Fort | Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Brewed by:
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Delaware, United States
dogfish.com
Style: Fruit / Vegetable Beer
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 18.00%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
An ale brewed with a ridiculous amount of pureed raspberries (over a ton of 'em!). Fort has a Belgian-style base, then we follow a similar fermentation process to the one we use on our other super-high ABV beers, 120 Minute IPA and World Wide Stout.
49 IBU
ABV varies from 15-18%.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 02-05-2005
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 1,313 | Reviews: 569
Reviews by DaveFL1976:
2.4/5 rDev -35.7%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2
Another wacky brew from the folks at Dogfish Head. 18%? Wow. I've had the 120 min and the Worldwide Stout, so I sort of know what to expect out of this, but let's see how it goes.
The pour is a hazy orange/red color with a minimal head. To tell the truth, it's not much to look at. Smell is... Damn. I was hoping for a Kuhnhenn Raspberry Eisbock or a Frambois nose, but it's just not here. With this bottle, at least, the fruit is in the background, and the booziness takes center stage.
Taste. It's a wine. A carbonated raspberry wine.
barley and hops are nowhere to be found, and unfortunately, the raspberry flavour gets lost in the mid-palate. At the start you've got a combination of tartness and alcohol that flows into a harsh swallow and leaves my tongue with a tart berry finish.
OK, I am not digging this beer. If I want a strong raspberry beer, I'll take a Kuhnhenn Raspberry Eisbock 95 times out of 100 over this beer.
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look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2
Another wacky brew from the folks at Dogfish Head. 18%? Wow. I've had the 120 min and the Worldwide Stout, so I sort of know what to expect out of this, but let's see how it goes.
The pour is a hazy orange/red color with a minimal head. To tell the truth, it's not much to look at. Smell is... Damn. I was hoping for a Kuhnhenn Raspberry Eisbock or a Frambois nose, but it's just not here. With this bottle, at least, the fruit is in the background, and the booziness takes center stage.
Taste. It's a wine. A carbonated raspberry wine.
barley and hops are nowhere to be found, and unfortunately, the raspberry flavour gets lost in the mid-palate. At the start you've got a combination of tartness and alcohol that flows into a harsh swallow and leaves my tongue with a tart berry finish.
OK, I am not digging this beer. If I want a strong raspberry beer, I'll take a Kuhnhenn Raspberry Eisbock 95 times out of 100 over this beer.
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More User Reviews:
4.1/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle from 2015 aged in wine fridge and poured into Kane chalice.
L: Tiny head that disappears almost right away. An 18% ABV will do that for you. No lacing, tiny ring. Beer is a mostly clear deep Amber.
S: The smell is all macerated raspberries, honey, and sweet malts. Surprisingly, you really can't pick up the alcohol.
T: But you can taste it. The good thing is after 2 years it has mellowed considerably, justifying my decision to skip a review then. Raspberries up front, with honey and sweet malts. Very much like a mead. Alcohol is there, but doesn't dominate finish, fortunately, and competes with sweetness.
F: Full bodied, medium carbonation. Balance much improved by aging. Construction simple, but good. OK drying or sweetness would become cloying. ABV heat there, but not overbearing.
O: A good once in every great while dessert beer. Definitely age this.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle from 2015 aged in wine fridge and poured into Kane chalice.
L: Tiny head that disappears almost right away. An 18% ABV will do that for you. No lacing, tiny ring. Beer is a mostly clear deep Amber.
S: The smell is all macerated raspberries, honey, and sweet malts. Surprisingly, you really can't pick up the alcohol.
T: But you can taste it. The good thing is after 2 years it has mellowed considerably, justifying my decision to skip a review then. Raspberries up front, with honey and sweet malts. Very much like a mead. Alcohol is there, but doesn't dominate finish, fortunately, and competes with sweetness.
F: Full bodied, medium carbonation. Balance much improved by aging. Construction simple, but good. OK drying or sweetness would become cloying. ABV heat there, but not overbearing.
