Chipotle Ale - Rogue Ales

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The first chile beer I've ever reviewed.

Appearance- Pours a very deep copper amber hue with only light bubbling but some noticeable lacing. The color is just awesome, I must reitorate. A little feline foam remains for only a couple of sips.

Smell- Very oddball smokey amber malt aroma. Not like the amber malts but of mildly spicey vegetables. Prety unique. The chipotle does makes its presence known.

Taste- Starts with a normal red ale toasty and biscuity flavor. Then the toast turns into smoke. Pepper smoke. A nice, easy, and very palateable chipotle aroma. Very interesting mix of a traditional amber ale. with soem smokey and slighlkty spicey peppers.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2006 01:15:24 | More by scruffwhor

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

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

Thanks to tenderbranson69 for sharing this bomber. Poured chilled into a shaker pint.

A - Hazed deep amber w/ a 3/4inch cap of beige w/ good clinging action from the lace.

S - Big bold, smokey pepper aroma w/ a nice malt smell. More peppery than smokey in the nose w/ mild woody essence of hops

M - A sweet taste usurped by bite of red pepper heat. Malty texture cushions the effect of biting into a chipotle, the finish is peppery(literally). Moderately full carbonation w/ a nice warming feeling as it slides down the throat with light smoothness. The mild hop bitterness and subtle sweetness really complements the zip of chile

T - The taste is like peppers with a smokey edge and smooth creamy, slight toasted malt flavor underneath the pepper heat. A nice mild hop taste is not distracting from the mild chipotle flavor of the ale and is used judiciously. The pepper's spiciness is not the the only thing you taste - you actually get the earthy vegetal notes of the pepper in the beer which is important. Each sip of this lets you get a taste of malt, pepper, smoke and the malt is there to catch it and protect from overly peppery beer land

D - A great beer but not one I would drink repeatedly. I would consider this good with corn soup or mac and cheese since I like Tabasco chipotle with pasta and cheese. A well brewed chile beer proving it can be made without dwarfing the taste of the beer and doesn't mask the ale's taste. I found this to nice when blended with the 10,000 brew at EBF and with Stone's Bitter Oatmeal chocolate stout

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2009 20:45:26 | More by Slatetank

TheLongBeachBum

California

2.55/5  rDev -28.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Presentation: 22 ounce Bomber. Cream, Red and Brown colored façade with the words ‘Chipotle Ale’; underneath the familiar looking Rogueish Chap. The geeky beer blurb lists this as an Ale Brewed with Chipotle Peppers on the bottle, but its vital statistics are more scientifically expressed as 13° Plato, 34 IBU, 77 AA, 3.2° Lovibond.

Appearance: Dark amber-red body with deep orange flashes, looks extremely good when backlit. The beige head is thick and has an egg-white stiffness which leaves a nice run of smattered lace on the edge of the Glass Mug I am using. Conditioning seems high at first but settles to a moderate level once the head sits down and relaxes.

Nose: Smokey malt nose with a Chipotle Tabasco Sauce odor. Toasted malts break through in the finish with a delicate hint of hops, but not much.

Taste: Lots of smoky malts in this one smoked and toasted the middle only hints at the Chipotle Peppers, which is a shame. Overpowering and one-dimensional, the experience is finally ruined with a waxy, lard ridden smoky bacon feel in the back end.

Mouthfeel: Starts OK, middles average, and slowly finishes with unsettling thick lard-like constitution that coats the inner cheeks with a smoky bacon flavored fat-like residue. Not very nice at all.

Drinkability: I managed the Bomber, but only just, I did struggle with it. I found the smokiness to be too overpowering in this brew to be honest, I expected more from the Chipotle Peppers, a more refined balanced brew, what I got was a smoked beer which was a tad sickly in the long run.

