Dogfish Head Red and White

This year’s lacks some of the Pinot overtone, but I love it nonetheless. Spectacular balance, disguised alcohol and a spicy aroma. Great dry finish. I think I like this year’s better than last. Don’t know if it’ll benefit from a little shelf time, but I’ll put one away and see.

750 ml bottle. Slightly vinous aroma with citrus peel, wheat and yeast. Dark amber color with a decent beige head. A touch of vanilla as the glass approaches the lips. Medium to full body with smooth creamy carbonation. Heat in the throat, vanilla, spice, citrus and wheat. As things move on there’s a touch of banana(!), and oaky wood creeps in. Something of a taste treat.

Your kidding right? This brew-ha is AMAZING coming from a wine geek as well as a beer natzi I find the cocktail simply everything I’ve ever looked for in both a beer and a wine. Im not surprised at all my hippy friends from Oregon had a hand in this (part of Pinot Camp 2007, Wud up yo). Crazy good on a hot patio night and as a avid griller this beer is sooooo much fun playing with. I am hosting a 5 course Beer Dinner at the Party Source 6/21 RSVP ASAP. This will be part of the dinner mos def. Many aplause and loud cheers Dogfish dudes. Pinot Noir juice from Oregon and influenced style from Belgium. Thank you Jesus. Amen.

My review from cvillebeerkgeek.blogspot.com...

Appearance: Absolutely beautiful. This beer definitely lives up to its name, sporting a garnet red body with suspended tiny white yeast particles, and a large, white head, that shows good retention and moderate lacing. Doesn’t exactly look like a witbier, but that’s OK. 5.0/5.0

Aroma: Belgian yeast comes through strongly on the aroma, as well as the coriander and orange. The Pinot Noir makes a subtle contribution and there are caramel, bubblegum and banana notes as well. 4.0/5.0

Taste: The flavor breaks down into two distinct stages. First, there are the typical Belgian ale flavors... banana, yeast, caramel. That is followed by the Pinot Noir, which comes across assertively yet subtly, if that’s even possible. Coriander, citrus, berry and oak notes throughout, and a nice tannic sourness. 4.0/5.0

Mouthfeel: Very light, but not too light for a wit. Effervescence is a little too weak. The mouthfeel has a fairly strong chewiness to it, despite the light nature of the beer, probably as a result of the oak. Regardless, this could benefit from being a little bit more full-bodied. 3.5/5.0

Drinkability: This goes down easy, but with 10% alcohol by volume and a deep complexity, it’s definitely a sipping beer. At 750mL per bottle, this is a big commitment, but definitely a pleasant one. 4.0/5.0

Overall: 4.15/5.00. Dogfish Head is known for its experimental brews, and while this one is highly experimental, it hits the mark. Definitely pick up a bottle if you can.

Bottle. Pour reflects the name well; the body is a lovely shade of red, the head is white. Oak is detectable more than the wine. Apple brandy. Doesn’t go anywhere special. Thin and pricey but fun.

Bottle. Poured light gold with biege head. Good intial taste and after taste. Middle taste is interesting, taste more wine like than beer. A sipping beer.

On tap at Trappeze. Pours light amber with a beige head. Aroma of floral yeasts, spice, fruit, and wheat. Taste is also of wheat, spice, & yeast. Fruit is both citrus and non-citrus, maybe an influence from the pinot. This is much like a wit, though a little more complex. Finishes dry and slightly bitter. Overall a nice brew to have on tap.

Bottle. Nice beer. Taste is 99% belgian and 1% wine. Nice pinkish gold tone. White head that leaves at a steady quick pace. Overall, highly recommended.