Dogfish Head Shelter Pale Ale: 28

Visual: 5 Aroma: 4 Taste: 10 Finish: 9
Total: 28

Dogfish Head started as a small brewery in Delaware and a restaurant at Rehoboth Beach. Over 10 years it has blossomed to be the fastest growing brewery in the country. They are well known for the 60 Minute IPA. Although that is a very good beer, for me their best starts with Shelter Pale Ale. Unfortunately, they do not distribute it nation wide and it only resides in Delaware and surrounding states. Hopefully they will increase this distribution. And here's why.

The pour is perfect. The color is a beautiful medium amber. The head is full. It smells sweet and musky of hops and malt. You get a wonderful first acidic bite as it transitions to a strong hop on the back of the tongue. It has a toasted nut undertone. It finishes full of flavor that lingers without over powering. It does not wear on you. This is probably not a hot summer day by the pool beer. It is more of night time brew with a hearty meal and then will keep you warm all night. On tap it finishes even cleaner which would give it a perfect 10 and a near perfect 29 total. To me it is the finest beer available. If I could only drink one beer for the rest of my life this would be my first choice. Now, Shelter is not their most popular brew. But, I find it to be their best.