Overall: Tastes like a ‘run-of-the-mill’ smoked beer to me, and a rather unbalanced one at that. Sadly, only the merest hint of Chipotle Pepper in the back end here. I love spicy food and peppers, but I’m glad I only got one of these. More Smoked than Chipotle, which was a disappointment, nevertheless it’s not a bad brew….it’s just not for me though.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2005 20:06:54 | More by TheLongBeachBum

Tone

Missouri

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

Pours a clear, copper color. 1/3 inch head of a white color. Decent retention and slight lacing. Smells of pepper and slight yeast. Fits the style of a chili Beer. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp with an average carbonation level. An obvious heat is present. Tastes of pepper, yeast, and slight pale malt. Overall, the chili domniates and the flavor is good at first, but the heat builds and makes it hard to drink.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2010 22:29:17 | More by Tone

Bitterbill

Wyoming

3.25/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from bottle(room temp) a nice amber with a huge head that settled down after a while but remained throughout.

The smell was malty..can't say any of the peppers made it to my nose.

The taste was very malty and then notes of "heat" made their presence and lingered right through the aftertaste.

This is a very different kind of beer for me and though I "feel" that this must be one of the better examples of the style, I have to think the style is not for me. Try it and find out for yourself. ;^)

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2005 01:30:10 | More by Bitterbill

kylehay2004

Florida

4.13/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: single finger head, little retention on a clear amber body.

S: fresh baked bread and lots of yeast with a mild chili note.

T: nice maltiness which fades to chile and chipotle but this one isn't hot. The spiciness is there but there is no burn or overwhelming chili aftertaste compared to others.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: I like how the chipotle adds to the taste and aroma but doesn't dominate either. Hands down the best chili beer I have had. Just the right amount of heat and chili flavor with nice malt balance.

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2012 02:44:05 | More by kylehay2004

cokes

Wisconsin

3.55/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

First I should admit that I love chipotles, with that whole chili- peppers-charred-with-cigar flavoring that I adore in select foods.
Secondly, I know what kind of nadir pepper beers can produce, after my bile ducts still start churning after the mention of the conjunction of any two or more of following words: cave, creek, crazy, Ed's, Chili, Beer.

This pours a burnt golden orange topped with a scattered, pocky bubbled crown.
The nose has vague caramel grain notes coupled with burnt rubber and Chipotle gradations.
The malt base is wide and weak, featuring notions of caramel and dark breads. The middle is filled with chipotle smoke, robust, and meaty, with the beading sweaty flesh of the pepper still issuing commands, tastewise. There is an underlying heat, but not of Hot Sauce, rather of a peppery, jerk seasoning. The hops conclude with glimpses of florals. Chipotle reigns, but the balance is suitable. The subtle building heat is actually a bit intoxicating in more ways than one.
The body is frail and pale, and the carbonation is juvenile, as in underdelevopeled and flat.
It seems like it probably loses something due to simplicity, and on it's own it's a bit eh, but it would certainly hold it's own as a tex-mex wash.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2005 05:34:10 | More by cokes

TurdFurgison

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at Slow's Barbeque in Detroit. The beer was served in a small chalice for some reason, I'm not sure why because this beer isn't too expensive in bottles. The bartender said the keg was expensive...

The beer was dark yellow golden colored with a thin white head. The aroma was surprisingly hoppy, I didn't get any chili peppers out of the smell. The taste was citrucy hoppy and a bit spicy, but the spicy heat must have come from peppers instead of hops. It was really pretty nice against the weak caramel malt flavors in the background. I plan to try it again from the bottle sometime.

Serving type: on-tap

09-26-2007 10:12:24 | More by TurdFurgison

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.45/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a bubbly light brown color with an airy head that collapses rapidly to an oily looking sheen...expected for a chile beer.

Mild cardboard and nestle quick powder nose has me wondering if I got a bad bottle or let it sit too long in my fridge (3 months). Hints of grassy hops and toffee maltiness. I dont smell any of them smoked jalapenos.

Taste has some of the same cardboard that was present in the nose. Sweet malts are pretty dominant with a short bright burst of hop bitterness in mid to late sip. The smoky peppers finally come through on the very end with a lingering and quite noticeable heat in the back of the throat. I like that, but then again, I like really spicy food. I could see this being a turn off for many. I think I might try to score a fresh bottle of this and see if it is any better.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2009 07:10:51 | More by twiggamortis420

nickfl

Florida

4.1/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - One finger of off-white head forms on top of a slightly hazy, reddish copper body. The head doesn't stick around long, and there is no lace to speak of.

