Hazelnut Brown Nectar - Rogue Ales

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

4.7/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I was very pleasantly surprised when I first had this brew from a bottle, so I jumped at the chance to try it on tap. Served in a tumbler pint, the beer pours an amber-caramel coloring with a low profile, filmy, small bubbled head that clings to the edge of the surface. The nose is just as amazing as I remember it being in the bottle, with a creamy, buttery blend of rich hazelnut, caramel, and an overall roasted quality. Flavors are a light, smooth blend of Nutella and a biscuity backbone. It almost tastes like caramel popcorn soaked in a hazelnut blended coffee. Super smooth flavors that remain light, and the crisp body make this a ridiculously easy drinker. The aftertaste is nutty and sweet, with a sugary kiss at the very end. The finish is subtly sweet, with a sugary and rich hazelnut linger that entices the palate to continue drinking. This is a tremendous beer, and one of the better Browns I've ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2012 17:57:02 | More by GarthDanielson

maxwellboh

Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I asked a couple of times the age of the barrel and was assured maybe a week old.

Appearance: amber in color characteristic of a brown ale. No head and no lacing.

Smell: definitely hazelnut. From beginning to end.

Taste: Hazelnut throughout

Mouthfeel: Like nutella, it sticks to the roof of your mouth and does not want to leave, (which is a good thing).

Overall: You want hazelnut, this is your beer. Great tasting that finishes clear, but the aroma is with you throughout.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2012 15:09:16 | More by maxwellboh

Merkur

Tennessee

3.93/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Beer pours a nice brown color with a fair amount of tan head

Beer smells very strongly of hazelnut.

Taste starts off with a very sweet, almost vanilla taste, before tasting of nutty hazelnut. VERY sweet. Almost too so.

Mouthfeel is of slight carbonation.

Must try if you like hazelnut. Very solid brown ale.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2012 01:54:16 | More by Merkur

GNWBC

Washington

3.85/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the tap, has a nice viscous brown semi-transparent brown with a off white head that leaves ok lacing.

S: lots of sweet malt, carmel, hops and of course hazelnuts.

T: follows the nose, great carmel sweetness is blends well with the nutty hazelnuts and ends with a twang of hoppy bite,

M: pretty light, lighter than most brown ales ive had, i think its because of the carbonation

O: a solid brown ale, deff will be buying this again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2012 17:01:49 | More by GNWBC

beerbiatchMD

Maine

4.63/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap into Rogue pint glass at Novare Res in Portland ME on 12/20/11.

A: Light brown with great clearity, small amount of off-white head with minimal retention, not a ton of lacing but it's there.

S: Nutty, malty, buttery, brown surgar. Not much hops in the nose. Exceptional nose overall though, very unique.

T: Lost of strong filberts up front in the taste, a bit of honey there as well as the nice sugary malts come through.

M: Very light bodied and smooth. A very soft beer, approachable, and pleasurable to drink.

O: A fantastic ale. Would highly recommend. Very glad I had the opportunity to have this on tap, will seek it out in bottles as well from now on.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2011 02:43:37 | More by beerbiatchMD

FosterJM

California

3.55/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

983rd Review on BA
Draft to Pint
16 oz

@Yardhouse, Chino Hills, CA

App- A rich semi clear mahogany wood stain brown with a well poured two finger head that fell to a wonderful wall of cling and sticky lacing.

Smell- It has huge hazelnuts aromas on this one. Pretty much one-dimensional with a pretty watery malty note. A touch of vanilla

Taste- Just over the top hazelnut but wasn't balanced by a certain thickness. Had a watery malty flavor but additionally the soft vanilla carried out. It's flavorful but just too watery for me and thin.

Mouth- Light/medium body and light/medium carbonation level with some residual malts and some nutty hazelnut

Drink- Not my favorite offering from rogue but they do advertise the hazelnut and I appreciate that they actually delivered on that promise. Probably wont come back to this one, but oh well.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2011 04:23:10 | More by FosterJM

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at Bilbo Baggins in Alexandria.

