Morimoto Soba Ale - Rogue Ales

womencantsail

California

3.63/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer pours a clear golden copper color with a large white head on it.

S: Smells interesting. Very heavy on the biscuity malts with a touch of corn, perhaps. Nice floral hop notes. Very intense floral notes, actually which give the beer a somewhat perfumey nose. A little bit of spice is present, too.

T: Big time floral flavor. A bit honey-like, in a sense. Good sweetness to the beer with a biscuit and toast malt profile. A light nuttiness on the background (I guess that's what the soba provides?).

M: On the lighter end of medium in body with a fairly high level of carbonation.

O: I've had this one a few times over the years and have consistently liked it. It's a good beer, but like many Rogue products, not something I would frequently purchase.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2011 18:58:51 | More by womencantsail

WestValleyIPA

California

4.2/5  rDev +18%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bottle into my Duvel Tulip. A finger plus of white head, and a lightly hazy light orange colored body. Head dies relatively quickly with little retention. Smells vaguely pilsner-like, a very light smokiness. Definitely a light sweet malt smell to it, reminiscent of many Indian beers (rice?). Thin on the mouth with not much carbonation holding. Imminently drinkable. Amazing food beer and hot weather beer. Certainly something I'd re-buy.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2011 00:02:29 | More by WestValleyIPA

TheDudeRules

Minnesota

1.05/5  rDev -70.5%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

From a bottle to a snifter.

And we are off to the Bash A Beer Olympics.... Let the horribleness begin.

I would really love to write just plain awful, avoid at all costs. But the public needs to know just how awful.

After this light colored spew made it to my glass I quickly turned my head wondering where that smell was coming from. Without being able to pinpoint where this rechid smell was coming from, I started to ask some questions. Hey fellas.... Has there been cats missing in the area? I think maybe somebody is cooking them out back. Wait a second....It's not feline delicacy being cooked, it's the shit wafting out of my glass from this dank beer. I reached to the heavens for the strength to stomach a sip of this nut crusted turd. I'm ashamed I called in a favor from the almighty for this one. A sip and my good tooth turned black. Immediate drain pour. I don't know what rocket scientist dreamed this fail up but they need to be drug out in the street and shot.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2011 04:53:37 | More by TheDudeRules

BeardedRiker

Texas

3.98/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It has been a long time since I've had a Rogue beer. They make many quality brews in many different styles. I'll admit that I didn't feel compelled to buy this Morimoto Soba Ale because the rice ales I've tried have never really impressed me much but I thought it'd go well with fish. Too bad I'm not going to drink it with fish. Oh well! Hopefully this will have a clean feel and flavor.

I decided to pour the Soba into a more wine glass-like beer glass because, if sake is considered a rice wine, even though it's a liquor, then perhaps a rice beer should be drank for something like a wine glass. Whatever... The beer is golden-amber in color and clear, though there is a bit of sediment at the bottom of the bottle that can be poured into the glass. I'll touch on that later on. The head is very bubbly or foamy, with small bubbles, and takes awhile to form and is white. There is little film on top and minimal lacing. While the look might not be very remarkable, it's the smell and taste that deserves detail.

Morimoto Soba has a very grainy, mealy smell to it that mingles with a sort of sweet floral smell. There is some sweet fruit I pick up as well though it's difficult to describe. It's very interesting and not an aroma I've smelled in other beers. It makes Soba not smell exactly...beer-ish, yes, I know that's not a word, but it's definitely something you won't find in basically any other beer you try, unless it's another rice ale.

The same extraordinaryness, another non-word, of Soba's aroma is in its taste. It has a high carbonation and a light mouthfeel, though it has a very bready flavor that would make you think it'd be heavy. There's a tang like from citrus and acidity from sweet fruits, again, I don't know how to describe it in much detail, that fits in well with the high carbonation. There is a balance though with the breadiness as well as an interesting...milky-buttery smoothness that make Soba taste much like sake. That's what is very interesting about Soba in that it's a rice beer but has characteristics of sake, "rice wine". A hint of alcohol towards the end adds to that. If you pour in the little sediment that is at the bottom of the 22 oz bomber then you'll get even more of the unique rice flavors.

