Brewer's Ale 2008 - Rogue Ales

Reino

Oregon

3.98/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this on tap a few weeks back at Rogue's Eugene City Brewery, and loved it. Thought it tasted very similar to Stone 11 at the time. I had a different experience with this beer from the bottle. I bought this expensive and big ceramic bottle mostly for the artwork of Brew Dawg on it. I have a soft spot in my heart for labs.

Appearence-- Poured half the bottle into my oversized snifter, producing a big beige/khaki colored, creamy head. It went down quick leaving some lacing and a creamy frothiness similar to what's on top of freshly brewed espresso. The beer itself is a deep but vibrant brown, with an undertone of purple. This is a pretty beer.

Smell-- At first, while at it's coldest point, it smelled similar to Old Crusty. Lots of dark fruits, and a dusty, dry oats smell with the earthy hops hiding out. As it warmed up, the hops made them self more known but the smell is a pleasant balance between the malts and earthy, lemony hops.

Taste-- If you enjoy oily hop resin, you're in luck. Piny, earthy, woody bitterness coat the tongue. LET THIS BEER WARM. My first pour was too cold, and it made the hoppiness unbearable. I LOVE hops, and even I thought it was way
too over the top while cold. As it warms, you get the roasty malts coming out to play. Make no mistake about it, the hops are the predominant flavor, but the malts add a decent enough balance that keep the beer away from teetering over the edge into the Pine-Sol realm of piney/earthy/lemon hoppiness. If you're looking for pineapple, orangy hops look elsewhere. There's also smokiness in this as it warms further that would probably pair great with a cigar and really makes this beer something special and different. This would be enjoyed much more on a crisp winter evening than a warm summer night.
I don't really love the taste, but I definitely appreciate it. It's a head scratcher that grows on you the more you drink. Some smoked cheese or some other food pairing would probably do quite well to make this more enjoyable. Otherwise the bitterness on top of bitterness get's to be overwhelming.

Mouthfeel-- I really enjoy the creaminess of this beer. It's like creamy hop oil pouring over your tongue. The carbonation is on the lower end but still prickles the tongue a bit and suits it well.

Drinkability-- It's a stiff brew at 9%, and the intense flavors make it a sipper and not one I'd want to drink a whole bottle of, although that's what I'm doing. I had a much better experience with this beer on tap, and would recommend getting a pint if you see it around. I'd only recommend buying the bottle if you are a dog lover like me who appreciates making a beer in your dog's honor, and plan on adding the bottle to your collection. RIP Brew Dawg.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2008 03:25:11 | More by Reino

t0rin0

California

4/5  rDev +0.8%

12-25-2012 18:53:15 | More by t0rin0

Bradbury

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%

06-21-2012 22:53:58 | More by Bradbury

Tyrawlings

Ohio

4/5  rDev +0.8%

02-19-2012 01:52:01 | More by Tyrawlings

JustinMatthew

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +0.8%

12-12-2011 18:41:34 | More by JustinMatthew

JohneHoodlum

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%

12-06-2011 00:08:15 | More by JohneHoodlum

rab53

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +25.9%

12-05-2011 04:31:59 | More by rab53

JAHMUR

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +0.8%

11-23-2011 04:54:25 | More by JAHMUR

snogglethorpe

Japan

3.73/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is a very funny beer, it looks like a porter or stout, almost black, with a huge thick head. The taste is very hard to identify, but it's very strong and unique (the bar-tender described it as tasting like marmite, which is scarily close to the truth!), with hints of a porter, but also the roasty flavor of a stout and hoppiness of an ale. It certainly seems consistent with Rogue's general lack of subtlety.

At first I was somewhat turned off by the strong and weird taste, but I ordered half a pint, and found myself warming to it. It's definitely unique, and quite drinkable after one gets used to it; I find myself thinking I'd like to try it again...

[... which I can't, of course, as it was a limited productiod beer ...]

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2010 03:17:25 | More by snogglethorpe

ShogoKawada

Rhode Island

4.75/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A- A murky, rich, deep brown with a thin but attractive caramel head. The beer will not allow light to pass through, and I'm digging the head coloration.

S- Incredible pine resin hops. Pungent, dominating, almost overpowering. Right in my wheelhouse. A significant malt base provides the caramel sweetness to round this one out.

T-Disarmingly hoppy; so much that it's hard to take it all in at first. Whoo boy. The taste is, as one reviewer put it... 'sucking on a pine tree'. (Side note.. that's the review that made me want to buy this!)

I love it! The malts provide (as in the nose) a blossoming, bludgeoning caramel base that tries its best to hold its own, but can't compete with the hop overload. This beer must have been ridiculously expensive to produce.

By far the hoppiest strong ale and one of the hoppiest beers I've ever had. 106.9 IBU? I taste every one of 'em. No floral, no citrus, all pine tree resin. Really perfect on a cold, rainy NE night. This beer is so hoppy you can't take it all in. As hoppy as it was at first sip, I feel it grew exponentially bolder by the start of the 2nd snifter. By the end, it was like I was eating hops by the handful.

