Hazelnut Brown Nectar - Rogue Ales

Gusler

Arizona

3.9/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

The beer disembogues a transpicuous deep ruby color with a Bunyanesque sized head that is spumescent in texture and a beauteous tan color, as it ever so slowly transmogrifies the lace forms a thick and glutinous sheet to meld with the glass. A sweet nutlike malted aroma dominates, hints of vanilla, quite fresh and clean, start quite sweet with the top a bit thin for my liking. Finish is moderate in carbonation with the hops personable in their spicy bite, quite dry aftertaste with a lingering bittersweet flavor, drinkable as all Rogue beers are, but certainly not their best “Whatever” the name.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2003 19:50:19 | More by Gusler

beerthulhu

New Jersey

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

A: Appeared a deep tomato red against natural lighting, with a frothy, whipped sandy-beige colored head, that despite its small statue, stuck around for the long run. The lacing was clean while the visible carbonation was strong.

S: Hazelnut coffee appears in moderate strength on the initial impression. Milky whipped chocolate, sweet, with some fresh powdery cocoa lacing appearing on the end. A desert like nuttiness.

T: The flavor seemed a bit thin at the start, not as rich or nutty as the nose led me to believe. Things quickly change with a dry hazelnut powdery presence that moves in along with some milky chocolate on the finish that was sweet and desert like. A malty residual finish, loaded with hazelnut gives this some substance as well a touch of cocoa powder adding a new dimension and complexity to the brown style.

M: Medium feel and malty lush character. A light sense of carbonation despite its strong visual appeal. A powdery fell of hazelnut closes things out quite nicely upon the swallow.

D: Good drinkability, perhaps best as a desert style beer. As a brown the hazelnut offers extra layering and complexity delivering a sweet extra something that works perfectly with the malting. Very worthy try.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2008 02:03:45 | More by beerthulhu

DrJay

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Clear red-brown colour with nice red highlights. The head poured a little thin, but had a pleasant-looking light brown colour with good retention and stickage.

Smell: Chocolately malts along with nuts are dominant, with a light (herbal?) hoppiness. My wife commented that this smelled just like a chocolate bar, and she was right.

Taste: Rich, nutty flavour seemed to come partly from the hazelnut extract and partly from the malt. Nice balance between bitterness, chocolate and roasted malts. Bitterness becomes stronger at the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium/high carbonation with a medium body. The smooth, creamy texture was very nice.

Drinkability: This is a great dessert beer. Not overly sweet or strong, but suited for drinking with sweets. It paired really well with a slice of chocolate pecan pie.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2005 01:52:26 | More by DrJay

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

4.3/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Brimming chestnut colour with a shot of clamato to muck things up. Despite its clarity being obliterated the beer manages to shine with lustrous highlights even when sitting stationary. Of all the many times I've had this beer I don't remember ever seeing a head on it. I suspect the oils in the nut extract are responsible for the diminished retention.

The aroma should be considered, by anyone who even remotely likes hazelnuts, to be quite good. Depending on how much you like them, it may be great. The smell is - as advertised - that of hazelnuts along with sweet, toasty caramel-laden malts. I'm not huge on hazelnuts but I'm having a heck of a time getting my nose out from this glass.

And I love the taste every bit as much. I understand the title is straightforward enough but for anyone still ensure as to what to expect: liquid Nutella, praline ice cream, chocolate-hazelnut truffles, hazelnut butter, and Frangelico. It may be via the use of an extract but Rogue has certainly captured the flavour of hazelnut.

I don't find it overly artificial tasting either. (OK, maybe just a little). But I'm more than happy to overlook it because I've also been provided a nice maltiness to go along with it. A variety of malts were used to ensure all the flavour and texture needed. Indeed, this malt bill would have been 'nutty' enough without the extract.

Besides the obvious hazelnut (which I can almost sense crunching down on) the beer also draws to mind other wonderfully delicious treats - pecan pie, maple syrup, caramel custard, chocolate brownies and sugary sweet confections such as brittles. I wouldn't think you have to be a huge fan of nuts to agree this is one tasty, flavoursome beverage.

For some unexplainable reason this triggers in me thoughts of autumn. I'm not promising it will do the same for you but with every sniff and every sip comes to mind the harvest, colourful foliage, cooling winds, shortening days and all the comforts of going back inside again. Any beer capable of conjuring this kind of sentimentality certainly impresses me.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2009 02:00:06 | More by biegaman

Brad007

Vermont

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

Color: Dark brown with a thin one-finger head. Left some lacing from when the head was still settling.

