Morimoto Imperial Pilsner - Rogue Ales

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

ummswimmin

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I like some of these new styles where ale type hops are added to a pilsner. The Japanese influence is also a great new approach.

I got a fluted glass of this in my local bar. The beer was a hazy, straw color. There was a couple fingers of very light head on top. The foam was very light in color.

The smell was kind of different. It was kind of flowery off the top. I got some sweetness, and the bouquet had fruitiness. I didn't expect this blend of smells.

The flavor was equally light. I would say that this would fit in on a warm spring day. The blend of flavors were very interesting. I feel like I get some white grape. It was almost like a soft grape gum taste. On the back end I got some venous quality.

This is a good beer. It was a different experience from any other beer I have had.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2012 01:41:39 | More by ummswimmin

ChugginOil

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy yellow color with ample white head thats stacked. Ample lacing to match.

The nose brings grassy hops, alcohol, and a tad bit of malt.

The taste is very interesting. Grassy hoos are melded with a good amount of booze. A bit of a corn taste is noticed in the background after the booze has mellowed.

The mouthfeel is light to medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

Overall, havent had too many nice pilsners but this is certainly one of them.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2011 05:44:17 | More by ChugginOil

ktrillionaire

Florida

4.1/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The brew pours a slightly hazy golden straw hue, and is capped with a good bit of soapy froth. Lemongrass and bright citrus hop notes are noted in the nose and upon the palate, and sit upon a light, pale grainy malt base. The whole thing is very smooth, with a nice mouthfeel, fairly refreshing and sans indication of the high ABV. Overall, fairly delicious, and better than most Rogue brews.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2011 19:26:14 | More by ktrillionaire

dgilks

Australia

3.53/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Clear golden colour with a moderate, creamy white head. Nice lacing and decent head retention.

Sweet malt aroma with a touch of spirit. A touch grainy.

Sweet, somewhat syrupy malt with a firm bitterness and a touch of fruitiness from stressed yeast.

Medium-full body with moderately low carbonation. Fine.

This is an interesting beer. I appreciate what they've done here but for me it's a touch to syrupy and sweet.

Serving type: on-tap

07-01-2011 21:01:45 | More by dgilks

Zadok

Kansas

4.18/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a pale yellow with a one finger head head. Not much to look at.

Not a big nose as well, light hops and mild citrus.

Taste is somewhat surprising based on the first two categories. Heavy hops with a nice bitter bite. Citrus intermingled throughout. Hop bite hangs around for a good duration between each sip. While there is a great flavor explosion it doesn't seem very balanced, which doesn't have to be a bad thing I guess.

Mouth feel is smooth with mild carbonation, somewhat tingly on the palette. Decently high abv sneaks up on you a bit.

Overall I was pretty surprised with what a tasty brew this was, I guess what else can you expect from such a great brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2011 00:53:59 | More by Zadok

raszputini

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Wow. I was surprised by this beer. I'm not really a pilsner guy, but this one was highly recommended. From he tap, iot pours golden with a dry hopped nose. Very thin mouthfeel. Starts like a pilsner, finishes like a malty IPA, with a hoppy finish that is uncharacteristic of a pilsner but is necessary because of the ABV. I really enjoyed this brew.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2011 03:05:15 | More by raszputini

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap at Brass Rail Deli on 2/7/11.

A - Slightly hazy golden body with lots of tiny slow-risning bubbles and some larger bubbles that raced to the top of the glass. Very effervescent! Sitting on top is two fingers worth of bright white foam that settled into a quarter inch of retention and produced some sticky lacing on the sides of the glass.

S - Fruity aroma with doughy malt sweetness, although the nose is very citrus-forward. There is also a hint of grassy hops, toasted grains and sweet herbs in the mix, as well as a touch of white grape character akin to a sweet wine.

T - The initial flavor is very citrusy with an almost lemon-lime character that is sweet with a hint of mild tartness. This gives way to an assertive hoppy finish that is quite citrusy with grassy and sweet herbal notes. The hop character is backed by toasted grains and a sweet biscuity malt.

M - Medium bodied with an oily texture and lively carbonation. Dry, crisp and bitter with with some sweetness on the palate. Finishes with a crisp, lingering hop bite.

