Dogfish Head Midas Touch Golden Elixir

12oz from Sam’s, Durham. To me, this is one of Dogfish’s most successful experiments, an off-the-wall idea that succeeds really well. Granted, I’m a big fan of Muscat grapes. The pale orange pour wasn’t especially appetizing – in fact it looked a little dingy. But that’s not a major knock. The aroma was very woody, and I wondered if this might simply be another oak-dominated beer. But the flavors are marvelous, with the grapes emerging perfectly in unison with the barrel flavors. Sweet fruits and honey dwelling in there too. Body is nice, mouthfeel is soft. A real pleasure of a brew.

Light golden color with a white head. Hoppy citrus aroma. Smooth medium to thick bodied mouthful of honey and hops. Crisp finish with a spicy aftertaste.

Pours a brownish color, and retains it’s white, fizzy head throughout. Aroma is of grapes, and smells like cheap wine. Could pass as a Carlos Rossi. Taste was nothing but fruit, multiple types of fruit. First grape, then bananas, and citrus fruit lingers on the tongue. The alcohol doesn’t seem to be overly present in the taste. Too much like wine to be enjoyed as a beer.

12oz bottle from BevMo. Very little head when poured. Aroma is surprisingly very much like a lager with a hint of grape. The beer is an orange color and I think a slight purple tint (maybe it’s the lighting). Taste is grape and honey but it’s not very sweet. Not bitter, but perhaps tangy? Very interesting. I can’t figure out whether I like it or not. On second thought I don’t think I’d have another. I’m not really big on the taste, it reminds me of something that had the sugar removed from it. I had pretty high hopes for this beer but it wasn’t all that great.

Sampled from a 12 oz brown bottle this beer poured a bright amber-golden color with a very large orange-white head. The aroma was tangy and tart citrus and pear. The flavor was tangy and tart with notes of sweet citrus, honey and grape. The finish was tangy and fruity. The body was fairly thick. Tasty.