The beer is brown with an inch or so of head. Smells of hazelnut, nuts, malt, vanilla, sugar. Pretty sweet, so one pint is plenty. Nice flavor. I'm a huge fan of hazelnuts / hazelnut flavor, and this beer delivers. Well balanced and tasty, although a bit sweet. Still, a solid effort, and I'm a sucker for hazelnuts. I enjoy having this every now and again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2011 03:51:15 | More by Huhzubendah

Boppar

New Hampshire

4.22/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the 5 Horses Tavern in Somervile.

A: Dark brown with a half-finger of foam. Very good lacing.

S: Not much going on here. A few sweet malts, a little biscuit.

T: Nice! There is a distinct hazelnut taste (obv) that is very pleasant, and not overpowering in the least. Also some coffee present which makes the overall experience sort of like drinking cool hazelnut coffee. I mean this in a good way!

M: A bit thin but in keeping with the style.

O: Well-balance, not overly sweet, and quite pleasant.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2011 00:15:14 | More by Boppar

tjsdomer2

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Crystal brown with yeastiness apparent. Good foam, great lacing. Very unique color.

Smell: Brown sugar and roasted hazelnuts. Subdued but refreshing. Very dessert-like.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Excellent! Finaly a nut brown that I really enjoy. Burnt toffee sugar, molasses, and roasted hazelnuts. I worried the hazelnuts would overpower, but that is not the case at all. Nice clean finish for this style that. This works to whet your whistle, but still refreshes with satisfaction.

Drinkability: Great for any occasion.

Overall: A knockout.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2011 00:30:00 | More by tjsdomer2

engagechad

Virginia

4.05/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Purchased on tap at Capital Ale House in Innsbrook - Richmond, VA - Pint.

Pours a pale brown, a faded walnut color. head is nice and lacing is decent.

Smells interesting! Nutty on the nose like a flavored coffee.

Taste follows to my surprise. Most beers that smell interesting don't follow well on the palate but this was nice. Tastes of roasted hazlenut with brown sugar.

Feels amazing, the body is smooth and drinkable.

Overall this is a great brown and very much on it's own as far as the style. I can't think of any other beer to compare it too.

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2011 16:48:41 | More by engagechad

demuzik

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance is a clear, inviting brown with good lacing as you go.

Aroma is quite impressive; nothing short of hazelnut, roasty malt, and the smallest tad of hop in the background.

Taste is a smooth, balanced brown - somewhat mild, overall, for rogue - but thankfully they tame this down so you can really taste the hazelnut; there is no missing or mistaking it. Personally, I'm not a big hazelnut guy, but I must admit I'm impressed that they pin down the flavor and meld it so well with the brown ale overall.

The beer sits light on your tongue, not heavy or overbearing by any stretch. Overall quite a pleasant experience; one of the better examples of a flavored beer, for sure. If you're a brown ale type, and have a thing for hazelut in other beverage arenas, you can't pass this one up.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2011 15:59:05 | More by demuzik

puertobrewing

Puerto Rico

4.2/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a pint glass.

A- Great looking beer! Dark amber to reddish. Not much head but it may be due to the tap pressure settings.

S- Sweet and a hinch of fruitiness followed by a bit of wood but not a big smell.

F- Berries on the beginning, followed by a perfectly achieved nutty flavor. At the end a pleasant cocoa aftertaste very similar to the Yoo-Hoo! drink.

O- Very nice beer! Certainly I will have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2011 19:08:17 | More by puertobrewing

elNopalero

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I’m reviewing this as if it was a brown ale with hazelnuts. Which I’m assuming it is.

Lately brown ales have fallen out of my favor. I remember during my early days as a craft drinker favoring “dark” over “light,” as that was the best distinction I knew at the time. But as my palate expanded I realized the dark beers I was drinking were brown ales, and as I experienced more and more beers I found myself less enchanted with the big malt profile common to (or I associate with) them. So, strike one.

Strike two comes from being over Rogue beers. As a novice craft beer drinker I really took to their variety, and the clever yet snarky marketing they did. Plus, they were/are ubiquitous—you can find some Rogue beers in places where you’d be hard pressed to find any other craft taps. But, over time I started to feel like so much of their beer appeal came from the cool-but-unnecessary packaging, the multiple-releases under the same name, and a price-point that tended to be higher than some of the better stuff I could get locally at the time I was living in the Bay area.

