Rogue Smoke Ale

Brewed by Rogue Ales
Style: Smoked
Newport, Oregon USA

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.

I think of Hickory Farms when I drink this. I love the smoky beef jerky aroma. The taste is a smoky bitter hop flavor and it leaves the bitter hop flavor on your tongue. Smoke Ale is a beautiful autumn color of red-amber. Cheese, crackers and sausage anyone!

Aroma smells like a Hickory Farms store. The flavor isn’t quite as smoky/meaty, but its still there for sure. Although not my favorite style, it is still pretty good. Gotta try this with some grilled cheddarwurst.

(draft) It was a good beer, not nearly as smoky as I’d been hoping, but the smoke flavor and aroma was still pretty apparent. It had a less wide-ranging and complex flavor than the Cone Smoker I get when I’m back home.