I found a few of Dogfish Head’s World Wide Stout sitting pretty behind the counter at Mendon Liquors yesterday. And, as I reached into my back pocket for my debit card, the single 12-ounce bottle rung up near $11.
As my eyes opened wide with bewilderment, I pondered on a number of thoughts. Saying “fuck that” to the woman behind the register was the first, but I bit my tongue. Then this came to mind: “Sheeeeet, this must be the most delicious beer in the universe. I have to buy it.” But, still, seconds prior to my transaction being finalized, I did have one last thought: “Pete Larrivee, you sleaze, how did you fail to mention the World Wide Stout costing almost a dollar an ounce?”
I’m not bitter in the slightest, though, because of how excited I am to try the brew. However, even if the World Wide Stout ends up being the best beer I’ve tried, I’m uncertain if I could ever justify paying that price again. Verbal seems to already think it isn’t worth the price unless, of course, I get “three consecutive boners” from drinking it. Well, Verbal, I’m an estimated ten-seconds away from popping the cap — I’ll keep you, and anyone else that cares, updated on the taste…and the blood-rush, if any, to my nether region.
Alright, alright, alright. The top has been popped. Here goes…
The World Wide Stout already smells stronger than the average stout, which makes absolute sense because, if there was one thing Pete Larrivee stressed in his write-up, the brew measures in at an intoxicating 18% alcohol by volume. I don’t digress with this matter at all. Actually, I’m in favor of it. I’ve always thought stouts should be a bit stronger than they are, considering how heavy they are and, especially in this case, their prices that often put my budget at risk.
Smell aside (I’m drinking out of the recommended snifter, by the way), the beer has a fantastic taste. It’s rich and roasty, just as the description states.
However, no boner yet.
As much as I hate to echo the words in the beer’s description, the flavor of the WWS is very complex — so much so that I almost can’t figure out exactly what I’m tasting, or what techniques were used to achieve said complexity (Sorry, guys, I love beer, but I’m still a few steps away from the connoisseur-life, and it would be fraudulent of me to even attempt at waxing intellectual here. Hey, at least I’m enjoying myself and trying my best!). Fro and I had a similar situation on Thanksgiving eve with the Samuel Adams Black Lager, and, if I remember correctly, we chalked it up to all the flavors melding together so nicely that there wasn’t any specific taste that outshined any other. It made sense to us at the time. Snobs, hate if you want.
Moving on…
I’m still flaccid.
Moving on, again…
If I did have any idea what I was talking about, or tasting, for that matter, I’d say the best chance for me to identify any of the brews characteristics would be about ten-seconds after a sip. The WWS really seems to hang around on the palate, and, shit, who am I to oppose its dollar-an-ounce deliciousness resonating in my yuppie mouth. If I was to take a stab at what I’m tasting I’d say this: The brew has the taste of roasted grains (<— In my opinion, this is why stouts are so damn good) and the dark-chocolate-like hint common in nearly all stouts, but also a subtle malty licorice flavor that I’m surprisingly in love with.
Oh, yeah, and you can tell that the World Wide Stout is 18% alcohol by volume, but still remains far from overpowering. However, at least on my near-empty stomach, the WWS does deliver quite the buzz. If this beer was $10 a six-pack, I’d be in heaven.
And Verbal — Although this entire drinking experience has failed to induce a boner, or, in fact, even a mulligan, I am happy to have tried the World Wide Stout, will vouch for its excellence, and would definitely suggest it to others.
I’m hungry.
Peace out.
Filed under: We're Fat Boys Who Like Food | Tagged: Dogfish Head, Dogfish Head's World Wide Stout, Motif Magazine, Pete Larrivee
Last year I went to a Dog Fish Head release party up in Mass. It was at this dive bar called… The Dive Bar. Real ironic you pricks. In any event, the first 25 or so in the door got a free glass. And it was one of those jump offs that are coke bottle shaped and have a curled lip, similar to the one shown in a few sam adams commercials (excuse my ignorance, I’m sure it has a name, other than stine… or styne… or fucking glass you fucking snobs). It was the 75 minute IPA and we were def the first 25. But all the local yokels came in and the place got real hot and crowded and we were snubbed our glasses. They had 2 barrels of this s and they both went in like 45 minutes. I had one glass and hated it. I should have seen it coming since I’m not a big IPA guy. We bounced after we all finished and as a nice big fuck you to that shit hole, the 4 of us stole one of those fancy ass beer glasses on the way out. We ended up going to my buddy’s uncle’s house and he fed me some barley wine. Which was like drinking beer syrup. But it was delicious and it got me faded. I love pales and whites and I also love porters. IPAs can suck my pale a if you ask me. I’d like to try this s but I would never pay that much for ah beer, especially if bone-ears didn’t ensue.
quite the adventure, verbal. i believe the glass you had (or still have) is called a tulip — appropriate for your flowery ass. and i agree with you on ipa’s for the most part, however, i’ve liked all the different ones i’ve tried from dogfish head. and i just had a pretty good one the other day, too, called loose cannon…i think.
porters are delicious. maybe that narragansett porter will foster a boner. i’ll keep you filled in. no homo.
uhh yes homo.
tried the michelob porter last night at your brother’s place. s was pret-tay, pret-tay, pret-tay good.
Simpler Times by Trader Joe’s…$2.99 for a seis pack, 5.5% alcohol. fuck your porter couch, I’m on a budget b!