Aroma: Malty and toasty with a hint of hazelnut and even chocolate in the nose. Mellow for a brown ale.

Taste: Rich and toasty upfront with strong hazelnut flavor. Smooth in the middle. Hazelnut flavor sticks to the back of the tongue. Malty. Mildly chewy. Flavorful and simple.

Mouthfeel: Hazelnut! Like eating one of those chocolate hazelnut candies, but in a beer. Surprisingly smooth and drinkable.

Verdict: Very nice ale. Smooth, drinkable and the hazelnut is a nice perk. I can't believe I waited so long to try this one!

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2008 23:38:40 | More by Brad007

Dogbrick

Ohio

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

Same beer as the regular HazelNut, so I am providing the same score. Kudos to Rogue for not making a run-of-the-mill Brown Ale. Pours a dark brown color with a medium light tan head. Nice spidery lacing. Huge caramel aroma along with the telltale hazelnut. Somewhat rich with a nice mixture of malt, nuts, caramel and hops in the flavor. The finish is rich and nutty. I like this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2004 13:35:08 | More by Dogbrick

tavernjef

Minnesota

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

I couldn't tell much difference between this and the other hazelnut brew Rogue makes except it seems to have more extractness to it. Nice solid dark brown color with some dark orangey glowing edges, thin but firm creamy dark ivory head, faded off slowly, lace in small spots. Smell is light roasty chocolate and a big time hazelnut extractness to it, some wiffs have more hazelnut then others where others were nearly empty. Taste is about as smooth as the other hazelnut beer with some lightly favorable chocolate tones and hazelnuts, slightly roasty and a touch of quick sweetness. Nice airy nut-like dryness in the finish, yet stays sweet. Perhaps a bit too much in that regards. Again with some sips the extract is more evident then others. Seemingly off a bit comparingly to the original. Still, a nice creamy medium body encompasses it while it maintains an overall smoothness and drinkability. Good, but the extract stood out a bit too much then what the original portrays. However, it is quite nice and wouldn't turn it down for nothing and; albiet it's a bit one dimensional.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2004 06:37:06 | More by tavernjef

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.58/5  rDev +12%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a nearly opaque chocolaty brown with a thick, fine-bubbled tan head. Strongly malty aroma has undertones of chocolate and molasses. Rich, thick flavor has a firm tone of molasses and hints of unsweetened chocolate and roast coffee. Texture is smooth and thick, almost like fizzy milk. Excellent!

Serving type: on-tap

12-16-2008 00:19:34 | More by Cyberkedi

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

RoyalT

Ohio

3.58/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance – Dark ruby brown in color with a nice tan head.

Smell – The sharp hazelnuts lead the way along with a hint of chocolate and some solid, toasted malt.

Taste – The nut flavor comes out big in the tongue. The malt base is there as well along with some stiff, balancing hops (was there any doubt?). I was barely able to taste the chocolate cocoa powder that I picked up at the nose.

Mouthfeel – Flat and medium-bodied without a hint of alcohol.

Drinkability – This is a fair rendition of the style, although I thought the hazelnut could have been a little more subdued and the ale better balanced.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2003 01:16:46 | More by RoyalT

largadeer

California

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

Poured a clear but dark brown with a full, long-lasting head out of a Rogue growler, bottled right at the Newport pub.

The hazelnut comes through strongly in the taste and smell, especially in a fresh batch like this. Roasted malt, caramel undertones, subdued hoppiness. Very dry stuff, especially in the finish. It's on the lighter side of medium-bodied, with pretty light carbonation; very smooth and refreshing. This stuff is infinitely drinkable.

Serving type: growler

11-17-2006 22:16:50 | More by largadeer

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

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

Hazelnut Brown Nectar
Rogue Ales
Style: American Brown Ale
ABV: 6.20 %

LOOK: Deep brown in color, excellent clarity. Soapy white foam forms leaving some lace behind.

SMELL: Vanilla, brown sugar, hazelnut coffee, espresso.

TASTE: Malt sweetness, brown sugar, molasses, and vanilla upfront. In the aftertaste there is a nutty vanilla note that can be attributed to the hazelnuts used in brewing. There is little bitterness or alcohol flavor.