S - Caramel malt and the smoky, spicy aroma of roasted chili peppers.

T - Malt, caramel and some sweet, roasted pepper notes up front. Mild chili spice and moderate hop flavor come in together in the middle and compliment each other nicely. Hop bitterness, mild spice and a hint of smoke play off each other in the finish.

M - Medium body, high carbonation, and a moderately dry finish.

D - Easily drinkable. The chili pepper heat is just right to give the beer some spicy character without making it unpleasant, though I could stand a bit more chili flavor. The hops and peppers really play off each other well, and the medium amber maltiness balances everything nicely. This is certainly one of the best out of the few chili beers I have had.

I didn't pair this bottle with any food, but the natural choice would be anything mexican. It is kind of like a Dos Equis Amber, but more complex and with some heat.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2008 06:04:17 | More by nickfl

bark

Sweden

4.35/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The liquid is clear; the colour is deep amber. The high off-white head is compact, it leaves some fine lacing.

The smell is a bit smoked with hints of meat. Dried fruits, fresh chilli fruits, and some sweetness. I found notes of canned fruits and raisins too. Very pleasant.

The taste is fruity with some matured cellar.notes. Dried fruits and cask-matured notes. In the background, a very elegant chilli heat flavour emerges, but it is never allowed to dominate the palette. Some passing notes of fresh and dried fruits (apricots, mandarins). Medium bodied. The aftertaste is malty with hoppy hints: Some smoked cheese in the background and a mild chilli flavour. Very well kept together. Cream in the finish.

The carbonation is medium strong; small fresh bubbles. The liquid is smooth and a little sticky.

More of desserts drink than a BBQ-beer. Mellow and rounded flavours with chilli in the background. Almost like a light barley wine.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2009 13:34:11 | More by bark

francisweizen

Australia

3.55/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Hmmm, now this one is very interesting. Apparantly Rogue messed up a bit, as this bottle is not the same in design as the other 5 anniversary beers. Never-the-less, I also heard that this was the same as Mexicali Rogue, but i've never had that one yet, so here it goes. The pour is beautiful, a glowing reddish colour with a nice white head that lasts for a bit, and leaves a bit of lacing. The aroma is intriguing. Some strong malts, a touch of hops, some smoke, and a bit of peppery heat. The taste is where things really heat up. This brew is very malty and almost sweet up front, than the middle is smoky, and the finish is spicy/hot. The mouthfeel is good, but hot, and the drinkability would be better with some mexian food. Still, this is probably the best pepper beer out there. If a brewery can do it up right, Rogue is the one!

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2004 18:16:12 | More by francisweizen

smakawhat

Maryland

4.23/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass.

Real nice nearly crystal clear body and a wonderful just magic copper orange red color. Not much noticeable rising carbonation, but a nice fluffy head, three to four fingers deep forming real nicely, with a slight yellow hue to it.

Nose is great roasted pepper, char and slight burnt with airy crispness. It reminds of diving into a bowl of salsa. Hints of smoke whaff out of this almost like a rauchbier. Great smelling brew.

Palate hits the right notes. It's not wham hard, but a real nice subtle char and smoked pepper. Malt sweetness finishes the brew on the aftertaste, rounding out the flavors of pepper to meld nicely on the tongue. Mouthfeel has just the right amount of richness to bring everything forward, nothing thick or wet, just about simple and right.

OVerall great example of a chile and pepper action in a brew, I will have this again when in the mood.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 00:42:41 | More by smakawhat

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.8/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours an amber/orange color with about a half inch off-white head. The aroma is weak, but I can smell roasted peppers and a bit of malt. It tastes like spicy roasted peppers and has a hoppy finish but it's not as spicy as I expected. The heat/spice does get stronger (and tastes better) the more of it I drink, but the spicyness isn't overwhelming at all. Mouthfeel is light, and it's oily and smooth. Drinkability is good too, it goes down easy. All in all, it's a decent beer. I'd definitely drink it again, it was a pleasant surprise because I really didn't know what to expect with this beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2007 00:52:32 | More by bluejacket74

dgilks

Australia

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

Moderately smoky nose with a hint of chilli if you look for it. Sweet caramalts. Classic Rogue yeast signature.