O: A good once in every great while dessert beer. Definitely age this.
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3.93/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Surprisingly, for a Belgian style it didn't overflow with an uninformed hard pour. It leaves a decent amount of lacing on the Dogfish Head snifter. It has a reddish hugh. Mainly clear.
Smells yeasty with sweet fruit.
Raspberry up front, but a lot stronget in the aftertaste for me. A nice Belgian base. Slightly spicey, with some sour, musty yeast. Seems to be a decent amount of hops. I notice some bitterness in the middle. There is also some alcohol at the end, but not too bad.
Excellent feel. Creamy, with a slight crisp bite.
While this is very sweet, the raspberry flavor does not overpower the beer at all. It does drink quite a bit like a wine. I had no idea it was 18% until I looked at the listing. It does not drink like it at all. Very enjoyable
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Surprisingly, for a Belgian style it didn't overflow with an uninformed hard pour. It leaves a decent amount of lacing on the Dogfish Head snifter. It has a reddish hugh. Mainly clear.
Smells yeasty with sweet fruit.
Raspberry up front, but a lot stronget in the aftertaste for me. A nice Belgian base. Slightly spicey, with some sour, musty yeast. Seems to be a decent amount of hops. I notice some bitterness in the middle. There is also some alcohol at the end, but not too bad.
Excellent feel. Creamy, with a slight crisp bite.
While this is very sweet, the raspberry flavor does not overpower the beer at all. It does drink quite a bit like a wine. I had no idea it was 18% until I looked at the listing. It does not drink like it at all. Very enjoyable
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2.78/5 rDev -25.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
12 oz bottle.
Amber colored with reddish hues. Off-white head that sinks down into a thin whisp of foam on top of the beer.
Straightforward aroma of raspberries and alcohol. The flavor is way more powerful than the aroma and hits you with intense raspberry cough syrup, bordering on medicinal. It's strong and challenging but just not very enjoyable, plain and simple.
There's heat in the finish, but it's not cloyingly sweet. In fact, it finishes on the dry side. That being said, I was pretty much done with this after about 6 ounces.
In hindsight, I should have split this bottle with someone but I decided to take on the entire bottle after getting a promotion at work today and the bottle won. Fort 1, Jacobob 0.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
12 oz bottle.
Amber colored with reddish hues. Off-white head that sinks down into a thin whisp of foam on top of the beer.
Straightforward aroma of raspberries and alcohol. The flavor is way more powerful than the aroma and hits you with intense raspberry cough syrup, bordering on medicinal. It's strong and challenging but just not very enjoyable, plain and simple.
There's heat in the finish, but it's not cloyingly sweet. In fact, it finishes on the dry side. That being said, I was pretty much done with this after about 6 ounces.
In hindsight, I should have split this bottle with someone but I decided to take on the entire bottle after getting a promotion at work today and the bottle won. Fort 1, Jacobob 0.
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4.23/5 rDev +13.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 750 mL bottle into an enlarged snifter. This was bottled in 2011.
Appearance: Pours a deep, raspberry red/maroon and gives an off-white head that fades almost immediately to nothing. Pretty opaque and raspberry colored.
Smell: Big, sweet raspberry syrup, molasses, malts, bourbon, vanilla, hint of alcohol. Big smell, but not overwhelming. Pleasant.
Taste: Sweet raspberry syrup, molasses, caramel, malts, a bit of spike, hint of tart raspberry. Like big candied raspberry malts. Big flavor. Alcohol is masked well - this is very drinkable, maybe the 3 years since bottling has something to do with that.
Mouth-feel: Low to medium carbonation with a medium syrupy body. Finishes with just a bit of booze.
Overall: Like sweet raspberry syrup this is quite sweet, but enjoyable. The alcohol is masked well, yet gives it some character. I drank the whole bottle and enjoyed it. Lots of flavor though, with a nice variety of influences.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 750 mL bottle into an enlarged snifter. This was bottled in 2011.
