Palo Santo Marron by Dogfish Head Brewery
Trying a brew from Dogfish Head Brewery, which I was alerted to by my cousin and her boyfriend. They are big into craft beer like myself and have visited my different breweries along the way. Both of them know I am not into hoppy beers like India Pale Ales and they know I like my dark beers. I had this particular beer down at the beach around the fourth of July and I was able to save one to enjoy for my blog. The particular beer I am trying tonight was aged in Palo Santo wood handmade brewing vessels that were created for Dogfish Head Brewery. Palo Santo wood is usually used to age wine and can be found in Paraguay, in addition it means 'Holy Tree.' Palo Santo Marron was first brewed in 2006 and became a regular production in 2007. Dogfish Head Brewery is located in Milton, Delaware or the Brewpub in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. I am trying the Palo Santo Marron Ale, which is a unfiltered Double Brown Ale. Palo Santo Marron has an alcohol by volume or ABV of 12% and an IBU of 50.
Glimpse of Palo Santo Marron
While looking at this particular beer, you cannot help but notice the dark color appearance to the brew. The color I would say is rich dark shade of brown, one could say it is almost black. The head or foam of Palo Santo Marron is dense and a light brown shade that is intriguing. The foam clings to the glass and leaves a nice sheet or coating of foam on the edge of the glass. In terms of aroma this is a very complex aroma to pull out. At first whiff, I picked up a malt forward aroma that went along with the 12% ABV. Trying to pick up more aromas from this brew, I swirled the beer around and notice a few other notes that were picked up by my olfactory sense. I noticed there was an oak note, followed by a vanilla and fruity aroma. This is a complex brew and I love that the complexity follows itself throughout the beer.
After picking up the aromas and looking at the appearance on Palo Santo Marron, I think the taste is going to have its own uniqueness and complexity. Took my first sip of the Palo Santo Marron, the flavor profile hits you with so many different aspects. First, you get the sweet taste which is followed by sense of the high alcohol by volume. Second you pick up a hint of fruit sweetness in the beer mixed with a hint of vanilla. Last taste note that lingers towards the end is the caramel note that entice you for another sip. The high alcohol by volume sense in my opinion, comes from an oak note in the beer that is from being aged in the Palo Santo vessels.
Mouthfeel of the Palo Santo Marron has a silky and creamy feel. In a sense when drinking this ale the beer clings to the palate and then as you finish your taste in goes down smooth/creamy. I would say that this is a full bodied beer and a heavy one at that. Do not get me wrong this is a fully enjoyable beer.
Palo Santo Marron by Dogfish Head Brewery
The Palo Santo Marron is available year round and I think can be enjoyed at all times. I think this is a great brew from Dogfish Head and shows me that the brewery does not just focus on India Pale Ales. I would advise caution with this beer in particular because of the the high alcohol by volume. I think if you do pick this brew up that make sure you do not make plans to drive. Because once you take the first sip of this 12% ABV ale, it hits you right away. I think if you are a wine drinker and you want to try a beer that is similar this might be a beer to try. For dark and heavy beer drinkers this is a beer for you to really enjoy. I even think that people that are not too big on malty brews they can still enjoy this brew, as a beer you sip and enjoy all night. I particularly enjoyed this beer as we made our way down to the beach at night for the fourth of July fireworks. Palo Santo Marron hits you with a sense of warmth as you drink more and more of this ale. To me, I think this would be a great fall or winter brew because of that notion.
Price wise this is going to be on the pricier side of brews, because of the quality and rare Palo Santo wood. This ale comes in a four pack because of the high alcohol by volume in the brew. If you bought a case of this beer, you might be looking around fifty to sixty bucks for a case.
Below is Dogfish Head Brewery Twitter and Website.
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