Slightly hazy, red-gold colour with a fluffy, off-white head.

Rich, malty flavour with a smoked chilli note. Clean fermentation profile. Overall, its good with a not over-the-top smoke and chilli note.

Big, rounded body with moderately-low carbonation. It's fair.

A tasty beer but somehow something is still missing. I actually think that the Pacman yeast is doing something here that I don't like too much. Still, one of the better chilli beers I've had.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2010 08:25:32 | More by dgilks

Brent

Kentucky

3.05/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

One of my lower scores for a Rogue beer, which is a lineup on which I can usually count. This was not a bad beer, but I was pumped for something special from the addition of the chipotle peppers - not much going on here. Perhaps my bottle was not fresh enough, and the peppers had faded into the background (why does Rogue so steadfastly resist any dating on the bottles?). Overall, this probably fell in the more mellow-end of the pale ale pool. Pretty boring.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2004 05:56:17 | More by Brent

blackie

Virginia

3.58/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

appearance: The pour gives a short, light khaki head that gradually falls back to a ring and a thin layer. The beer is an orange-amber in color.

smell: Moderate nuances of smoked chipotle pepper dominate with some toasted, caramel type malts hiding behind. That's pretty much it...no hops readily found.

mouthfeel: The carbonation is just above medium, and the body light but not thin.

taste: The same smoked chipotle from the aroma dominates the flavor. Some malts are present, but hard to pick out behind the pepper. Light pricks of teasing heat are felt after the swallow. Hop presence is at a minimum, which is probably for the best.

drinkability: eh, not a bad beer but half a bottle would be plenty...interesting, though. I could see this chipotle translating well into a porter.

single bottle from Peace Street Market, Raleigh

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2006 04:25:28 | More by blackie

GClarkage

California

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

07/22/05- On tap at the Rogue Ale House in San Francisco, CA

Presentation- From the tap into two 4oz sampler glasses.

Appearance- Light amber pour, very slight head and light lacing. Not sure how a chipotle ale is supposed to look.

Smell- Smoky and spicy.

Taste- A bit of smoke taste followed by a fairly strong pepper aftertaste.

Mouthfeel- Medium carbonation, spicy aftertaste and warming sensation.

Drinkability- The only time I would have this again is with maybe with some mexican food. This would probably be an excellent pairing. Not my kinda style, but blows away Crazy Ed's by about a million-fold.

Serving type: on-tap

07-22-2005 23:55:23 | More by GClarkage

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

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

Had this a while ago. Review is from my notes

A - Cloudy amber with little to no head
S - Peppers and hops.
T - Not too much burn but the pepper is highly balanced with this brew.
M - Burn kind of lingers a bit upon finishing but in a way it was refreshing
D - I may have to track this down again and do the "drink with Mexican food" advice. It kind of ruins the night for drinking since the burn kind of sticks with you for at least and hour or two so in a way it is "spicy"

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2010 00:16:59 | More by DrDemento456

flagmantho

Washington

3.73/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 22oz bomber into a pint glass.

Appearance: slightly hazy tawny-orange color with one finger of ivory head. Could be pretty good.

Smell: well, it doesn't smell like any other beer I've tried before, but then it doesn't smell strongly of chipotles either. It smells slightly chalky, vegetable-y, and, indeed, a little peppery; my brain wants to say cayenne pepper. Bonus points for originality.

Taste: up front it is a strong kind of neutral flavor; chalky; indeed, almost waxy. The initial flavor is almost berry-like in its fruitiness, and it is only later that the spiciness and chili qualities hit with full force. Even so, it is not discernably "spicy" on the tongue; however, I'm still getting little beads of sweat on my forehead as I imbibe it. I have to give this a 4, because while it may not be something I drink every day, it is an interesting and well-executed brew.

Mouthfeel: medium body with an average carbonation level. Nothing to write home about.

