Morimoto Black Obi Soba Ale - Rogue Ales

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.73/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Beautiful, red and white, silk-screened, Japanese-themed bottle. Dark brown with generous highlights of bronze, gold and red. I continue to be impressed with the appearance of Rogue beer. I don't remember when I last saw one that was less than beautiful. The head is toasted beige in color and is firmly creamy. Thick splotches of lace occupy the glass just above the beer's surface, with scattershot lace seen higher up.

I like the nose much more than the nose on the lighter soba beer, Buckwheat Ale (Morimoto Soba). It's darker and richer, which effectively camouflages the relatively unappealing, or at least uninteresting, aroma of buckwheat itself. It's dark malty, nicely fruity and impressively molasses-like. Think Scotch ale without the peat.

Although the flavor doesn't quite hold up its end of the bargain, it comes close. Black Obi most resembles an Irish dry stout on the palate. There's quite a bit of roastiness, so much so that it edges toward bitter and borderline astringent. Scorched black coffee is probably the best comparison that I can come up with. Those last two sentences make it sound as though this beer is unappealing. It isn't.

After several mouthfuls, I'm feeling better about things. The lightly sweet fruitiness of the buckwheat is more apparent and mingles well with bittersweet chocolate and treacle notes. In addition, the grapefruit zest zestiness of the Cascade hops has come to the fore. There really are a lot of flavors in this beer, though I can't say that I'm thrilled with the combination. Good, but not special.

The nearly unbroken wall of lace on the glass opposite is great; my next pour should add another heavy coat of crust. I'm sure the mouthfeel was designed to be elegant rather than heavy-handed, scrimshaw rather than chainsaw carving, but it doesn't quite pull it off. It's closer to medium than to light, is a shade undercarbonated and doesn't have a great deal of mouth presence.

Black Obi (the wide belt on a kimono) Soba Ale is a better beer than its lighter counterpart. The roasting of the buckwheat brings out flavors that are preferable to the unroasted fruit and the different malt and hop bills are more to my liking as well. It doesn't quite make it over the hump called 'recommended', but I'm still glad this is a bomber.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2005 15:19:44 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.28/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Nearly opaque in its darkness was the only saving grace to this one.

The aroma was pleasant, albeit a little lighter then I was expecting. Nice touches of molasses and maple syrup weighed in heavily, though the spices seemed to be all but covered up under a bit too hot alcohol profile. The flavor though started to redeem itself quite nicely. Rich notes of maple syrup and molasses washed over the tongue immediatly, falling into a spiced yam like flavor that was layered on top of a nice bready malt profile.

Serving type: on-tap

08-08-2011 00:33:35 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

3.63/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Black in color with a big, fluffy tan head.

S: A bit smokey, definitely a lot of roasted malts in this one. Also coffee and nutty smells coming from this beer.

T: Lots of roasted/toasted flavors, nuts and coffee, woody. A bit of sweetness, but a lingering astringency.

M: Medium in body, but a bit of lingering bitterness.

D: Good variety of flavors to make this somewhat complex and not overpowering in any sense.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2009 03:15:54 | More by womencantsail

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

22 ounce bomber - $4.99 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours out a clear, walnut brown body with a smallish, wispy, off-white head.

Smell: Earthy, roasty, and a bit sweet-smelling. There are aromatic notes of mild coffee, nuts, molasses, and caramel with an undercurrent of lightly spiced grapefruit segments.

Taste: Lightly roasty malts with some slight coffee tones and hint of fire-charred nuts. Some sweeter tastes of earthy molasses, dark caramel, and maybe, just maybe, a bit of chocolate follow. Spicy, citrusy blend of hops with a medium amount of bitterness. Subtle hint of licorice emerges late. Finishes dry, roast, and with an errant, lasting taste of burnt bread crusts.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation, though there's a slight effervescent crackle to it.

Drinkability: Worth a try, though perhaps a more worthy of a try than their other soba-based brew. Quite quaffable all around though.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2009 05:09:25 | More by ChainGangGuy

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3/5  rDev -18%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottle (courtesy of Okbeer): Poured a pitch-black ale with a medium head with average retention. Aroma of bitter hops with some strange spice that I don’t think I have encountered in beer before. Taste is a mix between the roasted malt, bitter hops and this strange spice. Body is too thin and carbonation is very low. This is not bad but nothing extraordinary either; I’d still go with the mocha porter any day thought.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2005 17:34:03 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.95/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A pleasant and safe beer although the lable and packaging promised more. Smells mildly and sweetly roasty with a light, smooth roundness. Looks like Coca cola, perhaps a bit darker and with much better carbonation and head retention. Tastes pleasantly roasty, moderately sweet, and mildly spicy. Light alcohols persist into the finish. Feels smooth and refreshingly light to the palate. Finishes a bit airy for a dark, roasted beer. Though nice and without flaws, it falls a little lackluster.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2006 23:37:35 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

