Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron

The Dirt
Every now and then I encounter a beer that truly pushes the beer-making envelope. Many of those are from Dogfish, and the Palo Santo is one of them. When you drink it, you think you're drinking an imperial stout, but with something else. In fact, it's a brown ale - a crazy brown ale. After brewing, the beer is a high-octane brown at 12% abv, but what really makes this beer different is the aging process. It is placed in a giant tank made of palo santo wood, claimed to be the second densest wood in the world. It also happens to be one of the most aromatic woods as well, and a few weeks of aging gives this beer all kinds of new flavors.

On the first sip, a ton of flavors hit your tongue. The most obvious is a dark chocolate flavor, more pronounced at the end. But after a few drinks an element of vanilla, nutmeg, and other spices start to linger. There's almost a hint of bourbon with all of these flavors coming together. Too many for me to identify them all. A great beer to drink after dinner, and in a snifter glass.

Worth it?
This is definitely one of those beers that you just have to ignore the price tag. A great special occasion or gift purchase...or to indulge. Whatever reason you come up with, it's a good one.

The Final Word

BridgePort Hop Czar Imperial IPA

 

The Dirt

I love hops, so this seemed to be a logical try. At first it doesn't seem that hoppy, but then the dry hopness starts to build until - BAM - you realize you were way off, and this is one hoppy beer. And science proves it, with 87 IBUs.

No real special tasting notes here - just straight hops with a piney character. Very dry beer, so I suggest following it up with something a bit more malty or a wheat beer. Or if with a meal, try a sausage, maybe some corn on the cob, to balance the bitterness and dryness. But if you love hops and their bitterness - this beer is for you.

Worth it?

I got this on special for $5.99 a 6-pack, so I think that answers this question. Regularly $6.99 at my liquor store, which is a deal for a beer coming in at 7.5% ABV. Totally worth it, sale or no sale. However, if you don't like loads of hops...well, you should still buy it, then give it to your buddy who does if you don't like it.

The Final Word

Real Ale Lost Gold IPA

 

The Dirt

Once only available on draft in select bars and restaurants, the Lost Gold IPA is now a mainstay in Real Ale's line. I once had this cask-conditioned, and loved it, so I'm very happy to see it bottled.

The Lost Gold pours a golden color, perhaps a little lighter than your average IPA. Its appearance almost resembles a Dogfish IPA. But don't be fooled, it definitely fits an IPA profile. Over the first few sips, the great dry floral and citrus hop notes dominate, and slide away smoothly at the end of the beer. A hint of biscuitiness is there at the very end as well. Further tasting reveals a slight caramel sweetness amongst the hops. A very balanced beer, with medium body and a perfect helping of hops. Very drinkable, but retains the IPA label.

Worth it?

This may be my favorite year-round Real Ale beer. If you're in the mood for a refreshing IPA, or want to get into IPAs, this is a good start. I can't buy this anymore since I'm no longer in Texas, but will certainly order one whenever I return.

The Final Word

Dogfish Head Squall IPA

The Dirt
Drinking a Dogfish beer is always a treat, especially when you've never had it before. However, this guy will seem strangely familiar if you've had the 90-Minute IPA. From what I could deduce, it seemed like a slightly less carbonated and bit sweeter version of the 90-Minute, which I'm told may be because this beer is bottle conditioned versus aging in a tank.

The brew pours a thick, deep gold color that's cloudy from being unfiltered. It has pine and citrus tones up front, followed by that trademark Dogfish IPA sweet middle. It's not really a malty sweet...kind of its own sweet...like what I'd imagine a candied hop would be like if such a thing existed. Both flavors then merge and slowly wash away on the back end. Like I noted, very similar to the 90-Minute, but I'd have to taste them side-by-side to tell the official differences. I could almost say this one may be a little smoother than the 90-Minute.

Worth it?
First and foremost, this is a delicious beer. However, at $10 for a 750mL bottle, it might be better to buy the 90-Minute 4-pack. I need to have this next to a 90-Minute to compare. But in the end, you'll be quite happy with either purchase.

The Final Word