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Palo Santo Marron
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
- From:
- Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
- Delaware, United States
- Style:
- American Brown Ale
- ABV:
- 12%
- Score:
- 93
- Avg:
- 4.18 | pDev: 11.72%
- Reviews:
- 2,178
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Aug 06, 2023
- Added:
- Nov 19, 2006
- Wants:
- 421
- Gots:
- 1,410
An unfiltered, unfettered, unprecedented brown ale aged in handmade wooden brewing vessels. The caramel and vanilla complexity unique to this beer comes from the exotic Paraguayan Palo Santo wood from which these tanks were crafted. Palo Santo means "holy tree," and its wood has been used in South American wine-making communities.
50 IBU
50 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by prototypic:
Reviewed by prototypic from Ohio
4.28/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.28/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Appearance: Brown ale? Wow. It's jet black from my perspective. Very generous creamy, tan two and a half finger head. Excellent retention and lacing.
Smell: Roasted malts roll off the top. There's some toasted nut, hints of dark fruit, and chocolate aromas added to the mix. Very light espresso or coffee smell. Alcohol is masked pretty well, but is noticeable. Very faint spicy and hop aromas on the tail.
Taste: Roasted and chocolate malts are most prevalant. It is sweet and a bit spicy. Toasted nut and plum flavors mix well. Very light espresso taste. Light hops provide just the right amount of bitterness. It has a bit of a smoked flavor to it (could be the wood effect). Alcohol is not very noticeable in taste.
Mouthfeel/Drinkability: It's medium bodied and extremely smooth. Carbonation is excellent. It is strong at 12%. I probably wouldn't drink more than one or two in a sitting. But, it's extremely drinkable. Definitely not hard to put away. Overall, this is a damn fine beer. Very unique. I would strongly suggest picking it up while you have the chance.
Feb 25, 2008Smell: Roasted malts roll off the top. There's some toasted nut, hints of dark fruit, and chocolate aromas added to the mix. Very light espresso or coffee smell. Alcohol is masked pretty well, but is noticeable. Very faint spicy and hop aromas on the tail.
Taste: Roasted and chocolate malts are most prevalant. It is sweet and a bit spicy. Toasted nut and plum flavors mix well. Very light espresso taste. Light hops provide just the right amount of bitterness. It has a bit of a smoked flavor to it (could be the wood effect). Alcohol is not very noticeable in taste.
Mouthfeel/Drinkability: It's medium bodied and extremely smooth. Carbonation is excellent. It is strong at 12%. I probably wouldn't drink more than one or two in a sitting. But, it's extremely drinkable. Definitely not hard to put away. Overall, this is a damn fine beer. Very unique. I would strongly suggest picking it up while you have the chance.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Silopanna63 from Maryland
4.94/5 rDev +18.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
4.94/5 rDev +18.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This beer was their second best dark beer offering to me. Only the bourbon cask aged rendition was better. I’m really sad they stopped brewing this one.
Aug 06, 2023Reviewed by MadMadMike from France
4.56/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.56/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Although no longer brewed, I’m compelled to rate from memory.
I’ve had this fabulous elixir on tap and in bottles, yes, stood in front of the palo santo wood barrel at the brewery too.
One of the best and most unique beers I’ve ever had. Savored even. It will continue to be missed.
Oct 16, 2022I’ve had this fabulous elixir on tap and in bottles, yes, stood in front of the palo santo wood barrel at the brewery too.
One of the best and most unique beers I’ve ever had. Savored even. It will continue to be missed.
Rated by bobwm from Delaware
4.66/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.66/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This is a very creative beer. Rich in flavor, slight cherry (sour), caramel, figs, and vanilla.
Dec 22, 2021Reviewed by sulldaddy from Connecticut
4.13/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.13/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Im sampling this 12 oz bottle at cellar temp poured into my snifter. This bottle is about 7 years old and has been in my cellar for most of its life. The beer pours black coffee color with no light passing through the glass. Very minimal tan head foams up and remains a thin edge layer throughout sampling. I leave maybe a ml in the bottle as there are some sediment chunks that Im not interested in.
The aroma is rich and complex malt profile. I get brown sugar, some vanilla, and rich woody notes. I also get a little booze and hints of port in the background. I also do get just a wisp of oxidation cardboard buried. glad I opened now and not next year!
First sip reveals a medium body with mild yet still slightly tingly carbonation. Texture is definitely sticky and coats my lips and palate with each sip. Flavor is deep malt with brown sugar, some tobacco, dark cocoa powder, and wood. Finish actually also has a little dark fruit and some booze. No hop character anywhere and I dont get any oxidation on the flavor profile. I do find this to be a sipping beer due to the texture and slight booziness on the finish. Interesting and enjoyable, but I need to go back and get a fresh bottle to remind myself of what it tastes like without aging.
Nov 15, 2021The aroma is rich and complex malt profile. I get brown sugar, some vanilla, and rich woody notes. I also get a little booze and hints of port in the background. I also do get just a wisp of oxidation cardboard buried. glad I opened now and not next year!
