Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron

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

Did not like this beer the first time I had it. Tried to be more open to a truly unknown taste and aroma. Very strong nose and taste that has medicinal/Home Depot association.But somehow I am getting to like it. The people at Dogfish Head are very brave and creative. Oak is subtle. Palo Santo is a sledgehammer.

Well, leave it to DFH to keep me so intrigued by their brews, and this was no different. It says it’s a brown ale, but it looked and smelled more like a stout, and then it’s labeled as a strong ale. Imagine how confused my palate was?! anywho, the flavor was quite complex, and my mother(who I was surprised even wanted to try this) said it best that it tasted like chocolaty root beer, which was strangely appealing. So yeah this beer was awesome!! Cheers!

There is a tree in the bottle. Forget the sap / resin of hops, there is tree sap mixed in this 12% brew. Amazing malt, but crazy presence from the wood. A weird astringency...just a weird beverage all around. 12% was the right way to go as this wood would make some great bourbon. There is some tobacco and tasty malt, but this is all about the wood.

(12 oz btl) Oily near-black w/ a fully diminishing tan head. The wood is noticeable in the aroma, complimenting the toasted malt/caramel nose. I got boiled peanuts, tobacco and black coffee in the first few sips. Lively carbonation, but finishes smooth w/ a little alcohol warming at the back of the palate. Lingering wood aftertaste.

Bottle. First nose is of rubbing alcohol, as it warms the aromas of wood and dark fruit come out. Rather sweet, with woody fruity tones, some vanilla, molasses,and fig. Milk chocolate in the aftertaste, and some alcohol showing through as well. At 12% I expected a lot more alcohol taste, but its fairly well hidden.

Bottle pours black with a decent head that diminishes rather quickly and does not lace. The aroma is of solid dark and dried plums, wood, and sort of sour. The flavor is very molasses and sugar oriented, with the wood showing through, darkness, vanilla, and an extended yeastiness that seems to linger. The palate is pretty rich and bordering on cloying. Overall, I think it is a decent effort, but not something I want to drink much.

cerveza ale bastante oscura con sabor a madera. no se siente el alcohol y quien putas lee estas mierdas de todas maneras

Very complex nose. Woodsie-type smell, like oak, sweet. Taste is also complex, very sweet and malty, slight roastiness. Can tell this is aged in wood. Slight flavor of tannins from wood. %12 abv is extremely well hidden. Wood aging adds a very pleasureable complexity to a typically uncomplex style. Hints of vanilla or molasses, very smooth and easy to drink.