Hazelnut Brown Nectar - Rogue Ales

PicoPapa

Connecticut

3.95/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle. Pours a cloudy dark brown with a half inch of tan head. Lots of lacing. Aroma is really nutty with some caramel malts, hazelnut and hints of coffee. The flavor is earthy and nutty. Almost has a bit of a caramel popcorn taste to it. Hazelnut is more present at the end. Coffee finish. Creamy mouthfeel. Pretty nice twist on the style. Overall, one of the better Brown Ales out there.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 04:27:02 | More by PicoPapa

mjtiernan

New York

4.03/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a straight-sided pint glass. No bottling info...hopefully it’s not too ancient.

A: Regrettably poured it straight down the middle and got huge head. Off-white, bubbles on the large side. Lots of lacing. Body is medium brown and slightly hazy.

S: Warm hazelnuts and butterscotch. The aroma REALLY intensifies if you swirl it around a bit. Some hops are there, but way in the background.

T: That’s pretty darn nice. Not a bold brown ale by any means. Nice levels of hazelnut, toasted malt, caramel and some grassy hops.

M: Light body, somewhat watery texture, lively carb. Slight acidic finish. Easy to drink.

O: Not the bold brown that I anticipated, but that’s just fine. This was unique, nicely executed and a pleasure to drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 03:05:07 | More by mjtiernan

rangerred

Tennessee

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

Had on tap in a pint glass.

Poured a slightly hazy reddish brown with barely any head. This I attribute to it being served in an extremely cold glass.

Nuts immediately on the nose along with some milk chocolate and toast. Honestly it smells almost exactly like Nutella.

Flavor carries over more of the milk chocolate and nuts along with some biscuit and toast. Maybe some caramel and toffee thrown in there too. Bitterness is moderate and the finish is clean. Really not too sweet at all.

Overall, an extremely enjoyable beer and one that would be great with dessert. It's great that it is not too sweet with the presence of the chocolate and hazelnut. One I need to have more often.

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2012 01:40:38 | More by rangerred

metsfan1

California

4.93/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Wow, let me repeat that, wow. I have just found the same experience that I had when I first bit into a piece of toast with Nutella on it. For a fan of the hazelnut, this is the equivalent of a finding dark brown gold in a little 12 oz bottle. If you like a beer with a distinguished nut taste, look no further. You will not find a better beer. Did I mention this beer is good.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 23:36:17 | More by metsfan1

Alextricity

Michigan

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

There IS a God!

Appearance: When I first cracked the bottle open, suds spewed everywhere as if I had popped champagne. Not a great first impression, but I quickly forgave it. I poured it in a glass and got a nice and creamy tan head, and a beer with a deep brown color. Nice.

Smell: Heavy malts, caramel, and obviously, hazelnut. There's no hop presence in the smell or taste with this one, I can say that right now. That's to be expected though.

Taste/feel: It's just what you'd expect from a quality hazelnut flavored beer. It has a nice, deep, rich hazelnut and malt flavor. The aftertaste consists of coffee and maybe even some chocolate in the background. Pretty complex, and pretty damn delicious as well. The feel suits the beer well -- medium carbonation and feel, making this an easy drinking beer.

My taste buds liked Hazelnut Brown from Sam Adams, so I decided to try this one out, and I couldn't be happier with that choice ... suddenly one of my favorite beers. I don't think I could drink more than one pint in a session, but good lord this is fantastic for "desserty beer" fans.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 20:00:49 | More by Alextricity

TheMultiYeast

Pennsylvania

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

Pours smooth dark brown with a small beige head.

Big malty nose, mild sweetness, woody and nutty, plenty of hazelnut

Similar to nose with big maltiness, roasted hazelnuts, buttery.

This is jam packed with hazelnut. Good change of pace in the world of brown ales.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 14:57:35 | More by TheMultiYeast

shigg85

Japan

4.6/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bought a bottle of this from M & R Liquors in Manchester, CT. Poured into a Baird pint glass. Mysterious cloudy brown hue. A playful hazelnut and maple syrup nose hints at the powerful hazelnut and hop flavor in the brew. Silky smooth caramel aftertaste with a bit of bitter toffee as well. This is an amazing fall/winter brew that matches with the changing leaves outside, making me reminisce on the whole experience. As far as brown ales go, this is one of the best i've ever had, not being overly hazelnut-driven and definitely sticking to its category. Definitely a recommendation!

