Dogfish Head Raison D’Etre

Here we have another interesting beer from the fine folk at Dogfish Head in Milton, Delaware. Raison D’Etre is brewed with Belgian beet sugars and green raisins and is sure to be a unique experience. As the bottle says, this beer pours a deep mahogany color that is very opaque, with red tones shining through as you bring it to the light. Producing about 1/2 inch of very light tan head that settles very quickly. The aroma is intriguing, prune and raisin scents are nicely rounded off with gentle roasted malts and a slight smell of alcohol. The flavor of this beer is very different. Tastes of raisins or plums and a very strange sweet flavor surely influence by the beet sugar used in this brew, a bit of malt seems to round off the flavor but it is rather difficult to place the flavors in this ale. Though this beer is 8% ABV the alcohol is rather mute, particularly when distracted with all of the very interesting flavors in this beer. As with many complex ales, more flavors are noticeable when served cool, but I find this beer more drinkable cold. The mouthfeel of this beer is a bit sticky but it is reasonably drinkable and the body isn’t too heavy. Though the flavors of this beer are very unique it goes down quite smoothly but likely will not be drunk very quickly. Certainly not the beer for everyone but if you are looking for something different and don’t oppose fruit flavors you may enjoy this brew. Give it a shot and ride your bike.

Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre

6 Responses to “Dogfish Head Raison D’Etre”

  1. I’ve never had this one, but I have a clone recipe for it and have been considering brewing it. Your comments are similar to what others have told me about it…interesting beer, but maybe not something I’d want in 5 gallon quantities.

  2. Indeed. Certainly a flavorful brew and something I would gladly drink on occasion, but it would take serious fan of fermented dark fruits to down 5 gallons, or just a ton of thirsty friends 😉

  3. […] Head Raison D’Extra I just saw this review over at Legal Beer of Dogfish Head’s Raison D’Etre. That “deep mahogany” […]

  4. Got a six pack of this last weekend. Not bad, still have a few left but from what I remember it tasted almost like New Castle.

  5. D’Etra, not to be confused with D’Extra, as stated above. D’Extra is a 20+% ABV drink, just picked up two bottles today of 9/29/2006. The store must have 10 bottles left in their cooler. Should I buy them up at $9.99 each.

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