Soba is easy to drink with its high carbonation and light mouthfeel, and while it is not overly complex and full of flavor, it is definitely a beer you've not tasted before. Its unique smells and flavors make it something I'd definitely recommend to try. I wouldn't say I particularly think it's a beer that I'd want to have regularly but its uniqueness deserves a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2011 08:36:40 | More by BeardedRiker

FernMaster

Missouri

3.2/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a Tulip.

I'm sitting in someone else's home as he completes something for work, sitting and sipping at the Morimoto Soba Ale as my car lies abandoned on I-70 Mile marker 92.0 in Missouri eastbound towards St. Louis. It's been an adventurous (to the say the least) couple of days. I came to Boonville, er rather attempted to, to see my girlfriend who is currently busy and my car died twenty-one miles from her home. My life has an impeccably timed narrator who is apt to lay on sarcastic malice in my weakest moments. He's vastly superior to the narrator of "Our Town." As my car lay dead on the side of the highway, as cars briskly past without changing lanes, I saw a brilliant flash and heard thunder that was close enough that counting was unnecessary. A storm quickly raged and only added to my satirically pathetic situation as she tried to find my car. Sitting in the rain in my passenger seat with the seat belt on, I laughed and decided I truly, truly needed a beer.

Flash forward to now, I'm sitting with a Morimoto Soba Ale. I've decided to revisit old friends of mine, from noticing a gap in my reviews of beers I love and from visiting my buddy who's texting in front of me now as his brother plays drums in the room next door. Morimoto Soba Ale is an old buddy who I haven't seen in a year.

Reminiscent and melancholy are the words of this review.

My bottle may be a bit old, or maybe my memory was too strong. The pour is a very crisp gold, almost fine cider like. There's a great amount of head, three fingers from my pour and there's lacing as I drink. Other beers in this style seem to lack in this presentation (ignoring the color), this beer does not lack in looks.

The smell is lackluster from what I'd imagine a beer with Morimoto's name on the label should be. The soba is dry, malty like you were smelling raw ingredients. It lacks refinement. It seems young, wild, ignorant of the world. There's a hint of citrus I want to say there, but it's shy. A good twirl only gives the impression that my ramen is finished.

The taste is rather much better than what I expected given the lack of nose. However, it's still dry, something is missing. There's the soba and spice and a hint really watered down orange. Despite the lack of character, which becomes a since of a character, it's sort of enjoyable. In a strange way. It's like sitting on the side of the highway, in a thunderstorm, while images of cops and the news where cars sitting on the shoulder getting creamed play through your mind. There's a sense of enjoyment that can be found in not looking for enjoyment. If I was pairing this with food, Thai for example, it would simply be amazing. By it's self, it's just lacking.

The mouthfeel is frothy, light and drying. The drinkability is aided by the great finish that this beer has. If anything should stand above the rest for this beers highlights, it's the finish. Would I revisit this old friend? I wouldn't drive to see it. If I was however enjoying a dinner and saw it and it seemed agreeable at the time, I would say hi.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2011 01:26:07 | More by FernMaster

tapman

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Light orange color with ample carbonation mounted by a creamy, large, head of white foam.

Toasted grain aroma with some earthy hops accompanied with a flat roastiness/nuttiness that I take to be the roasted soba (noodles?).

There is a tangy, almost lacto-tartness to the taste. Also, some white toast flavor and a light, floral hoppiness. A creamy nut butter taste in the finish with a very low bitterness. Goes very well with filet mignon kabobs. (with red onion)

Light, dry and with a puckering twang.

Too light in flavor for me to say "best ever," but complex enough to compliment a meal or drink on its own. At $7 I would not buy this beer, so that's why I picked up a discount $5 bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2011 03:42:08 | More by tapman

Bookseeb

Washington

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance is a light golden copper with a fair head that dissapated quickly leaving no lace. smell is faint of sweet malts and what is probably soba. Taste has a twangy (must be the soba) lightly malty sweetness with a mild, but good balance of hops. mouthfeel is a light medium with good carbonation. A little different, light and easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 04:41:27 | More by Bookseeb

ianjsullivan

Maryland

3.83/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

ST:750ml poured into a pint glass.

A: Cloudy golden-orange with a thin white head. It leaves wonderful lacing.

S: Peach, citrus, and honey.

T: Starts sour and sweet with honey and rice. It has a bit of oatmeal in the middle to the finish. The alcohol stops to say hello at the end along with some crisp citrus from the hops.

