Noble Rot - Dogfish Head Brewery

Kranders

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I really enjoyed this beer. Had this right after a big test. Poured a super clean, light golden color with minimal head. Very complex aroma, full of fruit and sour, with hints of wine in the backdrop. The taste falls somewhere between a sour and a white wine. Clean, oaky, with a bit of sour that rounds it all out into something fantastic. Lasts just a little bit on the tongue for an overall awesome beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2012 19:12:57 | More by Kranders

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

750mL into tulip. bottled in 2012. my first logo'ed glass bottle from DF.

A: bright gold. surprisingly clear body. some lazy carbonation can be seen rising to the surface, but they are moving as slow as i have seen bubbles go. bright white head looks good and has some nice retention/lacing.

S: smells more like a white wine than a beer. a bit of oaky. a lot grapey. some light bready malt works its way in between the fruit, but this one is mostly wine-like.

T: the grape must is strong here. starts sharp and acidic right on the tip of my tongue. finish is rich with munich-y malt. a little floral in the finish as well. dandelions.

M: average carbonation with a very prickly mouthfeel. i would say medium bodied even considering the 9%abv.

D: the grape aroma/flavor is so strong, this almost drinks like a watered down glass of white wine. even the appearance is a bit wine-like. tough to find the saison aspect behind all these grape notes, but it is certainly there on the palate. a very unique product and one that i am really enjoying.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 03:00:15 | More by Jimmys

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.03/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a thin piss pale yellow with a huge amount of pure white head. THe foam takes awhile to settle, and there is a ton of lacing left on the glass as it drinks. This beer looks like an adjunct lager, but with a frothier head.

S: I'm picking up a lot of grains, some spice, some definite wine notes, and some nice sour green apple notes. I know what it is, but it definitely reminds me of a saison mixed with white wine. I'm excited to taste it.

T: IT starts off spicy with that familiar saion like quality. The grains swirl on the palate with a tart green apple like acidity starting to join the party. The finish is extremely wine-like. Flavors of dry white grapes and booze make for an interesting finish.

M: Light bodied beer. It starts off wet and coating, but finishes dry and astringent.

O: This is easily one of the most interesting beers I've ever had. It basically starts out like a saison and finishes like a white wine. My palate and brain hurt, but I enjoyed this offering. I've never had anything quite like it.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 01:43:39 | More by trxxpaxxs

DestinyRidge

Washington

4.85/5  rDev +25%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - Brilliant color... Crystal Clear with a lot of carbonation. Nice lace

S - Some wine notes. Almost a spice but some Citrus that reminds me of the Viognier

T - Tons of Wine notes. Crisp and Clean, almost creamy. I Like the malt Awesome finish. VERY Nice

MF - Great Mouth feel.. I'd say medium body with nice carbonation. very wine like though

Overall - Great Beer/Wine?...and a definitely a "sorta" saison. maybe the most interesting beer I've had in a long long time... I'm interested to try and pair this with some different foods. Very drinkable, and i will be having this again.

Serving type: 750mL bottle

Reviewed on: 02-16-2012 5:30pm

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 01:37:33 | More by DestinyRidge

avalon07

South Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a pale yellow color and a clear consistency. There was an inch and a half of foamy, fairly long-lasting head. Good lacing.

S: A very vinous smell, dominated by the grape element, with some malt as well.

T: Like the aroma, the taste was predominantly a grape one. It was like wine, with a malty finish, and a hint of grain thrown in for good measure. An unusual flavor that's oddly likeable.

M: A good amount of carbonation with a slick finish. Medium-bodied.

O: Certainly not like any saison I've had before - not sure I'd even categorize it as such. Nonetheless, it's an oddly drinkable, easy to like beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 14:28:13 | More by avalon07

Rojopunk

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Light yellow with a lot of carbonation and a very nice amount of lacy very little head.

S - This beer smelled very much like champagne

T - Tastes very much like a wine

Mouth feel - Is a medium body

Overall I'd say this brew is 90% wine 10% beer. The only notes one can notice of a beer in this brew is the very nice lacy , the small bit of head and the mouth feel on the way down. I love dogfish head but this brew is hardly beer at all as a wine or spirit it is top notch ! That's why id did not rate this beer in any thing over a 4.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 06:29:14 | More by Rojopunk

chakadrum

Pennsylvania

4.73/5  rDev +21.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this at a festival at some point in the last year or two - I never expected they'd bottle it. When I saw it in the store, I had to grab a bottle (750ml).

