Hazelnut Brown Nectar - Rogue Ales

Jamesthebrit

Michigan

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

A: Light brown. Golden hues.
S: Great smell. Hazlnut is present as well as some other lighter tree smells. Maybe some caramel and honey scents as well.
T: Hazlenut is present. It's very sweet and smooth with some oaky hints as well.
M: Sits pretty light with lingering nutty flavors. Some lingering bitterness but we'll get to that.

So this beer was on tap at a restaurant back in Ann Arbor and when I tasted it there it was amazing. The flavors were very pinpointed and the beer sat very smooth. When I was on spring break I picked up a bottle assuming it was going to be equally as amazing and I was wrong! The bottle version seemed old and warn down. Still good, but nothing like what I had had on tap. I looked for a freshness date but there was none to be found.

This review was from the bottle version but if I get it on tap again this will be redone and likely will increase.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 16:22:49 | More by Jamesthebrit

SLeffler27

New York

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

Clear, dark, ruby red with a big, quick, foamy head that leaves some beige lacing.

Hazelnut! That’s about all I get, hazelnut.

The flavor is sharp with fruitiness. It is overly sweet with some hazelnut oil that does not add to the experience. This one is woodsy with a brief, pungent, acrid finish and light tartness.

The body is light to medium with a hint of alcohol.

A fine occasional beer and one I am glad to have tried, though not what I seek in a brown ale.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 13:40:14 | More by SLeffler27

stephenjmoore

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Medium brown with a thin white head that disappears quickly.

S- Sweet hazelnut and caramel malt.

T- Caramel malt comes through with a nutty finish that stays after each sip. Some sweetness, but not overpowering.

M- Good carbonation, very smooth, medium bodied.

O- Very good brown ale with a lot of flavor. Very drinkable and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 04:12:14 | More by stephenjmoore

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

Converge

Alberta (Canada)

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

650ml bottle poured into a 20oz nonic.

A - Pours a deep and hazy amber-brown color with a frothy tan head. The head thins out, but retains quite well, and stays as a thick cap throughout. Minimal lacing.

S - The nutty aroma here is incredible. Delicious hazelnut presence is dominant with traces or toasty caramel malt, cocoa powder, and sweet brown sugar. The nutty aroma here does not disappoint; really fantastic.

T - And it continues. Piles of nutty goodness, but the hazelnut is the most dominant. Really toasty caramel malt, maybe even slightly roasted. Cocoa presence is big as well, and gives it an excellent chocolatey feel. This is just a delicious malty treat filled with tons of sweet nutty flavors.

M - Medium bodied, but impossibly smooth. The carbonation is incredibly fine. This stuff just glides over the palate. Just a remarkably smooth feel overall.

D - My first Rogue beer, and this thing did NOT disappoint. It was just an assault of unrelenting malty goodness. I'll admit, brown ales are far from my preferred style, but this exceeded all expectations and then some. A truly great beer from Rogue, and one I'll be having many more times.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2012 02:01:50 | More by Converge

andrewinski1

Maine

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

Poured into a pint glass. There is a 1 to 2 inch head that shrinks down to a solid layer with some lacing. The head is light tan on top of a dark amber/brown body.

The aroma is nutty with some caramel aroma. Not a powerful aroma, but welcoming.

The taste is as advertised, lots of nutty brown malt, with layers of caramel and toffee that linger in the finish; even leaving a nice aftertaste of toffee. Tasty.

The body is medium, with subtly sharp carbonation.

This is really really good. I scoffed at the high price of the six-pack at first, but it may be worth it.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 04:55:22 | More by andrewinski1

bstave

Washington

4.23/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into Dogfish Head tulip pint

A- Poured a nice two finger light tan head over a nice copper/red colored body. Head dissipated to a thin ring of bubbles leaving a bit of lacing.

S- Smell is sweet caramel malt with big hazelnut and I am actually getting some chocolate in this and Rogue's PacMan yeast.

T- Taste is pretty one dimensional towards sweet hazelnut, but this is the goal. So for what it is it is spot on. I am also getting the PacMan yeast. I really like this brown ale. Very smooth.

M- Nice carbonation resulting in a nice medium body.

O- This is a solid offering from Rogue. Though, I am not a big fan of this style, this is my favorite brown ales. For easy to drink with big hazelnut. Nice job.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 02:34:02 | More by bstave

Pexkool

Mexico

4.23/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a light brown (capuccino) color head of about 2 fingers tall with a little lace that leaves faint traces in the glass. The beer is a pretty copper reddish brown color and quite opaque.

S - Nuts and some smokey scents. Roasted malts, perhaps.

T - Nuts, obviously, they're definitely there along with roasted malts, coffee and a hint of alcohol at the end.

M - Smooth, crisp, refreshing and low carbonation makes for a good mix of textures and flavors that leaves you wanting more.