D - Morimoto is an amazing Imperial Pils. Loved it! This is a huge Pils hop bomb that still retains its crispness and drinkability, which is what I really love about the pilsner style. This one just adds a ton of hops, which makes it all the more tasty. Plus this wasn't as alcoholic as some other Imperial Pils I've had in the past. No alcohol sting, but plenty of hop sting!

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2011 13:40:44 | More by ffejherb

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.63/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured a nice yellow golden color with good carbonation and a nice white head

S: Sweet corn, grains, hints of light fruit

T: A little booze sting, corn sweetness and grains. A bit bitter at times, sordove musty

M: Sweet and a hints of booze, medium to light body on this but well carbonated

D: Average to good

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2010 00:47:04 | More by barleywinefiend

champ103

Texas

1.78/5  rDev -56.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

A: Pours a clear straw yellow color. A one finger white head forms, but recedes in a minute. Little lace is left behind.
S: Musky, dank, like old wet clothes. There is nothing else here that I can find that is appealing.
T: Similar to the nose. Just dank, musky wet clothes. A nasty funkiness. I did not enjoy this at all.
M/D: A light body that is thin and lifeless. I finished this as fast as I could. Nothing I ever care to drink again.

I am not impressed to say the least. Take away the fact that an Imperial Pilsner is an oxymoron, this is just bad in any regard. Sorry, but a big miss, and something that I will avoid if I ever see it again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2010 02:08:29 | More by champ103

TheHoppiest

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap in a pint at Ballantine's in Willoughby.

Pours a hazy yellow with very little head.

Smell is subdued, possibly due to the overly smooth pour, or possibly the beer being served too cold.

Taste is sweet, with barley malt, grass, and other "typical" pilsner tastes. Very little bitterness in its aftertaste. Very smooth and refreshing, this is nice tasting beer.

Mouthfeel is smooth, almost creamy.

Highly drinkable, I'd definitley order another.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2010 01:55:01 | More by TheHoppiest

4000qtrap

Missouri

3.4/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Source/Serving: Draft

Smell: Fresh wild herbs with some dirt/roots still attached. Bread. Toasted straw. A touch of misty morning dew. Light caramel.

Taste: Thick mouthfeel but light malts - overtones of straw and caramel. Slightly bitter orange oil as well which sweetens up in the middle which has notes of tree bark (in a pleasant way), light white rice, caramel, and more straw. White grape skin come in toward the finish. Finish is yeasty, a little boozy and herbal. Lingers fairly long and has a touch of dry, bitter herbs.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2010 03:17:12 | More by 4000qtrap

Hojaminbag

Colorado

3.03/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Morimoto Imperial Pilsner has a slightly hazy, golden-yellow body. The head is bright white and very thin. Retention and lacing are both minimal.

The aroma is packed with pale malts, a little bit of fruit and just a general, sticky-sweet character.

Morimoto is packed with pale malts, tons of them. The sweetness is huge, a little heavy, and just a bit cloying. The hops provide a light herbal note before being drowned out by a generic fruity flavor. The finish has a bunch of warmth that comes with a bite alcohol. Also moderate bitterness in the finish.

Mouthfeel is heavy and full.

Double Pilsners? The more of them I drink the less I like them. I think it's a style that is very difficult to do well. Part of the beauty of a pilsner for me is that a beer can be light and refreshing but still complex and flavorful. This beer is heavy and cloying, and doesn't resemble light or refreshing in any way. The malt is sticky sweet and drowns out any hope of balance. The alcohol flavor is pretty unwelcome.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2010 20:05:13 | More by Hojaminbag

thain709

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - A glowing, golden body with a one finger white head...some retention which lead to decent lacing

S - The aroma was a bit muted...but I was able to pick up an earhty aroma of pale malts, grain, and earthy hops

T - The taste was better than what the aroma suggested...a quick blast of pale malts hit you first...they round out to a grainy finish...but the hops show up and save the flavor...the hops are a bit citrusy and earthy...you pick up some orange and lemon along with the German hops

M - Medium bodied...crisp and refreshing with a nice finish

D - This was a decent imperial pilsner...it could have used a better nose but I did like the balance of malt and hops

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2010 14:47:18 | More by thain709

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an orange.gold color with a nice, frothy white head and not much carbonation.

