Hazelnut Brown Nectar - Rogue Ales

01001111

California

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

A: Rust and mahogany.

S: A thick aroma of roasted malts, a toasted oat sweetness, and hazelnuts.

T: Much like the smell, a thick malt flavor with a strong, but not overpowering, dash of hazelnut. Rather sweet.

M: Creamy with a medium body that's just a touch thinner than a typical brown.

O: Amazing smell, good flavor, but perhaps a little too sweet to be a regular.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 04:27:49 | More by 01001111

RickS95

Indiana

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

Pours a mild thinnish looking brown. Looks relatively clarified, but still very opaque. The head is and dirty offwhite with only moderate retention, leaving a creamy ring of foam as it dies.

It's a malt bomb like most brown ales, but there is a sweet, nuttiness to it that puts it above others of the same type.

Wow. I'm not a brown ale or nut brown ale fan, but this is making me rethink that. I still don't care for the high level of malt, but this has a mild nutty flavor, mixed in with some smokiness and even the faintest bit of chocolate. Hops are only present in the aftertaste.

It tries to be sweet, but that battle is lost in the initial creaminess as it gives way to somewhat loose, hoppy finish. It's medium-bodied at best, with an almost watered-down feel before an earthy, barely bitter swallow.

Very easy to drink, the alcohol is only moderate so you could easily sip this all night. Another standout from Rogue. A must try for anyone who favors malt bombs or doesn't care for brown ales like me.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 01:58:37 | More by RickS95

TheSixthRing

California

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

Appearance - Pours a beautifully deep ruby brown with a finger width head, dissipates rather quickly, and leaves behind a nearly non-existent lace.

Smell - Intoxicating aromas of hazelnut and sweet, roasty malt.

Taste - Complex malts without being overtly malty. Sweet. Nut and hazelnut up front. Well balanced. Not overly flavored.

Mouthfeel - Light to medium body. Low carbonation. Somewhat creamy.

Overall - One of my all-time favorite browns. Even throughout. Easy drinking. I find most browns to be overly sweet; isn't the case with this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 02:58:53 | More by TheSixthRing

bkgodfrey

Georgia

2.58/5  rDev -36.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Let it sit. The warmer this beer gets the better. Fresh out of the fridge the smell and taste leave much to be desired. As it warms, malty notes of honey and hazelnut move to the forefront, however, not quite to the strength I'd desire. I enjoyed mine in a tulip glass. Not sure I'd purchase it again but worth the few dollars I spent at my local Trader Joe's.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 03:00:35 | More by bkgodfrey

Nerudamann

Arizona

3.2/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

Look - dark brown in color, hazy, with about half a finger's worth of foam that dissipates quickly.

Smell - surprisingly not much of a smell at all. If I strain really hard I can tell that there's a hazelnut tinge to it, but that's about it.

Taste - at first it's more of a malty ale taste, but then right after the start the hazelnut flavor kicks in, which permeates into the finish and aftertaste a bit. Bitter aftertaste in general.

Mouthfeel - pretty well balanced overall, doesn't seem to lean more or less on the watery or creamy sides.

Overall - not a bad brew...tastes a bit like coffee. Not very interesting to think about though.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 03:37:54 | More by Nerudamann

DeltaGolfSierra

Tennessee

3.63/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Color is dark brown; the tan head is well developed at first but fades quickly. While the scent is a bit muted, hazelnut is definitely noticeable. The taste is very nutty. Hazelnut is prominent, with a slight sweet and roasty malt flavor and a touch of floral hops bitterness. The mouthfeel is the weak point of this beer - it's quite thin and watery. I can see the strong nut flavor of this beer pairing well with desert.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2012 04:30:38 | More by DeltaGolfSierra

Pintofbrown

Iowa

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

I had this Nectar in a nonic pint.

Appearance- The frothy, caramel-colored head hits about a finger in width before deflating into a thin smattering of fizz that almost cocvers the cap.

In the glass, I am treated to an attractive dark auburn with an amber glow when held up to the light. Pretty nice for a beer that is more on the transparent side.

Smell- Well, if you do not smell hazelnuts in this thing a visit to the nose and throat doctor might be in order. This one is incredibly malty, and a sweet malty at that.

It is also a little buttery and toasty, a perfect match for the sugary hazelnut.

Taste- Dessert beer fits this palate bill nicely! The hazelnut does not ride through the majority of the drink, but it does not need to with everything else going on.

Sure, the hazelnut flavor kicks it off, but then there is a bit of bittering hops, and even crystal malt-like flavor that sloshes around.

This is all followed by a butteriness and slight roasted quality that undoubtedly reminds me of a hazelnut coffee drink.The finish once again sees a major return of the hazelnut and some of that roasted malt flavor. This beer is really well rounded.

Mouth feel- This is where I get a little sad-face about this Rogue offering. I think this is too thin. I want it to be creamy, and have the carbonation really give it some lift, all while rolling down the gullet.

In reality, it is more slick; it is certainly too thin, but not in a caustic or unpleasant way.

Overall- I remember liking this beer when I had it on-tap, but the six-pack version has me more excited. I am not sure what it is, but I just felt like I tasted more complexities this time around.

