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Color is deep, deep reddish brown of mahoganey, slow carbonation bubbles flowing within its dark center. Finger high head of ivory colored tight froth that faded fast and leaves lots of tiny stringed lace. Aroma is a malty light caramel and dark fruit ensemble of softness - raisin, plum, and apricot with a fairly solid amount of alcohol in the nose as well. Taste is smoothly subtle and calm with an easy caramel malt start that flows into the dark fruits of mostly plum and raisin, slight molasses and banana, notes of cinnamon and sugared beets. Finish is a nice candy sweetness of caramel and yes, more raisins, quite nice in its subtlities throughout each sip. Smooth, light creamy body feel with a small warming alcohol kick in the finish. I really liked the subltities in the flavors of this beer but lacks in richness and some bolder character in the feel and smell. Its quite good none the less; and enjoyable in my book.

Served In: Goblet

12oz Bottle
Bottled 12/20/05

Raison D'Etre poured a deep dark mahogany. I'm surprised this beer is as clear as it is. A small head on aggressive pour that faded quickly to just a ring around the glass.

Smells strongly of raisins. I smell bread coming through after the raisins. Very doughy smelling. Sweet as well.

Taste is good on this one. There is a sweetness throughout but the profile changes. Theres raisins, bread, brown sugar, and toffee coming through along with some spiciness from the yeast used. There's a slight touch of alcohol at the end that you can feel through a warmth in the throat. The taste improves as this one warms.

The mouthfeel is medium heavy. Coating the inside of my mouth as I drink.

Good beer but the drinkability suffers slightly from the sweetness. To me it just feels like a beer you'd only want to sit down and enjoy one. It's a sipper.

Overal Raison D'Etre is a quality beer from Dogfish Head. It seems more to me like a beer you'd drink for a Sunday dinner. Not really an everyday drinker though.

Reviewed: 9/30/06

Served In: Goblet

Pours a nice amber/brown. Smallish off white head that disappears after a quick moment. Light active carbonation from the bottom to keep that ring of head around the glass.

Aroma is sweet- brown sugar, candy sugars, a hint of molasses- very malty. Enticing.

Taste is on the sweet side... and follows the nose well. I really don't have much to say about this area... sweet and a bit spicy. Raisin? Yeah, but just a hint.

Medium in body, smooth in mouthfeel. Nice mellow carbonation. Fits the styling here.

An interesting brew. Nothing glaringly wrong, or even wrong at all for that matter, but at the same time, nothing jumps out at you about this. A typical DFH offering, in that it is their typical 'twist' on a style... but a bit mediocre for DFH - so a bit of a let down for me. Still, a pleasant beer, and enjoyable... I would have this again. Be interesting for a food pairing/recipe.
Recommended!

Served In: Pint Glass

12 ounce bottle thanks to chadbrew
Pours a deep mahogany, just like the label states. Good, thich head with very small bubbles. Aroma had a mineral undertone. Tasted somewhat brandy-like with the mineral undertone as the aroma did. Wasn't much of a fan at first. Thinking that I had it too cold, I let it sit for a while which helped a lot. Still not the most impressive from DFH I've had, but still a good brew.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 04-21-2006 14:18:55

Served In: Pint Glass

Originally reviewed 05/26/06

Poured from bottle into standard pint glass. Nice dark brown color. Very little head and what was there disipates quickly. Strong scent of plums or prunes. Different from anything I have had. Sort of a belgian, but with strong, dark fruit flavors at the forefront. Mouthfeel is very nice. Thick and satisfying. I couldn't have more than one of two of these in a session. Very interesting beer.

Served In: Pint Glass