M- Full-bodied, bitter, scathing... and surprisingly balanced. Well, not really, but they made a noble effort. If an equal amount of malt was added to this pine-fest, the beer would be so dense it'd collapse on itself. As it is, I couldn't ask for anything better. Fresh, this must have been an eye-waterer, as it is wallpaper-peelingly bitter and scathing a year in the tank.

D- Moderate, maybe a hair above... but I loved this beer. Score is bumped for the ear-to-ear smile I had on my face as this went down. I would drink it a lot more if I had easy access and a blank check. Not for everyone, and I can see how many would be turned off at this malty pine tree behemoth of a brew.

For me, damn close to perfection.

I was asked to compare this to Double Bastard by a friend. I find this to be significantly hoppier, way more piney, and not as overbearing. That prob. doesn't make sense... the Double Bastard hops were plain ol' bitter, these have tremendous flavor behind them. I also found the malt in Double Bastard to be bordering on cloyingly sweet. Perhaps the malt in this one is... but the hops knock them out of view.

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2009 11:59:19 | More by ShogoKawada

mwilbur

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from 26 oz commemorative bottle into snifter.
A: Pours a very, very dark burnt orange with frothy 1 inch cream colored head.
S: Strong pine and citrus hops...very fresh aroma even after cellaring for about 1 yr. Sharp piney note dominates. Hint of caramel comes through with warming.
T: Overly strong piney hops. Not well balanced and a bit bitter. I'll call this above average, but this might be being kind here.
M: Sharp bitter notes definitely are off-putting. Medium body with acidic aftertaste.
D: This one started off promising, but took a nose dive. I still like Rogue, but this is not one of their better offerings.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2009 03:53:34 | More by mwilbur

pinotboy007

Virginia

3.63/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

750 ml ceramic bottle purchased from Thorpe's in East Greenwich, RI.

A - In a Duvel tulip, dark brown/root beer-like appearance with a thick, khaki cap with bubbles and lace. Very nice!

S - Malted coffee laced with grapefruit and leather.

T - Sweet malts with a sharp grapefruit/pine hoppiness; finishes with a bittering dryness that lasts for at least a minute. The alcohol is there but it's not scorching.

M - Exceptional for the style. Medium bodied, with soft carbonation; creamy. The hops actually add a surprising bit of "freshness" making this simple to down.

D - The high ABV inhibits my scoring (not to mention the silly ceramic bottle, impressive as it is). This might pair with ribs rather well. If this came in a can or bottle I'd buy more.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2009 21:14:14 | More by pinotboy007

beachbum1975

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

"Dogs' lives are too short. Their only fault, really." ~Agnes Sligh Turnbull

Rest In Peace, Brew Dawg (1993-2006)

Presented in a 750ml ceramic bottle with Rogue Brew Dawg dog tags wrapped around the neck.

After a modest pop of the pry off cap, it pours out a deep ruddy to amber color with a huge massive, light tan head. Thing of beauty to look at...

There's a lot going on with the nose... Complex malts (hazelnut and toffee) with a fair amount of earthy and piney hops and light juniper.

Taste dictates the nose. Surprisingly low carbonation in the mouthfeel, but smooth and enjoyable, none the less.

This was very nice, but not worth $22+ in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2009 17:14:20 | More by beachbum1975

Floydster

California

3.5/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

750 ml ceramic bottle purchased from Bottle Trek for a little over twenty bucks a few months back, the last beer of the night that I drank with my dad and buddy yesterday, poured into my Duvel tulip glass, dark brown, 1 ¼ inch off white head, lacing the whole time, even after a swirl towards the end of the glass, aroma consists of citrus, huge sweet malts, also a large presence of piney hoppiness, earthiness, and grapefruit, taste begins with bitter and dry hops, some toasted malts in the middle but earthy flavors take over quickly, more hops in the finish, mostly grapefruit but some pine still too, dry, earthy, and malty mouthfeel, medium bodied, well carbonated, taste lingers a long time, could have probably drank this bottle, not too filling, alcohol is mostly hidden, would drink again but not with this huge price tag, not worth the money in my opinion

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2009 19:30:51 | More by Floydster

clayrock81

Virginia

4.05/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a darkish brown with gigantic head that just wouldn't die off. A mix of toffee, caramel and some breadiness along with some heavier hops in the smell. The taste/mouthfeel is more of the same with a chewey, thicker body that is both heavy in sweet malts/dry malts and hops, for a taste that is both sweet and dry, and well-balanced to boot. To me, the malts really come through as I was tasting toffee, caramel, and some light chocolate and picked up some sticky syrupiness on the sides. Citric and floral hops on the backend moreso than anywhere else lead to that dry, crisp finish. A great beer and I'm glad I got one.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2009 15:43:12 | More by clayrock81

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.43/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

"Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends."