FEEL: Medium bodied with a medium level of carbonation. Vanilla and hazelnut flavors linger on the palette.

OVERALL: As solid as a brown ale that you can find. A bit sweet, but also very tasty. Would pair nicely with most desserts.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 16:23:14 | More by Stinkypuss

avalon07

South Carolina

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

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a dark brown color and a cloudy consistency. There was a half inch of foamy, off white, long-lasting head. Average lacing.

S: A surprisingly powerful aroma of malt, that brown ale nuttiness, and some fruit.

T: Tasted mainly of the nutty quality (the hazelnut I assume), roasted malt, some dark fruits, and a light amount of hops. Easily the most complex, flavorful and enjoyable brown ale I've tasted.

M: A lot of carbonation with a super smooth finish. Medium-bodied.

O: This is a brilliant example of an American Brown Ale. Sweet-tasting, lots of personality, well-balanced - everything you want.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2011 12:06:49 | More by avalon07

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clean deep amber to brown in color with a small light tan head. In the aroma, sweet to dry nuttiness and a sweet malt. In the taste, sticky-sweet nuttiness and a sweet malt. A small bite and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a semi dry, sweet nuttiness in the aftertaste. Sticky sweet that can be a bit much when it gets warmer, but mostly enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2011 20:35:57 | More by OWSLEY069

scruffwhor

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance- Poured a small creamy brown which didn't last very long. A small strata of bubbles was leaving my drink until they all escaped. The color contained a little caramel and ruby swirled to gether with a very dark brown.

Smell- Awesomely nutty with a heap of malt and little bitterness in my wiff.

Taste- Stars with a general nutty flavor which leads into a blended hazelnut and roasted malt mix. Ending with some hops in the aforementioned flavor.

Mouthfeel- A little rich, but nothing to overpower the palate. Very nutty, but a veryy good nutty :).

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2006 20:09:16 | More by scruffwhor

TheLongBeachBum

California

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

Presentation: Classic 22 fluid ounce Rogue Bomber, which even when empty will remain on a kitchen shelf with all the other Rogues “empties” that I have – sad I know.

Appearance: Deep, dark mahogany color, which has an auburn hue when back-lit. It poured with a thick brown head appears that settles to a ¼” and then slowly breaks to a stretched covering. Light brown lacing remains throughout. Nice levels of carbonation.

Nose: Rich and thick, smooth ‘nutty’ odors wrapped in a silky milk chocolate Toblerone® coating. The chocolate coated hazelnut odors permeate the air; they are decadent and inviting, very inviting – Beautiful nose.

Taste: The nose promises so much, and the tastes do not fail to deliver! Bags of flavor in this one. Smooth, silky entrance that glides you into chocolate malts, nuts and dark malts. Chocolate finish, that lingers with a little dry bitterness. I just love the finish on this beer, creamy hazelnut chocolate, smooth and delicious.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and creamy, gorgeous velvety melted milk-chocolate feel that’s coats the mouth, it has such a nice mouthfeel that it delays the swallow for a second, or two. An easy drinker & very agreeable.

Drinkability: Oh yes, it disappeared very quickly, too quickly. Even for a warm night the beer was still very refreshing I found.

Overall: Very nice – is this really going to be replaced by the Morimoto Hazelnut Signature Ale?? I only wonder, because I think that this original, actually has the edge on the newly reinvented version. Ah, but what do I know?

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2003 04:06:58 | More by TheLongBeachBum

ZAP

Minnesota

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

Re-rate--12/27/02..Pretty much the same experience..I bumped the taste and nose up slightly..still a little syrupy and artificial but pretty good...I don't think this deserves a spot in the top 50 beers list but I do think it is a good beer (maybe top 200)..


Nice toasty notes on the nose...pours dark brown with minimal head..a bit of a syrupy texture, but definitely one of the richest browns I've had..Hazelnut is very very subtle compared to Longshot Brown of about five years ago..You get the hazelnut on the long finish more than anything..nice smooth rich brown ale but I wish I could smell and taste the hazelnut more..

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2002 17:36:39 | More by ZAP

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

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

I tasted this blind May 2009, served chilled in a double walled tumbler by tenderbranson69.