I will definitely be stocking this one in the fridge regularly now that it is not relegated to bombers. Hey Rogue! How about some four-packs of the Double Chocolate Stout? Please?

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2012 00:22:41 | More by Pintofbrown

stewart124

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle

Slightly hazy reddish brown with a finger of foam that didn't stick around long.

Plenty of toasted aromas and a bit of toffee in the nose.

Even more toasted characters to go along with a dose of roasted characters. Some spice and an earthy tone from the hops. Bits of chocolate pair well with more toffee and vanilla sweetness. Nice touch of hazelnut without going over the top. Sweeter than I remember without overpowering the malts and overall character of the beer. Medium body and lingering residual sweetness on the tongue.

Very enjoyable and so easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 01:52:19 | More by stewart124

DM1293

California

4.45/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Looks like a copperish-reddish dark brown color. Semi-thick head of foam.

Smell is kinda dissapointing; faint malt and hazelnut. Light, but not bad. Kinda betrays how it looks though.

Taste, on the other hand, is grand. Opens up with malt up-front with a bit of bitter alongside it, and after swallowing reveals its hazelnut side, the rich nutty flavor bringing up the middle, eventually goes into a light, crisp hop finish. Remarkably good on all fronts. Strong but not overpowering, and very smooth.

So smooth that the beer has a really good mouthfeel. Its both creamy and lightly carbonated, and suits the slightly dessert-feel I get out of this beer. I could almost see this being used in the same style as Young's Double Chocolate Stout, and making an ice cream float out of it.

Overall, I REALLY like this one. Its a great stand-alone drink with the flavors it has, and its mellow enough to go well with food or dessert. It may not be the best brown ale I'll ever have, but its one I could drink anytime. Highly recommended to try.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 02:56:05 | More by DM1293

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

4.05/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bomber poured into a pint glass.

A- Pours a slightly hazy dark amber brown with a nice looking tan head.
S- Smells of burnt caramel, hazelnuts (big surprise), some earthy hops and very moderate bitterness. Lots of brown sugar and some chocolate malts. A really nice, nutty earthy sugary smell.
T- A lot of the nut characteristics come through in the taste as well as a good heap of chocolate malts. A good sugary feel to it. Nice earthy tastes. Honestly, this beer is a tiny bit watered down in flavor. It could definitely stand to be bigger.
M- Good carbonation, a rather easy to drink beer which helps and hurts the beer in my opinion. A very dry aftertaste reminiscent of the nut aspects of this beer.
O- I like this beer but its not as good as some of the other brown ales I have had like bells best brown. I think this beer needs to be a bit bigger in feel and along with that, a more intense flavor. It just felt a little watered down to me.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 04:01:45 | More by TwelveOunces

ouser31

California

3.95/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was a great beer! enjoyable to lok at in the glass and taste all the way through! Good beer to share with other looking for a unique nutty brown ale! Plenty of smiles everytime it was tasted and shared! Highly recommended as a sit down and enjoy beer!!!

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 06:01:27 | More by ouser31

Mounty4Life

Pennsylvania

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

Looks real brown semi cloudy with good lacing
A little toasty but definitely hints of hazelnut, something else I can't place...it could be pint glass is not up to par being are Carnivores enjoying this with lunch.
T/m one of most impressive I ever had...delicious hazelnut and malt finish with hops pleasing you right away...smooth and tasty just how a brown ale should be!
Just hit the top of my brown ales list!

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 17:25:41 | More by Mounty4Life

blakelive784

Colorado

3.35/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

1 pt 6 fl oz brown glass bottle served in a snifter, reviewed live:

A - Pours a nearly transparent shade of ruby/amber, with a pretty creamy tan head of 1.5 fingers. Retention is average, though there's a good bit of lacing on the glass. Appealing.

S - Heavy, heavy crystal malt. Cream and light spice notes are present as well. It's slightly nutty, though I wouldn't necessarily pick it out as hazelnuts. Moderate strength and pretty generic.

T - The hazelnut works quite well, though I think it's a little more subdued than I'd like. Crystal malt and caramel form the majority of the taste, though there are faint hints of both toasted and roasted malt. There's a very mild hops bitterness. It's balanced extremely well though, as the nuttiness counters the sweet malts quite well. I don't find anything about it to be groundbreaking or remarkable, though it's a good beer.

M - Medium bodied, thick, and coarse.

D - I was expecting something more given the current ratings. It's a pretty good beer, and I like the nut flavor quite a bit, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 00:25:11 | More by blakelive784

ajramirez1

Washington

4.98/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Arguably my favorite beer w/ easy access too. I would put the Plinys ahead of this. Tried this first on tap at Kennewick Brews & Blues fest 2010, kept drinking it. The look is a light brown but the smell is a rich aroma of nectar & brown. At first taste the nectar overpowers at the end, which makes it quite pleasing. Initial taste is a rich brown. Beer is just tasty as hell. Bottles are alittle differ taste to it but not much. Had oppt to have this freshly tapped in 3cities & at Rogue in newport & pdx. Ask for a "snickers" then order a "super snickers"...combo choco stout & hazel. Combo dbl choco stout & john john hazlenut. Deadly stuff.

A-

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2012 04:46:07 | More by ajramirez1

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

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