M: Light and dry.

D: It has low abv, nice taste without immense tongue tiring flavor, and it is smooth.

Overall: I was interested in this beer as soon as I saw it, and I am happy with the final result. It is light, has nice flavor, and is incredibly drinkable. It starts and finishes with slight sour and sweet. It worked very well with fish (which is what Rogue suggested would make a good pairing). This beer is restrained and balanced. I highly recommend for a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2011 00:29:36 | More by ianjsullivan

vfgccp

New York

4.45/5  rDev +25%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Opaque golden honey. ~1 finger of white head with about average lacing.

S - Fresh white peach, touch of toast, honey, hint of golden raisins.

T - Bring ricey grains, touch of sour malt, light grade honey. Alcohol says hello for a split second later in the profile. Porridge and cream in the aftertaste.

M - Soft texture and a medium body. Finishes slightly sweet.

D - Very drinkable. Mellow flavors and a great mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2011 19:54:24 | More by vfgccp

gueuzeonhigh

Maine

3.9/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy golden amber-straw color.
A small head that laces the glass.

A nose with a hops and nut-like hints.

This is a light ale but does have much going for it. Even at room temp its quite delectable. I'm sure it would also double as a hot weather thirst quencher served much colder that room temp.

The bitter hops flavor is commingled with a nut-like hint and a malt under pinning. It's a delicate flavor that makes itself known yet not overpowering. The flavor of this beer does differ from other light ales.

The mouthfeel produces a long lasting finish.

Drinkability is superior in part thanks to the 4.8% ABV but also the flavor is complex enough to have snared my interest.

While this beer is not a flavor power-house it is a light but enjoyable brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2010 00:31:56 | More by gueuzeonhigh

csiewert

Oregon

3.9/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A good lighter beer with a very smooth, easy finish. Slight hoppiness makes the flavor and aroma complex enough to stay interesting. Pours a light copper color with some head, but not much retention. Very crisp and mouthfeel is good. Some bread flavors, but there is more the the beer than than... there's just something that you can't put you finger on that makes it unique.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2010 16:06:53 | More by csiewert

pwoody11

Delaware

2.88/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 3

Drank this one while eating my leftover House Special Chow Mei Fun. My bottle says 9 ingredients versus the 8 listed here. I think Mine has Willamette listed whereas it is not listed above here. Anyway, here we go.

Poured a copper color with a medium head. Not much retention.

Aroma is bready with what unfortunately seems to be some diacetyl. Light hops are picked up as well.

Taste follows the nose. Did not really get very much of the butter taste that I expected after the aroma, but it is indeed present which may also explain the creamy mouthfeel, which I like, but it unfortunately comes at the expense of sacrificing the the quality of the nose and taste. Malty, grassy, citrusy, and yes a little buttery.

I never seen or smelled buckwheat in it's natural or roasted form, only the noodle, so I can't really tell if that flavor or aroma is present.

Even with the diacetyl, the beer isn't terrible, and it actually went quite well with the meal I had. I'd pick it up again if I was looking for something to pair with a meal similar to the one I had today.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2010 18:51:43 | More by pwoody11

closetchef

Minnesota

3.9/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

A- Poured a nice cloudy reddish-tan, with a good head.

S- a mild bread dough on the nose, dry orange peel, and a bit yeasty. Overall, a very clean smelling beer.

T- very bready (is that even a word?), with a definate buckwheat hint in there. Notes of orange, a mild grapefruit, and yeast.

M- larger bubbles of carbonation, very light yet still creamy.

D- A very drinkable beer, light and fresh.

Overall, I'd say this is a good beer for what it is. I could very easily see this being a great introduction to the world of craft beers for someone who is used to the more mainstream brews.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 02:02:28 | More by closetchef

thekoz

California

3.9/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a very cloudy copper color with a pearl white head.

I got some bready aromas, but nothing too strong in my mind.

The carbonation was light and crisp. Had a very nice mouthfeel

The taste was bready with a bit of citrus and tangy (and nutty?). Bitterness was slight, and well balanced with the other flavors. Hard to believe it was 30 IBUs.

