Morimoto Imperial Pilsner - Rogue Ales

Dantes

New Jersey

3.28/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Package: 750ml white ceramic crowned (added swingtop for re-sealing. We don’t need no stinkin’ swingtops!) sake-influenced bottle, with Kanji characters against a brightly painted background. Amongst all the tiny text on the back is the recommendation, “best if consumed by Jan. 1, 2005.” The major ingredients are also noted along with the ABV of 8.8%.

Cost: $10.99 at Ramsey Liquors.

Presentation: Imperial pint at ~50º

Appearance: Being forewarned that there were a lot of bad bottles of this in NJ, I was dismayed that the crown came off easily, with the lightest “phhht.” I needn’t have worried, as this poured a lovely pale-marigold yellow that was quite cloudy, recalling some of the draught ciders I’ve seen. The very fluffy head was super-fine, with a creamy texture and lots of “stick.” However, it only lasted about half-way through the glass.

Smell: As promised, this delivers a very floral, hoppy aroma that dominates what I expect will be a strong malt presence. Little alcohol on the nose despite the relatively high ABV. Some lemony notes as well.

Taste: A bit disappointing. The hoppy note was there (listed as Sterling), but it wasn’t very complex. I’m not really familiar with Sterling hops, but it is a variety meant to be related to Saaz. Unfortunately, that didn’t really come through to me. There was also a sticky, cloying sweetness from the malts that didn’t quite work here for me. All in all, despite the French Pilsner malt, Czech Pilsner yeast, and Sterling hops, I still didn’t quite experience this as a pilsner.

Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is full and warming from the alcohol. The cloying stickiness which dominates much of the flavor does help give this a very full, smooth mouthfeel. The carbonation, as evidenced in its lovely appearance, is very fine and glassy.

Drinkability: A really tough category to score. I could detect the alcohol, but it wasn’t disruptive, the taste was somewhat overly sweet, but I did finish the bottle. The cost (how much of it is for the bottle?) is also way out of line in my opinion.

Backwash: Another beer I’ve wanted for a long time (just ask Yen157). I actually bought one somewhere else, but the bottle had obviously leaked, so I returned it. I felt comfortable with this one, partially because the price was more reasonable and the crown looked perfect. Anyway, it was a disappointment. I didn’t get any pilsner-like qualities from this, instead it tasted a bit like a clumsily done bière de garde. I wouldn’t buy this again unless I had the chance to try it on draught for the sake of comparison. Beautiful to look at, in and out of the bottle though!

NB: There is a slight possibility that my bottle was subjected to freezing as much of the recent NJ allotment of this was. However the condition of the crown, etc., lead me to believe this was a decent sample.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2004 20:03:28 | More by Dantes

ripweblo

Florida

4/5  rDev -2%

06-17-2013 14:39:08 | More by ripweblo

b1515152004

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -20.3%

06-14-2013 23:34:47 | More by b1515152004

goblin7704

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

06-11-2013 21:56:27 | More by goblin7704

superspak

Michigan

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml ceramic bottle into lager glass, no bottle dating. Pours fairly hazy pale golden amber color with a nice 2 finger fluffy white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Dense spotty soapy lacing clings down the glass, with a ton of streaming carbonation retaining the head. Aromas of big apple, pear, bread, cracker, honey, floral, grass, pepper, pine, herbal, and yeast earthiness. Very nice aromas with good balance of malt, yeast ester, and hop notes; with good strength. Taste of pear, apple, bread, cracker, pepper, floral, grass, pine, honey, herbal, and yeast earthiness. Good amount of floral/pine bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of light fruits, bread, floral, grass, pepper, pine, honey, herbal, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Very nice balance of hop, malt, and yeast flavors; with a moderate malt backbone and no cloying flavors after the finish. High carbonation and medium bodied; with a very crisp, smooth, and moderately prickly mouthfeel that is good. Alcohol is very well hidden with hardly any warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a damn nice imperial Pilsner style. All around nice balance of malt, hop, and yeast flavors; and very smooth to sip on for the ABV. A very enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2013 04:29:48 | More by superspak

paulys55

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2%

05-31-2013 14:24:19 | More by paulys55

ryanpj

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-25-2013 14:20:21 | More by ryanpj

johntfox

Florida

4/5  rDev -2%

05-21-2013 01:33:19 | More by johntfox

schnarr84

Alberta (Canada)

3/5  rDev -26.5%

05-19-2013 06:46:23 | More by schnarr84

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

05-18-2013 22:34:13 | More by Photekut

stoney1031

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

05-02-2013 13:16:00 | More by stoney1031

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

04-28-2013 23:41:02 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev -14.2%

04-27-2013 09:59:21 | More by Kelp

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2%

04-11-2013 03:23:54 | More by orangesol

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

3.91/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

From notes taken while enjoying a pint last night on-tap at the Kick-Off in Waterloo, ON.

Pours a vibrant golden colour with a limited white head that dissipates quickly. "Czech" forward aroma, that must have been the yeast, as the recipe doesn't include the Saaz hops I'd expected to read. The rich graininess in the aroma carries through into the taste. This is complemented by powerful yeast and hop flavours, ending with a noticeable alcohol warmth. Sweet body of malted grains that leads to an impressive bitterness, that lingers for a long time.

Didn’t expect to enjoy this nearly as much as I did; very impressive flavour profile.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2013 19:17:26 | More by hopsolutely

darky

South Dakota

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

03-28-2013 23:56:33 | More by darky

Lazaro

Washington

4/5  rDev -2%

03-04-2013 04:11:40 | More by Lazaro

Willcourt

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -32.6%

03-02-2013 21:57:58 | More by Willcourt

IanSpindler

Alberta (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

02-26-2013 21:54:49 | More by IanSpindler

chugamugofsud

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

02-21-2013 16:59:25 | More by chugamugofsud

Resuin

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

02-10-2013 05:22:47 | More by Resuin

cuy50

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

02-06-2013 01:42:38 | More by cuy50

rolltide8425

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

02-04-2013 03:48:15 | More by rolltide8425

mitlinks

Switzerland

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

02-03-2013 15:53:28 | More by mitlinks

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

I thought they were done with the morimoto brews, so when I saw this I had to pick it up, ignoring the 20 dollar price tag, because morimoto is just a boss. the boss of bosses. anyways, this pilsner pours bright honey colored yellow, with a colossal white head that doesn't relax much at all. the nose is a little sweet, a little floral, and hopped with some noble variety that really gives a nod to tradition in the genre pushing bomb. the flavor is well balanced and surprisingly interesting for a pils, which I usually find so uneventful. floral hop profile, grassy malt bill, and some excellent yeast that is light, but ties the whole thing together and tames the alcohol, which is expertly hidden. would never know this was almost 9% abv. feel is nice too, fuller bodied for the style, and well carbonated. sort of a richness to this that cool. it trumps out the refreshing qualities usually found in a pilsner, but it also adds an element of class and satisfaction I don't usually come away with from a pils. overall an excellent brew, expensive, but damn good.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 17:29:06 | More by StonedTrippin