Noble Rot - Dogfish Head Brewery

Billolick

New York

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

On tap at the Birdsall House, in Peekskill, NY. At least a few months ago and reviewed from notes.

Pours near clear, light and yellowish. Also a near white delicate head, that leaves dense sheeting and ample fine lace.

Fruity wine like nose, grapey, dry and acidic.

This is a bittingly dry and at the same time quite fruity and flavorful creation. Wine like, crisp, complex and yummy in general. Nice job here by DFH

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2012 15:42:14 | More by Billolick

cosmicevan

New York

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

Notes taken from early 2012 (March?) from a bottle share i hosted with the local crew.

Thanks kindly to blake for the share.

pours clear yellow with thick foamy bubbly head and it coats the glass with lacing. very light pilsner look. smells grape, belgiany, pilsnery. flavor follows the nose. nice white grape. easy drinker really enjoyable and one of the better DFH beers I've had to date.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 20:39:26 | More by cosmicevan

dfillius

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass.
A: Moderate pour yields 1 finger of fizzy white head with poor retention but a nice layer of foam remains and redeems it. Slightly hazy faded straw-yellow liquid is inviting on a hot day.
S: Citrus, slight Belgian funk, very complex. Slight bleu cheese, sauvignon blanc fruitiness. Pineapple, some honey.
T: Lemon citrus, tart barnyard. Like a hybrid shandy/radler and kolsch or lager. Very mellow and tasty. Restrained but complex and refined. Wine-iness increases as it warms. Sauvignon blanc-esque. Is this a braggot? I like it a lot. Honey is noticeable in the finish.
M: Very effervescent. A tad too much, which makes it a gut filler. Smooth, tart, expectorant from the tartness. Dry finish is similar to a sauvignon blanc.
O: Very high drinkability. Great for fancy meals or hot days. Priced for fancy meals! Would love another and will buy again. Only negative is the price!

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 21:44:02 | More by dfillius

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.7/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

- Brewed with botrytis infected viognier grape must.

A: Rapid efferversce of micro-bubbles rise in a bead on a string fashion with a rapid transit in a sparkling lemon gold body. Creamy frothy whipped head shows a finger high statue and a steady hold of retention leaving a big sloppy mesh of lacing on the vessel.

S: Sour grape mash, fresh raisins, um yeah no surprises here, a low to moderate state of delivery.

T: Flavor was wine like, sour grapes, acidic, but seems to maintain a nice balance and level of the infected grapes, not overly done or obnoxious but easy for the sake of drinkability hitting that sweet spot.

M: Good sense of carbonation is about, syrupy slickness texture with a strong medium malt support for body.

O: Interesting take, sour grapes? not at all, a different take per style, but probably best split on the bomber. The alcohol doesnt seem to interfere and is well behaved for its abv.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 22:44:01 | More by beerthulhu

ToddT

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

L- Crystal clear golden yellow topped with a large off white head. Head fades slowly and leaves some spotty lace on the glass.

S- If I didn't know better I would have thought this was a white wine, but I think that was the point. Lots of sweet grape characteristics, hints of oak, musty earthiness, and bubblegum, there is a slight tint of citric acid at the tail end of this.

T- Sweet grape juice is dominate throughout the entire profile, dryness doesn't wait till the finish but comes in right in the middle and brings a slight citric tartness along. Bone dry finish slightly green apple tart and musty.

M- Light in the mouth and a little more than medium in carbonation. Drying finish leaves you wanting one more sip, but it does become somewhat trying on the palate with the growing puckering effect as you work your way through this.

O- Outstanding experiment, I don't think I would want a lot of this one though, one serving was more than enough for me. The 9.0% ABV was well hidden and it went down pretty easy, except for the overly dry finish this could have been epic. Don't get me wrong this is a beer to seek out and try and it does blur the lines of what a beer can be. Nice job, Dogfish Head!

