Rogue Smoke Ale

Tap at public house in San Francisco. Pours a dark brown in color with minimal tan head. Looks like a porter, and has the body of one, too. However, it tastes like bacon. Not really a big fan.

Copper. Fairly vibrant nose with caramel and sharp floral hops aromas, along with smoked malts, which remind the mind of smoked meat. Flavor is very mild in smoke flavor compared to most rauchbiers, but since it was an ale, it was a bit more unique. Sweeter and hoppier than Bamberg brews, adding different dimensions and more complexity, but I generally like more intensity in rauchbier.

[At GABF 2004] A hazy brown beer with a collapsing light brown head. The aroma is slightly smoked - definately from beechwood. While the flavor is sweet, slightly smoked, and with a dry end.

Bottle from a Sainsburys, Birmingham. Burnished red, with no real head. Gently smoky aroma, with a detectable hop. A flat burst of smoke to start - pleasant, bright, with some cheese and malt. Fades into a slightly tingly, brittle smoke signature - faintly flowery like Chinese tea. Nice - not too powerful. Good balance, just a little teeny bit short on length.

HMMMMM. Damn I love the aroma of the smoked ales. Smells like a thick juicy steak, smothered in terreicki (sp) sauce, that is slowly cooking on the grill. Wonderful! Medium sized frothy white head. Light carbonation. Color is a nice clear dark copper. Flavor is a little fruity with a smoky kick. Very different. Smoke beers are usually just lots of malts and smoke. Pretty thin palate and quite refreshing. Finish is slightly dry and has a lingering smoky aftertaste. A very good and different smoke themed brew. Good job Rogue.

22oz bottle: Deep amber with ruby highlights, slightly hazy, with a small frothy beige head. Aroma is earthy smoked malts, wood smoke, and hints of sweet fruit, spruce, with a very subtle touch of sweet honey covered malt. Taste is light smoked malt, sweet toffee, smoky caramel, earth, floral hops, and some smoked meat (though nowhere near as much as schlenkerla). Medium bodied, mild carbonation, well-rounded mouthfeel. Finishes somewhat dry with notes of light smoke and mild pine. I love smoked ales and always enjoy trying a new one. I like this take on the style, though I would like to see a bit more assertive smoke character carry through the full length of flavors.

(Bottle) Pours a hazy amber body with a small off-white head Aroma of smoke, beef jerky, and soy sauce. Chewy, malty, and lightly (nicely) smokey. Hint of smoke in the throat. Probably one of the best smoked beers I have come across.

Was expecting little more that just a slight smoked aroma. But at least the smocked malts were detectable. Brown color body with good white head and some lacing. Mild smokey flavor. Was and easy drinking beer.