3.93/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poures a near pitch black but not for the ruby highlights when held up to the light with a big fluffy off white head that clings to the glass nicely,wow a real cascade presence in the aroma wich was entirely unexpected due to the fact well it is Rogue,a nice roastiness also shows itself nicely.Slick mouthfeel to this slides down with ease,interesting melding of flavors firmly nutty with some roasted malt as the core but there is very much a PW hop presence not so pronounced but it lets itself be known.Very interesting and flavorful ale I will be sure to grabe more.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2005 00:59:52 | More by oberon

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.9/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It's black, alrighty, nearly opaque, but with crimson shining around the sides, and the head is big, tan, and chunky, leaving lace, and slow to settle.
Nose is a little grainy, but mostly smooth, creamy.
Taste, full-bodied, thoroughly flavorful, malty, rich, solid, ..tasty! Roasty! Intriquing...what should just be a smooth food-chaser has got some guts, some sturdy character, a real, true presence on the palate.
Very substantial, and ...yum...I could throw back a couple or three of these, for sure.
I said "solid" already, so...'nother good one, Rogue! Mmmmm!

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2004 08:18:11 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4.43/5  rDev +21%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a deep dark brown color with a thick frothy tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is awesome. It has a sweet crystal malt scent with a nutty accent. There are some hops present, but the overall aroma is dominated with nuts and chocolate. The taste is great as well. It has a roasted, coffee-like flavor that is sweet, but with an earthy, nutty edge. There is a bit of tanginess in the flavor. The mouthfeel is good. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is an outstanding beer. It has a delicious aroma followed by an enjoyable taste; a good drinker.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2005 01:40:29 | More by WesWes

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.6/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep reddish brown color, with a thin off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains dark fruit, caramelized malts, some spices and some hops.

T: The taste starts out with a strong caramel & dark fruit sweetness, followed by some spicy and herbal flavors. The hops presence is decent for the style and brings some balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Flavorful, goes down ok, not too filling, mild kick, decent representation of style, it’s ok for something different but there are other similar beer I would choose first.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 01:19:03 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Not the biggest fan of this one. I had this one right after the other Morimoto Ale and found this one to be a little awkward. The pour looked good, had a deep brown color similar to a black lager but with a super sized head on it that was tan in color. The lacing was pretty good too. The aromas were mixed on this it has grassy aromas and some herbal notes. The taste was a little strange. I'm can't really explain it. I just tasted gross to me. I was able to finish it but I won't being buying this again.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2011 02:50:59 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.55/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked this up in Lincoln, Neb figured what the heck?

Pours Dark ruby red to mahogany with a tightly packed 2 fingers mocha head. Good head retention & lacing

Smell: Slight malt, smoky &licorice hints. A slight mustyness detracts

Taste: Dark malt, smoked malt (slight) and light licorice notes. Also faint tappiocca (sp? ie rice pudding) flavor. Finishes fruitty & with hints of saspirilla?

MF: Good carbonation but a schkoosh thin for me

Drinks okay, couldn't drink more than a few, not complex enough to hold my attention all night or day as the case may be. I enjoyed this more than the sobe ale I tried by far

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2006 04:05:34 | More by russpowell

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.1/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

As I pour this beer it shows a brilliantly clear chocolate brown color, it sits in the glass a drab, opaque dark brown color. The head is voluminous and starts out about four-fingers thick. As it slowly falls down it creates a varied, rocky surface, all the while leaving a lacing pattern on the side of the glass. The aroma has a spicy grain like note to it and lots of chocolate-like malt notes as well. This is really quite rich and chocolaty; there is just enough roasted malt character to not add any sharp astringency. There is a touch of toasted malt character and a really solid backdrop of malted grain complexity. The aroma is quite smooth, and very enticing, we'll have to see how the flavor matches up to this aroma.

The beer rests lightly on the palate up front, but picks up soft creaminess that has the beer lingering nicely on the palate by the time one finishes a sip. Once again the chocolate character is the dominant component, but this time of the flavor. Up front the beer has a zippy carbonation, which combines with some spicy, almost grassy grain character to give this beer a change of pace from the chocolate notes. The chocolate notes really don't become dominant until about half way through a sip of this beer and it really melds well with the soft creamy body of this brew. Roasted toasty malt notes in the finish remind me of backed lightly ovened nuts, and a touch of lightly burnt crusty bread.

