Rogue Smoke Ale

Not a big fan of smoked beers but this is a nice example of the style. I like the hop finish and would like to see more balance.

A nice smoked brew. Not really a big fan of the style but this one is mild enough not to offend. Black mlty brew with the prerequisite liquid smoke flavor. Not bludgeoning though.

first smoked i tried, 22 oz bottle outta pint glass. nice head, left some lacing. dark amber pour, smoky aroma. tasted like a smoky lager. reminded me of smoked cheese. i guess its am aquired taste. interesting complex.

On this bottle it says best after aged 6 months. Well, this bottle was forgotten about for slightly longer. Seven Oz. bottled in 95 really didnt get better as it got old and older. The aroma is still very smokey, but the flavor isnt much anymore. The palate either. This was under the Rogue-XS name, so I hoped it would be of higher alcohol/shelf-life, but I was wrong. So I’ll try to get a fresh bottle to re-rate. SO clearly, unless your dinky twist off bottle of smoke ale says bottled in 95, or close to it, dont listen to my opinion.

22oz. Slightly hazy amber body topped by a RIDICULOUSLY HUGE, off-white creamy head, taking on some amber as from the liquid below and leaving behind very generous splotches of lacing, beautiful arcing "hills" towards the end of the glass. Second glass is down right cloudy, opaque, lots of sediment in the bottom of the bottle and soso lacing--head is still fully lasting. Aroma is intensely smoky, mildly sweet, mildly bitter and smells like pork ribs in an herby, not-so-sweet sauce from a smoker. Carbonation is so soft it’s almost non-existent, yet lasting; medium body, wet, mouthwatering and somehow working it’s way to a rather dry finish. Strange, strange palate. Not overly malty, just kind of "sweet" with a front and middle dominated by smoke, boiled pork ribs, mildly bitter finish. Mild ale for a Rogue, despite all of the smoke. It went down too fast and I’m dreaming about the rib cookoff, walking to the different vendors, buying a sampler...finding the ribs that taste like this ale, only they’re food and not drink. Crisp hops finish, more smoke on the second glass. Hops are slightly citrus, like orange peel, almost grapefruity. The hops catch up with you(thus proclaiming this a Rogue), Yummy!

On tap at Rogue’s Portland taphouse, sampled 4 August 2004. Copper orange-red body, thin light cream/off-white head. Smoked malt flavor (duh) and grain (toast) but that damned house yeast still dominates the flavor profile! Medium-bodied. Nice twist but Pacman rules all.

Medium orange color. Small head. Aroma is malty and smoky. A medium bodied Rauchbeir, Malts are smoky, fruity and sweet. Hops are grapefruity and slightly spicy. The smokiness is subtle, kind of just sits in the background. Hints of orange and citrus. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

Not my cup o tea. So I will try to rate in a way to give it respect, even if I find it difficult to swallow. You know the ole wive’s tale about gargling saltwater for a sore throat, well, this one had that astringent quality that made it difficult to swallow. To be far though, I think this of most every "smoke" beer that I have ever tried.