Appearance: Pours a deep, raspberry red/maroon and gives an off-white head that fades almost immediately to nothing. Pretty opaque and raspberry colored.
Smell: Big, sweet raspberry syrup, molasses, malts, bourbon, vanilla, hint of alcohol. Big smell, but not overwhelming. Pleasant.
Taste: Sweet raspberry syrup, molasses, caramel, malts, a bit of spike, hint of tart raspberry. Like big candied raspberry malts. Big flavor. Alcohol is masked well - this is very drinkable, maybe the 3 years since bottling has something to do with that.
Mouth-feel: Low to medium carbonation with a medium syrupy body. Finishes with just a bit of booze.
Overall: Like sweet raspberry syrup this is quite sweet, but enjoyable. The alcohol is masked well, yet gives it some character. I drank the whole bottle and enjoyed it. Lots of flavor though, with a nice variety of influences.
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3.63/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
More subtle aroma than expected, though there are definitely raspberry notes and booze.
Flavor is sweet, but the alcohol heat counters, providing a dry finish. Raspberry is noted and pleasant, but doesn't lend any tartness. Almost medicinal, wIth an alcohol burn.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
More subtle aroma than expected, though there are definitely raspberry notes and booze.
Flavor is sweet, but the alcohol heat counters, providing a dry finish. Raspberry is noted and pleasant, but doesn't lend any tartness. Almost medicinal, wIth an alcohol burn.
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4.17/5 rDev +11.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
2011 bottle - it's been way too long since i last had this (2010).
a nice clean light amber pour with 2 fingers of head which diminished slowly and left behind a nice frothy lacing. smells of port wine barrels, raspberries, caramel. the flavor is VERY sweet, tons of raspberry, a huge alcohol warmth is a bit overwhelming but goes down smooth after the first few sips. lots of caramel, berry, wine barrel on the end of the palate. full body with low carbonation.. sticky on the lips, very booze heavy and warm.
this is an outstanding beer and i'm sad it hasn't been produced regularly in 2 years now. dfh needs to bring this one back for good, even if it's a small 12oz bottle like 120/wws.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
2011 bottle - it's been way too long since i last had this (2010).
a nice clean light amber pour with 2 fingers of head which diminished slowly and left behind a nice frothy lacing. smells of port wine barrels, raspberries, caramel. the flavor is VERY sweet, tons of raspberry, a huge alcohol warmth is a bit overwhelming but goes down smooth after the first few sips. lots of caramel, berry, wine barrel on the end of the palate. full body with low carbonation.. sticky on the lips, very booze heavy and warm.
this is an outstanding beer and i'm sad it hasn't been produced regularly in 2 years now. dfh needs to bring this one back for good, even if it's a small 12oz bottle like 120/wws.
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3.43/5 rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Purchased in early 2005, consumed on March 28th, 2009.
Stored in a fridge for 3 years. Held up well.
Appearance: mildly bubbly pink with no lace. Almost champagne like but under carbonated.
Aroma: medicinal like cherry or raspberry cough syrup. It's actually a little tough to tell form the aroma which fruit is the main component of this beer. Somewhat boozy. Spicy and zesty.
Taste: Raspberries are present but not overwhelming. The fruit is more generic now and the flavors are muddled fruit liquors blended together. Slightly spicy.
Mouthfeel: much more mellow than when it was first bottled. Boozy and slightly syrupy with a medium to full body and only light carbonation.
Drinkability: Not bad at all and better than when this was fresh, if I recall correctly.
For the price though, this just doesn't work for me. It's a one trick pony and not one that I particularly like.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Purchased in early 2005, consumed on March 28th, 2009.
Stored in a fridge for 3 years. Held up well.
Appearance: mildly bubbly pink with no lace. Almost champagne like but under carbonated.
Aroma: medicinal like cherry or raspberry cough syrup. It's actually a little tough to tell form the aroma which fruit is the main component of this beer. Somewhat boozy. Spicy and zesty.
