Morimoto Soba Ale - Rogue Ales

Butzen

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +26.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Regarding this beer's relatively low rating on this site, I guess the pervasive problem of blown-out palates and huge flavor expectations applies here, as this golden-colored ale – reminiscent of a Belgian golden ale; darker than most pilsners, but not nearly amber – is subtle to be sure, but flavorful, clean and super enjoyable.

The “soba” here is the same soba in soba noodles ... it's tough to pick out in the finished product, although there is an extra nutty and lightly toasty quality that is unexpected in a beer this light.

Morimoto Soba is relatively light, very refreshing and nicely dry, like a macro Japanese lager but without the usual off-flavors and with some extra on-flavors. (And a big, bright-white, long-lasting head that those Japanese beers can't touch.) The aroma is perfume-like and somewhat fruity with notes of green apples (signifying diacetyl, but at “acceptable levels”), delicate hops, yeast and faint citrus, as well as hints of sake. The flavor is very smooth, yeasty and earthy, with gunpowder green tea and hints of tropical fruit in the mix, and the nice aftertaste of a good German pilsner.

This is a great food beer (the line was “launched with” Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, though the extent of his involvement isn't entirely clear), particularly for light foods with a little umami – the beer itself has a bit of savoriness as well. It would go perfectly with sushi or fancy ramen, but also worked nicely for me with whole wheat crepes stuffed with lentils, shallots, mushrooms, kalamata olives and feta cheese.

(Read the full review at http://vittlesandbrews.blogspot.com)

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2012 14:36:54 | More by Butzen

likeemdark

California

2/5  rDev -43.8%

05-19-2013 18:56:57 | More by likeemdark

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%

05-15-2013 11:22:40 | More by Slatetank

jzmaui1

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +19.4%

05-14-2013 20:52:46 | More by jzmaui1

Danno48

West Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%

05-12-2013 01:08:29 | More by Danno48

tbryan5

Louisiana

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%

05-11-2013 22:28:52 | More by tbryan5

tjsmith910

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%

05-11-2013 01:46:50 | More by tjsmith910

Converge

Alberta (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Dad bought this one for me at my birthday a while back. Don't really know what it is.. Not sure what to expect.. Poured into a 20oz tumbler.

A - Pours a golden-orange hue with a thick soapy head and big bubbles flowing up the glass. Looks relatively clean, with only a touch of have in it. Good head retention and lacing.

S - Smells pretty mild. Nutty malt upfront with some subtle fruit (peach or apricot) and mild grassy hops. Just a simple mild ale. Meh.

T - Follows the nose. The nutty malt is a nice touch, with some mild caramel and toffee notes as well. The hops are a little more pronounced than the nose implied, with a nice grassy finish that lingers. Simple, mild, balanced, but in the end uninspiring. As it warms I get an interesting creamy vanilla note that I quite like.

M - Light to medium body, with a lively carbonation. A touch sticky even. Decent enough in this department.

D - Overall a palatable and inoffensive brew, but also a little boring. Maybe I've become too caught up in all the hyped craft beer these days, and can't appreciate a simple well crafted ale, but I didn't find this exciting all things considered. Glad I tried it, but I'll pass next time.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 01:33:25 | More by Converge

DaPan

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +12.4%

04-13-2013 21:18:33 | More by DaPan

orangesol

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

04-11-2013 03:23:27 | More by orangesol

doktorhops

Australia

4.18/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Rogue Ales I've tried on one occasion before, I think it was the chocolate stout, anyway they are dastardly expensive in Australia so when I got the Soba Ale it was with great wallet-hesitation however I was rightfully expecting great things from this brew.

Poured from a 650ml bottle into a Pokal.

A: Pours a clear amber body with a 1cm chalk white head.

S: Has a distinct roasted nut aroma with a dry malt grain note and complimentary earthy hops in the background. Expect big nutty/earthy flavours and a lingering dry finish.

T: Very Japanese in its uniqueness. There are a smattering of flavours that make this interesting; the aforementioned nuttiness, which is more a roasted chestnut than a roasted peanut, earthy hops, dry finish, all of which were expected but here's where it makes a distinct Japanese turn; it has a soy sauce note with a hint of sweetness that you would find in Mirin sauce (along with that Sake taste).

M: Mid to light body with medium carbonation.

D: I was expecting great things and the Rogue Morimoto Soba Ale delivered. If you're looking for an ale with that weird Japanese flair then this is a great option. Personally I like the oddness of Japanese flavours in beer as it brings something new to the table and this beer exactly captures the essence of Japan in a beer so well that you would think it was brewed in Japan itself. Alternatively If you aren't looking for that quirkiness you might find yourself somewhat disappointed.

Food match: The choice of Japanese cuisine is obvious, in fact whilst drinking this I was craving some Edamame big time, but this would also go well with Asian cuisine from other nations like Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam (to name a few).

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 03:34:44 | More by doktorhops

zestd

Idaho

4/5  rDev +12.4%

03-29-2013 20:46:57 | More by zestd

4runner4ever

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%

03-25-2013 15:17:27 | More by 4runner4ever

ChrisMon02

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%

03-25-2013 10:12:49 | More by ChrisMon02

bigbeers84

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

03-25-2013 08:00:16 | More by bigbeers84

CaptainNomihodai

Illinois

3/5  rDev -15.7%

02-28-2013 22:14:52 | More by CaptainNomihodai

grahamboudreaux

Tennessee

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

02-28-2013 12:38:09 | More by grahamboudreaux

Seaba

Pennsylvania

2.5/5  rDev -29.8%

02-26-2013 20:24:05 | More by Seaba

Cavanaghty

Maine

2.68/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served on tap in a pint glass.

Appearance: Amber color, with a thick white head. Heavy lacing on the glass.

Smell: No overpowering scents really. But I could smell some more floral type smell, grassy, corn, and malts.

Mouthfeel/Taste: Smooth medium bodied. Bitter taste, with a grainy grassy taste to it.

Overall: Glad I tried it but not one of my favorites by a long shot.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2013 00:38:20 | More by Cavanaghty

rayman2112

New Hampshire

4.5/5  rDev +26.4%

02-22-2013 02:00:08 | More by rayman2112

chugamugofsud

Oregon

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

02-21-2013 16:58:32 | More by chugamugofsud

Beerswag

California

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

02-14-2013 17:13:43 | More by Beerswag

2neardead

California

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

02-07-2013 16:59:03 | More by 2neardead

laurastradford

New Jersey

2/5  rDev -43.8%

02-05-2013 20:20:10 | More by laurastradford

KillaB

Illinois

2.5/5  rDev -29.8%

01-29-2013 05:45:03 | More by KillaB