Dogfish Head Chateau Jiahu

Brewed by Dogfish Head Brewery
Style: Traditional Ale
Milton, Delaware USA

Pours a hazy orange with gold hues. The aroma is wild yeasts and citrus fruits, grapes and honey. The taste is a bit more malty but still overpowerd by honey and white grapes. Some strange spices and hawthorn fruits linger in the background. The palate is sweet and fizzy but soft and drinkable. The finish is yeasty with aftertaste of fruits and leather. Its very intresting to drink this and wonder about the past and history of ales but i wouldnt try this again.

Bottle and served in my NB Flute: Pours a clean deep golden hue with a lasting fizzy head and some lace. The aroma has notes of white grape, grassy hops, biscuity malts, some honey, and a husky character. Smell like a weak mead to me. The taste is similarly confusing as one would expect. Starts with a simply bready malt layer with infusion of honey and what appears to be currants (what does hawthorn fruit taste like?). Midway through the taste the acidity of the grapes appear as does notes of lemongrass and saffron. The finish is where the aftertaste of rice and band-aid shows which deflates an otherwise enjoyable drink. The mouth feel is soft and refreshing along with some oiliness. Okay and something worth trying but one bottle will likely be all I would ever buy.

Bottle: Thin fizzly off-white dishwater like head, dies instantly, lacks lacing... this one appears just about still.   Dirty straw in color, very thick and hazy.   Bready aroma, deep floral, moreso strong herbish.   Muscat grapes, or something, as it is slightly fruity.   Comes across as a Belgian Golden mixed with white wine.   Very different, and interesting.   Strong spices on the finish.   Very flavorful, big in body, with a moderate mouthfeel.   Finishes very chewy, bready, grips the tongue a bit.   Yeah, white wine seems strong in this one.   Interesting brew.   Bonus points for creativity.   Don’t think I have had one like this ever.

some honey, cherry, grape, and wood/earthy/grassy flavors. weird. some odd spices that i honestly cant place. potentially some nutmeg. very light and honestly was hoping that for $16/bottle that it would be better.

750mL bottle. Poured a cloudy yellow with a thin head. The flavor was very similar to wine. This brew will warm you up, good flavor, goos aftertaste. I could taste the honey and grapes.

Thanks to Suttree for sharing this bottle with us at the Tennessee Spring(ish) Tasting! Poured a hazy pale with a thin white head. The aroma was sweet with some spices. The flavor had sweet fruit, spices, and honey. Medium body. I am no mead expert by any means but this reminded me a lot like the few meads that I’ve tasted more than a traditional ale.

Tasted at the Tennessee Spring(ish) Tasting held in Knoxville, TN on 3/10/2007. Bottle shared by Suttree. Thanks Phil! Based on the description, DFH Chateau Jiahu is probably better categorized as mead (some sort of combination between Braggot, Pyment or Hippocrass, and Melomel)... The color is a hazy, pale yellow with a thin while veil. Honey and yeast a present in the delicate aroma. The flavor is a lot like white wine -- maybe a blend of dry, oaky Chardonnay and pleasantly fruity Chablis. There are also flavors of honey and yeast. The overall sweetness is mild and there is a very mild bitterness. The finish has a warming alcohol quality. The body is light. Overall DFH Chateau Jiahu is a fusion of many light and delicate flavors. It is a refreshing and unique beverage.

Bottle at the Knoxville tasting thanks to Suttree. Pours murky golden with floaties and a wisp of a head. Nice lemon and honey aroma. Light and airy mouthfeel. Nicely balanced flavors of honey, lemons, and white grape juice. Semi dry and mild acidic finish. Interesting concoction.