Dogfish Head Raison D Extra

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

Pours a slightly hazed red orange brown with a absolutely no head, despite the hiss of the cap as I popped the top. There’s a big sweet richness to this like a liquor more than a beer. Vanilla, some alcohol, coconut. A bit of leather. There’s some very subtle oxidation. A bit vinous. There’s some balance acheived between the caramel malt and the alcohol. A bit thick in the body, with a suprising amount of creaminess. A big sweet body, this drinks like a liquor. Leathery malty substantial sweetness cut my alcohol. The vanilla and a bit of vinous tannic abrasiveness on the tongue gives the sweetness some balance. Perhaps a bit of a vinous finish. This is so much better than the World Wide Stout. For 5 bucks a bottle, I’d have a few of these in my cellar. I can’t see this being 18.5% alcohol. And there’s sediment! In a DFH beer? Maybe that’s why I like this one so much.

Whoa nelly! This is one deceptive ale. At 18.5abv I expected a LOT more heat along the lines of the 120 minute. But no. This was almost fruity in flavor. Went down very easy. Sticky, sweet and pungent. I liked this very much and am glad it’s a real hassle for me to get or else this might be the ultimate turning point in my alcoholism. That big turn where you go from being a fat beer slob into an emaciated drunk with the gin blossomed nose, the gray liver and a bad case of the gout. I’m a 3rd of the way there, so this stuff, while awesome, has no place in my life. I do love it, however. It’s a delicious ale that defies traditions.

Deep copper beer with a lasting off-white head. Deep and rich vineous aroma with port and brandy, grapes and oak. Rather bitter with noteable warming alcohol.

Smells of ripe grape, and raisin with slight malt and alcohol. Pours a peach/red with little head. Tastes of rich raisin and Cabernet. Has a slightly sweet n’ sourness about it. Very intense flavors. Palate is medium, yet full. It’s sticky a lip-smacker.

Bottle, 33cl, from Ølkonsortiet, Aalborg. A small fog rises from the bottle mouth upon opening. I poured the small bottle into two glasses, mine a Snifter from Skovlyst (suppose that’s alright). The liquid is a stunningly clear dark red, looking more brownish when seen towards my table. Upon pouring, a very small head fizzes on top, but it quickly dissipates. Only a little foam on the sides. Aroma is absolutely overwhelming. There are definitely tones of raisins (of course), but also warming alcohol, a cognac-feel to it. But even through the dark fruityness, a little bit of sweet berries pop through. First swallow: At first it feels low carbonated and oily, but soon small bubbles prickly along my tongue. My tastebuds are dancing already :o) Taste has a general sweetness, lots of raisins, plums, a little sweet berries - ones that actually gives it a little tartness as well. There is no hiding the alcohol, 18,5 % is impossible to masquarade. But even though it’s there, and it is powerful, it never feels out of place. It warms for a long time, all the way down through my throat and into my stomach. The flavours continue to stick to the sides of my mouth. Brilliant!

12 oz bottle. Poured a clear dark orange-red color. Head was fizzy, off white, and dissipated quickly. No lace was left behind. Aroma was of molasses, dried fruits, and port wine. Very sweet with lots of warm alcohol on the tongue and mucous membranes. Smooth mouth feel with minimal carbonation. Tasted of raisin, dried cherry, burnt toffee, and alcohol. Strange and interesting.

Bottle. A redbrown beer with medium brownish head. Aroma of raisins. Taste sweet and malty with a lot of alcohol in it. Quite special, but in the long run I prefers desertwines.

Bottled on 9-25-06. Rated on 1-15-06. The initial taste is sweet with a slight metallic taste and a alcohol aroma. The sweetness fell away and then the bitterness came through. The texture was creamy and syrupy with soft carbonation. Tasted more like a brandy than a beer. Very good.