors Christmas beer
M: medium carbonation tingle up front, becomes quite light and foamy across the palate mid sip, leaves the mouth rather cleanly but does leaves the lips feeling sticky
O: as my first experience with the style, i would say this a pretty well crafted brew and hits on the intentions of the style, juniper is present throughout although i did not find much of the black chai tea taste that is mentioned on the label

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 23:13:42 | More by BigPlay1824

ngeunit1

California

4.33/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a hazy golden orange with a finger of frothy white head atop. The head fades down at a normal pace leaving behind some light lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of juniper, coriander and other spices, a bit of citrus, some sweet bready malts, some fruity yeast character, tea, and a bit of floral aromas.

T - Starts off with some coriander, cinnamon, and other spices, some fruity yeast character, juniper beers, and a touch of citrus. Through the middle, some sweet bready malts come through with some stronger fruity esters, some tea flavor, and some floral elements. The finish is a mix of sweet bready malts, fruity esters with a hint of dark fruit, juniper and other spices, and some tea.

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

D - Very drinkable. Lots of interesting aromas and flavors mixed in, but the overall beer comes together quite nicely. I like the juniper especially.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2012 04:24:54 | More by ngeunit1

vonnegut21

New York

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a mild brown, with a slight tan head. Smell has mild malts, with a nice spice backbone. The first sip is mild malt forward, with spice notes and a smooth finish. Mouthfeel is very crisp and refreshing. This beer goes down super easy for a 9% beer. Overall an interesting take on a traditional Finnish Sahti. Definitely worth a try if you've never had it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2012 21:12:30 | More by vonnegut21

BostonHops

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle served in a SA "perfect pint" glass.

pours a cloudy golden yellow with a fluffy finger and a half of a light beige head; very respectable retention and lacing.

nose is a nice, aromatic potpourri of honey, clove, spice, and a certain fruitness; bready. vaguely reminiscent of a BSPA. flavor somewhat follows the nose but with more complexity going on; easily a bolder tea presence than was evident in the smell... strong herbal/spice/honey notes... i definitely get the juniper. a touch of bitterness, a little booze evident in the finish.

medium-plus bodied mouthfeel with medium carbonation. while the melange of spices and tea wears on the palate after a while (filing it under the small doses heading - a glass is great but more would be overkill for me) i would more than welcome another at some future point. unique and tasty.

originally reviewed: 11-29-2010

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2012 23:26:12 | More by BostonHops

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

weird one. pours quite hazy orangeish light brown with a short white head that dies off after a few minutes. smells like spices of the far east, ginger, even flowers, very strange, but tempting. flavor has quite a bit of the tea flavor come through, which is smooth and earthy, ancient. interesting malt profile as well, amber malts, rye malts, interesting combination. feel is good, fuller bodied, boozy, and has average carbonation. overall this isnt anywhere my favorite dogfish brew, but it is an example of why they are like no other. what other brewery would attempt something like this, and execute it so well. this belongs in a museam somewhere.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2012 23:54:18 | More by StonedTrippin

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml into short-stemmed tulip. bottled in 2012.

A: very hazy pale orange body. head isnt very impressive nor the retention/lacing. lot of sediment in this glass.

S: just like the bottle says, the aroma screams black chai tea. ginger root and licorice. seagram's ginger ale.

T: flavors are straight up ginger ale and black chai tea. honey. the rye offers a distinctive spicy flavor. flavors remind me of a super spiced up winter warmer at times.

M: a fine carbonation that seems to work perfectly with the style. full bodied.

D: a very unique brew with a lot of aromas and flavors. glad i was able to try this and will seek out more of the ancient ales from DFH.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2012 10:23:01 | More by Jimmys

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours bright orange with a decent white head; some spotty lace. Floaties.

Nice spicy nose. Big chai spice aromas; some bubblegum and peach/apricot nectar, some sweet grain.

Nice peach nectar up front, the chai spice comes thru immediately and stays thru the finish. Trying to find the juniper...not sure. Some slight alcohol, which helps.Fruit and grain is good, light boozy bitterness and lingering spice at the end. Some sourness to the fruit, some sweetness of grain, fruit, spice and booze. Nice balance.

Medium body. Good body and carbonation.

Overall, this is not quite like the other more traditional version of the style I've had. in fact, side by side, they seem like 2 very different styles. But I am rating and reviewing what is in the glass, not the tradition. I'd have liked more juniper or nettles. That said, this was still very tasty brew. My wife, who does not drink beer at all, liked the aroma and actually tried this. "I could drink this" was her quote. They did something right.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2012 23:41:38 | More by OtherShoe2