Rogue Youngers Special Bitter

An orange beer with a thin beige head. The aroma is OK hoppy, while the flavor is dry hoppy, and the body is thin. OK, but I had expected more, so I’m somewhat disappointed.

(On tap) Presented as "Rogue YSB". Clear, amber golden with an off-white head. Lightly nutty aroma. The body is fairly light with sweetish caramel accents. Overall dry and nutty with a light bitterness. 240307

Orange coloured with creamy head. Super bitter with light grape aroma.

Bottled. Amber colour with mediumsized creamy white head that leaves slight lace. Aroma is fruity and flowery hops along with some mild notes of cookies/biscuits. Flavour is mostly caramel malts meeting bitter hopping. Quite nice ESB, a style I usually have a very hard time to like.

Bottled at RBESG 2005. Cloudy orange coloured with a yellow head. Aroma of malts and caramel. Flavour of fruits, caramel and hops.

Name: Younger’s Special Bitter
Date: 02/10/1997
Mode: Bottle
Source: Taco Mac, Sandy Springs

slightly cloudy copper amber, thin fine head, heavy malt and centenial? hop aroma, rich malt flavor with lots of bittering and flavor hops, lingering smooth bitter finish

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 5/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 13/20
Rating: 3.1/5.0
Score: **+/4
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Date: 04/29/2002
Mode: Bottle
Source: Brewfest, Athens

clear dark amber, whispy tan head, slightlg sweet carmel malt aroma with fresh hops, medium malt body, long lasting hop flavor, sweet carmel malt essence after warming, an excellent esb

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 16/20
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Score: **4
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The score was calculated based upon the notes and an old scoring system.

I had always considered this to be a lost beer in Rogue’s immense portfolio. But when I had it last night, it opened my eyes. Here was a hoppy but well-balanced session bitter that I’d ignored far too often. There aren’t any surprises here, but the rich, earthy bitterness and sound fundamental structure make this a lovely ale.

Nice golden body with head that leaves nice lacing. Sweet aroma, not as bitter as I’d expect. English bitter flavor with decent balance. Nothing distinctive, but that seems to be the goal -- a straightforward ESB.