I found this gem of a beer on the bottom shelf of Wegmans new mixed six-pack section. Normally this brew is on the expensive side of things but at $11 for a mixed six-pack, being able to throw this in is worthwhile! I got the Dogfish Head World Wide Stout. This brew clocked in at an alcoholic’s dream of 18% ABV.

This Imperial Stout tells the taster what to expect just from the label: “A very dark beer brewed with a ridiculous amount of barley.” While I am not a stout fan per se, I had a hard time passing up this opportunity.

I poured the beer into my pint glass; however, for a stout I would recommend pouring into a snifter (check out Shane’s Beer Glassware article on why). The beer is a dark, majestic color. I mean, this beer is that dark, Wesley Snipes dark. Pouring it into my pint glass, I had mild head and was immediately set back by the aromas that emanated from within.

The first smell that hits you is the toasted barley, which is followed wistfully by the alcohol. With a brew that has a strong alcohol content this smell is to be expected. There is a sense of roasted coffee that comes through the alcohol in the backbone, as well.

The taste is overpowering. It can best be described as if someone had dropped shots into this stout. The beer had a very rich, deep, dark, barley taste for any beer. Dogfish was dead on with the claim on the front of the label. The beer has a sense of pride from the brewery that is evident. The smell and the taste go hand in hand with hints of coffee and barley shining through the alcohol taste.

The beer is a solid brew from a fantastic brewery. I have yet to find a beer that I found to be mediocre from Dogfish Head. I am not a devotional stout drinker by any means, and this beer does not make a converter out of me. I found the alcohol taste extremely tough to get past. I think those that thoroughly enjoy Imperial Stouts, will enjoy this brew without question. It’s a beer that can easily put you on your ass, so as always enjoy responsibly.

Overall: 8/10