First sip reveals a medium body with mild yet still slightly tingly carbonation. Texture is definitely sticky and coats my lips and palate with each sip. Flavor is deep malt with brown sugar, some tobacco, dark cocoa powder, and wood. Finish actually also has a little dark fruit and some booze. No hop character anywhere and I dont get any oxidation on the flavor profile. I do find this to be a sipping beer due to the texture and slight booziness on the finish. Interesting and enjoyable, but I need to go back and get a fresh bottle to remind myself of what it tastes like without aging.
Reviewed by EMV from Pennsylvania
4.31/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.31/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Dogfish Head tulip
L: Dark, dark brown pour... nearly black with a finger of off-white head.
S: Rich and roasty... wood, smoke, oak, and toasted grains.
T.F: Just like it smells. Rich and semi-sweet. Strong oak and wood. Spice, a bit of smoke, earth, and toasted grains. Aromatics... vanilla, spice, coffee, and cocoa. Medium bodied... smooth and creamy. Warming... ABV hidden.
O: An outstanding Imperial Brown ale... great flavor, and it really picks up the wood/smoke/aromatics. Hides its hefty ABV... unique and delicious stuff.
Aug 21, 2021L: Dark, dark brown pour... nearly black with a finger of off-white head.
S: Rich and roasty... wood, smoke, oak, and toasted grains.
T.F: Just like it smells. Rich and semi-sweet. Strong oak and wood. Spice, a bit of smoke, earth, and toasted grains. Aromatics... vanilla, spice, coffee, and cocoa. Medium bodied... smooth and creamy. Warming... ABV hidden.
O: An outstanding Imperial Brown ale... great flavor, and it really picks up the wood/smoke/aromatics. Hides its hefty ABV... unique and delicious stuff.
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway
3.98/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
3.98/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Cask at the GBBF 2008, gravity dispense. Black colour, no head. Alcoholic but interesting aroma and flavour, notes of "oak" (actually palo santo wood), coffee and fortified wine. At 12% ABV this is powerful stuff. Good, but not easy drinking.
Apr 30, 2021Reviewed by IPAs_for_days_13 from Texas
4.64/5 rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.64/5 rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
L: Pours a very dark brown, almost black in color, with a thin espresso colored head; has strong legs on the side of the glass.
S: Boozy, vanilla, brown sugar, roasted, whisky barrel.
T: Taste very much follows the nice, has a nice coffee-like bitterness as well, oak, dark chocolate.
F: Full-bodied, light carbonation, chewy & heavy, yet smooth on the finish.
O: What is there even to complain about? A very well done brew, cheers!
Jan 30, 2021S: Boozy, vanilla, brown sugar, roasted, whisky barrel.
T: Taste very much follows the nice, has a nice coffee-like bitterness as well, oak, dark chocolate.
F: Full-bodied, light carbonation, chewy & heavy, yet smooth on the finish.
O: What is there even to complain about? A very well done brew, cheers!
Reviewed by jemsdelajems from Ghana
4.81/5 rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.81/5 rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Instead of the strict five point review format, I'm just gonna tell it like it is.
This beer is and in-depth, syrupy mouthful of deliciousness, especially when comparing it to your average pint of not-nearly-as-heavy brown ale. I bought a 4 pack of bottles on a trip (bottled 10/09/20, drinking it on 1/8 and drinking it at whatever appropriate temperature for this type of beer, fuck fussing about degrees F) and it's an excellent beer. Very little noticeable carbonation and all of those dank, roasty, delicious flavors I love in a brown ale whether exceptionally heavy or as light as newcastle.
For sure, worth an excellent review in my eyes
Jan 09, 2021This beer is and in-depth, syrupy mouthful of deliciousness, especially when comparing it to your average pint of not-nearly-as-heavy brown ale. I bought a 4 pack of bottles on a trip (bottled 10/09/20, drinking it on 1/8 and drinking it at whatever appropriate temperature for this type of beer, fuck fussing about degrees F) and it's an excellent beer. Very little noticeable carbonation and all of those dank, roasty, delicious flavors I love in a brown ale whether exceptionally heavy or as light as newcastle.
For sure, worth an excellent review in my eyes
Reviewed by blazerkor from Nevada
4.44/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.44/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
It smells like a sweet steaming loaf of decadent brown bread on some exotic wooden cutting board with a bottle of smokeless scotch opened just next to it.
It has the taste of a ball of dough rolled in rich and bitter cocoa nibs. Once that slightly fades you can taste some wood that a little alcohol has been spilled on.
It feels smooth like hot cocoa down to the fact that it warms your mouth with the high alcohol content. Mild carbonation prickles a little and when you swallow you're left with a dry and clean bitterness.
Overall it's really interesting. I like it and it's unique. I give it a 5.3 out of 6.
Dec 29, 2020It has the taste of a ball of dough rolled in rich and bitter cocoa nibs. Once that slightly fades you can taste some wood that a little alcohol has been spilled on.
It feels smooth like hot cocoa down to the fact that it warms your mouth with the high alcohol content. Mild carbonation prickles a little and when you swallow you're left with a dry and clean bitterness.
Overall it's really interesting. I like it and it's unique. I give it a 5.3 out of 6.
Palo Santo Marron from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Beer rating:
93 out of
100 with
6076 ratings
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