While I still drink brown ales in recent memory I haven’t had anything that I’ll seek out again. And aside from a growler of Dead Guy and a few pints at the North Beach Rogue satellite spot I’ve been Rogue-free for a few years at this point. So Rogue Hazelnut was a curiosity pick, a novelty selection, something I wasn’t expecting to … well, enjoy so much, to be honest. And enjoy it is just my way of dialing back my enthusiasm. This was some good stuff. It hit all the right notes, and I was in the mood for something just like it.

It poured a clear amber with a light, welcoming aroma. I didn’t get anything resembling a hazelnut on the nose, although I’m not sure I’d get much of a hazelnut aroma from an actual hazelnut either. This beer taste great. It has a sweetness to it without being overly malty or syrupy, and a finish that I would describe as hazelnuts on parade. Not your typical brown ale but oh so good.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2011 17:57:00 | More by elNopalero

Heatwave33

Florida

4.97/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from tap at Yardhouse into a Pint glass.

Color: Hazy dark brown with a beige head.

Smell: Hazelnut, sweet notes and malt.

Taste: Hazelnut, cream, chocolate, malt.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and creamy (gigidy) with a slight dryness.

Overall: I am in awe how delicious this brew taste. Reminds me a little bit of raisinets. Everyone at the table (4) loved it!It's creamy, seet, hazelnut and a great malt. It is not too heavy or too light. Love it! Love Rogue! Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2011 03:03:24 | More by Heatwave33

FreshHawk

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pretty clear, light brown color. Small to medium sized, foamy, tan head. Disappears fairly fast leaving just a little lacing.

S - Plenty of hazelnut aroma along with caramel. Some vanilla and hints of coffee/latte along with some cream. Fairly sweet with just a hint of nutty earthiness.

T - A lot like the nose. Really sweet tasting. Reminds me of a hazelnut latte. Sweet hazelnut and vanilla provide a flavor similar to the hazelnut syrup at coffee places. Hints of cream, coffee, and a touch of cocoa. There is a subtle earthiness but not enough to balance it out.

M - Medium body, low to average carbonation. Pretty creamy.

D - Good dessert beer that goes down easy. A little too sweet to want another right away. Not overly cloying but quite sweet.

Notes: On-tap at Sanctuary. Quite sweet and lots of hazelnut. I enjoyed it for what it was and it makes for a nice dessert or just kind of a sweet nightcap.

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2011 19:00:30 | More by FreshHawk

OttoPeeWee

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Rogue has done it again. What a unique fantastic brew and extra points for adding an ingredients list. Why don't all beers do this? The look is pretty basic brown and decent head. Where this beer shines is in the excellent malt base and perfect pairing of hazelnut. Nothing extremely complex and brilliant because it lets the balanced hazelnut taste be the star. Beer candy.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2011 00:36:13 | More by OttoPeeWee

corylew

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is one solid beer. Even without the hazelnut, the mouthfeel, density, taste and smell are all spot on with what you expect from an American brown ale. Then the twinge of hazelnut mixes with the toasted malts giving a medley of balance and flavor. Upon hearing the term nectar one would think this would be a sweet or heavy beer. It's not.

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2011 03:59:51 | More by corylew

EricMichael

North Carolina

4.28/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Recieved from draft in a pint glass at a resaurant that opened less than a week ago.

Appearance - Clear brown in color with reddish hues and no head, possibly as a result of the bartender's pour technique - pun not intended. Carbonation fizzing up through the center. Light lacing that briefly clung to the sides.

Smell - Sweet nutty malts followed by hazelnut-coffee. Hint of floral hops. Earthiness of dark fruit. Smells more complex than it looks. Oh, and more malts.

Taste & Mouthfeel - Immediate hazelnut malt-goodness. Very sweet. At first sip, it seemed kind of ordinary, but upon taking in more and allowing it to roll on the tongue a lot of further depth of flavor emerges. Light carbonation that went well with the hops to balance the sweetness perfectly. Very smooth. Initially felt light, but has a medium weight to it.

Overall: This is a something I'd want as a session beer and openly proclaimed such, but it needs to be about 2% lower in ABV for that to happen. I wonder how much was missed out on from the draft pour. It was excellent in flavor and feel. Definitely a beer I'd go back for - probably the best American Brown Ale I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

09-03-2011 01:34:52 | More by EricMichael

pBRale

Iowa

4.4/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap served in a pint glass.