Taste: Raspberries are present but not overwhelming. The fruit is more generic now and the flavors are muddled fruit liquors blended together. Slightly spicy.
Mouthfeel: much more mellow than when it was first bottled. Boozy and slightly syrupy with a medium to full body and only light carbonation.
Drinkability: Not bad at all and better than when this was fresh, if I recall correctly.
For the price though, this just doesn't work for me. It's a one trick pony and not one that I particularly like.
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3.7/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This beer was bottled in 2008 with all aspects of being consumed at a later date that time is now 12/22/09. It boast a heavy dose of raspberry puree mixed with smooth wheat like complexes.
A- This beer shows a very confident pour of medium orange tainted fluid with light off white head that foams around the rim of the glass. Beautiful structure makes this one very inviting.
S- Fresh raspberries, slices of oranges, lemons and mild tart sweetness scents. Overall it is a wild berry scent with natural fruit tendencies. Major alcohol fumes burn the nose.
T-M- Very quick flavor of raw raspberries with a bitterness that makes you pucker your lips in sour sweetness. Nice consistancy of alcohol warmth is apparent. Mouthfeel is acidic and tartic with little carbonation to allow this big beer to go down. Different. Like a fine red wine i'd share it.
D- Drink when you get the chance but a wonderful beer to try to expand you horizons.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This beer was bottled in 2008 with all aspects of being consumed at a later date that time is now 12/22/09. It boast a heavy dose of raspberry puree mixed with smooth wheat like complexes.
A- This beer shows a very confident pour of medium orange tainted fluid with light off white head that foams around the rim of the glass. Beautiful structure makes this one very inviting.
S- Fresh raspberries, slices of oranges, lemons and mild tart sweetness scents. Overall it is a wild berry scent with natural fruit tendencies. Major alcohol fumes burn the nose.
T-M- Very quick flavor of raw raspberries with a bitterness that makes you pucker your lips in sour sweetness. Nice consistancy of alcohol warmth is apparent. Mouthfeel is acidic and tartic with little carbonation to allow this big beer to go down. Different. Like a fine red wine i'd share it.
D- Drink when you get the chance but a wonderful beer to try to expand you horizons.
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3.62/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Bottle from the first batch of Fort brewed just before the Extreme Beer Fest in Jan 2005. Hand-bottled by the brewer, unlabeled and sealed with cap, red wax and string with a black wax tip. This one is back when the beer was "Forte" : French for "strong," and the World's Strongest Fruit Beer, brewed with Oregon and Delaware raspberries. 20% ABV
Pours a hazed amber orange, topped with a ringed white lace. Little head retention.
Aroma was a bit off-putting initially, but once warmed ... smells like fruity antacid or zinc lozenges. A bit musty. Deep raspberry cordial and solvent in the nose.
G'damn! This is one hot and fruity beer! The heat creates one harsh mouthfeel. Super solvent-like alcohol burn that taunts with heartburn, and seeps into the palate. Loads of alcohol spice. Peppery palate smack. Sticky cough-syrup and cheap schnapps cling and deliver the palate a major beat-down. Raspberry character is strong and distinct. Lime-like stab across the palate, just beneath the berries. Big fusel alcohol rips your esophagus to pieces. Surprisingly, the finish is pretty damn clean and bone dry.
It burns! It burns! We swear this is Devil's blood. The juice of Satan! But we can't stop drinking it! And each sip makes the pain more ... pleasant. All hail Fort!
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look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Bottle from the first batch of Fort brewed just before the Extreme Beer Fest in Jan 2005. Hand-bottled by the brewer, unlabeled and sealed with cap, red wax and string with a black wax tip. This one is back when the beer was "Forte" : French for "strong," and the World's Strongest Fruit Beer, brewed with Oregon and Delaware raspberries. 20% ABV
Pours a hazed amber orange, topped with a ringed white lace. Little head retention.