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 18:47:45 | More by ToddT

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.55/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle poured into tulip 18/10/12, cheers liamt07 for sending the bottle

A clear yellow liquid with just a few tiny bubbles feeding a thin cap of white head that sits for a few sips leaving a single partial ring

S smells of apple juice then a bubblegum forward saison yeast takes over, a little pear and vinous notes, sorta smells of oxidized white wine

T not quite funky but earthy notes and vinous aspects sneak around the heavy blast of apple juice, a little sweetness but I was expecting a very sweet beer from the name, interesting idea and attempt but not overly impressive

m not overly thick but a little fluffy from the bubbles, just some faint heat but at 9% I'd expect much more

O reminds me more of a cider then anything, vinous notes and a nice farmhouse is trying to shine through but its not that bright, its a decent beverage and an interesting concept but not really rocking my world

I'll hand it to Dogfish Head they try new things and take chances, this is far from a bad brew but perhaps I'm just not in the mood for a cidery, vinous style beer, props for hiding 9% though this one has some well concealed liquor

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 05:35:24 | More by wordemupg

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I poured this from a 22oz bottle, it has a nice clear yellowish color body with a nice small white head that hangs around for a while. The smill is of white grapes with a wine aroma. the taste is very crisp and kinda tart of white grapes, border line chardoney. The mouth feel is very nice and smooth, and overall, a outstanding beer from DFH.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 01:57:15 | More by chefhatt

philbe311

Pennsylvania

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

A - Slightly more than a finger's worth of crisp pure white colored head... Minimal retention gives way to a mostly full lacing that ultimately recedes to nothing more than a moderate collar... A few fairly quick paced carbonation streaks rise within comprised of medium sized bubbled... The color is a pale golden straw color reminiscent of white wine...

S - A big complex nose... Lots of wine like characteristics will leave wondering whether your drinking a beer or wine... Sweet white grapes... A bit musky... Golden raisins... A slight grainy wheat component as well...

T - The blurred line of beer and wine continues on the palate... Lots of sweet white grape notes... A touch of honey... Golden raisins... A bit grainy... Muted white wine for lack of a better descriptor... Quite a bit of complexity...

M - On the lighter side of medium bodied... Clean... Crisp... Dry... Sharp biting carbonation... Very straight forward...

D - This beer truly walks a fine line between beer and wine unlike any I have tried to date in 1,000+ reviews... Not outstanding and not something I would drink with regularity, but it is what DFH does best - pushing the bounds of brewing creativity while still producing rock solid brews... An interesting offering all the way around... Kudos...

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 01:33:23 | More by philbe311

SHODriver

California

4.23/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours a clear yellow with a small white head that recedes to a small mat and a collar in a Dogfish snifter
S: smells of grapes, melon, kinda buttery, slight pale malt, a slight oakiness and a bit of spicy yeast
T: tart grapes, nice pale malt flavor, a bit of melon, a little spice from the yeast. swallow brings a bit more grape/wine and some clean pale malt flavor
M: slightly drying with soft carb and a medium mouthfeel. it feels a bit slick
O: quite an interesting beer and an interesting concept. it tastes like you would expect as a mix of a beer and a wine. it's a bit off for a saison but it tastes good for what it is. the complexity is nice and it's about what you would expect. I was really excited to get this beer in a trade and it did not disappoint.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 03:52:15 | More by SHODriver

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.98/5  rDev +28.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Off the charts excellent but not your typical beer. As indicated it is borderline wine - a great bubbly Chardonnay like white. Nose is white grape, sour and some citrus. On the tongue beer is not the first thing present - you almost have to search for the beer. For fans of wine and beer with an open mind this is a great surprise. Texture up front is excellent fading only slightly through the back with a lingering white grape and lemon flavor. Could be considered in the sour class but i think its actually in a class by itself. Excellent pairing with sushi. Thank you DFH for going outside of the box.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 23:26:00 | More by Oakenator

claspada

New Jersey

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

Pours a translucent golden color with a medium size white head that sticks around before falling and leaving a good amount of lacing.

