on THE TAPHANDLE

Palo Santo Marron, an American Strong Ale by Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales

"Troy['s Work Table] doesn't drink beer, he adjudicates it."
—The friend D.

12 ounce bottle. Palo Santo Marron pours clear, bubbly, and black. A thick brown head appears in an instant and then disappears as quickly, leaving no lacing behind.

The nose is heavy of molasses and plum, moderate of brown sugar. The taste is heavy and rich, filling tongue, mouth, and throat. The initial drink is of malt and of wood. The wood flavor is not smoky per se, but it dawdles like a smoky wood. The finish is a good alcohol finish that lingers and lingers and lingers.

Everything about this ale is heavy, except for its "handedness," for this is excellent stuff. As it warms, the already rich and complex flavor intensifies and increases in complexity. The wood increases ever so slightly in "smokiness" and the flavor of varnish creeps in, which I attribute to the 12% alcohol content and its attendant flavor, warmth, "burn."

But, when I drank it, I was settling in for a long session of writing and feedback and laughter with other writers, so the buzz I got was never going to see the streets. Amen.