Buckwheat Ale - Rogue Ales

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Buckwheat and way too much of it, lagerish mouthfeel. Some lace.Buckwheat aroma. Malty, medium mouthfeel. A bit on the sweet side with the malts and the buckwheat gives it some character, but it gets very boring after a couple of sips. Drinkable with a long dinner.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2006 01:59:28 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.15/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I must confess, I don't really understand this whole Morimoto thing. Soba is another word for buckwheat, so how is this all that different from Rogue Buckwheat Ale? Having said that, I found the Morimoto version of the standard Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar vastly inferior to the original so there may be an appreciable difference after all. I can only hope that this is an improvement on the Buckwheat. The Japanese on the cap reads 'don't use teeth if you know what's good for you'.

Initially hazy, then clearing, rich amber-orange with a dozen or so lively streams of bubbles. The beer is crowned with a quality head (typical Rogue) of dense, ivory colored foam that is bound to donate a good deal of lace. And it does... in small, meaty chunks and spatters.

Wow! Have I just been rendered insensate or is this one of the weakest noses in all of beerdom? As the head continues to deflate, a whiff of Crystal hops begins to peek through, but they're on life support. The nose is a trifle musky, but with so little to go on, I'm at a loss.

I don't like Morimoto Soba any better than I liked Buckwheat Ale. I guess I'm just not a fan of soba/buckwheat. It might be good in food (as pasta), but leave it out of my beer, thanks. It's a fruit by the way. I just thought I'd point that out for those who might be wondering.

The malt backbone is generous enough to provide a light sweetness along with the classic Rogue mouthfeel. Crystal hops are notable, but are at roughly one third the flavor strength as they are in Brutal Bitter. That odd, fruity flavor is undoubtedly soba, but again, I'm not a fan. A solidly medium body with a deft feel to the carbonation is the highlight of this experience.

As most everyone knows, Rogue brews a wide range of styles and, more often than not, scores a bull's eye or something close to it. Morimoto Soba doesn't do it for me, but by the looks of things there are plenty of people who like it. Make up your own mind.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2005 15:47:53 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

2.7/5  rDev -27%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

pale golden color. Lots of carbonation here was readily apparent as it just ripped toward the surface like seltzer water. A decent head formed on the pour, but then fell back as things started to drag on.

The aroma was a step above horrible for me. Nothing here but a terrible artificial lemon smell that was light, and at the same time sickingly sweet. The flavor was even worse though. This was one of those that I literally gagged on when I took a sip. Cheap, like a bad sprite. There was just way too much carbonation that made it feel even lighter then it was, which was saying a lot. But the flavor lacked any real depth

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2011 04:53:40 | More by mikesgroove

brentk56

North Carolina

3.43/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a cloudy honey colored body with a small white head and some lacing

Smell: Relatively neutral; very subtle light roasted grain tinge

Taste: Starts out bready with a slight hop kick that arrives mid-palate along with an intriguing nutty flavor; clean dry finish that has some sweetness to it but also some bitterness

Mouthfeel: Light bodied with a lively level of carbonation

Drinkability: Subtle and spry; not a bad crossover beer in the summer; refreshingly light

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2005 23:29:01 | More by brentk56

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a golden yellow color beer with a nice white bubbly head with great retention. Aroma is grainy with a good malt presence. Taste is quite refreshing with a nice dose of malt, the subtle but distinctive presence of buckwheat and some fresh crisp hops. Body is above average. Without anything bold or big, this beer did make a good impression on me.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2006 13:52:12 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.1/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A bit of a let down. Looks mainly clear with a slight haze to it. Nicely carbonated, headded, and retentioned. Smells moderately malty and syrupy with slight hints of floral and spice hops. Tastes like a higher gravity pilsner with wheat. Hops provide slight flavors and zest. Light alcohol to mention. A little too sweet and heavy for easy drinking and a little too weak for cellaring or savoring. Although it's a well brewed beer, I think there is a conflict in it's characters. Finishes lightly sweet and fleeting.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2005 16:08:30 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had the chance to have the hazelhut brew at the restaurant now wanted to give this one a chance,pours areal nice deep orange with a real sticky head.The aroma is very fresh and malty with a grainy tinge,taste is on the malty side very bready with the soba taste definently coming thru about midway it is something that takes a few sips to get used to but not real unpleasant.A very nice beer here in my opinion my first taste of soba.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2004 02:12:57 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This appears to be just another special bottling of the Buckwheat Ale, but with a twist. It certainly looks, smells and tastes like the Buckwheat (although the listed IBU's are slightly lower). But it makes sense because in Japanese cuisine Soba noodles are made of buckwheat flour (soba-ko) and wheat flour (komugi-ko). They are roughly as thick as spaghetti, and prepared in various hot and cold dishes. The most basic soba dish is zaru soba in which boiled, cold soba noodles are eaten with a soya based dipping sauce (tsuyu). Interestingly enough, I can imagine this beer pairing very well with just such a dish! Very nice!