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 23:19:36 | More by shigg85

hosehead83

Ohio

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a standard pint glass.
Amber/brown in color, with a rather short head of tan foam.
Aroma-Hazelnut, faint chocolate
Taste-Chocolate milk, hazelnut, light coffee. A bit thin-bodied but nice overall flavor.
Sessionable. Not overdone, subtle and tasty. A nice match for an aged hunk of Gouda.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2012 19:16:10 | More by hosehead83

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

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

Into a pint glass (also had in a nonic, nothing changed):

A: dark brown colored body that leaves a nice one finger creamy tan lacing looking head. The body is totally too dark for any carbonation to be seen and a perfect super light foamy lacing is left.

S: hazelnuts and brown sugar up front with some malts in the background, reminds me a bit of beer bread.

T: same smells coming through on my tongue with a bit more nuttiness.

M: medium, maybe closer to heavy, still has a good deal of sharpness on the tongue, sticky aftertaste

O: another brown I've had a long time ago that I had a chance to get back to. So glad to have a memory to remind me of my favorite style.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 18:46:59 | More by kangarooAdam59

Hoptometrist

Oregon

3.13/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap into a shaker glass at the Rogue Public House in Eugene

A- Poured a dark brown with orange hues shining through, nice frothy head that left glass coating lace

S- Kinda stinks like a wet dog, a little musty, and a big aroma of old beer bread

T- Burnt toffee, concentrated caramel syrup, barley, little bit of nuttiness, and a big stale beer bread character

M- Very very smooth, prickly carbonation, dry

O- Great mouthfeel and some really good flavors, but also some off-flavors. The aroma on this beer was pretty foul too. If you have ever spilled beer on the carpet and waited too long to clean it up, that aroma comes through in the flavor and aroma, kind of stale, stinky beer character

Serving type: on-tap

09-07-2012 01:12:24 | More by Hoptometrist

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

3.63/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Consumed 8/24/12

Appearance: Clear, light brown - more of a dark amber with a lot of ruby when held up to the light - off-white head, fades to a creamy ring, leaves some lacing

Smell: Brown ale malts, caramel toffee, and some lightly toasted malts - a light sweetness throughout - sweet hazelnut coffee - overall, kind of smells like hazelnut coffee with lots of sugar and Pacman yeast

Taste: As the name would imply, this is basically a brown ale with hazelnut flavor - caramel, lightly cooked, lightly toasted, with some toffee - mildly bitter - light hazelnut coffee and some dark bread - sweet, but not too much - very mild and mellow, almost to the point of being watery

Mouthfeel: Unexpectedly light, but nicely smooth, creamy, well-carbonated

Overall: Good if you love hazelnuts, otherwise "meh"

This is a decent brown ale, but it is only memorable because of the hazelnut flavor. And the hazelnuts are not even very aggressive. I would be happy to drink this again, but I certainly do not feel an urge to go out and buy bombers.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 02:37:59 | More by angrybabboon

Vigilante

Nevada

3.78/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured into a pub-style pint glass.

A: Dark brown color with reddish hue. 1/2 inch of head which dissipated quickly leaving no lacing.

S: Carmel, hazelnut, toffee, malt.

T: Carmel, hazelnut, toffee, malt, slight taste of pine, and slight citrus aftertaste.

M: Crisp but with a thin body that is a little too watery. I was disappointed by the mouthfeel. From the smell I expected this to be a medium or full bodied beer.

