Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron

Brewed by Dogfish Head Brewery
Style: American Strong Ale
Milton, Delaware USA

Mondial 2009, Montreal. Dark brown, almost black, with just a ring of head. The aroma is ripe-fruit-sweet and a little spicy, with some roast thrown in there as well. The flavour has dried fruit and brown sugar, but also a definite slavour of chocolate-covered maraschino cherries. Quite full. Interesting.

Indeed the extraordinary gumbo ale. The Palo Santo unique characteristic combined to the caramel and vanilla complexity makes this ale a great pairing for Pichana or Rodizio.

While this beer claims to be a "Brown Ale," notice the word "Big" before "Brown Ale" in the description because this beer is loaded with complex tastes and alcohol. 12 oz bottle. Aroma of wood and alcohol. Pours dark brown, almost black. Flavor is complex with roasted cacao, raisons, and hints of bourbon and earth. Surprisingly smooth.

Aroma is wine-like, burnt fruit, vanilla and wood notes. Pours opaque brown with off-tan head. flavour is big and bold - sweet fruit, chocolate, raisins and woodiness. Smooth for such a high alcohol content. A great beer.

Bottle, Beer Ritz, Leeds. Poured very dark brown, black even, with a thin dark brown head . Aroma was rich and pungent with the woody character evident, mixed with dark fruit. Somewhat wineish, but infinitely nicer than most plonk. Quite a big booze hit, but doesn’t seem all of the 12 percent. Slides down lovely and smooth. The paraguayan wood gives this a wonderful flavour that is slightly sweet and herby. Lots to discover here. An unusual, complex, and hugely tasty brew.

12 oz bottle, shared between 4 (!) of us. Pours dark brown, quite thick, like molasses. The aroma was excellent, it di d go down rather well. Very much a sipper but everyone liked it, which I did not expect from such a complex and strong beer. Dark and roasted, it feels good in the mouth and lingers on the palate.

On Tap at FFF Brewpub. Pours dark brown with lighter brown edges and light tan head. Nose and flavor are equally complex. Alot of dark fruits and roastedness. The wood aging adds a nice component. Big time sipper, I think I spent nearly 90 minutes on the 1/2 pint pour.

It’s hard to describe but the opinion is, universally, that it’s excellent. Woody smell and taste, as advertised. Notes: dark red, brown foam, light sweetness, lightly bitter, full body, slick feel, soft carbonation, long finish.