For a pils, it was really aromatic. Lots of bready malts, earthy pines, and that usual strong pungent-like pilsner smell.

Taste is really good. Has a spicy malt backing with some pine presence - nicely hopped. The aftertaste leaves a pepper-spice/caramel coating in the mouth. Reminds me of a well brewed pils, only on steroids.

Mouthfeel is medium body (on the heavier side), definitely heavier than the normal pilsner. Finishes very dry.

Drinkability is very much so. Overall, it's a very well brewed beer. Fabulous, actually.

Serving type: on-tap

04-19-2010 22:55:26 | More by jzeilinger

mtnbikerpa

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in an Imp. Pint glass. Straw yellow a lil less than golden color with a frothy head. Strong scents of cut grass and lemon. Flavor profile has hints of orange hops and forward straw malts. Slick almost oil feel in the mouth. Very drinkable, alcohol is well hidden.

Serving type: on-tap

04-13-2010 00:06:13 | More by mtnbikerpa

Lunch

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at Fricso Grille in Columbia, MD (12/01/09) into a goblet at an appropriate temperature.

A: Pours a thick glowing golden yellow with a 1 finger creamy white head that sticks around for a while leaving some nice lacing (probably more if it were served in a pilsner glass).

S: A nice fragrance of grain and bready malt, along with a hint of citrus and bitter hops.

T: Rather intense and filled with a nice rich grain supported by a healthy backbone of bready malt. A clean hop bitterness lingers in the mouth combined with a hint of alcohol blanketed in citrus (orange and pineapple?).

M: Very creamy and fuller-bodied with moderate carbonation and a touch of oiliness.

D: The 8.8% abv. is certainly present, but never seems to truly hinder the drinkabilty, but this is by no means a sessionable beverage along with most Imperial Pilsners.

Overall this beer was quite refreshing and seemed to a relative Imperial Pilsner novice to represent the style quite well. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2009 14:36:39 | More by Lunch

jjboesen

Maryland

4.3/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This tasting took place while I was perched like a happy gargoyle on a barstool at the venerable Max's Taphouse in Baltimore.

It is amber colored with a shimmering head. Within, one sees a few carbonation bubbles rising from the bottom. The glass remains consistently coated with a thin lacing. It looks like your average Imperial Pilsner. The nose gets a strong whiff of vanilla and almond that reminds me a little of bourbon. (Bourbon Beer! What a wild concept this could be!) The palate gets a rather malty greeting with a strange aftertaste that comes off as grassy. The biscuity mouthfeel overwhelms.

As are most beers of this type, the Rogue Morimoto is not a sessional quaff, but a big bodied brew that demands respect, patience and, as always, the proper glassware. Rogue does have its detractors; however, I am not one.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2009 20:19:19 | More by jjboesen

Redrover

Illinois

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

I had this one on tap at their Eugene, OR brewpub. It was served in a marked pilsner glass (which I would love to have). The beer is a light yellow with a thick white head. Great lacing.

Nice nose of grains, floral hops, white pepper and crackers.

Beer leads with some bitterness but it is moderated by a substantial malt backbone. The hops add a spicy bite with pepper notes. It is grainier with a bit of floral late.

The mouth is crisp with lower than expected carbonation.

I liked it and would love to see it on tap in my neighborhood. Well done to the chef and brewer!

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2009 18:07:51 | More by Redrover

illidurit

California

2.95/5  rDev -27.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

RBSG09 on tap at the Rogue Publick House in SF. Lightly hazy straw color with a frothy white head. Noble hop aroma, very spicy, pils malt. Lots of pils malt flavor, dough, fresh bread, noble hops reduced to an afterthought. Dry finish with a light astringency.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2009 05:08:02 | More by illidurit

CrellMoset

Virginia

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

Served in a 10 oz. brandy snifter at Beer Run, Charlottesville, VA.

Appearance: A bright, almost entirely transparent orange-bodied brew, capped by a fast-fading (alcohol-retarded?) soapy, snow white head. Very slow and very fine carbonation is present throughout, though particularly along the curvature of the glass. The lacing leaves something to be desired - the collar is thin, and only a few meager specks and spots of snow hang on above it - but on the whole, a good start.

