Rogue Youngers Special Bitter

I drank this as Summit’s Wayside Tavern in a 22 oz bomber I picked up as a souvenier from my GA trip. Now this is an awesome ESB. Isn’t the first beer you drink when yoou get off of work just great? Clean, crisp and smooth. I typically hate ESB’s but I love the hop mix in this. Easy drinking and creamy. The balance is remarkable.

Sampled at Brew Ha Ha 2004. Red-orange in color with a big white head. Thick lacing. Buttered biscuits, cookie malts, and a slight whiff of grapefruity hops in the aroma creates a fantastic balance. Light bitterness in the flavor seems nearly sweet at times. Would like to try this aged to see how it changes.

Bottle - nice grassy hop nose. Beautiful copper/amber color with about a two-fingered beige head. Mild hop bitterness with a nice malt backbone. This is a classy bitter.

Wonderful, clean aroma. Flavor is a masterful blend of hops and malt seldom found in such balanced proportion even in the Old World. Very subtantial bodied beer. Who could imagine beer this great coming out of not California - not Washington - but s**t sandwich Oregon! Highly recommended!

Deep orange with thin beige head. Nice hoppy aroma of apricots- very clean. Nice fresh hop flavor very full mouthfeel. Malt balances extremely well with the hops. Very well made beer.

Definitely Rogue, but a little lighter than other offerings. Also, hop/malt flavor seemed unique, even for Rogue. Nice bitters, good feel & finish.

Hazy, light copper appearance with good lacing. Got more maltiness in the aroma than in the taste. Medium-bodied flavor was well hopped and decently balanced. Long, dry, bitter finish. Reminded me somewhat of an amber ale.

Pours a dark amber with an off-white head. Aroma is malty and floral. Taste is moderately sweet and earthy with caramel malt, citrus/light fruits and mild hops. Bitter finish. Mouthfeel is full and round. Good head retention and lacing. A quality brew.