Dogfish Head Brewery Palo Santo Marron American Strong Ale at 12% ABV (US$6.12 at Specs Main Houston, 355 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 12-Feb-2016)
Appearance: inky unrelieved black with a short fine light beige head that diminishes rapidly to a thin ring, no lacing. (4/5) Aroma: boozy dried fruit, dark malt, woody perfume. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: full slightly oily body, moderate carbonation, lingering sticky and warm (verging on hot) finish. (4/5)
I have no idea what the cryptic date code on the bottle (“2395 B2 0616”) means. Obviously it isn’t a brew date in June of 2016, and hot as it is I can’t see that being a BB, so your guess is as good as mine. Flavourful and hot, a slow sipper that opens as it warms. Calling it an “American Strong Ale” here, but it’s got a lot in common with Quads/Abts. About as subtle as ‘arf a brick in the teeth, but boozy good fun. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
