Review: Dogfish Head Birra Etrusca

Dogfish Head Birra Etrusca
8.5% ABV
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE
On tap at the Dogfish Head Brewpub, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Served in a snifter glass (approx. 8 oz serving)
Reviewed on 12/27/12 at the brewpub

This beer--another entry in Dogfish Head's "ancient ales" series--is dark amber in color, bubbly, mild but decent lacing with a thin head.

Smell has malt, fruitiness, raisins, caramel.

Taste has cherry, grapes, malt, wine, honey.

Mouthfeel is smooth, wine-like, syrupy.

Overall, this is a good, fruity-wine tasting ale with a nice profile of flavors.  Reminiscent of Dogfish Head's Midas Touch with its wine grape and honey flavors but with more of a dark fruitiness component.  Also reminiscent of Tröegs Mad Elf with its cherry flavor, but definitely more subdued as a beer.  Smooth with no real harshness. I found this one somewhat surprisingly tasty and drinkable, though outside of having on tap at the Rehoboth brewpub, I'm not sure I'm willing to pay the high price for a 750 ml bottle ($12.99 plus tax in my area, and about the same at the brewpub's to-go shop (though it would be tax free there)).

My score: 91