Drinkability: I like this beer well enough to finish it; and, while I appreciate the craft that went into it, I don't know that I'll be getting it again. Perhaps it would go well with a meal. This is simply one difficult beer for me to rate.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2010 21:15:12 | More by flagmantho

tdm168

North Carolina

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

A - orangish amber with a soft, white cap of dense head

S - smokey, peppers

T - all out chipotle peppers, some very very faint caramel

M - medium bodied, smooth, well carbonated

This isn't a bad beer, bit it comes across more as an ingredient rather than a beer. It has good flavor if you love chipotle peppers, but I'm not sure I would ever want more than this one bomber. I'm glad I tried it once.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2012 08:53:27 | More by tdm168

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz. bottle into goblet on 5/9/10.

A - Poured a hazy, rusty orange liquid with ample carbonation and half an inch of light beige foam on top that quickly diminished into a thin patch and sparse amount of lacing.

S - Nose is sweet initially with light caramel malt notes paired with a faint oily, spicy pepper character. The peppery attributres emerge slowly at first until they culminate into an almost Spanish mole sauce character - peppery, earthy and spicy. A slight waft of alcohol and sweet tobacco also emerged as the liquid warmed up a bit.

T - The chipotle character is much more apparent in the flavor than the aroma and elicits smoky and earthy tones with a light herbal hop character and mild spicy pepper notes. The caramel malt sweetens the brew, providing a complementary balance to the boldness of the spicy and smoky attributes. Finishes with a touch of leafy hop bitterness amid a spicy, peppery zing.

M - Medium bodied with an oily texture and moderate carbonation. Finishes with a sweet malt character and smoky, spicy notes on the palate with a hint of residual heat from the pepper oils. Bitterness and spiciness lingers for quite a while on the lips and tongue.

D - Pretty interesting brew that incorporates earthy, herbal hops with a spicy, peppery flair. This would pair quite well with Mexican food. The oily, peppery character really retained its spiciness, considering the age of this bottle (purchased November 2008).

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2010 00:37:20 | More by ffejherb

merlin48

Kentucky

3.65/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle served chilled. Pours a hazy, burnt orange color, with an offwhite head that fades quickly. Only a few patches of lace were left on the glass. Aroma was very subdued for a Rogue. Sweet caramel dominated the nose, with just a hint of fruitiness and some smoke. Mouthfeel was actively carbonated with some mild hop bite and a slight twang of pepper bite. Taste featured the caramel malt sweetness, with a balance provided by sparing use of the westcoast hops. I could detect a mild, smoky chili flavor of the chipotle peppers, but they're in the background. Very well balanced, overall, and very drinkable. I think this one would be better with a more assertive pepper presence.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2004 10:54:21 | More by merlin48

Vancer

Illinois

3.15/5  rDev -12%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Mahogany pour with fast dying tan head – no bottled date on screen label.

Rich, malty aroma, with notes of the ol’ spicy peppers. Rustic tasting woody and smoky chili peppers stand out in this one – but they are not overpowering, fortunately

A very thin and quiet brew, the peppers are the whole story here. It’s just not a brew to savor, it’s more of a hurry up and finish it frosty. I think you really need to be working on some BBQ to fully enjoy it.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2006 02:27:05 | More by Vancer

dbrauneis

New Jersey

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

A: Pours a very lightly hazy (almost clear) copper in color with some very light visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall light beige head that reduces to thick patches and a thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Significant lacing is observed.

S: The aroma on this beer is surprisingly light - expected more of a punch from the peppers but they are there in a more subtle fashion. I get the smokiness and a little of the spiciness of the chipotle peppers along with some malt sweetness.

T: The flavor starts with some malt sweetness (just a hint of caramel to it) and then the flavor of the peppers comes in... There is a really pleasant smokiness of the chipotle pepper and just a touch of heat.

M: Medium bodied with moderate to high amounts of carbonation.

O: Different but drinkable, I would not call this beer sessionable but it is also not something I'm sorry that I chose (or disappointed to have). I would likely not get this beer again and I'm not sure there are really any beers in this style that I want for... The alcohol is not very noticeable and the pepper flavor is not overly hot.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 20:18:53 | More by dbrauneis