This brew is from the Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Inc. in Milton, Delaware.  It’s called the World Wide Stout.

As most know, Dogfish Head is renowned for brewing “off-the-wall” exotics as well as standard style concoctions.  This is one of their most talked about.   

This style is considered to be an American Double/Imperial Stout.  It’s one of the most “extreme” beers on the market. 

Before we drink…. First, a little description from the website, dogfish.com.

YES!  This is the beer you’ve heard so much about.  Dark, rich, roasty and complex, World Wide Stout has more in common with a fine port than a can of cheap, mass-marketed beer.  Brewed with a ridiculous amount of barley.  Have one with (or as!) dessert tonight.

Well.  I might as well bite the bullet and jump in with both feet.  To be honest, I’m a bit scared!!!

This beer is shipped in a 12 oz. bottle and stands in at a staggering 18.0% ABV!!!

It poured a very dark brown to mostly black color.  No highlights were shown through at all.  A tight, tan/khaki colored head with nice size and retention.  Some lacing was left behind while it settled to a thin ring.  After it warmed considerably, the foam completely dissipated and all that was left were thick alcohol rings on the sides of the glass when I swirled.

When I finally stuck my nose in I was blown away by a tremendous amount of booze soaked raisins along with other dark fruits and berries.  Extremely heavy tones of booze that, with deep sniffs, started to reveal a rubbing alcohol compound.  I had to really search for fragrances of chocolate and coffee bean, but I found them.  The chocolate is almost obsolete to the point of completely disappearing after a few minutes.  Plenty of charred barley is noted, but the fruit makes it somewhat sweet smelling.  Even though the booze is extravagant, it’s, unbelievably, not out of balance with the other aromas.  Make no mistake, the dark fruit and alcohol are the star characters in the overall bouquet though.

After I found the courage to take a sip, I noted that the taste revealed more of the raisins completely drenched in alcohol; some sensations of licorice; a sweet, rich, bold dark fruit and a burnt barley tone that cannot be denied.  Only the most faint coffee and chocolate is found deep within the flavor profile.  A significant wave of alcohol warmth and heat are, incredibly, still balanced with the dark malts almost to perfection. It’s mind boggling really.

A medium to full bodied mouthfeel.  It was a bit sharp, but somehow retains enough smoothness for a mostly comfortable drink.  A considerable alcohol burn at the back end of the throat, deep in the chest and on into the belly reminds me of what it is that I’m drinking.  Tons of flavor and burn do not diminish at all throughout the experience.  The aftertaste remained long after I finished.

I am absolutely amazed at how Dogfish Head can create a beer this harmonious and balanced while retaining such a high alcohol level.  It, miraculously, still maintains some resemblance to beer.  This is not highly drinkable however.  This brew requires a great deal of time and patience to let it fully develop and to truly appreciate what all it entails.  A certified “sipper” that needs full attention to detail and has to be taken seriously.  It’s good, but wicked and not for the timid.  It’s not a beer that I could, personally, have very often.  It took me nearly two hours to drink it.  It’s a beer reserved for special or rare occasions in my opinion.  The World Wide Stout is worth a try for the sheer “WOW” factor that accompanies it.  Be forewarned!!!

Has anyone out there tried this?  What did you think of it?  Did you like it?

Thanks for reading everyone!!!  I hope you are enjoying the reviews.  I have many more to share.

Score:  4.05 out of 5
Grade:  A-