I think you could convince a lot of people this was some unique style of wine rather than a beer. The taste reminds me very much of champagne and is much cheaper than something like Deus so that is a huge plus for me. It is a little tart, a little grape, a little barn.

Nice lacing and an incredibly clear crystal-yellow color.

Good sour/wine nose.

I have no doubt I will buy this one again. A fun unique saison.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 03:22:56 | More by chakadrum

buyBinboaVodka

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured from a 750ml bottle into a tulip glass. This beer pours a golden yellow with a slight haze in it. The lucious white head reatins sticky lacing around the glass and there are little carbonation bubbles noticable.

S - The nose is much more subdued than I had expected. I get some yeast notes and without a doubt wine smell. Don't ask me the grapes, I am no wine expert.

T - The taste was just what I might expect from a beer that I heard was a cross between a wine and beer. Some yeasty flavors up front followed by citrus notes and finished off with a crisp dry wine like finish.

M - Spiritly carbonated with dry finish and flavor that seems to evaporate off the palate.

O - This was an awesome beer. I had it paired with a nice flank steak, mushroom risotto and carmelized onions. I wish I could get my hands on some more of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 03:10:11 | More by buyBinboaVodka

inlimbo77

Delaware

3.85/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750ml bottle (new DFH glass bottles). Bottled in 2012. Poured into Lost Abbey snifter/tulip glass.

A: Pours a crystal clear yellow white wine like color. Small tiny bubbles off the bottom of the glass. Really looks like champagne bubbles. Two fingers of rocky white head. Leaves some lacing tracks, but not tons.

S: Definitely smells like a Saison. Not overly funky or anything though. Nice white grape notes, viognier and pinot gris hints probably. Maybe some spicy white pepper notes on the back end.

T: This is actually really good (if you like white wine). You get some nice tartness on the front of the tongue. Typical of a Saison. But again not overly funky. Then you get those Belgian yeasty notes in the middle of the mouth. And alot of white wine character. Dry white wine finish.

M: Light to medium. Thought the carbonation would be higher.

O: Not bad for a DFH project of late. Probably the best DFH beer I have had since Bitches Brew. I like where they were going with this and wonder if time will change this beer at all. Might pick up another bottle to see how it ages.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 14:22:00 | More by inlimbo77

Paymygasbill77

Pennsylvania

4.63/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 750ml into a snifter.

A: This beer poured a crystal clear light amber color with champagne like carbonation. The head started out about 2 inches and dissapated into nothing. This looks and pours more like a sparkling wine than a beer.

S: Dry fruit and funk.

T: Out of this world! Sam has done it again with this one. Very little to no hops. This reminds me more of a not so sour Geuze than a Saison or wine. It starts off with a bit of Dry white grapes and moves to a slightly sweet and funky flavor and finishes bone dry with funk and a carbonated bite. This leaves me wanting more.

M:Light and refreshing.

O: Fantstic! I am buying a few more bottles to hold on to. I bet this ages very well!

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 06:48:58 | More by Paymygasbill77

Chaney

District of Columbia

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

Man o man... If this is a saison, then I'm a male canine's bitch.

I had this on tap at the alehouse in Fall Church.

Served in a snifter.

A: This poured a crystal clear, slightly darker than straw color, with a substantial 2 finger head.

S: Sort of like a fruit cider, and this was totally hard to put my finger on. I got some honey and bright fruit, but that's about it.

T: Okay, the wine side of this one really came at the end. When the liquid finally hit my throat and esophagus, the fruit/alcohol component coated it hard... much more so that beer does. Think hard apple cider.

M: Measly carbonated and totally in a wino's wheelhouse. The lacing was nothing to write home about.

O: A fine white beer-wine, for sure. If that's you thing, then you'll enjoy this one.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2012 04:46:31 | More by Chaney

perrymarcus

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle served in a snifter.

pours a bell-clear, light golden / straw yellow tone while yielding a healthy finger of white head; moderate retention and lacing.

as its preceded repution indicated, the nose here is definitely reminiscent of a white wine. grape, a touch citric; on the dry side, and a bit tart.

flavor delivers more of the same. overtly vinous with grape and a little citrus. tart but not puckering. medium bodied mouthfeel with slightly above-average carbonation.

overall, a unique brew to be sure. interesting to try and i'm glad to have done so. that said, i'm not a huge fan. would be open to another visit but i won't seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 22:12:35 | More by perrymarcus

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Noble Rot. Served in Duchesse goblets.

