Dogfish Head “Immort Ale” American Strong Ale (Bottled 2016-01-22): Came across this when I picked up my Tusk & Grain bottle and recall hearing good things about it. This is an American strong ale brewed with maple, vanilla, peat-smoked barley and aged on oak.
Poured into my Device 8oz snifter, the beer pours murky with deep ruby and amber shades. Minimal off-white head that resolves into a watery finish.
The aroma is pleasant with strong vanilla character. Maple is subdued. Not getting much oak from the nose. Caramelized brown sugar with some biscuity undertones. Dark fruit, like candied cherries and plum / raisin. A bit musty. Hints of alcohol.
The maple shines much brighter on the palate, falling front and center with ample dark-fruit character. The vanilla follows through to the finish. Brown sugar is prominent, reminiscent of turbinado. Fusel alcohol is present, and not entirely uninviting.
Full bodied with moderate carbonation, minimal bitterness and a fair amount of residual sugar; definitely leaning towards sweet. Dry, lingering finish.
Honestly, I don’t see it. It’s tasty and almost quad-like, but I was hoping for a little bit more. I think perhaps the alcohol, though not intrusive, may have inhibited certain flavors and aromas from being expressed.
I think a few years will do this beer some good. I anticipate the alcohol to taper off and, more importantly, any hop bitterness to mellow out and really push this beer towards being (dare I say) cloyingly sweet. Normally I’m not a fan of overly-sweet beers, but I think with the addition of maple syrup it would be appropriate. I really do enjoy this beer, but not enough to feel bad about condemning the other three bottles to my cellar.
And can I say how disappointed I am the John Langford artwork appears on the packaging and not the label? I love his art, and it’s one of the reasons I started drinking Dogfish Head. It on the Burton Baton, 75 Minute IPA, and Olde School labels… get it together!