This is quite a nice brew, I can't say for sure what the soba is adding to this brew, but I am sure it is adding to the complexity. This beer boils down to the complex, dark malt / grain profile that is delivered by a relatively light, easily quaffable brew.

Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson AZ

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2006 00:23:21 | More by Gueuzedude

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours a very dark cola hue, with two fingers of foamy ecru head, which renders some thin webbed lace around the glass in its wake. The aroma is sweet roasted nutty malt, and buckwheat. The taste is more buckwheat, some roasted malt, a hint of coffee/chocolate, and some floral/earthy hops. The carbonation is moderate, the body a bit light, but smooth, and it finishes dry, the buckwheat essence lingering.

A flavour that I don't get much exposure to (the yakisoba I indulge in frequently bear no relation to this), I quite enjoyed the light, roasted, and nutty nature of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2010 00:56:25 | More by biboergosum

Gavage

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Black in color with burgandy highlights. A nice 1" tan head. Some mild lacing develops through the drink. The aroma is of hazlenuts and coffee. Roasted malt, bitter chocolate, coffee, nuts, prunes is nicely balanced with nice bitterness. There was also something about the overall flavor I couldn't identify.

Mouthfeel is dry and smooth. The bitter chocolate tones linger into the aftertaste. Overall a different tasting brew, but one 22 oz. bottle was enough to enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2005 18:34:12 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

3.6/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22 oz. bottle:

Pours medium-to-dark brown with a thin, fluffy white head. Trailing lace slides down the glass, with a bit of stickage.

The smell is of lightly roasted buckwheat/soba, citric notes and Rogue's signature Pacman yeast.

The taste is of roasted nuts, roasted buckwheat/soba. The roasted character (charred) comes close to masking. Mildly astringent. Dry finish.

Fuller side of light-bodied/light-side of medium border.

Drinkable considering over-charred/astringent character.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2008 21:35:26 | More by jwc215

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Decent head, but I like the abundant ring lace. The color is deep ruby brown where light comes through the center of the glass.

Dark coffee malt aroma. Slight cream, little else.

There's a stout element to the flavor of dark, unsweetened coffee. The body is very thin with a high carbonation. The aftertaste is all burnt malt flavors, no notable hop.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2011 01:14:18 | More by smcolw

Zorro

California

3.05/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Pours a clear deeply brown colored ale with a fast fading light brown head.

Smell is sweet and wheaty with a lot of dark roasted malt aroma. Fairly strong chocolate and coffee aromas and quite bready in scent.

Taste is neutral and slightly bitter in the beginning. Lots of roasted malt flavor here to the point that this is sharply bitter in taste from it. Faint chocolate and coffee flavor but it has a really hard time getting past the charred grain flavor. Surprisingly strongly flavored this really taste much more like a dry porter than a wheat or fruit beer. There is an acrid harshness to this beer that is not pleasant.

Mouthfeel is good.

Drinkability just isn't this beers strong suit. There is a harshness to the flavor from too much charred malt. This is distinctly burned in flavor and much closer to a porter or stout than anything else. A beer I can't recommend.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2006 02:40:01 | More by Zorro

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.22/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dark clear ruby. One finger sized brown head. Very creamy looking and long lasting. Lace is better than average. Nice thick aroma. It's got chocolate, roast and char, but also fruit and hop tones like currants and peach. The mouthfeel is quite creamy and lends a good drinkability to the whole equation. Body is about medium. The flavor is chock full of goodies. Rich chocolate and coffee tones on the palate blend with the weird, but nice, soba accents. And a lingering hop bitterness adds the final punch. Nice combination and quite refreshing as well.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2005 03:50:42 | More by Bighuge

wl0307

United Kingdom (England)

3.8/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The same as the previous reviewer, the bottle I've got here is at 5%abv.; purchased at the UTOBEER beer shop in the Borough Market, London, coming in a 650ml brown bomber. BB date unknown.

A: dark brown-ish in colour, topped with a thick and well-lasting light tan froth supported by the endless streams of lively carbonation. Enticing in appearance.
S: a touch of licorice+ginger candy underscores the main aroma mixed of caramel, burned malts, longan-fruits and juicy&thick flowery fragrance of US hops. Pleasant, hoppy, semi-sweet malty like a premium bitter or brown ale in some ways.
T: a light-bodied swallow of caramel (with thin-bodied sweetness), licorice and lightly bitter-sweet toffee makes up the foretaste, leading smoothly to an interesting mid-taste consisting of undertone of longan-fruits, raisins, bitter chocolates, brown bread, etc.; the semi-bitter, dry-ish aftertaste is reminiscent of Roibush teas with a little nice tannin, while lingering maltiness is very different indeed, supposedly the work of soba? Hoppiness is in general balanced seamlessly with the malts and plays the second fiddle all in all.
M&D: quite clean on the palate, while the finish features a faintly powdery texture; med-bodied, reasonably flavoursome, this is a very drinkable brown ale that never goes quite thin or watery.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2010 20:59:17 | More by wl0307

Gusler

Arizona

3.95/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer emerges from the 22-ounce brown bottle a deep raspberry color with a stupendous frothy light tan head that linger long, after its eventual demise the resultant lace forms a thick and sticky skirt to surround the glass. Nose has a nice toasted grain aroma with a sweet nut-like tone, fresh and clean, a hint of caramel, start is somewhat sweet with a decent grain profile, top is light to medium in feel. Finish is benign in its acidity, the hops spicy and the aftertaste somewhat dry with a bit of residual bitterness, a drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2005 23:06:11 | More by Gusler

beerthulhu

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a cola color with reddish hues with a 2 finger creamy, khaki head that had a light surface turbulence of tiny micro-bubbles from the strong carbonation.

S: cherry wood, with light toasted caramel hints, and a sweet fruitiness (berries).

T: fresh cherries and toasted caramel with a background of soft roasted malts. There was a light presence of berries and cream with a spritzy carbonation similar to a Dr. pepper. The finish was clean with a nice lingering earthy bitterness and roasted lacing gracing the tongue.

M: smooth with a nice spritzy carbonation factor leaving a light roasted malt and dried cherries behind.

D: Good drinkability with a nice roasted and fruity palate that kept things interesting throughout the drink.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2008 23:32:22 | More by beerthulhu

DrJay

Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Very dark, clear ruby/chestnut colour with a short cap of dark tan head. Decent retention with a bit of stickage as well. Aromas of light powdery hops and a nutty, chocolatey, caramel malt sweetness. Mild to moderate bitterness and hop flavour with a burnt malt character that's a little too strong. There's a bit of sweetness that's more prominent towards the finish, as is a hint of chocolate. The body is on the light side with a slightly creamy texture and plenty of roasted dryness. Interesting and well brewed, but just a little dull.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2006 00:47:44 | More by DrJay

Brad007

Vermont

4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Color: Pours a dark red color with ruby tones and a thin one-finger head.

Aroma: Nice and malty with very mild hint of cherry and other fruit in the nose. Hop bitterness seems mild enough.

Taste: Dry and malty with hints of plum and dark fruit. I detect a bit of soy as well, which could be attributed to the soba (?). Somewhat chewy as well like a bock.

Mouthfeel: I'm able to detect the characteristics of a bock with fruit, dark malt and even a bit of chocolate at the back of the throat. Chewy.

Drinkability: Interesting flavors abound in this ale. I remember when the Morimoto beers first came out. The design of the bottle has changed and I think my palate has evolved enough at the same time to appreciate these ales for their complexity.

If you are one of the folks that thinks that Morimoto gets no respect on Iron Chef America, at least he has two beers produced by Rogue. I don't know about those folks, but I'd consider having a beer named after me to be a huge sign of respect.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2008 19:39:22 | More by Brad007

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Mirrored black appearance with ghostly glares of dark cherrywood. Cap is medium in height, foam is a bit gluey, bumpy, and broken but firmly set morphing and crystalizing itself down to a sensible skim and bubbly collar. Lacing is intricately placed in thick cottony webbed sheets.

Aroma is soft and delicately natured with a nice cocoa dusting with a very light hint to mild orange/peach jelly and some kind of dry cooking spice; red pepper? Perhaps white cheese? Even lighter roasty black malts, deep woody earth, and baked pizza dough tend to creep in too. Reminiscent to certain years of OSA's, just lighter. Intriguing as all hell, but a little too soft to get everything I think I'm smelling.

Taste is firm and well placed with a certain black malt texture and drier flavor of cocoa thats quite nice. Front to mid ranged grab of spice thats a mild peppery glint of interest just after the intial taste of light roast and dark breadish marble rye. Gentle on the palate with little additions of sweet fruityness of dark pear, dark apple, and a sliver of currant. Fades into the finish a bit quicker then I'd like, but it's still fun to have happen. Partially spicy, partially dry, well textured and lightly fluffy with cocoa and breads. Foreboding, pleasant, and so close to pushing the envelope of boldness and intrigue.

Feel seemed to fit the flavors, perhaps a bit light; seemingly, but the drying tone and lighter, efficient dark texture is pretty nice to take in and helps the flavor profile. Body is about medium with a elegantly dry texture and spice to it. Quite smooth too.

I quite liked this beer. One that grows on ya. A fine drinker and taster. Perhaps not the complete knock out that it could be, but for what it is, it's about right and pretty solid.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2005 02:33:34 | More by tavernjef