Review: Chicory Stout, Dogfish Head

Chicory Stout
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery — Milton, DE

Stats:

• Style:  Stout
• Bitterness:  21 IBU
• ABV:  5.2%  
• Malts:  Not specified
• Hops:  Cascade and Fuggle
• Sampled:  12 oz. bottle 

Description:  "Chicory was one of the first beers we started brewing at our pub back when it opened in 1995. It's a dark beer made with a bunch of roasted chicory, organic Mexican coffee, St. John's Wort and licorice root. We use whole-leaf Cascade and Fuggle hops, as well as pale, roasted and oatmeal grains. Back in 1995, we had a teeny, tiny brewing system and had to brew all day, every day to keep the bar stocked. Brewing with the same four ingredients got really boring really quickly. That's when Sam's ADD kicked in and he started adding some non-traditional ingredients." — Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Random thoughts:  Chicory Stout is Dogfish Head's winter seasonal. According to Wikipedia, both the leaves and root of the Chicory plant are edible. Chicory is often used an additive to coffee in many parts of the world. I'm not sure what it should taste like, but I'm expecting it to be coffee-like. This is part of my Stout Month series.

The tasting:  Dark brown in color with a frothy dark tan head made of fine bubbles that dissipates very slowly. When held up to the light, reddish hues are visible. Aroma of roasted malt, dark chocolate, and espresso. Flavor of roasted malt, coffee, and chocolate. Alcohol is not present in aroma, but its flavor is noticeable in the middle. Chicory Stout is medium bodied, moderately carbonated, and has a smooth mouth feel. It finishes with roasted malt and bitter coffee notes.

Rating:  4 star.  Really Good!  I want this again!  I'm not sure I could distinguish the chicory—probably because I don't know what it should taste like. However I loved the rich coffee flavors and the smooth creamy mouth feel. If you want to try Chicory Stout, go find a few bottles soon —or you may have to wait until it's released next November.

Have you tasted Chicory Stout?

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