Dogfish Head Immort Ale
Dogfish Head Immort Ale is an American Strong Ale brewed with peat smoked malt, maple syrup and vanilla, then aged in oak vats. 11% ABV. This is one of those beers that I liked but didn’t quite love the first time I had it. My notes from about 3 years ago: The peat smoked barley is evident from the first sip. Subtle sweetness from the maple syrup and vanilla come out as it warms leading to an intense oak aged finish. This paired quite well with the honey drizzled goat cheese fritters! I did pick up a bottle last year to sit on for a while out of curiosity, but thanks to our friend Paul at Your Pie I have a pre-aged 2012 vintage bottle to review now!
The appearance is a cloudy reddish brown, good head to start, but it quickly dissipates. The aroma has a strong peat to it, not unlike a good scotch. Still getting a lot of smoked peat malt to start in the taste as well. I love a good scotch with a lot of peat, but it is surprisingly a bit of a turn off in this beer for me. The maple syrup and vanilla are exploding right now though, no warm up necessary. That big sweetness is making for an interesting balance of flavors with the peat smoked malt. As the beer warms a nice raisin/fig like dark fruit flavor emerges. The dry oak finish is much less intense on this aged bottle as well.
A bit more subtle and sweeter with some age on it, I think I will hold onto that 2014 bottle I have for several more years. I’m curious to see if that peat will ever fade. Thanks again to Paul for this unexpected house warming gift!
