Dogfish Head Immort Ale

Brewed by Dogfish Head Brewery
Style: Barley Wine
Milton, Delaware USA

12oz from Sam’s, Durham. One of DFH’s better strong brews, to my tastebuds. I think I’m in the minority inasmuch as I enjoy their oak-aged brews, and I think this one really comes together well, with the specific qualities of the barrels complementing the yeasts. And unlike in some of their other, more over the top offerings, I think the sweet flavors are integrated well, with vanilla certainly coming across more strongly than maple, and just a hint of tart berry in there for balance. Smooth, almost syrupy mouthfeel, excellent sipper.

Poured a dark brown with one finger of head that lingered. Lacing was minimal. Aroma was of alcohol and some sweetish roasted malt. Flavor was malty with a little alcohol. Overall the 11% was well masked. Mouthfeel was creamy and bubbly. This beer could do with a little better aroma, but the taste is excellent. A+ beer.

Pours a dark, almost opaque brown with a small, but sufficient, creamy head. The aroma is sweet and of the the caramel esque malt. Wonderful. This beer is complex, I’m drinking it room temperature at about 50 degrees or so. Pace yourself with this brew, as it contains 11% ABV, but it’s worth it. You can taste the alcohol, but hell, it’s a barleywine, I like to taste it in this style. A great brew.

’06 bottle courtesy of Carl4beer. Pours opaque mahogany with a fizzy, cream colored, thin head that subsides to a halo that persists. Big, rich nose of maple, vanilla, sugar, malt. The effervescence continues as tight champagne like bubbles flow from the bottom to the top of the glass. The flavor is about as the nose is, with an earthy finish. Creamy on the palate. Very nise brew.

Smells very strongly of strong alcohol with deep rich dark malt notes. The alcohol is noticeable in the scent, but not overpowering. Taste is very leathery with pungent sweet malt flavor. Some vanilla and smoke flavors as well. Very flavorful and complex. Though I haven’t had many barely wines, I don’t think it is a style I enjoy.

12oz bottle. Deep amber color with thin fizzy head. Significant notes of maple, vanilla, oak, and alcohol. Virtually no bitterness. This is an excellent, unique brew.

Pours amber with a fizzling white head. Smells like citrus. The oak comes through nicely..wow. Not a big fan of barley wine...but this tastes pretty damn good. Alcohol taste is present(it is 11%) but is not overpowering.

12 oz. Bottle. May 2007 Vintage. Pours a mahogany color with minimal head. Nose is complex with oak and vanilla standing out. The peak smoked malt really shines on the first sip. The smoky character is mellowed somewhat by the sweetness from the maple syrup and vanilla. The body is mildly carbonated and leans towards the malty and viscous side as far as mouthfeel is concerned. Shows a slightly acidic character on the tongue once the initial mix of smoky peat and syrup passes. The wood character is present throughout and the alcohol is exceptionally well hidden. Definitely a good one to let sit for awhile. Not sure what to say about this one other than it is fantastic and very unique. One of the best and most underrated beers from Dogfish.