FestiveAle - Rogue Ales

PorterLambic

Florida

4.22/5  rDev +27.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a nice, slightly hazy honey-orange with a big (2") creamy, off-white head that drops slowly & evenly. No lace left behind.
Smell is grape juice, orange, spice and malt, overall quite a sweet smell.
Taste is grape juice (purple, not white or red), spice, alcohol, malt, hops and a hint of yeast. Almost like a grape juice infused beer. Good but unexpected.
A rich, medium-full body with light effervescence makes this an easily quaffable brew. Good stuff, John.

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2005 17:50:26 | More by PorterLambic

mactrail

California

3.66/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Rogue says this is a "Belgian style Saison" with Grains of Paradise, myrtle leaves, bitter orange peel, ginger root, and Czech Saaz hops.

One of their better beers, I thought. Rather hoppy but fruity wierd flavors and plenty of malty sweetness to balance. Spice is not over-powering, but blends well with the odd sharp notes. Maybe the orange peel is adding more bitterness than fruit. Rogue claims this is only 18 IBU. So what is the Bitterness Units of orange peel? They claimed this was 8.5% so I don't know why the two percent discrepancy.

Interesting big Saison. [transcribed from notes, tasted in Reno on Valentine's Day of 2006.]

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 04:34:20 | More by mactrail

EvanWilliams

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +36%

12-23-2012 05:27:06 | More by EvanWilliams

beerpadawan

California

3.25/5  rDev -1.8%

08-26-2012 20:29:23 | More by beerpadawan

blindseer

4/5  rDev +20.8%

04-14-2012 04:39:08 | More by blindseer

Tyrawlings

Ohio

3/5  rDev -9.4%

02-11-2012 01:53:32 | More by Tyrawlings

buckyp

South Carolina

3/5  rDev -9.4%

12-31-2011 02:27:01 | More by buckyp

JohneHoodlum

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +5.7%

12-05-2011 23:57:06 | More by JohneHoodlum

rab53

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -9.4%

12-05-2011 04:35:16 | More by rab53

Beertracker

Oklahoma

3/5  rDev -9.4%

12-01-2011 22:45:13 | More by Beertracker

Rochefort10nh

New Hampshire

3/5  rDev -9.4%

11-26-2011 02:27:07 | More by Rochefort10nh

JAHMUR

Connecticut

3/5  rDev -9.4%

11-23-2011 05:00:48 | More by JAHMUR

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

golden yellow color came through immediately. Lots of sediment in here now as well. Huge carbonation profile could be seen with lots of chains of bubbles cascading up to the top of the glass to reinforce the huge champagne like head that came over the top of it. Lots of side glass lacing and a copious foam that would not quit. Very nice aroma here, lots of light grain, hints of grass, light lemon and a touch of grape. Nice airy smell gave way to a very nice flavor. Very light, and perfect for this summer day. First way was a slightly tart fresh grass like flavor. Some hints of peaches, pears, and a touch of tartness as well. Very nice light cereal grain flavor in the middle which became a touch bready as it warmed.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2011 01:43:07 | More by mikesgroove

renegadeburger

New Jersey

2.85/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

last bottle of my first beer trade, and also the last review of my initial saison kick and obsession that happened

i don't know when this thing was bottled i tried to look for a date could not find it, anyways poured it into my glass the head was not as big and pillowy as the other saisons i had still it had some staying power

aroma was weird i did not get much at all i got a little spice in the background but that's about it

taste was a let down for me it did not taste like that good american saison flavor i had with the hennepin it was a weird combination of flavors that did not go well very spicey but not in a pleasant way

mouthfeel was OK but not refreshing like the others

overall an average beer, this was the first rogue beer that i did not fall in love with, very strange considering i have absolutely loved everything they have done so far

all in all i think this is the only rogue beer i didnt' like they are still my original favorite craft brewery they make awesome beer but this one is not the right one for me, i just didnt like it

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2011 12:46:25 | More by renegadeburger

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4/5  rDev +20.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours out a hazy, golden body with a frothy, white head that drops down to a thin covering fairly quickly.

Smell: Sweet-scented bouquet of lightly spiced, oven-baked cookies and grains with a ladle full of honey and almond syrup on the side.

Taste: Sweet taste of honey-coated cookies and crisp wheat crackers with a hint of background citrus. Slight almond accents. The once glaring spice component has toned down in the two or so years, leaving just a nice level of zesty spice. No apparent hop character or remaining bitterness. Sweet, succulent finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium carbonation. Smooth mouthfeel.

Drinkability: Boy, oh boy, did I ever dislike this beer when initially released. Frankly, I though it a complete mess; a weak attempt at a saison with an unpleasant spice component. Now, though, it's aged into a smooth, mellow, sweetish brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2010 21:41:51 | More by ChainGangGuy

jujubeast6000

Texas

2.63/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Reviewed 6/17/2007 (Draft @ Alamo Drafthouse, TX):

Pours an amber brown color, no head. Little aroma. Very sweet salty taste, like candy. Sweet acidic taste, very unlike a malty beer. A sour taste, but not fruity. Warming up a bit. More malty & beer like as it warms up. Still a little acidic. Didn't realize this was a saison until now..