Overall, very light and nice beer. Had this with a crab appetizer and it went well with this. Would certainly have again with a lighter meal. Probably not an everyday drinker, but good in the right context.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2010 06:06:05 | More by thekoz

EwaldEichstaett

Jordan

3.05/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Always looking for something new, this is it. The beer pours a cloudy, yellow/copperish color with a small white head. The smell is difficult to define a grainy, nutty, seedy sort of malt. There is a little sourness and perhaps a hint of tartness in the background as well.

The taste is dominated by a bread like soba malt. (I guess that's what we're looking for here)... the taste is really smooth and then it hits with some nutty, grainy, and almost salty after-taste which lingers for a long while.

There is a smooth, kind of waxy feel in the mouth. Really a one trick pony of a beer. However, it complements my tuna very nicely, but I can't say I'd like more than one bomber of the stuff. I can see this being a love it or hate it sort of beer for the majority of people.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2010 04:00:37 | More by EwaldEichstaett

djbreezy

Washington

3.83/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Bamboo Sushi in Portland, OR.

appearance - pours opaque yellow with moderate head, some retention, some lacing

smell - notes of malt and buckwheat

taste - buckwheat dominant, slightly sweet, nutty

mouthfeel - starchy, well carbonated, medium body

drinkability - very tasty for a vegetable beer, one of the few beers by Rogue that stands out on its own

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2010 23:34:50 | More by djbreezy

lacqueredmouse

Australia

1.53/5  rDev -57%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

I can get Rogue in Australia, but this one never really gripped me enough to buy it for the exorbitant import price. But I was always curious so thought while in America, it was worth trying it out.

Pours a very clear light golden colour, with a fine-bubbled head of white. Lacing is extremely good, even if it sticks in obviously large bubbles around the glass. Looks decent enough.

Nose is really rather sweet, with an almost sickly malted grain cloyingness and a whiff of overripe apples. Nothing much of anything else, except a lingering butteriness that affixes itself to the sweetness and makes it seem worse.

Taste is weird, and confronting. Big welling of slightly corny sweetness, more of that faint apple aroma and a hint of something that could be spicy. Oh, it's such an unpleasant flavour - something that just rankles me, rubs me in completely the wrong way. Maybe I just really despite Soba, but in the beer, it's horrid. Feel is light enough, but doesn't do anything to protect against the rank flavours on the palate.

Oh, horrible, horrible. I can see that this is a beer that's likely to polarise opinion, but it has me firmly on the side of despising it. The sweetness is cloying and unpleasant, almost like the juice from a garbage bin. Maybe some people like this flavour. I think it's repugnant.

I'm so pleased I only spent the US price on this and not the AU price. It doesn't work for me at all - indeed I find it truly offensive - be warned that there is the rank possibility that you will hate this.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2010 03:00:46 | More by lacqueredmouse

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.93/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly hazy light golden with a fairly short head. Very strange and interesting beer. Smells and tastes like pancake batter. Doughy, slightly sweet, nutty, grassy, hint of citrus, and lots of creamy tanginess. Definitely buckwheat notes and unbelievably creamy. Highly unusual, and not something I'd drink all the time, but I can see this being quite food friendly, especially with asian foods, either clean and simple like sushi, or more robust like a spicy stir fry.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2010 01:36:41 | More by Georgiabeer

bonapartist1

California

2/5  rDev -43.8%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

To preface this, I've never liked any Rogue product except for their Brutal IPA. I keep rolling the dice with them, but maybe 12 beers have yielded one which I even could call "solid."

Morimoto tastes like a F***ing lager. A bready, biscuity, dull, lager with, of all things, a buttery chardonnay quality.

Serious diacetyl. My buddy said it tasted like straight Safeway brand margarine. Other reviewers are remarking that this beer is interesting. I am perfectly happy to not "like" a beer as long as it is intriguing or challenging, and this is neither. Dull, watery swill. I could see where a palette acclimated to dull Japanese pilsners would dig this all over, but it's only worth putting out on the lawn for me.

Another crappy to marginal rogue beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2010 06:53:54 | More by bonapartist1

claspada

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a nice clear copper colour with a very nice amount of head that leaves an attractive lace. Doesn't look like a complex beer that's for sure. The aromas are the typical bready biscuity malts with a hint of earthy hops. Doesn't seem like it's going to be good, but then...

The tastes are based around the bready malts, earthly/woody hops; and something you can't quite put your finger on, must be the Soba. Rogue's Pacman yeast is also definitely detectable and as usual is delicious.