Aroma: A very mellow, subtle nose. A spicy - perhaps piney, yes, largely piney, not boozey - aroma, with a good roasted, doughy backbone that provides a canvass for orange zest, spruce, and a few lighter, floral esters.

Taste: Very nice - a strong, balanced brew. A moderate to strong level of bitterness melds with a nice fruity and piney hop profile - orange zest, grapefruit, pineapple, a few other tropical fruit presences, and a good assortment of juniper berry (sweet pine) and sappy notes - in a caramelly, moderately roasted but still bready backbone. It's a good balance of notes, straightforward with enough complexity to keep you entertained.

Mouthfeel: Thick - as evidenced by the slow bubbles - but with enough latent carbonation to make for a thick, slightly prickly, but largely even and smooth mouth. Thin this one out and you're in danger of unevenness.

Drinkability: A surprisingly competent beer. A Double/Imperial Pilsner at 8.8% is nothing to sneeze at, but honestly could be a lot higher. This one manages to be intense and flavorful without coming across as too boozey, but be careful - it is, ever so slightly. Re: the flavors and intensity, they're nice, well-balanced, and well-crafted. Though it's not my favorite DIP, I'd recommend this one to anyone who's a fan of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2009 20:11:04 | More by CrellMoset

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.23/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

16 ounce pint - $7.25 at Taco Mac in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Clearish, golden body with a thin, white head on top.

Smell: Sweetish waft of pils maltiness rounded out by some earthy, spicy hops scents and unripened fruit notes.

Taste: Ponderous amount of pilsner malts downed with a spoonful of confectioner's sugar. Interesting fruity blend of passion fruit, white grape, and tart pears. Small pinch of Goody's Headache Powder precedes a rustic, earthy, caustically pithy hop character with a pronounced medium-high amount of bitterness. However, the staunch bitterness really embodies the last half of the beer. Finishes dry, a tad warming, and bitter.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium carbonation. There's a very light stickiness to the mouthfeel.

Drinkability: The heavy nature of these Imperialized, Double-fied pilsners totally negate the simple, refreshing qualities of a good pils. Starts engaging, but, for me, it soon grew tiresome and turned into the beer-equivalent of helping someone move.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2009 15:43:53 | More by ChainGangGuy

Halcyondays

California

3.93/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Beachwood BBQ,

A: Pours yellow, with a medium white head out of the tap, great lacing.

S: Baked white bread, malt.

T: Strong bready component typical of pils initially, pastry bread. Noticable hop presence, grassy, hint of mint, mild compared to something like Sam Adams IP, but complements the malt well, very tasty.

M: Smooth, medium-bodied, mild carbonation, medium viscosity.

D: One of the best Rogue beers I've had, I'm certainly impressed with it. Strong flavours, not overdone or overhopped. A classic flavour of this style, though the style is anything but classic.

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2009 00:05:38 | More by Halcyondays

BuffaloTapHugger

New York

4.35/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a 10 oz. goblet. Bright yellow in color with white suds surrounding the air exposed beer. Big hit of lemons is the main attraction. Very clean, in the light, with some moderate alcohol present in the nostrils. Gulp. Hops! With a combination of the pilsner bitterness makes for a sweet blend that surprises the palate. Very refreshing given the ABV. A nice treat of a beer indeed, recommended to the all Imperial fans around the globe.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2009 03:27:06 | More by BuffaloTapHugger

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.93/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had a glass of this right after the Victory Braumeister pils. Thought it would be an interesting contrast.

The beer pours a hazy dark gold color with very good head retention and lacing. There is some appreciable bitterness on the nose, though I also get something of an alcohol flavor as well. The beer is very hoppy/bitter on the palate, and you can tell from the mouthfeel that the alcohol is up there. The beer has almost a "thick" mouthfeel, and is very warming from the 8.8% abv. The beer finishes well, but is just a bit tiring to drink from the high alcohol.

An impressive beer, but frankly I prefer my pilsners to have all the flavor without the high alcohol.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2008 12:46:00 | More by johnmichaelsen