Aromas begin with a balance between the wine and beer elements; the pilsner malt is discernable but the grape aromatics from the Viognier grapes are more prominent. As it warms you get a but more of the tart grapes and a light citrus zest with a touch of honey sweetness.

The tastes begin with the same pilsner maltiness and then the tart grape flavors take over, adding a lemony bite by mid-palate. As it warms you get some of the underlying Belgian doughy yeastiness. The lingering flavors are primarily white vinous induced.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with low to moderate carbonation. Finish is semi-sweet with the grapes adding a mild puckery element. ABV makes the flavor profile a little heavy for the style.

Overall these Dogfish Head experiments are usually hit or miss for me; this one is a little different as I enjoyed it but would be unlikely to seek it out again. A nice blend of the White Wine Grape flavor with a Saison but the ABV/malt heft makes this a tad bit of a chore to finish the whole bottle.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 16:33:19 | More by claspada

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.58/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from tasting notes.

Poured out a lighter yellow color, semi-hazy, with a fast-fading head and minimal lacing.
Smells of lemons, white wine (really nice white wine BTW) and gains a tiny little garnish of funk / spice as it warms up. Very straightforward nose on this one.
Tastes a bit more sugary than I had expected from the nose. There is some residual left over in there, but the wine is definitely the dominant force over the beer characteristics in this one. White grape must transitions into a semi-dry white wine blended with a touch of Belgian yeast tones.
Sparkly carbonation and lighter body makes the texture more akin to a wine spritzer than a beer as well.
Overall, this was a worthwhile experiment IMHO, even though the beer qualities tend to get drowned out somewhat by the wine aspects.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 03:09:31 | More by WastingFreetime

garuda

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Clear bright golden body, thick white cap that has great retention with some lacing.

S - Nicely complex with grape juice, white wine, a little earthy funk, hay, floral hops, candied sugar.

T - Kind of a let down here, with the grape juice, white wine aspects taking over, ending up on the sweet, acidic side. Vinous, but without the oakiness. Sweet acidity dominates by the end. Abv is hidden extremely well, though.

M - Medium to light in body, lively carbonation, mostly smooth across the palate, but the cloying sweetness doesn't allow a clean finish. No bite, no dryness.

O - Starts out pretty well, but ends up too sweet and acidic for me. White wine-like, without the oak.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 13:57:33 | More by garuda

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Noble Rot pours a clear golden yellow/light amber with a small frothy white head. As the foam fades away some lines and spots of lace remain on the glass.

The aroma is mainly notes of white grapes, light lemon, and wheat.

Each sip of this light to medium bodied beer is smooth and dry with moderate carbonation. The flavor is white grape (like wine), light lemon tartness, and wheat. It finishes floral (lavender?). Once gone the grapes and floral notes linger.

This is a tasty and interesting beer that makes my teeth tingle.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 00:57:58 | More by WanderingFool

ThePorterSorter

New York

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

The beer pours and elegant looking, clear, golden yellow with a fluffy white head that laces. The nose is both tart and sweet with big notes of yeast followed by an alcoholic bite. The taste is a clean saison base with a very big presence from the grapes/rot. It has an outstanding, tart, green apple mouthfeel that helps balance the perfectly sweetened saison base. It finishes semi-dry and has ample carbonation, tricking me into thinking that I'm drinking a champagne. However, the saison is still a big part of this beer and contributes to DFH's overall success with this beer. Definitely worth trying, I may go stock up in case they don't re-release.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 01:07:10 | More by ThePorterSorter

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.03/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a clear golden yellow color with a two finger frothy white head that slowly settles into a lasting ring. Chunks of soapy lacing left behind.

Sweet, slightly earthy aroma with funky yeast and earthy hops countered by bread, yeast, biscuity malt and light fruit.  Light grapes, apple and alcohol.