Overall, I would gladly have it again. Reminds me of the Bohemia Chocolate Stout (but only because I had this one first) but better in every way. Leaves you with a pleasant aftertaste in the back of your mouth wanting another one, which is possible thanks to its ABV and flavor.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 07:27:41 | More by Pexkool

jb413

Massachusetts

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

A - Pours a semi-opaque mahogany/copper mix with light red & orange on the corners. Small, tight khaki head with some packed bubbles lasting throughout. No lacing in my pint glass however.

S - Caramel, nutty, syrupy, sweet, some clean malt. Get some molasses and chocolate halfway down as well.

T - Follows nose with mostly sweet middle. Hazelnut is there and natural, not overdone. Caramel malt gives way to some crispy bitter balance towards the end and lingers into a nutty earthy finish.

MF - Smooth, sweet and syrupy yet crispy and balanced on the back. Nice carbonation. Squarely medium bodied.

O - Tasty take on a brown. Combined a nutty caramel sweetness with refreshing complimentary bitter. A nice dessert pick. Would buy again at the right price.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 02:28:29 | More by jb413

phenomenologian

Nebraska

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

Upon opening some smoke comes out. Upon pouring a two finger head forms. THe color of the head is a off white tannish. It retains well and only laces a bit. The body is pretty much opaque. It is a dark brown. You can't really see much bubbles rise because of the opaque color.

The smell is of malts, caramel and molasses. I can smell a bit of the hazelnut but the other sweet tones of the beer come in more in the aroma.

The taste is of malts of course with hazelnut tones. Caramel, nutty tones, and molasses also come in with the taste. It has a nice bitter overall taste with maybe some hops but mostly those sweeter flavors come in with the taste and aftertaste.

Overall its a really nice beer to drink. Its a bit expensive at 8 bucks but its worth it. Give it a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 02:02:56 | More by phenomenologian

wvsabbath

West Virginia

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

Serving Type - Bottle

Appearance - Tanish hazel brown, nice thick creamy 1/2 head and thick lacing.

Smell - Malts, nut, brown sugars, caramal, molasses, some light hops and earthy armoma also.

Taste - First drink is as expected, sweet carmael and hazelnut with a kick of toffee and mollasses. Malts are nice and like as is the hops. The sweetness is rather nice and not overpowering in any way. Hops add a little floral/earthy flavor but no bitterness at all. Alcohol is masked well.

Mouthfeel - Its light on the mouth. TOunge gets all the sweet add flavors, malts, and some hops. Palette gets the remaining nut and malt plus last bit of sugar mix. Aftertaste is mild and nutty.

Overall - This was tasty but not what id call worldclass. Much like most rogue beers, its just a little to light and mild for its only good. The hazelnut addition adds a excellent flavor and is enough to set it apart from the rest. Maybe a little more malt and hop woudl be nice cause this beer still is 6.2%, so its not like its a light 4-5% so a little more kick would work well.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 01:40:43 | More by wvsabbath

gkunkle

Oregon

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

Pours a medium brown color with a cream head that stands 2 fingers tall in my duvel tulip. Head recedes to a film with a ring around the edge of my glass. As I drink it leaves some rings of lacing in my glass. Smell is of bread, toffee, hazlenut; not particularly roasty smelling, but smooth and malty without being too sweet. In the taste I get the hazlenut flavors and then a clean pop of caramel. The end of the taste has a slightly deeper, darker malt profile, maybe a tough of chocolate in there. Only a touch of roasted flavor comes out. Body is on the thicker side, just right for a brown ale, and the carbonation is not too agressive; making this a very smooth beer. I really loved this, I think it has become my favorite brown ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 21:22:05 | More by gkunkle

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I poured this beer into a pint glass, it has a nice dark mahogany colored body with a very little tan head, that quickly dissapears to a thin lace. The smell is nutty and malty. The is of hazelunt up front with some roasted malt. A little bit of hop come through on the back of the tongue. This has a great mouth feel, well balanced. Overall this is a really good brown ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 21:17:30 | More by chefhatt

Bendurgin

Maine

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

Twelve ounce bottle poured into a pint glass. Pours chestnut brown with a cap of white head and some thin lace.

The aroma is not surprisingly full of hazelnut. A little bit of citrus in the background with some brown sugar in the background. Hazelnut flavors with some brown sugar. Seems to have an odd twange on the finish. I don't really know how to describe it.

The body is light with good carbonation. Overall not bad. I was excited to see this in six packs. But lets be honest here, I'm still going to pass.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 01:38:05 | More by Bendurgin

buschbeer

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

650ml bottle
Served in a pint glass

A - It pours dark amber in color, and I got a ton of tan head. It left some lacing down the side of the glass as it receded.

S - Obviously, there was a lot of hazelnut aroma. But there are some earthy, roasted aromas to balance it out.

T - The first flavor I am met with is of course hazelnut. It gives was to a more generic nuttiness. It finishes with some bread and toast flavors.

M - Medium

O - I love the nose of this beer. The taste runs a course from sweet to malty. I like how this is not overpowered by the hazelnut. There is plenty of it there but other flavors balance it out.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 00:09:19 | More by buschbeer

bound4er

Wisconsin

3.58/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A. Dark amber appearance with a light tan two finger head that breaks quickly to leave a thin covering.