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2003 18:09:10 | More by NeroFiddled

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.58/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Transparent, golden appearance, big, bubbly, frothy white head, solid size, healthy, enticing. Aroma: smooth, mild, wheaty, yeasty, and fruit underneath, some orange and lemon.
Taste: smooth and mild, nice, neat texture, light bodied, brief hops, just-so malt, very light, exquisite drinkability.
Bright, tasty, smooth..I'm trying to think of more to say, and be positive, but there's nothing that trips my trigger at all. "Zesty and refreshing", perhaps, but also a bit ...eh. And I hate to say that about a Rogue product, but there ya go.
You can drink it, it's light and can be drunk and you can drink it, and it's a...beer... you can drink.
Ah, I still love Rogue!

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2004 07:32:58 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4.33/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a golden color with a thin white head that laces nicely. The aroma is sweet with light crystal and pale malts. The smell of fruity yeast is also noticeable. The taste is great. It's a smooth ale with a herbal zing to it which definately enhances the flavor. The mouthfeel is good. This is a low/medium bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is highly drinkable; a good sessions beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2003 01:25:49 | More by WesWes

zeff80

Missouri

3.78/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a copper color with a white, one-finger head. It was quite fizzy but left nice lace.

S - It smelled of malt and nut.

T - It tasted very nutty. Also, a strong malt presence with a hint of grassy hops.

M - It was crisp and sharp on the tongue. A light to medium-bodied beer.

D - A very good brew. It is very drinkable despite for a beer in a bomber. Some are too heavy or too powerful.

Serving type: growler

05-14-2007 02:11:59 | More by zeff80

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.28/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a lightly hazy copper-gold color, and is topped by an off white head. The aroma is grassy, floral, lemony hops, and some dry grainy character. Taste is a sharp and hoppy. Light bodied and fairly clean malt profile. There is not too much here really, perhaps a hint of grain-like sweetness, but I can't detect the buckwheat contributions. This is a hoppy version of a golden ale.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2004 18:43:59 | More by Gueuzedude

Halcyondays

California

3.85/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 oz. bomber, bought from the Seagate Liquors in Huntington Beach, CA, listed as Morimoto Soba Ale on the bottle, was taken here when I tried to review it,

A: Pours a cloudy orange, with a minimal, white head.

S: Light, smells of toasty, biscuity malts, and some floral hops.

T: Very interesting and unique, has a toasted malt flavor which I would describe as similar to a sesame seed, or roasted tahini. It then goes into a soft almond note, and ends with a light ale malt flavour, with some floral hops, with mild bitterness.

M: Light, smooth and crisp, with excellent scrubbing bubbles.

D: A great light beer, soft and smooth, with a unique taste, will definitely want to try the red bottle now.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2007 04:28:51 | More by Halcyondays

Gavage

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hazy orange in color with a 1" head. The aroma was of grains and malt. The flavor was very different as the buckwheat gave it a grainy flavor that really stood out. Some mild bitterness and a hint of citrus were in the background.

The mouthfeel was clean and crisp with a somewhat dry finish. Lighter bodied and quite refreshing. The carbonation seemed a bit strong. Decent drinkability as long as you don't tire of the flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2004 19:30:37 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

3.83/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

1 pt. 6 oz. bottle:

Pours slightly clouded golden yellow with a thin white head. Some trailing lace slides down the glass.

The smell is of Rogue's signature Pacman yeast with soba/buckwheat. Clean and mild.

The taste is of some grainy sweetness. The soba gives it a unique earthy sweetness. Sweet, but controlled. It becomes even sweeter as it warms. The Pacman yeast strain lets you know that this is a Rogue offering (and, since I happen to like it, I think it adds a great character). Clean, crisp finish.

Light-bodied and smooth. This is a mild, sweet ale that would pair well with and complement most Asian foods. Easy to drink and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2007 22:23:16 | More by jwc215