Very pale straw color with a bleachy head that dissipated to a gassy film. Great clarity.

Smells semi-dry and vinous like pinot gris with some woodiness and barnyard funk. Smells like wet hay, fermented grapes, apricot, and some nuttiness.

Signature DFH ale flavor, reminiscent of their Ancient Ales. Tangy and tart fruitiness (white grapes, pit fruits, gooseberry), proud yeast character, thin hop bitterness (citric and floral), and wet feel (tangy and a bit too sweet, not enough carb to handle the acidity). Some white peach, wildflowers, dead grass, rainwater, and woody chardonnay.

This was fantastic to try. I wonder how this beer would evolve. Interestingly, one of the only imperial bottles from DFH that does not say 'Ages Well'. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 13:33:04 | More by thecheapies

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from tap into flute. Champagne looking color and foam. Nice lacing.
Smells of fruity champagne more than a beer. Looks like champage.
Taste is very nice and mild. But its so hard to think its a beer. Its fruity, bubbley...and like champagne. Its a very interesting brew. While it tastes fantastic, it doesn't taste like a beer, saison, or whathaveyou. I'm glad I got to try it and dfh is awesome for doing this. I would imagine thhis beer to lead a very important toast :)
Salute!

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2012 00:26:37 | More by DrinkSlurm

jayfro70

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: This is the most wine-y beer I've ever had. Never had anything even in the ballpark. Appearance is very light with a champagne-y color.
S: Not much of an odor to this one. Smells light and slightly fruity.
T: Tastes like a mixture of a wheat beer and champagne, with a fruity background favor
M: Confusing mouthfeel. I keep expecting the bubbliness of champagne to go along with the flavor, but not getting it. Still the carbonation is light with small bubbles.
O: This is a beer that I could turn to when I'm uncertain as to whether I would like a glass of wine or a beer. It hits strong notes of each. Another interesting beer by dfh that is really in a category all of it's own.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2012 16:55:02 | More by jayfro70

rootbeerman

Virginia

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours golden and crystal clear. Initial head was a finger or so thick and fell with minimal lacing to a thin layer.
S: unique to say the least. I really don't know enough about grapes or wine. But smells more grape/wine like than beer.
T: true to dogfish motto this is off centered. Tastes like a lighter version of midas touch, but has a more tart than sweet flavor.
M: very light on the palate. But the grape does seem to linger.
O: sip over a long while, expect wine flavor with beer on the back end

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 08:51:02 | More by rootbeerman

cindyjeffsmith

Georgia

4.33/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

appearance: one of the lightest colored beers I've ever had. light yellow with white full head on the pour.
smell: Tart citrus and yeast. A very bright and unique nose.
taste: The taste really comes together. All the above that's in the nose with a nice dry and tart finish. I really dig Dogfish experiments even when they don't hit a home run...this is a very nice brew regardless of the creation notes.
overall: A unique and worthy brew. Respect, Sam and the DFH crew.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 00:00:46 | More by cindyjeffsmith

BeerLover99

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: straw/shiny/bubbly body, 2 finger white head,
excellent lacing

S: yeast, floral, light green grape, lemon zest

T: lemon, white grape, yeast, floral, mild
slick finish

M: med body, bubbly/prick on tongue
semi-dry/hint of slick mouth

O: Interesting, don't love it, but fascinating.
Another great and often forgotten style
for the summer months.

VERY NICE, WORTH TRYING!

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 22:46:02 | More by BeerLover99

IPx

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a DFH snifter glass

A: Pours a beautiful light golden yellow with a thick head that slowly settles to a thin bubbly lacing that does not ever go away

S: First whiff this beer smells like grapes and I can detect a certain "yeasty funk" which is not overwhelming but it is certainly there.

T: Weirdly enough when sipping the beer, it almost tastes like a white wine full of grape flavors. The after taste is a bit sour and the yeast funk becomes quite prominent

M: Very light, super carbonated, and very refreshing

Overall, I am very impressed with this beer. I am very intrigued by this interesting blend of almost a beer/ wine. I definitely would like to keep this in my stock ready to drink on a hot summer night

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 08:46:07 | More by IPx

Viciousknishs

Virginia

3.58/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- pours a yellow golden color with a healthy two fingers bone white head. Very good head retention.

S- aromas of floral white wine, grape and a slight peachy note. Nice fruity said on yeastiness in the middle with white stone fruit esters. Musty cellar like characteristics also flesh out. Finishes with a dry nose with pale malt notes.