Aroma was a bit off-putting initially, but once warmed ... smells like fruity antacid or zinc lozenges. A bit musty. Deep raspberry cordial and solvent in the nose.
G'damn! This is one hot and fruity beer! The heat creates one harsh mouthfeel. Super solvent-like alcohol burn that taunts with heartburn, and seeps into the palate. Loads of alcohol spice. Peppery palate smack. Sticky cough-syrup and cheap schnapps cling and deliver the palate a major beat-down. Raspberry character is strong and distinct. Lime-like stab across the palate, just beneath the berries. Big fusel alcohol rips your esophagus to pieces. Surprisingly, the finish is pretty damn clean and bone dry.
It burns! It burns! We swear this is Devil's blood. The juice of Satan! But we can't stop drinking it! And each sip makes the pain more ... pleasant. All hail Fort!
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4.05/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pours from the 750ml bottle (awesome artwork I might add) into my glass a clear light orange/red tone, a bit lighter than I was expecting, not much head to speak of but at 18% abv that's to be expected. Aromas start with pureed raspberries and some light graininess. Quite fruity with a touch of alcohol in the background. Maybe a touch of vanilla as well with a light hop buried within.
First sip brings a mix of natural raspberry puree and a bit of wheat graininess. Mixed fruit flavors meld in as well with a touch of vanilla. Lightly sweet but very well balanced overall. Flows down with a touch of hops on the finish and a light alcohol burn. This one ends up hiding the alcohol quite well compared to a few other high abv DFH brews I've tried. A damn tasty fruit beer overall.
Mouthfeel is a bit on the lighter side and is quite smooth as well. Nice steady carbonation. Fairly easy to drink for such a huge brew. It will definetly catch up with you after a bit. A good one to split for sure and my girlfriend even likes it too. One of the best high abv Dogfish head brews I have sampled. I'll be looking for another bottle again soon...this is a tasty treat.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pours from the 750ml bottle (awesome artwork I might add) into my glass a clear light orange/red tone, a bit lighter than I was expecting, not much head to speak of but at 18% abv that's to be expected. Aromas start with pureed raspberries and some light graininess. Quite fruity with a touch of alcohol in the background. Maybe a touch of vanilla as well with a light hop buried within.
First sip brings a mix of natural raspberry puree and a bit of wheat graininess. Mixed fruit flavors meld in as well with a touch of vanilla. Lightly sweet but very well balanced overall. Flows down with a touch of hops on the finish and a light alcohol burn. This one ends up hiding the alcohol quite well compared to a few other high abv DFH brews I've tried. A damn tasty fruit beer overall.
Mouthfeel is a bit on the lighter side and is quite smooth as well. Nice steady carbonation. Fairly easy to drink for such a huge brew. It will definetly catch up with you after a bit. A good one to split for sure and my girlfriend even likes it too. One of the best high abv Dogfish head brews I have sampled. I'll be looking for another bottle again soon...this is a tasty treat.
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4.12/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
$9 per snifter, on tap now at the Dogfish Head Alehouse in Maryland.
Vibrant reddish hue with no head.
This is the best way I can describe this beer: It starts off tasting/feeling like a raspberry lambic, then halfway through (as you start to swallow) the taste/feel changes to more of a raspberry-flavored wheat beer, and then on the finish, it takes on the syrupy sweet strong-alcohol characteristics of Dogfish's World wide stout, or 120 min IPA. Nice and complex, this beer definitely works in stages.
At 18% alcohol, this beer goes down suprisingly smooth. I suppose most people couldnt have more than 1 glass, but this is a great dessert beer for sipping after your meal, which is what I did.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
$9 per snifter, on tap now at the Dogfish Head Alehouse in Maryland.
Vibrant reddish hue with no head.
