Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron

Looks like ink - actually very, very dark brown with barely any wisp of head. Actually a very light tannish head around edges of snifter. Aroma of sweet wood, molasses, perhaps dark plum and cherry, vanilla, roast and some alcohol. Mouthfeel smooth, almost silky. Very, very lightly carbonated. A touch sticky as it warms. Lacing consists of very fine light tan bubbles and a fine syrupy film that both melt away quickly. Flavor is initially quite chocolatey with some roast. As it warms each sip is a little different. Flavors of molasses, vanilla, wood - but not oak, chocolate, coffee roast and dark plum all make appearances at different times. Ventures a slight bit into Imp Stout territory but a little less harsh than many of those can be but at the same time probably not as complex. Some sips were marred by a light grassy finish, others were not. A little hot in finish. Might be interesting to see this with more age. Bottled on 2/11/08 and cellared for 8 mos.

This is one strong ass brown ale. This will knock you down and step on your face. Just like the 120 minute IPA does. Almost no bitterness. The sweet roasty maltness is there. Drink it on Xmas eve when you dont have to work tommorow.

Bottle: Very good. Pours dark brown with almost no head. Aroma of wood and fruits. Very smooth flavor. Alcohol is very well hidden.

Bottle shared with blankboy, jerc & mabel - my bottle, courtesy of swoopjones. Deep ruby-black with an off-white head. Aroma of wood, roast malt, caramel, vanilla, dark fruit - writing it up, it makes it sound like a lot of other beers, but there is a unique complexity that I cant quite describe, its just really nice. Smooth mouthfeel. Flavour - wow! Dry roastiness, coffee, charred wood, some sourness, hazelnut, vanilla, mild funkiness, more coffee - this is just really fucking good!

I’m always glad to see a new Dogfish Head beer on the shelf. They usually don’t disappoint, and the Palo Santo is no exception. To all appearances it is an unexceptional beer, an opaque brown with a reasonably normal tan head. But the color belies a uniquely prepared beer, aged “on” a Paraguayan wood, whose name was generously shared with the beer. As far as the aroma goes, the wood aging provides a hearty bouquet of wood, fig and chocolate covered raisins. It’s definitely a sweet smell, with the wood taking on less of an oak barrel quality and more of a cut and prepped timber dryness. The carbonation is unremarkable, but the flavor is exceptional. A fig flavor quickly works its way around the palate, aided by the adhesive tendencies of some licorice flavors. All-spice and brown sugar offer a sweeter side to the taste, helping somewhat to balance the woody dryness. A decent alcohol bite, an echoed aftertaste and a great flavor from start to finish, the Palo Santo is another success from the brewers at Dogfish Head. On a side note, I’d really love to know more about the brewing process for this beer.

Dark, dark brown. Opaque. Creamy head. Raisins, dates, alcohol and a bit of vanilla in the nose. I dont get as much wood as I would like (giggity). The alcohol is hidden well in the flavor. Interesting. Not as good as their IPAs, but worth drinking, unlike some of their other experiments.

Bottle 355 ml , Appearance: thick , dark brown going into black. Rocky fragmental lace. Aroma: roasted, creamy character with hint of burned wood. Organic feel , brown malts with dark caramel , apple tart with alcoholic dip. Secondary nose: ripe fruity feel , nutty hint of raw pumpkin and alcohol. Flavor/Palate: slightly smoky , woody character. Potent drying alcohol burn. Dried plums with roasted barley blended into whole. Solid strong barley wine.

Bottle: I like how this is supposed to be a brown ale (according to the label). It looks more like a stout and strangely enough it is categorized as an American Strong Ale. Go figure! It pours thick and dark, dark brown with a tan head and sticky lacing. The body is thick like a milkshake with sweet flavors of vanilla, caramel, root beer and alcohol. It has a lot of bite to it which isnt bitter. I assume its the 12.1 ABV. The aftertaste is thick and stays in your mouth as kind of a dessert. I donlt know if I would want something this complex and robust every day, but certainly every so often.