O: Good brown ale with complex flavors but a little too light bodied. I enjoyed trying this beer but it is not something that I would drink frequently.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 06:44:16 | More by Vigilante

confer

Pennsylvania

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

Color is medium brown with a beige head that fades quickly. Looks like strong iced tea.
Smell is hazelnut and maple syrup goodness. It smells as though it could be poured on pancakes.
Taste is brown ale with a bit of the hazelnut sweetness. Not as much sweetness as is in the smell.
Overall a very good brown and one worth buying again.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 00:06:37 | More by confer

claspada

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a nice chestnut brown with a light nut brown colored head.
Aroma is dominated by the hazelnut but also has a nice amount of maltiness and other nut-oriented malts (probably Special Roast and Victory for you homebrewers out there).
This is one of the smoothest drinking beers that I've ever had. Words really can describe the magnitude of how much I love this beer. The pleasant flavor of the hazelnut maltiness makes me want to chug this beer down but you will be rewarded if you savor and enjoy slower. There is a nice amount of maltiness and a slight hoppiness added to the wonderful sweet hazelnut flavor which is more evident as the beer warms a tad.
Drinkability is very high for the entirety of this 16 oz pint but I don't think I could solely session this all night as the sweetness would overwhelm me eventually. Otherwise, absolutely delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

08-16-2012 10:27:56 | More by claspada

beerbellydaddy

California

4.55/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Yum.
This brew was poured from a 22 oz bottle into a glass mug; it gave a deep copper color and displayed a deep burgundy through the glass. Its head was large and lingering, but the lacing left only traces.
The smell was pleasant but understated, mostly malt with some nutty tinges and mild oak.
The taste is delicious – creamy malt and nut.
A mouthful is light and unobtrusive, a little thin and easy to drink.
Overall this is a gem, moving up my list of favorites. It is a tad thin and unassuming, but is so damn flavorful and satisfying that it is a pleasure to drink. Give me another barkeep.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 00:10:01 | More by beerbellydaddy

Danny1217

Florida

4.63/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

Pours brownish red with a decent head that recedes and leaves some nice lacing on the glass. Hazelnut at the forefront of the nose. A bit of sweet caramel and toffee, but hazelnut definitely dominates. It's a very good smell. The taste is similar. Up front there is a somewhat strong carbonation on the tongue, but the hazelnut quickly comes forward and dominates the palate.

If you love hazelnut like I do, you will like this beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 15:02:56 | More by Danny1217

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.95/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from 7/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours an interesting dark red-orange amber with a moderate head and lacing. Strong hazelnut and malt start and middle with some astringent hopping and dry finish. A bit more sweetness wouldn't hurt, but still a pleasant nutty brown ale. Nice.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 22:32:58 | More by LiquidAmber

TheRealBigC

Nevada

4.73/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

When Rogue nails it, they really nail it. This is a totally unique, totally fantastic beer. The hazelnut smell is strong, but the flavor is well-balanced and light (in a good way). As such, it's an all weather beer that stands alone. One of our local pubs has a constantly rotating tap, but this one has stayed on as long as I've been going there. It's a flavorful beer but because it's not overwhelmingly bold, it's a great beer to pass off to your friends, especially those who often reach for a Newcastle.

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2012 19:44:15 | More by TheRealBigC

circus_cat

Virginia

3.25/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A: Brown with reddish amber notes around the edges. In a tulip glass, I got about two fingers of khaki marshmallow head. Dissipates at a medium rate, leaving a little lacing.

S: Hazelnut, baked bread, malts malts malts. I'm also getting a little bit of a tootsie roll smell on the end. After a second smell, I'm getting honey as well. A touch of brown sugar

T: BIG hazelnut with lots of malts. I'm still getting something through the middle that tastes like a tootsie roll or the hard candy part of a chocolate tootsie pop. It's feeling maltier and maltier as it warms and brown sugar is coming through. It could be bolder.

M: Yikes, y'all. This is really really watery. It's smooth, low carbonation, drinkable but SO thin-bodied in my opinion. Man, I wish there were more to this beer because it has such good potential.

O: Maybe it's just my palate because this beer got really good reviews, and I DO really enjoy the aroma and flavor but I just think this beer would be great if it were bold all-around. I wish it had all of the nose, taste, and mouthfeel except intensified a lot. That said, brown ales and stouts are kind of mah thang. I recently had DFH Palo Santo & Indian Brown which are both HUMONGOUS browns in body, flavor, aroma (and booze)..I would almost call palo santo a stout--so I might just still be in a different element. But yeah, this just needs some thickening.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 00:18:27 | More by circus_cat

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

4.78/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured into a standard pint glass.

