I’ve never had Dogfish Head Bitches Brew. How does that even happen? You call yourself a brew guru, bruguru, and you’ve never had one of Dogfish Head’s most highly acclaimed beers? Well, my friends, I’m here to day to atone for my sin of omission, and tell you about something that’s maybe even better than Dogfish head Bitches Brew (though I can’t be sure): Dogfish Head Wood-Aged Bitches Brew. So there!

I got a bottle of this specialty brew at Total Wine, and in fact all I saw were singles. I believe it is sold in 6-packs, but could not prove that. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this beer, and it came home with me and went into my beer fridge. I drank it a few months after purchase.

Dogfish says on their website:

The Bitches is back, only this time we aged it our oak and Palo tanks! An off-centered twist on our classic Bitches Brew, Wood-Aged Bitches Brew is still the same bold, dark, Imperial Stout you know and love!

Originally brewed in honor of the 40th anniversary of the release of Miles Davis’ 1970 landmark Jazz fusion record Bitches Brew, our ‘remix’ is a gustatory tribute to that analog masterpiece.

Much like Jazz fusion, which blends different musical styles, our Wood-Aged Bitches Brew is a fusion of three threads of Imperial stout aged on oak and one thread of Tej - a native African honey beer - aged on Palo.

Dogfish Head Wood-Aged Bitches Brew has an alcohol content of 9% by volume with 38 IBUs. I bought a single at Total Wine, and their website does say they sell it for $19.99 a six-pack. Pretty high I think.

Dogfish Head Wood-Aged Bitches Brew pours to a jet black color with a thick creamy tan head and a robust roasty woody nose. Taking a sip, the beer is rich and roasty with a medium bodied palate and full notes of chocolate, coffee, vanilla, charcoal and roasted malt with an omnipresent woody character. It finishes very roasty bitter and still woody with a gently herbal hop bitterness and some boozy alcohol warmth to boot.

On its own merits, I’d give it four and a half stars as it’s quite tasty indeed, especially with the wonderful wood. It would (wood?) benefit from more body I think, though just a bit more. Combined with the high price I’ll knock it down to four stars, but it’s a tasty beer I would love to buy again.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft



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