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2009 17:30:57 | More by jujubeast6000

yesyouam

New York

3.68/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

This ale pours a hazy orange with a huge, white, meringue-like head. The aroma is of bread, fruit and spice. It is medium bodied and extremely smooth. The flavor is spicy, fruity, wooden, grassy, a touch sour and a touch bitter. Unique.
(rated May 25, 2007)

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2008 03:18:09 | More by yesyouam

magictrokini

California

2.7/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Looks like a hefe with the pour, murky yellow with a massive white head Aroma is...unusual. Fruity and wheaty, with some soap and something sour. The taste is okay. Its mostly malts with ginger and orange flavors, but nothing really stands out. The mouthfeel is sticky and the finish is thin. I wanted this to be better.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2008 16:24:16 | More by magictrokini

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.23/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottle: Poured a deep dirty orangey color ale with a large foamy head with good retention and no lacing. Aroma of spicy yeast with a good Belgian style malt and some weird conflicting spices. Taste is also a weird mix between some Belgian style malt with some weird spices mix and a spicy yeasty finish. Full body with average carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Definitely lacking some typical Saison ester and very unfocused (seems to be a cross between a Saison, Tripel, Wit and a Belgian Strong Ale). Not the best from this usually good brewery.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2008 18:43:25 | More by Phyl21ca

hurleymanvw

Georgia

3.68/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Serving Type: 22oz Bottle

Pours a nice Hazy orange with white head. Nice citrus aroma and flavor. Sharp carbonation which was a little overpowering. Sweet, ginger like, as well with a very fruity crisp finish. Smooth drink but not one i would search out.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2008 18:50:34 | More by hurleymanvw

shroompod

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Very rocky head when pouring. Nice hazy golden color.

Smell has a hint of brett , coriander.

Apple juice bitterness on tasting. Somewhat yeasty, and sweet.Odd spiciness that I thought was coriander. turns out to be Grains of Paradise, Myrtle leaves, Orange peel & ginger root (per the bottle).

Mouthfeel is medium , drying with spices.

Overall a nice American Saison I'll be drinking more of.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2008 00:57:45 | More by shroompod

mwilbur

Minnesota

2.63/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Poured from 650 mL bottle into cervoise.
A: Bottle opens with loud pop...tons of carbonation. Pours a pale orange-yellow...cloudy with sediment. Huge frothy white head produced by the high carbonation...decent retention.
S: Toast, yeast, and spice (cinnamon and all-spice).
T: Unfortunately, this tastes quite bad. Alcohol is most predominant...which says something with an ABV of only 6.2%.
M: Tons of carbonation is too distracting. Light body...fizzy.
D: I love Rogue, but I would advise people to pass on this one. Oh, and I don't know what this is, but it is NOT a saison.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2008 22:44:05 | More by mwilbur

largadeer

California

2.05/5  rDev -38.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Appearance - Straw-colored and fairly clear with an off-white head. Mediocre retention.

Smell - A bit tart and musty. Very spicy, but certainly not the most pleasant spice aroma I can think of. Ginger and lemongrass come to mind.

Taste & mouthfeel - Weird, unpleasant spiciness coupled with a somewhat astringent citrus bite. Dry in the finish with more of the funky spice flavor lingering in the aftertaste. Not particularly estery or phenolic. Light-bodied with moderate carbonation. What the hell, Rogue? This is the worst saison I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2008 02:15:25 | More by largadeer

BeaBeerWife

Michigan

2.73/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Was expecting a bit more from Rogue. Poured highly carbinated opaque gold. Lots of yeast on the bottom of the bottle. As for taste, The guy who wrote 'dirty sweet tarts' I think had it head-on. Reading the earlier reviews with high marks, and the later reviews with low marks, makes me wonder if they bottled up a sub-par batch and sold it anyway?

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2008 22:53:24 | More by BeaBeerWife

dciBA

Maine

2.7/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Picked up a 22 of this at whole foods. Popped the cap and was immediately met with foam, not sure if this was shaken up or what. Poured a hazy, light gold into my DFH snifter. Tons of head. Initial smell was just plain pungent. Not pleasant at all. After the head settled, sour grapes, lemon, and a touch of generic spice. Honestly can't put my finer on what spice I'm smelling.

Taste was OK, and I'm a noob to this style so don't really have much to compare to. Overall, quite harsh tasting. Tart, sour, but not completely undrinkable. Quite a bit of carbonation, that doesn't ruin the beer, but also doesn't do anything for it. Drank this 22, but no chance I'll buy another. Definitely disappointed as I love other Rogue beers. This one just does not measure up though.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2008 00:23:39 | More by dciBA