This is the best way I can describe this beer: It starts off tasting/feeling like a raspberry lambic, then halfway through (as you start to swallow) the taste/feel changes to more of a raspberry-flavored wheat beer, and then on the finish, it takes on the syrupy sweet strong-alcohol characteristics of Dogfish's World wide stout, or 120 min IPA. Nice and complex, this beer definitely works in stages.
At 18% alcohol, this beer goes down suprisingly smooth. I suppose most people couldnt have more than 1 glass, but this is a great dessert beer for sipping after your meal, which is what I did.
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3.03/5 rDev -18.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
A 750ml bottle, with bottled on 11/13/06 stamped on the bottle. Poured into a tulip glass, it's a beautiful beer: red/orange color, a thin head. Obvious raspberry aroma. The difficulty arose with the taste. Raspberry definitely there, but also a pronounced alcohol taste. Very harsh. The label says "should age with the best of 'em". I'll buy a couple more bottles and try that, because this isn't a drinkable beer in it's present state.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
A 750ml bottle, with bottled on 11/13/06 stamped on the bottle. Poured into a tulip glass, it's a beautiful beer: red/orange color, a thin head. Obvious raspberry aroma. The difficulty arose with the taste. Raspberry definitely there, but also a pronounced alcohol taste. Very harsh. The label says "should age with the best of 'em". I'll buy a couple more bottles and try that, because this isn't a drinkable beer in it's present state.
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4.39/5 rDev +17.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a long-stemmed, wide-bowled red wine glass the 1 pint, 9.6 fluid ounce bottle pours a hazy tea appearance, with shimmering orange hues and shades of pink and peach. The beer is topped with a respectable white foam head with wispy lace and gentle cling to the inside of the glass.
Big aroma of raspberries and huge solvent alcohol fumes, akin to Chambord, and pungent as the beer warms. Dots of savory spices and fresh hops in the nose, too.
The lively carbonation not only helps to retain the lacing, but it's the first introduction to the beer. It's spritzy, invigoration and amps up the beer's sharpness on the palate, followed by a smooth creamy feel. Alcohol definitely makes itself known. The heat worms its way into the palate with solvent and spice. Raspberry flavor is juicy, tart and dominates as it mingles with the alcohol to create a unique cordial-like experience. Malty backbone with sublet caramel, honey and vanilla lingering in the background. Belgian-esque with a dose of candi sugar-like sweetness and spices found in some Belgian ales. Suggestions of lime in the bitterness compliment the tart raspberry. Slight leafy hop character comes across the palate, followed by a salty edged linger on the tongue as the beer fades and dries away. Some solvent heat and spice remain in the finish with faded raspberry flavors for quite sometime.
Definitely one to share with friends, or someone special as "lights out and good nightcap." Although the beer's flavors open up as the beer warms, some might want to stick to serving cold to avoid the alcohol heat.
Pair it with something big and bold, like a Baked Brie en Croute, a hot chocolate torte, or selection of soft dark Belgian-style chocolates. Or better yet, make mini-fruit cups with fresh peaches and raspberries and soak them overnight with half a bottle of Fort. Top with fresh cream and a mint leaf, and pair the dessert with the other half of the bottle.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a long-stemmed, wide-bowled red wine glass the 1 pint, 9.6 fluid ounce bottle pours a hazy tea appearance, with shimmering orange hues and shades of pink and peach. The beer is topped with a respectable white foam head with wispy lace and gentle cling to the inside of the glass.
Big aroma of raspberries and huge solvent alcohol fumes, akin to Chambord, and pungent as the beer warms. Dots of savory spices and fresh hops in the nose, too.
The lively carbonation not only helps to retain the lacing, but it's the first introduction to the beer. It's spritzy, invigoration and amps up the beer's sharpness on the palate, followed by a smooth creamy feel. Alcohol definitely makes itself known. The heat worms its way into the palate with solvent and spice. Raspberry flavor is juicy, tart and dominates as it mingles with the alcohol to create a unique cordial-like experience. Malty backbone with sublet caramel, honey and vanilla lingering in the background. Belgian-esque with a dose of candi sugar-like sweetness and spices found in some Belgian ales. Suggestions of lime in the bitterness compliment the tart raspberry. Slight leafy hop character comes across the palate, followed by a salty edged linger on the tongue as the beer fades and dries away. Some solvent heat and spice remain in the finish with faded raspberry flavors for quite sometime.