Medium bodied with a good amount of earthy, musty funk that is overtaken by a strong, sweet vinous presence.  Hints of grassy hops and funky yeast followed by prominent vinous grapes as well as some apple, pear and sweet booze.  Not much heat though with a well masked abv.   Just a bit too sweet for my liking and could use some more funk for balance.  Decent but a bit one dimensional.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 01:30:53 | More by corby112

russwbeck

Virginia

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

A: White wine-like clear yellow pour with a ton of bubbles racing up and a nicely retained wispy white head. Thick lacing on the glass.

S: While my friend says this smells like "ass," I think it smells pretty ok. Wheat mostly, with some nice funk, and only some fruit. Mostly a sweet saison.

T: The fruit is much more apparent on the taste. Still, it slides towards typical saison for me. The taste is quite nice with the funk and sweetness balancing quite well. Perhaps I don't understand the subtleties of the wine characteristics.

MF: Lightest body I have every come across. Lot of carbonation as well. Dry finish and really drinkable.

O: I'm glad I tried it, but it wasn't great. Nice take on the saison-style, but I doubt I would grab it again.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2012 19:26:26 | More by russwbeck

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

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

Bottle: Poured a slightly hazy beige color ale with a rather large foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of rustic malt with light spicy yeast ester and some light dry grape notes light dry hoppy notes also distinguishable. Taste is a complex mix of rustic malt with dry hoppy notes with light dry grapes notes that are more subtle then I had expected. Body is quite full with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Very well brewed and hard to describe but very complex and still easily drinkable. I was almost expecting a mess of flavour based on the description but Dogfish were really able to create a very unique and interesting beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 18:22:00 | More by Phyl21ca

KDawg

Illinois

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

poured from bottle into a tulip. Pours a clear gold color with a foamy head. Almost champagne-like in the glass.

Very nice spice based aromas of hops, creams, florals, some nectarines, pears and apricots. The botyritis influence is certainly showing in the aromas.

Medium bodied with a real smooth feel. Again, the botryitis influence shows through on the feel as there is more of a fatness to it along with notes of apricots, pears, spices, and hops.

This was more wine-like that it was beer for me. Certainly showed off the botryitis but also showed the use of the viognier grapes as well. It was a very enjoyable drink though and one I'd like to try again.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2012 15:53:12 | More by KDawg

scottfrie

California

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

750ml bottle into snifter.

A: Pours a crystal clear pale straw color with two or three finger of airy bubbly white head that faded into a faint collar. Decent wispy lacing was left.
S: Extremely vinous, as expected. This smells like dry white wine with a touch of spice. Smells a bit like a saison, but mostly smells like wine.
T: Follows the nose. Again, this tastes like carbonated white wine with a splash of mild saison. Very dry with mild to strong sweetness. Aftertaste is slightly buttery. There is a slight tartness to the brew, similar to grape skins, but it’s very mild.
M: Again, dry. Easy to drink though. Carbonation is scrubbing and frothy, and the body is medium.
O: A white wine lovers dream. Not bad if you like saisons. I’m glad I took a chance and tried this. I wouldn’t buy it again, but it’s not the worst of DFH usual disappointing series of experimental beers.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 00:06:49 | More by scottfrie

superspak

Michigan

4.38/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle into tulip glass, bottled in 2012B. Pours almost crystal clear golden straw color with a nice 1-2 finger white head with great retention, that reduces to a nice small cap that lasts. Some very nice soapy lacing clings to the glass, with a good amount of carbonation streaming up. Aromas of big grape, pear, lemon, grass, herbal, bread, floral, earth, clove, and light funkiness. Very nice and well balanced aromas with good complexity. Taste of big lemon, grape, pear, apple, herbal, floral, earth, bready grain, grass, funk, and light spiciness. Light tartness on the finish; with lingering notes of grape, lemon, tart apple, earth, herbal, bread, and light spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Fantastic complexity and balance of flavors; with a nice funky tartness in the background that compliments the flavor profile perfectly. Zero cloying sweetness. Medium carbonation and body; with a slightly slick and quite crisp mouthfeel that is very nice. No cloying sweetness at all. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an absolutely outstanding experimental saison from Dogfish Head! Incredible balance of flavors with great complexity; and extremely smooth to drink. Really loved this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2012 03:37:58 | More by superspak

Jsenay

Texas

3.8/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a brandy snifter

A - Pours a golden/straw color and has a medium carbonation. Head dissipates almost right away but, will build quickly with a swirl of the glass. Lacing is heavy when cold and thins slightly as it warms up in the glass.