S. Smells of hazelnut and caramel malts. This doesn't really float my boat since the hazelnut reminds me a little bit of how vomit can smell.

T. Good thing it doesn't taste like vomit - I get mainly caramel malt and graham cracker. Leaves a prickly, lingering finish with the hazelnut really coming into focus.

M. Light to medium bodied with adequate carbonation.

O. A decent beer that was pretty easy to drink but nothing I need to revisit.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2012 13:47:24 | More by bound4er

muskiesman

New Jersey

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

from my notes:
12 oz bottle poured into tulip glass

Pours a clear light brown slightly reddish nice tan lacing. The Smell is nutty malts hazelnut of course. Taste is a nice blend of sweet molasses caramel malt and rich toasted hazelnut extract. Slight hint of hop variation. Very smooth and creamy

Overall a great twist on the American Brown Ale with a flavor punch without being too sweet

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 00:06:18 | More by muskiesman

NHSTEVE

New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A dark brown apperance with a thick creamy head. A slight hazelnut and hop smell. Taste was mild and balance with slight nutty flavor. The texture in the mouth was smooth and creamy. Overall this was a easy drinking beer and could be consumed in large volume.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2012 22:12:03 | More by NHSTEVE

Dope

Massachusetts

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

A: Medium brown pour iwth a mid-sized tan head. Fizzy, fades at a midrange pace. Small amount of lacing.

S: Hazelnuts and bready graham cracker surprisingly.

T: Lots of hazelnuts everywhere. Rich, nutty flavor (not just hazelnuts) with a nice bready graham cracker crust. Touch of toasted malt.

M: Carbonation is a little low and it feels a bit watery for some reason. Otherwise smooth.

O: Good brown ale. Nuttiest one I've had, definitely try it if you're a fan of nuts - especially hazelnut.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 03:28:14 | More by Dope

tewaris

Minnesota

3.15/5  rDev -23%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hazelnut Brown Nectar
22 oz "bomber" poured into a pint glass.

Pours a milky looking dark amber/light brown color with a moderate tan colored head. Medium head retention and lacing. Aroma is not remarkable or interesting. Pretty ho hum. Tastes (and looks) very different from what I expected... sharp and tart with a nutty finish and a long nutty aftertaste. Medium body, some residual sweetness, and high carbonation. A good but unremarkable beer with an odd acidity is the overall impression. The finish and the aftertaste are solid though.

4, 2, 3, 4, 4

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 07:19:22 | More by tewaris

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

Clowerweb

Ohio

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

Poured from 22oz. bottle into a pint glass.

A: Beautiful dark brown amber color. Looks very high quality, amazing clarity. Solid 3 finger light tan, khaki head with nice tight tiny bubbles, nice and foamy, great lacing, but the head retention is little more than average.

S: Smells nutty, sweet, roasty, roasted malts, notes of hops, a hint of floral citrus, and of course hazelnut. Aroma is a tough on the light side, but you can definitely smell it without too much trouble. Delish!

T: Starts off almost dry and citrusy, with a bit of hops, earthy and bready on the mid palate, finishes with a decadent roasted nutty hazelnut, lightly sweet, and outstanding roasted malts and oats, chocolate, coffee, and dries up just a bit. Could use a bit more hazelnut for a hazelnut beer, but it tastes outstanding nonetheless.

M: Just the perfect amount of carbonation, nice and full bodied, chewy and sticks to the mouth, not sticky, but leaves a perfect coating. I couldn't ask for more in this department.

O: This is excellent. I like Rogue a lot. I wouldn't say this beats their Chocolate Stout in my opinion, but this is a very solid and tasty beer, amazing quality and it's been a wonderful experience to try this for the first time. I will buy this again and I will be recommending this beer with pleasure.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 01:58:51 | More by Clowerweb

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

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

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

Poured from bottle into tulip.
Pours a thick brown molasses. Malty aroma, the hazlenut is present with chocolate notes.
Taste is of bitter malt, nutty, and slight alcohol. This is a great Brown. The hazlenut isnt overpowering, although I was kind of hoping it would be. Its slightly bitter, but it balances well with the malt and nutty combination.
Worth a try for sure.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 21:19:11 | More by DrinkSlurm

beerismysavior

Virginia

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

Aroma: Like toasted nuts dipped in chocolate; "fancy" almond M&Ms. Very faint woodiness, this beer literally smells sweet.

Appearance: Medium opacity (could live to be the tiniest bit darker), good overall lace retention, sea-foam-washed-over-sand colored head.

Taste: caramel, caramelized onions, hazelnut syrup, hint of nutella

Mouthfeel: Great body, accompanies the beer very well. Best "swish" beer in a while. Medium carbonation, some residual sugar, lots of flavor accompanied by an appropriate body.

Overall: This is a wonderful beer. I prefer my brown ales to taste more like a chocolate milkshake as opposed to nutty; That being said, this is really quite pleasant. I'm not certain I can say I've had anything quite like it.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 07:12:15 | More by beerismysavior