The beer is a hazy, muddy light brown. A frothy espresso head recedes to an uneven film while huge, sheets of lacing coat the glass.

The beer smells amazing. Stick your head in a pile of toffee, chocolate, and hazelnuts, and you might be close.

The beer tastes equally impressive: burnt toffee, caramel, chocolate covered pretzel, and the obvious hazelnut taste explosion. Really good, without being cloying or over the top.

A medium bodied mouthfeel with a nice clean finish, but it could be a dessert beer for sure.

Overall, I don't get all of the hatred for Rogue. Too pricey, yes. But this is just another awesome selection, and it held up to my expectations. I'm glad I didn't buy a sixer for $12 but the single for $2.79 was exceptional.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 18:42:13 | More by JuicesFlowing

chinchill

South Carolina

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

22 oz bottle served in a stemmed stubby flute.

A: A fine dark brown color; Cloudy with a sudsy/creamy head. Head has only a short life.

S: Aroma of light malt is nearly buried under the powerful aroma of roasted hazelnuts.

T: A remarkable nutty flavor; unusual, but true to the "Hazelnut Brown" label. Markedly nutty; more so than any beer I can remember. This component is mainly hazelnut but there is a bit of generic roasted nut flavor there too. It finishes with an extravagant roasted hazelnut and malt flavor, with hints of chocolate, oats, and spicy hops. Excellent bitter/sweet balance.

M: smooth; rather full bodied; excellent, moderate carbonation.

O: This is a world-class nut brown ale. Not to be missed by any beer aficionado, this is an easy-drinking beer I'll be recommending to others.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 23:21:37 | More by chinchill

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

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

#82 on the beers of fame list as of last fall.

This might actually be comparable to CCB Maduro. Very translucent brown body. It smells dry and full of hazelnut. slightly sweet smell. The taste is just right for a brown. Light and sweet. Slightly dry, but only enough to even things out. Light hazelnut flavor which hides the sweet base. Finishes nutty and sweet.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2012 01:03:14 | More by VncentLIFE

kylehay2004

Florida

4.08/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: single finger head on a clear amber body. Excellent lacing.

S: chocolate, toffee, nuts, caramel malts.

T: Light roasted malts, milk chocolate, mild oak, hazelnut, burnt toast and a hint of vanilla.

M: very very smooth. Medium creamy body and lighter side of moderate carbonation.

Overall: this is an excellent brown ale. Many of these are boring and simple but this one is smooth, highly drinkable and complex. One of rogues best.

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2012 21:15:27 | More by kylehay2004

afksports

New York

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

can't believe this is my first time having this. roasted hazelnut blasts out of the glass with every whiff. Just enough hops to bitter it up, nutty taste with a good.roast quality. This will be my go to Thanksgiving beer for years to come. For now, it's perfect for a happy hour brown.

Mouthfeel is watery and appropriate, clean finish that leaves just a touch if the 13 malts that shape it. The only thing to improve is the higher than necessary alcohol by volume.

Quality from Rogue. I knew they could do it!

Serving type: on-tap

06-22-2012 22:08:06 | More by afksports

Jsteez

New Mexico

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

A-Poured a nice three finger brown bubbly head. Nice lacy sides around the edge of the glass. Tan streaks of lace on sides. Straight translucent brown, with a dark red hue. Really good looking brew.

S-Not a lot going on in the smell. It could have been the glass I was using...not sure. I could smell faint malt and a little alcohol,maybe...

T-Mouth watering and refreshing. It was nutty, oak hoppy, bready, with a sense of sweet malt. The hazelnut undertones balanced the hops and malt. Pure bliss. I sensed some clove as well. Very well balanced.

M-Light-medium body. Light carbonation. Dry, and a slightly bitter aftertaste. Perfect balance.

Overall, this is a fine brown beer that lives up to its name. If you want a balance of flavors, along with sweet, bitter, dry, malt, hops, and a warm alcohol feeling in your belly, this brew is for you. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2012 04:50:15 | More by Jsteez