T- tart sweetness up front with white wine and peachy flavors. White grape juice and saison characteristics come out with a slight musty dry hay characteristics. Floral notes come out as well. Finishes very dry with a lingering white wine flavor.

MF- spritzy mouthfeel with a light body and champagne like carbonation.

D- super drinkable and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 02:35:15 | More by Viciousknishs

JayS2629

Alabama

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Nice. Rich, dark yellow with a two finger frothy white head that has descent retention. Sea foam lace.

the aroma is very chardoney like. Funky belgian notes. Lemony edges. Citrus splashes. Black pepper and pineapple. Tart, white wine complexity. Oak and lemon grass with faint vanilla.

Funky chardoney. Lemon, citrus rind, black pepper hints. Oak and vanilla notes. Tart with farmhouse funk. More like a wine than a beer. Hard to grade.

Wine like. Thin, highly carbonated with a slippery, oily edge.

Complex, interesting, tart, and wine-like. Good wine/beer? OK.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 00:53:21 | More by JayS2629

PEIhop

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

After seeing this beer was offered at the Extreme Beer Fest (I couldnt make it), I was psyched to see it on the shelf in a local store.
The beer pours an extremely clear "cidery" color with a very light, pillowy head.
The aroma contains a musty sweetness, most likely from the double fermentation from two different grape varieties, but could be due to the saison yeast. Underneath this mustiness, there is an acidic, vinegar quality that was somewhat unexpected, but pleasant.
The taste profile is a very nice balance of "funk" and sweetness, which is intensified by the high level of carbonation. At the very finish, there a subtle tartness that lingered leaving me instantly wanting another sip. The taste contain no evidence that it is 8.3%ABV.
Light to medium in body, but contains a high level of carbonation.
This experiment definitely succeeded. I really enjoy highly carbonated beer, so the mouthfeel was great. With the high carbonation and slight dryness, Noble Rot would probably work well as a palate cleanser of creamy cheeses. Much better than I expected.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 00:46:29 | More by PEIhop

BEERMILER12

Maine

3.93/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear yellow color with about a fingers worth of bubbly bone-white head that fizzles down to nothing but a layer of tiny bubbles within a minute or 2

S: The grapes are certainly the focus of this beer, with a sweet fruit character along with some must. Behind this is the usual DFH malt, yeast, and hop combo

T: Again, the grapes dominate. Has a lot of white wine character with more of a red wine sweetness. Some slightly tart/sour character as well, most likely from the yeast or infected grape must

M: Light-medium bodied with lots of carbonation

O: The saison base is decent, and the grape must adds a huge wine character to the beer. I would definitely enjoy this more in a month or 2 when the warmer temperatures start showing up, even though the higher abv works well for this time of year. I'd say that this is a nice new addition to their rotating line-up

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 22:05:56 | More by BEERMILER12

jayhawk73

Maryland

3.65/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at Dogfish Head Pub in Falls Church:

Pours a light gold color, very clear with a small white head. Almost looks like a white wine, or sparkling cider. The nose is very wine-like, grapes, citrus, yeast and a little funk. Very light in character. The taste follows suit- very interesting wine/beer love child. None of the 9% abv is evident. Feel is light, heavily carbonated, and has a dry finish. I enjoyed this experiment- very interesting take on the style. Cheers.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2012 21:44:48 | More by jayhawk73

PeterIngemi

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Split with a few buddies @ dirties... Poured into a
Shipyard tulip.... Don't know what to expect from this one.

A- pours a light golden with about 3/4 of multi sized bubble white head, very light lacing, looks good. Very clear.

S- white wine and a slight Belgian funk, almost reminiscent of oak, a very wine like aroma, I can deffinatley pick out the viognier. Deep inhales detect a whiff of almost peppery musty alcohol, I am assuming is the funk of the grape must. Almost sour smelling.

T- very white wine like, deffinatly, and the strange funk reminds me of oak notes, melon, and other light fruits, faint apricot, or peach.

M- very nice tight medium carbonation , creamy through the middle with a dry finish, the finish lasts but in a nice way, kinda like a palate cleansing white wine.

O- very good, and honestly much better then I expected, very white wine like, creamy and dry and the way the rot and slight belgianyness intermingle leaves almost oak like notes of complexity. Deffinatly enjoyed this.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 03:44:22 | More by PeterIngemi