--Alexander Pope

Apricots and cherries covered in melted caramel (with bright orange accents). The golden brown sugar colored crown is at least three fingers thick after a spirited pour. The cap is a marvelous mass of sticky bubbles that are beginning to blast the glass with loads of cheese grater-like lace. Outstanding!

The nose features toasted brown bread (Munich malt) covered in caramel (caramel malt) and tropical fruit (Simcoe and Centennial hops). Newport hops are present as well, but they're more of a workhorse, bittering hop. If Brewer's Ale 2008 tastes as good as it smells, then look out.

I don't care how many ways John Maier devises to combine the four basic ingredients, he almost always deliver the goods. His secret (other than a great deal of talent) is to use plenty of ingredients. Especially hops. Even though this big brew just celebrated its first birthway, it's still hugely hoptastic.

The nutty earthiness of the Munich malt (not one of my favorites) is easily countered by flavors of English toffee, scented pipe tobacco, brandy-soaked apricots, bitter orange zest and pink grapefruit peel. Rogue should use Simcoe hops more often. The contrast between sweet and bitter is ultimately decided in favor of the latter. Man oh man, this must have been some humdinger when fresh.

Subsequent pours look even more amazing, giving me no choice but to grant the ultimate appearance score. I hate to sound like a scratched CD, but this brewery is one of the best mouthfeel breweries in these United States. This one is medium-full, soft, silky smooth and supremely enjoyable.

If dogs are man's best friends, then Rogue Ales is a beer lover's best friend. One of them anyway. Brewer's Ale 2008 carries on the tradition of big beer excellence from one of this country's gems. If you see this beauty in the stores, buy as much as your budget allows. Cheaper (in bombers) and a regular release is probably too much to hope for. R.I.P. Brew Dawg (1993-2006).

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2009 14:43:17 | More by BuckeyeNation

Strix

Wisconsin

3.7/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Murky brown with good head and lasting lacing.

Smells nice, toffee, caramel, citrus, pine, malt.

Taste is complex and powerful. Reminiscent of Arrogant Bastard, but feels stronger. I really didn't pick up much of the classic Rogue yeast on this, I would have guessed Stone brewed it. Very malty, with caramel, wood, toffee, and pine. Blast of piney hops at the end gets to be a little much after a while.

Medium mouthfeel and carbonation.

Drinkability hampered by palate-obliterating hops.

Glad I got to try it, but I felt the hop bitterness ran away with this one.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2009 03:16:08 | More by Strix

Fatduck

Minnesota

4.13/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I bought two of these bottles to commemorate the passing of my own dog, a 13 year old German Shepard.

Pours out a deep ruddy amber color, with a huge massive head. I literally set the bottle cap down on top of the head, and it stayed, very impressive.

Smell is complex, hop forward, with a big malt backbone, did I mention complex?

Sweet, with an upfront bitterness. Some dark sugar flavors, more complexity that I can't put my finger on. I can tell you this... Its GREAT!

Thick and smooth like my Shepard's fur, dark like her too. This was a perfect choice, I am enjoying this while fondly remembering my Sophie girl.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2009 01:07:40 | More by Fatduck

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.8/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Comes out of the tap a dark coffee-brown with a fairly thick, fine-bubbled tan head. Aroma is surprisingly hoppy and has a malty undertone, as well as a hint of molasses. Flavor is mainly hoppy and has touches of malt and caramel, as well as a whisper of sweetness. Smooth texture has a jazzy, fizzy edge.

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2009 20:29:32 | More by Cyberkedi

FtownThrowDown

Ohio

3.8/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at the Dilly Deli.
Pours darker than any other IPA I've ever had. Has a nice quarter inch head on it when served. Smell is dark and a little roasty. You don't really get the flavor in the nose. It's all in the taste. And this is where the hops take over. Lots of bitter/astringent piney hops. Just enough to be assertive and not kill the drink.
It has a thicker mouthfeel for an IPA as well. This is a very good beer that I could easily drink a few of.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2009 00:49:19 | More by FtownThrowDown

srandycarter

California

4.03/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Dark cola, big head, reduces to ring. Lots of clingy lace. Sticky.

S - A vat of deep malt. Syrupy sweet aroma of malt and citrus.

T - Big malt up front, but not as fatty sweet as the smell implied. The bittering comes on almost too bitter in the end.

M - Medium to heavy body, lots of carb. Balance clunky at best.

D - Palate kller and high ABV.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2009 05:47:37 | More by srandycarter

Greggy

Minnesota

4.22/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

A- Pours a murky brown color with a dark brown/black color accumulating in the middle of the glass, away from the outer edges of the glass. A massively thick and retentive tan head, 1 finger in height, caps this beer. The head really doesn't dissipate on this gem and leaves loads of sticky lacing.

S- When I smelled this nose, Citadelle gin came to mind. There is loads going on in this nose from massive toffee, caramel, great juicy fruity hops, bitter hops, bit of slight juniper and even a note of celery. Complex and great. I almost have to give this a 5, but I felt it wasn't quite worthy.

T- