Chipotle Ale - Rogue Ales

Wasatch

Utah

3.5/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear amber color, nice carbonation, not much of a head, some lacing throughout the drink, but not a whole lot. The nose is of sweet malts, hops, spices, and caramel. The taste is kinda smokey and sweet malts, there's a good touch of caramel in there. Medium body. Drinkable, my first Chile Beer, not a bad brew at all, would recommend.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2006 22:34:14 | More by Wasatch

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(Served in an American pint glass)

A- This beer pours a golden red color with a good carbonation and a thick creamy light tan head.

S- This beer has the smell of green hops with a faint chipotle heat in the finish. Some notes of toasted grain are also present.

T-This beer has a big pine hops taste with a nice base of toasted grain. The finish is a nice smoky red pepper flavor that is very well balanced. The slight warmth of chilies clings faintly to the throat at the finish.

M- This beer has a nice medium full mouthfeel with a hint of creaminess. No alcohol heat but a hint of chile heat.

D- This is a very pleasant chile beer. I'm quite surprised who good it is. I thought all chile beers had to involve pain but this one is all pleasure.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2005 01:22:50 | More by rhoadsrage

Jason

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: 22 oz. bomber with no freshness date.

Appearance: Richly golden in colour with a thick pasty white lace that retains very well.

Smell: Some fruitiness, malt sweetness and a touch of smoked tangy pepper.

Taste: Very smooth with a mild crispness, rich and medium bodied. A thin layer of malt is first then a mild smoke kicks in as well as a mellow tangy hot pepper that has a faint touch of heat to it, perhaps some of the tangy flavour is from the cascade hops. Soon after is an underlying malt (bready) and a bit of hop flavour ... yet the more you drink the more you feel the heat, though it does not get hot or over bearing. Very clean in the finish with a fading heat.

Notes: Seriously one of the best spiced/herbal ales we have ever had ... some complex yet very well balanced and oh so drinkable all at the same time. A generous addition of smoked chipotle peppers give this brew the heat and smoke.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2002 12:44:16 | More by Jason

Billolick

New York

3.88/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

typical Rogue bomber, pours rich orangy amber, fairly cloudy, slight tan head, leaves moderate lacing, Nose is fairly mild, I get hints of smoke, red peppers and malty sweetness. Medium bodied, lots of smoke, red pepper and a mild jalapeno note. Not overpowering, but the pepper/chili thing is present. Nicely balanced by malt sweetness. Not for everybody, but Pepper heads will love it, great selection for tex-mex type food.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2005 21:56:02 | More by Billolick

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appears a semi-transparent, dark copper with a fluffy, light tan head that quickly fades into a mild cap. Tiny speckles of lacing are left around the glass.
Smell is of spicy hot pepper up front with a mild smokiness and a sugary, bready backbone that keeps this beer interesting.
Taste is of yeasty bread, hoppy spiciness, and citrus, along with a touch of a smokey, peppery heat flavor.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a decent amount of carbonation that makes the sugary sweet malt come through the heat barrier.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2009 01:54:39 | More by weeare138

Zorro

California

4.63/5  rDev +29.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

From a 22 Oz Bomber.

Pours little hazy red to red amber colored ale.

Smell is malt and jalapeno tang on the first sniff. More effort reveals some dark roasted malt and a little spicy tickle from the peppers. Smoke comes next as you really concentrate on it and it starts to smell like a barbecue. There is also the scent of jalapenos baked into cornbread here. There is no mistaking the wonderful scent of roasting Chili peppers; I love that smell! This kindles for me memories of Chilie roasting time in Albuquerque New Mexico.

Taste is dry and SMOKEY! Smokey enough to show a lot of other smoked beers how to do it. A very good flavor of Jalapeno here that fruity and tart flavor is unmistakable. This brew accentuates the flavor of dried Chipotles perfectly; the fresh version would have more sweetness from the flesh of the pepper. Nice solid bitterness in the finish that mimics perfectly the slight bitterness you get from a little bit of charred pepper skin in fresh roasted chilies. Only possible improvement would be slightly more sweetness but I suspect those sugar just would never escape getting munched by the yeast. This isn't hot at all to me but I grew up in the Southwest and was eating hot peppers before I became conscious of my own existence.

Mouthfeel is very good.

Drinkable as all hell! To me THIS is the ultimate Barbecue or Tex-Mex beer. Or I would drink it anytime; I am a major Chilie Head.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2005 02:23:40 | More by Zorro

Bighuge

Minnesota

3.78/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer is a hazy golden. Small creamy off-white head sits on top. Pretty light nose for a Rogue beer. A little malt and some citric hop tones. I wasn't expecting to love the taste of this beer (or any pepper beer for that matter), but the pepper notes are ever so subtle. This is actually an enjoyable brew. The pepper tones are kind of appealing. Other than the pepper, there is a nice mix of malt and hops. A little caramely. A little spicy hop bite as well. Overall, this one is pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2003 19:11:39 | More by Bighuge

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Philadelphia Bar & Restaurant

Poured a slightly hazed copper with a thin layer of delicate bubbles for a head. Malty aroma, very light, with a touch of smokiness; not much in the way of chipotle in the smell. Toasted malts on the tongue, a bit of smoke, and just a mild sensation of hop bitterness. I didn't really get any chipotle until a few second after swallowing the first swig, but after that, the slight tingle was with my for the rest of the session. Light-medium mouthfeel, and pretty nice to drink if you don't mind a little extra zing in your beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2011 17:53:14 | More by Rifugium

lacqueredmouse

Australia

3.7/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours an amber golden colour, with a filmy head of creamed-honey coloured head, a little lacing, but it's very filmy. Quite pale, can't say I'm a huge fan, to be honest, but it's ok.

Lots of sweetness on the nose, very honey-like; almost reeking of it, with the sort of floral notes that come from specific honey varieties as well. Some light smokiness, but not a huge amount - quite subdued for what I was expecting. But it's a very pleasant aroma nonetheless.

Smokiness is far more pronounced on the palate, with a really sweet-smoked character coming through, like honey baked ham. Some crispness on the finish, with a rather dry character. Mouthfeel is incredibly tingly, partly from carbonation, and probably from the peppers, but it does add a zing to the smoke characters.

I've had better smoked beers, but the smoky characters on this one are quite well done. I fear that this beer, unlike others I've had, doesn't have quite as good a base recipe - but it's certainly quite pleasant, and drinkable enough for what it is.

Certainly the best chile beer I've yet tried.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2009 08:40:04 | More by lacqueredmouse

Gusler

Arizona

3.85/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

It is my understanding that this is the same as their Mexicali Ale, makes sense I guess. The beer disembarks the 22-ounce brown bottle a deep copper color with a modest frothy light tan head and the residual lace forms a thin covering upon the glass. Nose is, as one would expect, a bit peppery, lime like in its crispness, sweet with malt and the start somewhat sweet with a nice grain profile, the top is light to medium in feel. Finish is moderate in acidity and the hops pleasantly spicy as is the peppery dry aftertaste, a drinkable beer, but as with the Juniper, not one of Rogues better beers.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2005 21:16:55 | More by Gusler

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Poured a bright, clear orange with amber highlights and a foamy beige head that settled after several minutes to a sparse micro-bubbly layering. Visible carbonation was strong and steady.

S: roasted chipotle peppers and a light smoked woodiness along with some caramel malt.

T: The initial flavor starts off spicy from the roasted peppers, that was zesty and pronounced with an underlying sweet roasted maltiness. The peppery nature is certainly distinguishable providing a mild spiciness that gentle faded leaving a warming sensation deep in the stomach. There was a light smokiness but it was the spicy peppery nature and warming in the stomach that truly characterize this beer. There was traces of dried citrus while the balance of the roasted peppers and malting was good with just enough to give it a spicy kick, but not enough to totally distract from the beer nature.

M: light, slick, with a nice spicy pepperiness, spicing things up which left a warming sensation on the tongue and lips.

D: Definitely not a session beer, The hot roasted peppers brings a spicy and sauciness that was quite unique. On bomber should be plenty. A novelty beer but a very good one at that and worth a try for the adventurous beer drinker seeking out something different. Will definitely spicy up your night.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2008 23:54:11 | More by beerthulhu

plaid75

New York

3.55/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On draft at the Rogue Ale House, Portland, Oregon.

Poured a medium copper hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was decent retention and good lacing.

The smell featured a light pale malt with a trace of smoke.

The taste consisted of meaty, smoky flavors; buttery malts and caramel.

The mouthfeel was of medium fullness.

Overall an interesting ale. The light smokiness was pleasantly surprising.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2009 22:43:38 | More by plaid75

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

You won't find any chili peppers floating in this bottle and even if there were, there's no guarentee you'd be able to see them; Chipotle Ale has a light enough auburn colour but its tone is deep and its complexion considerably hazy. Bubbles are visible but manage only the bare minimum for head. Any lacing left gradually sinks back down the side of the glass.

When it comes to hot pepper beers, even that of a good brewery like Rogue, it's hard to know whether you're in for one of the most distinct taste experiences of your life or whether you've just bought a front row ticket to a train wreck. Of course, it could be both. By the smell of it, however, this should be palatable, if a little more tame than expected.

The flavour, like the aroma, has notes of a moderately smoky jalapeno and toasty, low attenuated malt. It tastes like something that would probably go well in a chili (though I've yet to try it out yet, but I plan to). Paired alongside a plate of salty nachos con queso, however, I can assure it a smart move; it cuts the grease and compliments the raw veggies.

Don't expect Chipotle Ale to be an advertisement for Alka-Seltzer - anything that might have caused hot burn is heavily subdued. The lack of acid reflux would suggest that milder jalapenos were used to begin with, but the beer is more smoky than it is zesty. The finish showcases an ordinary amount of hop bitterness too; nothing spicy ever develops.

The ratings on Beer Advocate will overwhelmingly tell you that chili peppers and beer are rarely on speaking terms. Rogue's Chipotle Ale, however, isn't too hard to swallow what so ever. It's Tex-Mex meets the North-West and it's a surprisingly decent combination, especially when (or, rather, provided) it is paired with the right foods. Bravo and Salud! to Rogue.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2011 17:30:24 | More by biegaman

Brad007

Vermont

4.63/5  rDev +29.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I've had this beer in the past and enjoyed it, though I never reviewed it.

Pours a reddish/pale color with a thick head that leaves decent lacing. Aroma is strong and malty with the hint of chipotle on the nose. Reminiscent of a scottish ale of sorts. Chipotle itself adds a spiciness to the aroma of this beer.

Taste is strong and malty upfront with a chewiness and burn provided by the chipotle. Leaves a decent spiciness at the back of the tongue that goes down with a mild burn. A second sip confirms the same thing except that the chipotle dominates the palate here and nearly overwhelms the malt.

This is the type of beer that isn't for everyone. I personally enjoy it as I really like spicy foods. This beer would definitely go well with a burger or something more. I feel it's well done for the style as well.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2007 03:36:56 | More by Brad007

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Copper with a light tan head, some retention & lace.

S: Smokey, roasted red pepper, chili-powder, pale malt.

T: A fairly bold smoked-pepper flavour, with a slight underlying pale malt flavour.

M: Moderate body is well carbonated with a little acidity, dry finish.

D: Decent.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2008 22:01:24 | More by Derek

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.43/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a pint glass.

Pours 1 finger of beige head that fades to a 1/4 finger and then has good retention. Leaves no lace. Color is a hazed orange hued copper.

Aroma: Lots of malt and peppers. Chipotle and green peppers. Very spicy.

Taste: Tons of malt here, nothing to specific. Tons of peppers. The aftertaste makes my throat feel like it is on fire.

Mouthfeel: spicy and hot (Not the boozy hot), that's about it. Medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation. Ends hotter than hell.

Overall, this is a very unique beer. It is very hot and I think it could go well with a taco. I am glad I am splitting this 3 ways, as it is hard to drink.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2010 02:15:35 | More by mothman

Dogbrick

Ohio

2.53/5  rDev -29.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This brew is a clear amber color with a thick and creamy off-white head that recedes slowly. Thin rings of lacing on the glass. Smokey aroma with prominent peppers and light hops. Medium-bodied with flavors of spicy pepper, sweet malt and citrus hops. The finish is spicy with a fresh pepper aftertaste. Maybe I am still gunshy years after my Cave Creek experience but I really want nothing to do with these types of beers.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2008 21:31:41 | More by Dogbrick

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +23.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A mold of clouded copper. Small, unlasting cap of big bubbly froth. Light lacing with some strings and tiny spots.

Aroma is lovely with a huge smokey malt and roasted pepper waft.
Round and spicy, smokey and resonating. Nice!

Taste is just as nice with moderate malts giving weight to the smokey ridge in which it rides. Fun lingering finish with the smokey leftovers and grab of roasted pepper spice. It wavers on the palate for good length with smokey pepperness. Quite nice. Never over the top with its spice, but definately present.

Feel is a sturdy medium body with a malty centered middle and one fun finish with the smokey spices and lightly textured dryness.

A drinkable, fun brew to behold if in the mood for something out of the ordinary. Perfectly spiced and smokey for this Northern boys' buds.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2006 01:50:04 | More by tavernjef

JohnGalt1

Idaho

3.53/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

22 picked up at the Coop for $5... I am making pulled pork and thought that the brew would be nice base for a BBQ sauce... poured about half the bottle into my shaped Sam Adams glass.

1" head above a clear copper amber brew... no real lacing.

Brew doesn't really smell spicy or smoky... more just like a standard medium American hopped Amber ale.

The chipotles are definitely there in the flavor but more of a background smoky/spicy... more smoky than spicy at first sip.. citrus hops are still there as is the standard Amber ale flavors.. Brenda says it goes great with lime flavored tortilla chips. Body is standard Amber as well... the smoky chipotle flavor is more of a novelty to me... I like to use chipotles in my Chili.. I may have to give a little bit of Rogue love to my next batch... but otherwise I don't see me picking this up again unless I am using it something I am cooking... interesting, but not my cup of tea.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2008 02:25:37 | More by JohnGalt1

ccrida

Oregon

3.43/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

On draft at the Public House in Portland, the Chipotle Ale is a clear, orangish amber head, with a small, quickly fading white head that left no lace.
The aroma is really muted, soft malt with a touch of cascade hops...try as I might, I can't find the pepper.
This tastes like a smooth and mellow amber ale, which it is. Nice balance between the malt and hops, a tad salty. The Chipotle isn't really evident except for on the finish, with a nice peppery tingle on the back of the throat.
It is medium bodied and a bit seltzery, bicarbonate?
The drinkability of this was surprisingly high. I've always been really skeptical of chili beers ever since first reading about them in Papizan's homebrewing book. I have to say that I am really pleasantly surprised. I didn't get chance to session with this, so I can't say if the pepper would build, but from what I had, I wanted more.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2007 04:15:18 | More by ccrida

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.9/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle shared by drabmuh. Thanks Matt!

A: Amber hues and slightly hazy. There is about one inch of head that fades in a few moments, leaving plenty of lacing.

S: Hot pepper, chiles, jalapenos. Off to a good start.

T: This beer was much better than I anticipated. The chiles are potent and present throughout the aroma and taste. These spicy flavors are integrated very well into the overall presentation of the beer - assertive enough to make this easily recognizable as a chile beer, but not so flaming hot that it ruins your palate or becomes overbearing.

M: Nice feel with solid carbonation level. Hot peppers linger on the tongue between sips.

D: A good representation of the style. I believe this would make a nice pairing with fajitas and guacamole, or other foods of that ilk.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2010 23:03:39 | More by Huhzubendah

RoyalT

Ohio

2.38/5  rDev -33.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Appearance – This one is clear brown in color with no head. It looks like a flat Marzen.

Smell – The light, weak malt nose is no match for the strong chile aroma. NassT.

Taste – I found some peaty notes that seem to say that these chiles were roasted on an open grill. It actually does taste a bit like chipotle, but in a bad sort of way.

Mouthfeel – This one is a bit bigger than light-bodied and flat. The aftertaste had me gagging.

Sinkability – Ay, caramba! Estos cervesa es muy malo.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2004 17:18:22 | More by RoyalT

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

A. Hazel with little to no head.

S. Spicy pepper nose. The chipolte is evident here.

T. A sweet initial taste with a roasted hot pepper finish, kind of like the bottle says. It gets spicier as you drink more.

M. Tingly on the tongue and arouses the taste buds for sure.

D. Honestly, one of these is enough for me. Good for the style, definately, and Rogue doesn't seem to make bad beer. It just gets to be too spicy after a while.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2008 14:30:52 | More by Stinkypuss

avalon07

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had an amber color and a clear consistency. There was an inch of foamy, fairly long-lasting head. Good lacing.

S: Lots of chiles in the aroma, as you might expect, with some malt as well.

T: Not that it's any surprise, but the chiles took center stage, with a tinge of malt in the finish. This is the sort of flavor that I didn't like at first, but gradually grew on me. Not a complex taste, but good at what it does.

M: A good amount of carbonation with a crisp finish. Medium-bodied.

O: A solidly made beer - hard to do with this style - that's easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2012 13:09:17 | More by avalon07

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clean orange-ish color with an off white head. In the aroma, smokey and spicy. In the taste, smokey and spicy, and some dry yeastiness. A small bite and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry spice and small burn in the aftertaste. Smokey and spicy, great for mexican food.

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2011 12:44:59 | More by OWSLEY069