It’s been a few months, but I’m still working through my stash from this summer’s Dogfish Head Brewery trip. Next up: Immort Ale.

The History

I think I’ve touched enough on Dogfish Head’s history in past articles. So I’ll spare you the re-hash.

The Style

Immort Ale is a typically “off-centered” beer that could be thought of as an American / Scotch Strong Ale. Like most Dogfish beers, it doesn’t quite fit into a single category. It’s 11% ABV, and aged in oak, which could put Immort comfortably into the Barleywine column. It’s fermented with a blend of Belgian & English yeast, which gives it a less American and (in my opinion) more Scotch Ale palate. In addition to all that, Immort Ale is brewed with Juniper Berries (a rare, yet definitely double IPA taste), Vanilla (Stout) and Maple Syrup (also stout). So much for easy labeling.

The Tasting

Immort pours a clear reddish amber, with a half-inch of deep beige foam. A sticky lace clings to the sides. The smell is heavy on coffee, with a strong alcohol presence, and some candied cherry.

Smoky alcohol dominates the palate. A real earthiness follows: peat, oak, and smoke. Some vanilla. There’s a port wine / brandy sweetness to it.

The overwhelming taste of alcohol actually dampens as the beer warms, and a coffee malt character takes over.

Carbonation lasts and lasts. A thin crust of bubbles caps the beer throughout.

Very low hoppiness - rare for a Dogfish Head brew. Instead there’s a dry juniper and more smoke in the aftertaste, which lingers on the tongue for a very, very long time and begs for another sip.

My one complaint is that it’s a little thin on the mouth, which clashes with the high alcohol. Immort ale is smooth, soft, with a silky carbonation, but the thickness to really tie it all together is missing.

The Verdict

I think I’ve finally met a Dogfish I don’t love. Not that I dislike it, but it’s not the blow-your-socks-off awesome that I’ve come to expect from this brewery. The flavors are interesting, but not in harmony with each other. The alcohol is a bit too much. I think this beer is just a bit immature. High alcohol content, some oakiness that will only get stronger, plus a handful of great flavors that will - over enough time - blend together and mellow out. My suggestion is to pick up a bottle (now if you can still find it, otherwise wait until it’s released again next May) and find a nice cool, dark & dry place to hide it for a year, or five.

6.5/10