The Beer Wrangler

Beer reviews, styles, food pairings and more

Archive for category Delaware

Dogfish Head Midas Touch

Jan 17

Posted by Wranglerette in 4 Tankards, Ale, Beer review, Delaware, Flavoured Beer, Honey Ale, Specialty Ale, Spiced Ale, United States, Wranglerette | No Comments

Wrangler Rating:

tankard.jpgtankard.jpgtankard.jpgtankard.jpg (Excellent)

Yum Yum! Dogfish Head’s Midas Touch is both justified and ancient, being based on a 2700 year old ancient Anatolian recipe which is a re-creation based on analysis of drinking vessels that were uncovered during an archaeological dig in what is now Turkey – drinking vessels that resided within what is thought to be the tomb of none other than King Midas himself (although suspiciously they had not been turned to gold!)

I can’t say that I have ever tasted a beer quite like this (which is equal parts a delight and a shame.) Deeply golden in colour it is pleasingly sweet with hints of honey and muscat grapes but without the cloying sweetness of many meads (or bee vomit as I like to call it).  The nose has distinct notes of tropical fruit and the finish has a deliciously dry biscuity taste.

As there aren’t really any other beers like this out there I don’t have much compare it to but I think this beer would be a great one for ladies to try but anyone interested in exploring the myriad of flavours beer can create would do well to give this a go.

I’d pair Midas Touch with a Moroccan tagine or a mild Goan prawn curry with coconut milk rice dumplings.

ABV: 9%

Best Served: 8°C

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Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron

Oct 5

Posted by Wrangler in 5 Tankards, Ale, American Brown Ale, Beer review, Brown Ale, Delaware, Imperial Brown Ale, United States, Wrangler | No Comments

palo-santo-marron

Wrangler Rating:

tankard.jpgtankard.jpgtankard.jpgtankard.jpgtankard.jpg(Outstanding)

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery is one of the leading exponents of extreme beer and craft brewing in the world, and its founder Sam Calagione is treated with deep respect by the micro-brewing community as a whole. In the Palo Santo Marron he has created a giant of a beer, that offers a wealth of complexity that rivals a good fortified wine. It is fantastically full-bodied with notes on the nose that remind me of a Malmsey Madeira. The palate is full of rich caramel and molasses with big hints of licorice, and deep undertones of vanilla. The finish is long, roasted, bitter sweet with a touch of minerality and perhaps a hop or two fighting to be heard! This is a beer that should be sipped and savoured as a digestif or accompanying a strong, aged, real cheddar cheese. This proves what can be done with malt, hops, water and yeast, (brewed in the exotic South American Palo Santo wood), and it shows that beer can be just as complex and interesting as wine.

ABV: 12%

Best Served 14°C

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