Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron

Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron (2011)

Year Round (Standard Release)

12 fl. oz. (x3) / $11.97 USD / 12.0% ABV

About: "An unfiltered, unfettered, unprecedented brown ale aged in handmade wooden brewing vessels. The caramel and vanilla complexity unique to this beer comes from the exotic Paraguayan Palo Santo wood from which these tanks were crafted. Palo Santo means "holy tree," and its wood has been used in South American wine-making communities. At 10,000 gallons, our Palo tank is the largest wooden brewing vessel built in America since before Prohibition (and we have two same-sized oak tanks right next to it). Food Pairing Recommendations: Steak, chorizzo sausage, cajun cuisine, farmhouse cheddar / Glassware Recommendation: Pint / Wine Comparable: Oak-aged cabernet."

Thoughts: Poured black as night with a two-inch sparkling tan head.

Wow. This smells awesome! And really good too. Unique. The scent that this Paraguayan Palo Santo wood gives this brew is quite simply remarkable. Light caramel and vanilla. This reminds me of the California beaches at night, sitting around a toasty bonfire drinking beers. This smells of the air those nights. I wish the beer I was drinking back then smelled like this too.

I got a variety of malty tastes before that high alcohol flooded in. Cherries, dark fruits, roasted caramel covered Smores, that Palo Santo Wood, then a light blasting haze of blinding alcohol fume. I love it. This is what I want in a beer. A great smokey, woody taste that's sweet and savory, with a high tint of powerful liquor that blends in at just the right amount. Three beautiful stages of agonizing bliss.

Foamy, tingling, with a little bit of a sting.

This beer is Fantastic. Absolutely Fantastic! I don't usually sip beer all too much, but there's no way in hell this beer can be gulped or chugged. It's just so rich and flavorful. Not to mention it's got a kick that'll knock you on your ass if you even try. I drank this one only moderately cold and let it warm as I sipped it. Perhaps I'll try one of the last from my three pack at room temperature just to see what happens (and I think I'll stick on in the closet for a year - it I can wait that long). Though a lot heavier than the others I've ever tried, this is by far the best Brown Ale I've ever had. Aftertaste is almost like I just ate rib-eye steak with red wine.