Definitely one to share with friends, or someone special as "lights out and good nightcap." Although the beer's flavors open up as the beer warms, some might want to stick to serving cold to avoid the alcohol heat.
Pair it with something big and bold, like a Baked Brie en Croute, a hot chocolate torte, or selection of soft dark Belgian-style chocolates. Or better yet, make mini-fruit cups with fresh peaches and raspberries and soak them overnight with half a bottle of Fort. Top with fresh cream and a mint leaf, and pair the dessert with the other half of the bottle.
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3.8/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A - Pours a clean, deep orange color
S - Bright raspberry and alcohol
T - The alcohol is hidden quite well, with raspberry and malt predominant. Can seem a bit sweet and cloying.
M - Carbonated and warming as it goes down. A little thick and syrupy.
D - For sharing a bottle with a friend, I definitely recommend it. But the alcohol in it will creep up on you given how high alcohol it is.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A - Pours a clean, deep orange color
S - Bright raspberry and alcohol
T - The alcohol is hidden quite well, with raspberry and malt predominant. Can seem a bit sweet and cloying.
M - Carbonated and warming as it goes down. A little thick and syrupy.
D - For sharing a bottle with a friend, I definitely recommend it. But the alcohol in it will creep up on you given how high alcohol it is.
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4/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
serving: bottle served in a snifter
appearance: A reddish-orange hue
smell: A really strong scent of raspberries
taste: Tart Raspberries
mouthfeel: Full mouthfeel
drinkability: A great after dinner beer with a rich dessert such as cheesecake or rich chocolate.
Reminds me of Celis Raspberry back in the day before they were bought out.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
serving: bottle served in a snifter
appearance: A reddish-orange hue
smell: A really strong scent of raspberries
taste: Tart Raspberries
mouthfeel: Full mouthfeel
drinkability: A great after dinner beer with a rich dessert such as cheesecake or rich chocolate.
Reminds me of Celis Raspberry back in the day before they were bought out.
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3.82/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
750 ml brown champagne style magnum with just a cap. No freshness date, but a beer this strong will age quite well.
A- The lace crackles as it slowly loses retention, good clarity ... the sediment was left behind during this pouring.
S- Smells of a raspberry cordial, sweet with a huge fruity raspberry nose.
T&M- Clean malt palate, touch of neutral yet mildly nutty yeast. Loads of berry flavors but predominantly raspberry juice. Moderate body with a slick crispness on the palate. Clean but lightly solvent alcohol warms with each sip. Clean and semi-dry finish with a fading fruitiness.
D- Wow, quite an amazing ride for a fruit beer. A little bit more alcohol and I'd be drinking gourmet schnapps. Share this beer between a few friends with a slab of raspberry filled baked Brie cheese.
803 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
750 ml brown champagne style magnum with just a cap. No freshness date, but a beer this strong will age quite well.
A- The lace crackles as it slowly loses retention, good clarity ... the sediment was left behind during this pouring.
S- Smells of a raspberry cordial, sweet with a huge fruity raspberry nose.
T&M- Clean malt palate, touch of neutral yet mildly nutty yeast. Loads of berry flavors but predominantly raspberry juice. Moderate body with a slick crispness on the palate. Clean but lightly solvent alcohol warms with each sip. Clean and semi-dry finish with a fading fruitiness.
D- Wow, quite an amazing ride for a fruit beer. A little bit more alcohol and I'd be drinking gourmet schnapps. Share this beer between a few friends with a slab of raspberry filled baked Brie cheese.
803 characters
Fort from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Beer rating:
3.73 out of
5 with
1,313 ratings
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