A - A slightly darker than medium brown w/ a moderate light tan head w/ pin sized bead. Almost crimson when held to the light -dark copper w/ good clarity and moderately fast rising bubbles indicating effervescence.

S - Roasty-über roasted w/barley aroma, coffee and ultra nutty w/ a rich hazelnut and light biscuit element

M - Malt and nut elements combine w/ a fruity yeast and cereal malt sweetness that has a slight creamy texture from medium carbonation

T - Hazelnut's sweetness and roasted flavor's blend w/ a nice sweet caramel malt and light chocolate malt flavor. Mild hopping allows the 'nectar' to stand out w/ a light tropical hint and wood w/ a lasting roast flavor in the finish like an alcoholic version of hazelnut coffee w/ smooth creamy tastes. A taste that really owes more to hazelnut, but the base beer is a mighty decent tasting brown

D - Just great even as I remembered having it in the bottle before, the nut flavor of the hazelnut makes this one of the best flavored browns.Rogue deserves praise for this -a top notch brown ale, highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2009 16:51:06 | More by Slatetank

Bitterbill

Wyoming

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

Poured from the bottle: Gorgeous Amber/brown colour with ample head that remained throughout.

The smell is a bit on the light side....sweet but no hint of what the taste will bring.

The taste is fantastic! Wonderful mix of chocolate and hazelnuts that are balanced to perfection. I've had this many times before and, Rogue willing, will have it many times in the future.

Can you tell that it's one of my favs? ;^)

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2005 00:11:49 | More by Bitterbill

cokes

Wisconsin

3.2/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Attractive dark ruby brown with a creamy beige head.
Roasted aroma with hints of vanilla.
Nicely nutty and toasty for a brown ale, but the seemingly artifical (and overpowering) hazelnut extract really impedes this brew. More fake vanilla than anything. It does not taste bad, it just tastes forced. A subtler approach may yeild better results.
Smooth and creamy in the mouth. But I can't get over the cream soda comparisons.
This is alright as a change of pace, but the bomber was too much for me. It just got too sweet and fake tasting.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2002 23:55:59 | More by cokes

Tone

Missouri

3.7/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear, brown color. 1/3 inch head of a pale tan. Decent retention and decent lacing. Smells of sweet malt, slight roasted malt, slight chocolate, and grain. Fits the style of American Brown Ale. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp with an average carbonation level. Tastes of sweet malt, hops, slight roasted malt, slight chocolate, and grain. Overall, a rich and complex beer. Cloying aroma but a nice addition of hops cuts that affect in the taste. I didn't get a lot of nut, but still very good.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2010 03:49:17 | More by Tone

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

TurdFurgison

Ohio

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

Poured from a 22oz bomber into pint glasses. The beer was milk chocolate brown color, looked and smelled quite a bit like Newcastle brown ale. Actually I expected a hazelnut smell but didn't get it. The flavor was mostly sweet, hardly any bitterness at all. Very easy to drink, a "session" beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2007 22:30:09 | More by TurdFurgison

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.18/5  rDev -22.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I split this with a couple of friends today.

Pouring dark brown with a thin, brown head that recedes to a ring rather quick. This is decent. The nose is just a little disappointing. Caramel and some brown sugar are noticeable, but what jumps right out are soggy corn flakes (unsweetened). Initially, the hazelnut is REALLY strong, but it gently fades, bringing a some of balance. The palate opens lightly sweet, with caramel, brown sugar and quite a bit of hazelnut flavor. Again, I get a strange soggy cereal flavor, rather off-putting. Mildly sweet on the finish, this is medium-light in body and has moderate carbonation. I don't know if this bottle is off, but this isn't all that enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2010 02:57:44 | More by DefenCorps

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.13/5  rDev +1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

650 ml bottle split poured into an Imperial Pint - no date on bottle.

A - The Nectar poured a ruby brown color that produced some serious tan, billowing, loose head that refused to go down for minutes but left sticky lacing down the glass when it did.

S - A sweet malty smelling beer loaded with hazelnut and honey aromas. On the negative side it's got a mineral overtone in the nose that's reminiscent of a pool area...

T - A good play on the Brown Ale. The "nectar" and hazelnut really pull through in this malty and sweet delight.

M - Smooth, almost syrup-like mouthfeel but still thin and relaxed.

D - It's finish is satisfying but a little too sweet to be something that's constantly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2009 02:06:27 | More by BeerFMAndy