Dogfish Head World Wide Stout 2002 (23%)

Formerly brewed at Dogfish Head Brewery
Style: Imperial Stout
Milton, Delaware USA

Serve in Snifter

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UPDATED: OCT 6, 2004 For me, this review has to make comparisons with the 18% WWS. First, this beer is not just 5% stronger, it is a million percent better in every way. First, the ABV. I honestly drank the 12 oz. bottle of the 18% and didn't really feel it. On this one, I drank it in one sitting, 4 oz. at a time in my GABF glass, and I was buzzed after half of the first glass! Now I am about halfway through the last 4 oz., and I will admit to being ripped. Now, the taste. It is incredible. There is so much going on here, fruity tastes, sweet sugar tastes, malt, some hops, and of course the alcohol. And an intangible taste is there as well, one that only this combination could produce. It has gone beyond the world of beer, yet it is so very much a beer, unlike the Sam Adams Triple Bock which did not taste like anything that you would ever want in a beer (a soy sauce maybe, but not a beer). And this stuff actually has some carbonation and head to it! I have had Utopias too, and this is SOOOO much better. I won't even start on the price of the Utopias. This cost me $7.99, and I had one bottle and don't need any more beer for the night. It will be bedtime soon. I can't bring myself to rate any beer as a 5, but I am going to rerate the 18% WWS that I had at 4.9.

cognac-like, wicked strong, paint-thinner finish

Ok how to rate something like this. Let me start off by saying that this beer is in a class all of it’s own. Extremely powerfull, in every aspect. Out of the bottle it’s dark brown/black with just the slightest tinge of red around the edge, no head to speak of. Aroma starts off by burning your nostrils with alcohol, but then you begin to notice some plum and rasin, big malts and sweet brandy lying in the background. The first sip starts the same way with you trying to catch your breath because you feel like you just did a shot, then all of the flavors come flooding in, starting this time with the sweet hotness of brandy, followed with the malt and dark vinuous fruits. This beer is an absolute masterpiece that must be experienced, I assure you that even if you don’t like it you’ll respect it.

Bananas, hints of vanilla, vinous nose. Midnight black colour. Tan head. All sweet, chocolate, plum, black cherry, terribly warming, alcohol is definately evident, but this is terribly drinkable for the weight. Full bodied, velvety soft mouthfeel, smooth and sweet, light bitterness tries to push through in the long lingering alcohol laced finish. AN incredible brew from Sam and the guys at Dogfish, HOT DAMN.

OK, I just tried the latest, 23% version, on tap (11/02). In a reversal from my previous experience (18%) I have to say I really enjoyed the WWS this time around. Nicely balanced, on par with port with some similar characteristics. Plummy, raisins, slightly chocolaty. Warming, but not burning alcohol. Purple-black, filmy head. 666 calories/12 oz bottle. Yikes!

2002: Wonderful beer at the higher strength. Definitely reminiscent of congac or port - fairly sweet and fruity with a defined but not offensive alcohol aroma and flavor. Vinious with a slightly detracting grainy flavor, not cloying. Dark fruit presence includes prunes, raisins and dates. Ruby-black color with very minimal brown head. This is sippin’ beer and well worth the dough.

UPDATED: FEB 26, 2012 The new batch for this year is out!! I traveled all the way down there (3 hours or so) just to get some of this brew & let me tell you it was more than worth the trip, according to Sam at DFH, WWS is now the world’s strongest beer available commercially at 23%, it also has an astonshing 666.65 calories in a 12 oz bottle, the aroma was sweet, malty & very similar to a fine port, black in color, just a little bit of foam around the perimeter of the glass, the alcohol was masked very well for being at the level it is, very complex flavors, roasted coffee, a bit of some fruity flavors as well, full-bodied, certainly is a sipping beer, take your time drinking this one, the alcohol level certainly warms your entire body up as well, my chest felt like it was on fire by the end of the glass, this is a super, incredible stout, now one of my favorites, get some if you can!