S - Smells of a white wine. Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Champagne come to mind with a dry, slightly funky aroma.

M - Very crisp with a high acidity. The carbonation really comes alive when it hits your tongue. Scrubs the palate clean while leaving a fruity and almost vanilla-esque film on the back middle portion of the tongue. The warmer it gets the more nuances you can taste. It's just like being a kid again and drinking sparkling grape juice only with alcohol added.

O - I like it. Won't work to hard to search it out in the future but, it's good. Flavors are very subtle when cold so, I would suggest you let it warm a bit. It is very refreshing and if it wasn't for the 9 % ABV, it could be easily session-able. It says "sorta-saison" as a description on the bottle but, I would put this more in the market of a "sorta overly fruity and warmish fermented lager with wine must added" category, although that may not necessarily fit on the label. Noble Rot is definitely worth tasting at least once.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2012 23:01:21 | More by Jsenay

BostonHops

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 headlined by an assertive vinous quality. grape, a touch citric; on the dry side, and a bit tart.

flavor delivers more of the same. unabashedly vinous with grape and a little citrus. tart but not overly puckering. some yeast character. unique. medium plus bodied on the palate with carbonation a touch on the high side.

overall, an interesting brew to be sure, and you have to like the outside-the-box thinking - DFH's modus operandi. and while it was nice to try and i'm glad to have done so, i'm not head over heels. would be open to another visit but i won't seek it out... although i can see where it might fit the bill when a certain mood strikes.

(originally reviewed: 02-14-2012)

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 04:51:00 | More by BostonHops

chodinheaven

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beautiful beer, with a perfect clarity that is pale yellow in hue. Tons of bubbles swarm upward to feed a big and quickly disappating white head that leaves a ton of sticky, thick lacing in its wake. The aroma is very vinous, white wine in particular with an almost champagne like quality. Definitely a touch of booze that mingles in with a distinctly Belgian strain of yeast that adds hints of citrus rind, lemon in particular, maybe a touch of grapefruit. Loving the way this smells, very aromatic and pleasant.

Vinous indeed. I let this warm up to a chilled state, and it definitely lets all of the flavors come out and shine. Medium to full body that is magnified by a full carbonation. It has a champagne like dryness to the body and finish, puckering the mouth. There is a distinct tartness to the flavor, giving further puckering characteristics. It comes to the brink of being sour, and has that syrupy leftover feel in the back of the mouth that I've found in sours, but it falls just short of being truly sour, just pleasantly tart. This combines with the Belgian yeast to create a tart saison-esque beer that has some farmyard qualities with a good amount of that awesome Belgian funk.

Definitely a cool concept that Dogfish did here, merging wine/champagne tastes with beer. Never knew anything about the kinds of grape must that go into this beer, but I'm glad DFH introduced me to them. Good stuff, definitely try this if you are into wine or beer!

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2012 04:05:22 | More by chodinheaven

ianjsullivan

Maryland

4.23/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

ST: Large bottle format poured into a snifter.

A: Clear burnished gold with a thin white head and ample, almost champagne like, carbonation. It leaves thick lacing behind.

S: Fruity: grape, grapefruit, funk (like brettanomyces), alcohol esters.

T: Grape, yeast, alcohol, slight citrus, and very biscuit champagne like finish: tart.

M: Medium and dry.

O: I am very pleased with this beer. The flavor is complex. The original blast of fruit almost makes it too sweet, but the pleasant, tart bread finish balanced the beer nicely. The alcohol is present (there is a nice warmth in the throat), but it is not overpowering. This is a must try.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 19:58:48 | More by ianjsullivan