When this beer burst on the microbrewing scene in 1999, it was the strongest beer around. Though other beers have since topped World Wide Stout’s current 18 percent alcohol marker – including Dogfish Head’s 120 minute IPA, which clocked in at 21 percent several years ago – this 70 IBU stout is still one of the most cellar-worthy beers available in Bend these days.
More so than high-alcohol-content Russian Imperial Stouts like Old Rasputin'(9 percent) or Deschutes’ Abyss (11 percent), World Wide Stout is like a port. It’s syrupy and hot, but the talent at Dogfish Head keeps it from being sickly sweet. The beer is kind of molten on the tongue, but has a lovely fizziness that is just plain fun to feel. It’s a deep, dark brown with a ruby tinge and a thin halo of little bubbles for a head.
Putting this beer in your cellar and forgetting it for awhile will only make it better. The burn from the high alcohol content will mellow out resulting in a richer, softer feel.
Find it at The Brew Shop in 12-ounce bottles for $9.30.
This article appears in Mar 1-7, 2012.
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