Fermentation Engastration
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
- From:
- Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
- Delaware, United States
- Style:
- Fruit and Field Beer
- ABV:
- 10%
- Score:
- +9 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 4.05 | pDev: 0%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 1
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Oct 13, 2023
- Added:
- Oct 13, 2023
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
-
-
Fermentation Engastration draws inspiration from a collection of complex fermented beverages – a rose-scented sake, a Mid-Atlantic honey and date mead, a bittersweet hard cider, a fruity Muscat wine and a rustic farmhouse ale. The result? One eccentric, incomparable beverage that can only be described as the “Turducken” of the beer world. On the nose, this brewing innovation is bursting with classic spicy phenols, while the tasting experience packs an explosion of fruit character balanced by a slight sweetness.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by Ernald_Elbertson from Delaware
4.05/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.05/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Picked this up at the brewery in Milton. 500 ml pour into Tulip.
Very beautiful deep gold, slightly orange as well. Initially pours very clear but sediment in the bottom of the bottle lends a cloudy appearance toward the end. Very small head, even when poured aggressively. Don't be afraid to agitate this one, it needs it.
Smell, much like everything about this beer, is very multi-layered. The most notable aspect is the yeast, which is surprisingly clean. Not funky like a Saison, but clean like a strong golden ale. Backed by an intensely fruity and honeyed body, like apple juice, grape juice, and mead. The dates are there too offering a richness, but it is subtle. The rose is kinda lost in the beer, wine, and mead, but this ale does have a notable alcoholic aroma which *does* remind me a bit of Sake. Supposedly bursting with spicy phenols...but I really didn't get that.
Taste is unsurprisingly similar. You get apple mead, white wine, strong ale (more of a British strong ale than an American or Belgian), and a touch of fall spice. Perfect for this time of year. Not so sweet despite the dominant fruit character, balanced very well. Boozy as can be, could definitely turn off unseasoned drinkers. Actually offers a lot more complexity than expected for "just 10%." I felt like I was going to be a lot more drunk after this than I ended up being. However, this beer *needs* to be drank at warmer temperatures. When too cold you will get mostly booze, tastes like chilled mead or sake. I think it even just needs some time in the glass to open up its flavors, it will only improve as you drink.
This ale is very low in carbonation. It is very smooth, again, like mead or sake, but without the characteristic burn of those drinks. Once it warms it takes on more of a fuller ale quality, not as slick. Highly suggest against using any sort of nucleated glass, it will burn out the little carbonation that does exist here. Despite the high ABV and relatively sweet profile, this beer actually finishes somewhat dry. Still, I think this would benefit from just a bit more carbonation. Probably best enjoyed in a wine glass or snifter.
Overall a very complex ale that is a reminder of Dogfish Head's glory days. This beer is challenging, full of flavor, and most of all unique. Sad to think that 5+ years ago DFH probably would've released these in 6 packs...but for anyone who makes the trip to Milton, pick one of these up. Loses some points as it doesn't really resemble a farmhouse ale, but that's kind of beside the point when they call this the "Turducken of beer."
Oct 13, 2023Very beautiful deep gold, slightly orange as well. Initially pours very clear but sediment in the bottom of the bottle lends a cloudy appearance toward the end. Very small head, even when poured aggressively. Don't be afraid to agitate this one, it needs it.
Smell, much like everything about this beer, is very multi-layered. The most notable aspect is the yeast, which is surprisingly clean. Not funky like a Saison, but clean like a strong golden ale. Backed by an intensely fruity and honeyed body, like apple juice, grape juice, and mead. The dates are there too offering a richness, but it is subtle. The rose is kinda lost in the beer, wine, and mead, but this ale does have a notable alcoholic aroma which *does* remind me a bit of Sake. Supposedly bursting with spicy phenols...but I really didn't get that.
Taste is unsurprisingly similar. You get apple mead, white wine, strong ale (more of a British strong ale than an American or Belgian), and a touch of fall spice. Perfect for this time of year. Not so sweet despite the dominant fruit character, balanced very well. Boozy as can be, could definitely turn off unseasoned drinkers. Actually offers a lot more complexity than expected for "just 10%." I felt like I was going to be a lot more drunk after this than I ended up being. However, this beer *needs* to be drank at warmer temperatures. When too cold you will get mostly booze, tastes like chilled mead or sake. I think it even just needs some time in the glass to open up its flavors, it will only improve as you drink.
This ale is very low in carbonation. It is very smooth, again, like mead or sake, but without the characteristic burn of those drinks. Once it warms it takes on more of a fuller ale quality, not as slick. Highly suggest against using any sort of nucleated glass, it will burn out the little carbonation that does exist here. Despite the high ABV and relatively sweet profile, this beer actually finishes somewhat dry. Still, I think this would benefit from just a bit more carbonation. Probably best enjoyed in a wine glass or snifter.
Overall a very complex ale that is a reminder of Dogfish Head's glory days. This beer is challenging, full of flavor, and most of all unique. Sad to think that 5+ years ago DFH probably would've released these in 6 packs...but for anyone who makes the trip to Milton, pick one of these up. Loses some points as it doesn't really resemble a farmhouse ale, but that's kind of beside the point when they call this the "Turducken of beer."
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!