Santa's Private Reserve Ale - Rogue Ales

FormatKid

Tennessee

4.13/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

I poured this one out of a 22oz bomber into a standard tumbler pint glass. The body of the beer is a translucent but slightly hazy shade of deep-garnet. The head is off-white and rolls up impressively a nice finger’s width of head manages to retain and leaves fat clumps of lace on the glass. The nose on this beer is very nice, the malt is soft and subtle with tea-like aromas, overborne by the brash aroma of piney, citrussy (grapefruit) and apricot smelling hops. Up-front on the palate are the soft and caramelly malts, again the hints of tea-like flavor are present. The bitter character of this beer is middle of the road. The finish is dominated by pine-sap/floral hop flavors which are almost a bit perfumey in their bite. The mouthfeel is spot on, a tad velvety and smooth going down. This beer almost reminds me of a cross between Dead Guy Ale, and their American Amber Ale. A nice seasonal that I will be looking forward to trying again.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2005 01:22:22 | More by FormatKid

MadWolf

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +18.7%

05-24-2013 20:08:44 | More by MadWolf

jkane101

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -1.1%

05-18-2013 22:19:01 | More by jkane101

Zimm

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +5.5%

05-15-2013 17:20:49 | More by Zimm

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%

05-15-2013 17:18:41 | More by twenty5

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%

05-15-2013 11:23:43 | More by Slatetank

Artjsantos

Ohio

3/5  rDev -20.8%

05-10-2013 17:38:28 | More by Artjsantos

ajtorres311

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%

05-10-2013 16:49:51 | More by ajtorres311

tommyguz

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -1.1%

05-09-2013 02:15:40 | More by tommyguz

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

3.25/5  rDev -14.2%

04-28-2013 23:42:41 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

DaPan

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +5.5%

04-13-2013 21:20:11 | More by DaPan

orangesol

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -14.2%

04-11-2013 03:19:23 | More by orangesol

vidguy17

Iowa

3.25/5  rDev -14.2%

03-30-2013 14:57:12 | More by vidguy17

zestd

Idaho

4.5/5  rDev +18.7%

03-29-2013 20:47:48 | More by zestd

Jamison85

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +18.7%

03-27-2013 05:53:14 | More by Jamison85

alelover

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%

03-26-2013 04:09:33 | More by alelover

brheuer

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +5.5%

03-25-2013 00:09:17 | More by brheuer

spycow

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%

03-08-2013 01:06:45 | More by spycow

hannaho

Washington

4/5  rDev +5.5%

03-07-2013 19:59:44 | More by hannaho

screamking

Ohio

3.86/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

22 oz bomber poured into wine glass.

Appearance-pours red-brown with 1 finger light khaki head. Decent lacing around the edges. 4

Aroma-Very sweet smelling beer. Strong brown sugar with hints of citrus throughout, orange, grapefruit, and apricot. Vanilla is very prevalent as well. Aroma on this is delightful 4.25

Taste-The sweetness from the aroma continues in the mouth. A lot of brown sugar up front, also vanilla and maple syrup. Im also getting some black pepper towards the middle. After the sweetness fades the bitterness comes in strong and lasts. 3.75

Feel-medium body, coats palate well, abv is only 6% but it feels stronger. 3.25

Overall-I'm actually surprised how much I like this. I've never been to big of a Rogue fan, but this beer is by far the best that I've had from them. It is perfect for cold winter nights. The bitterness in this one is a little too much at the end but the sweetness up front makes up for it. 4

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 03:35:33 | More by screamking

ChiefHopHead

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -1.1%

03-05-2013 02:20:27 | More by ChiefHopHead

RumHam

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -1.1%

03-05-2013 01:15:59 | More by RumHam

pottergator

New York

4/5  rDev +5.5%

03-03-2013 21:20:31 | More by pottergator

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.25/5  rDev -14.2%

03-03-2013 07:26:40 | More by Kelp

shick1

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +12.1%

03-03-2013 06:36:06 | More by shick1