Fairly drinkable if you want a good, creamier bitter w/ a strong malt backbone. I enjoyed this more than the darker Black Soba Ale also offered by Rogue. Worth a go on a hotter day when you just want to enjoy a lighter style beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2010 15:44:22 | More by claspada

mwa423

Ohio

3.13/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - Hazy yellow/orange color with two fingers of pillowy head that quickly died down to nothing with a bit of lacing.

S - There is only one smell in this beer so I'm going to guess that is what soba smells like. The closest comparison I can think of is hazelnut and plum. No discernible malt or hops to speak of.

T - Is...interesting...Taste is subdued but reminds me of tapioca, plum, mixed with a bit of malt and a definite hop bitterness on the end.

M/D - Mouthfeel is full, creamy and quite pleasant. The aftertaste isn't bad. Reasonably drinkable beer and probably one everybody should do like I did and buy it from the clearance rack. Paying full price however should be discouraged.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2010 22:21:41 | More by mwa423

mentor

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a two finger slightly yellowed head over a clear dark golden liquid. Smells a bit like an irish red ale. Caramel, mineral, cherry, honey, and lemon.

Tastes a familiar, yet unexpected flavor. Nutty, malted milk, toasted coconut, lemon, and mild cherry and strawberry. Hop flavor is floral and accompanied by a bit of a spicy zing (like you'd get in a pils). The beer is pretty dry in the mouth and very dry in the finish. Some mildly grassy hop bitterness may be a contributing factor. Overall, there is a similiarity to an irish red ale character of light caramel, mineral, and clean hop in a dry finish.

Light body and strong carbonation. Decent drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2010 03:30:52 | More by mentor

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2.5

Bomber to pint glass. No date or batch number indicated.

A: Pours with a large 3 finger purely white head, both fizzy and foamy and long lasting. When the head eventually recedes, large pockets create a lumpy terrain. The body is clear and a very bright light yellow-orange color. There is an unbelievable amount of quickly moving bubbles that add longevity to the head retention. Lacing is between good and excellent with thick, chunky sheets of sea foam adorning the glass.

S: Starchy aroma. Barely toasted malts are light with hints of bread and nuts. Hops are herbal, grassy and low in intensity. After having a few of Rogue's brews at this point, the house Pacman yeast is a definitely a noticeable common denominator across their portfolio. I'm not sure why a brewing company would limit themselves like that. I do, however, think that this yeast strain works particularly well with the concept/flavor of the Soba Ale.

T: The starchiness comes through on the palate as well, backed by other flavors similar to corn and vegetables, light fruity esters and buckwheat flour. The soba flavor is unquestionable. Unfortunately, some rubbery phenols come through as well. I imagine that this brew, while not exactly highly palatable, would be an amazing accompaniment to Japanese fare and probably many other Asian countries cuisine as well.

M: Medium to medium-light body with a creamy texture that becomes mineralic. Above average fizzy carbonation. Lightly sweet on the front and middle palate, dry on the back.

D: Like I said before, would pair excellently with the right food, which would increase it's drinkability. For general consumption only though?...below average drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2010 12:40:04 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

madvoice

Australia

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a deep golden colour with a 3/4 inch sudsy head that dissipated quickly but left a good amount of lacing on the glass.

The smell is very much of honey with a nutmeg overtone which is quite pleasant.

The taste is very unique as far as beers go and it was much more than I expected. It is is like an almost Golden Syrup flavour with a fair bit of wheat and a hint of citrus but without being sickly sweet.

Mouthfeel is very light and refreshing and not too heavy on the carbonation.

This beer is very drinkable and I would love to have more but at $17 for a 600ml bottle it is a 'special occasion' beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2010 11:30:22 | More by madvoice

GallowsThief

Florida

3.23/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured out of a 1 Pt. 6 Fl. Oz bottle into a Duvel tulip.

A - Poured a light golden color. Nice 1 inch head that receded slowly. Left a nice sheen of lacing on glass.

S - Tough one. Almost no smell good or bad but I did pick up some earthy fragrance.

T - So the first sip was average but I came to appreciate it. It has a slightly sweet taste. A bit grainy.

M - Good. Light carbonation with a touch of sour left behind.

D - Its a pretty decent beer with average to good drinkabilty.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2010 23:17:54 | More by GallowsThief