Appearance: Dark brown body, very little head (just a ring around the outside where the beer borders the glass).

Smell: Very inviting smells of creamy coffee, caramel, and soft nuts (almonds, hazelnut).

Taste: The taste is of nutty sweet malts, toffee, and more toasty nuts. The beer has a very smooth finish and a nutty aftertaste lingers well after the last sip.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied beer, low-moderate carbonation, good feel, and VERY drinkable. Could easily drink several of these as they go down smooth and delicious.

Overall: Great beer to start my night; well-pleased with an outstanding beer from Rogue. Can't speak for the bottle, but if you get the chance to try on tap, it's a must-do!

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2011 14:10:44 | More by pBRale

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

4.22/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a dark brown, root beer colour, finger of head with solid retention and some sporadic lacing.

S - Very nutty on the nose, touch of carmael and milk chocolate.

T - The nutty notes dominate, the caramel and cocoa come through on the finish with toasted almonds that linger.

M - Medium bodied, smooth and finishes wet.

O - There's a reason this is top rated. If you have access to it, you'd be doing yourself a disservice by not grabbing several bottles.

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2011 20:38:50 | More by andrenaline

tdm168

North Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Village Draft House in Raleigh

Arrived a a brown amber color with a thin lacing of head. Smells is malty with a great deal of hazelnut coming through. Taste is sweet, malty, nutty; roasted and caramel malts with a great amount of hazelnut. So well balanced. Very low carbonation, medium to full bodied.

Overall, this was a great beer. The hazelnut was definitely the main focus in nose and taste, but did not overwhelm the senses. What a great change of pace from the typical brown ale. I would be willing to trade my next cup of specialty coffee for this any time.

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2011 08:57:10 | More by tdm168

kflorence

California

4.53/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Imported from my ratebeer.com profile - MAY 28, 2008

On tap at the Yardhouse in downtown San Diego.

This one was a treat. Poured darkish brown with a fair bit of tan head. Smelled nutty with malts and caramel in there as well. The taste is much of the same, the caramel, hazelnuts and malts definitely shine but there is some hop character present, although very subtle. The flavor is very complex, but not overtly so, a delight to enjoy! I was very pleased with this beer and it is now one of my favorite brown ales.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2011 03:03:25 | More by kflorence

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A-brown, opaque with a tan thick creamy head that dissipates slowly

S-sweet caramel nutty aroma

T-sweet chocolatey, nutty, caramel with slight hoppy overtones

F-lighter body than I expected and hoped for. Medium carbonation and smooth feel

O-an exellent brown ale which I will drink on it's own. Too sweet for any food except perhaps as a dessert beer.
I

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2011 13:45:22 | More by MDDMD

NurseJody

Florida

3.65/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Mellow Mushroom...

Very interesting, I must say!!! I expected different...but, here is my review :)

Upon pouring, it's a deep, dark color, yet somewhat transparent...a good brown ale for you...about a one finger off white head, with very little lacing..

The nose was very interesting! I could immediately smell cream...slight vanilla...yet the overall nose wasn't too much to talk about.

On the palate...Well lets see, cream, coffee, hints of 'burnt' nuts - quite odd, yet it all worked well in the finish. Not too malty. I could see how they labeled it 'hazelnut'.

Would I buy this again? Not sure... I would try it in the bottle, even though I have much love for taps :) Would I recommend it? Yes, due to it's oddness and creativity!

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2011 02:09:11 | More by NurseJody

MadCat

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at the Taphouse on Queensway in Hampton, VA.

Appearance: Very brown, little head, left some lacing

Smell: Pretty sweet, nutty, hazelnut, chocolate, coffee, and malts are heavily present in the nose.

Taste: This was a good dessert beer, rather sweet, not overwhelming. Was a lot like drinking iced hazelnut coffee, lots of hazelnut, some chocolate, coffee, other nuttiness, and good sweet malts, with some hints of balancing bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, decent carbonation

Overall: Quite good. Better than I would have expected. Very drinkable, and a nice way to cap off the night.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2011 01:29:35 | More by MadCat