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Wow, I have no clue what Soba is but this beer smells and tastes like Pumpernickel bread. Appearance: Slightly hazy golden orange tone with a big fluffy white head with a bit of an orange tint to it lacing is solid and even. Aroma: Similar to caraway seeds in Pumpernickel bread a bit peppery but also has a sweet malt character like a spiced beer not much familiar hop aroma more of the exotic spices. Taste: Some what of a soft creamy tone with the grassy peppery spices kicking up with an underlying fruity tone this is a complex flavor but it's pretty much Pumpernickel bread. Mouthfeel: Even carbonation light and fluffy a lighter bodied ale from Rogue, that's weird. Drinkability: If your into pumpernickel bread give it a try if not still give it a try I don't think it works for me but I don't like pumpernickel.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2003 03:59:05 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear gold with little head and some lacing. Nose is...well...odd I think. I am not sure what it is, but there is something unique about it. I am not sure if it is the soba or not. I know deep down it is something plant like, but the only thing I can think to say is that it smells like a dirty sock...but in an organic way. There seems to be a slight touch of citrus on the nose too. Taste is smooth with a silent start that turns to the soba and grain body. Mouthfeel is good. Highly drinkable if you are agreeable to the taste.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2007 05:42:29 | More by RblWthACoz

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a solid gold color, slight chill haze. One-finger off-white head that leaves a thin row of tight bubbled lace.

Pale malt aromas, slight grassiness, a touch of yeast; little hop

Much more hop in the taste than in the nose! Pale malt flavors with a a touch of light crystal. The hop flavors are of the American variety, so this beer tastes to me like a traditional APA. Full body with an appropriate proportion of carbonation.

I don't understand the Japanese reference, but I'm not complaining. What does roasted Soba taste like? I still don't know as I cannot detect an unusual flavor in this beer. All that said, I still think this is a refreshing offering.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2005 17:00:44 | More by smcolw

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.05/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours with a three-finger head that fades quickly leaving some lace. Clear amber color. Medium carbonation. Nose is a sweet molasses. Medium bodied. Starts different must be the buckwheat finishes just on the hoppy side. $4.60 for a 22oz bottle from Colonial Spirits Acton, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2004 22:40:29 | More by jdhilt

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

(Served in an American pint glass)

A- This beer has a deep golden yellow body with a faint hazy to it and a snow white head that fades after a bit. There is a nice gentle carbonation of tiny bubbles.

S- The smell of light toasted malt has a nutty quality that is nice. The finish is a dry green hop note that balances the malt aromas.

T- The light toasted malt is mixed with dry pale malt flavors with a earthy taste of buckwheat pancakes. There is a slight sweetness to the green citrus hop finish. There is also a tonic water flavor with the hops after the finish but it is light and cleans up the faint sweetness.

M- This beer has a medium-light mouthfeel with a slight carbonic bite in the finish but it is very light.

D- This beer is nice and crisp and refreshing. The taste is intriguing with the soba noodles and it would be nice to see that flavor brought out even more.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2006 19:25:11 | More by rhoadsrage

Jason

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Still has that Rogue flavour and character even though the bottle I had was intended for export. Big sweetness from the malt and also the buckwheat in an odd but intriguing way. Something I’d pair with sugar cane seared seafood … preferably salmon.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2002 20:39:28 | More by Jason

Billolick

New York

3.58/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Nice looking Bomber with new graphics, but no freshness indication....c'mon Rogue....you can do it...freshness dating....anyway, this brew pours a light honey shade of amber, white head and leaves well dispersed and moderatly fine lacing, Nose is lightly nutty and malt. This one tastes like fairly typical/pale ale, untill the finish which imparts quite a noticable jolt of dry,smoky, nutty, herbal flavors. Differant and interesting, but cant say its my favorite or that I'd go for a second bottle.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2005 22:44:59 | More by Billolick

Zorro

California

3.15/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a hazy golden brew.

Smell is wheat and a bit of Hefe spicy scent.

Taste is dry with a wheat flavor and a bit of hop in the finish. This is a soba noodle beer, but why bother? It is an OK wheat beer, nothing special.

Mouthfeel is OK.

Drinkable as in I can drink it. I can not recommend expending any effort to find and taste this beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2004 02:48:12 | More by Zorro

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Kind of a yellow-orange appearance. Haze is noted and carbonation is moderate, but steady. the thin creamy eggshell colored head has nice retention and leaves pleasing lace. Aroma's a little fruity (nectarine like), hoppy in a dry way and malty in a pilsner like way. This beer is quite dry and refreshing. It begs another drink as soon as I swallow. The crystal hops lend a nice crispness and herbalness to the mix. I love the hop character. This is a highly quaffable and nice tasting brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2004 05:14:15 | More by Bighuge

corby112

Pennsylvania

2.42/5  rDev -34.6%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a slightly hazy, very pale golden orange color with small chunks floating around and a weak white fizzy head that immediately fades. Not much in the way of lacing.

Very bland aroma with some earthy hops, bready yeast notes, pilsner malt and not much else.

Medium bodied with subtle earthy, bitter hops and pale malt. Kind of boring with a slightly creamy mouthfeel and subtle dry finish. Easy to drink but not very complex or flavorful. Disappointing to say the least.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2011 03:00:55 | More by corby112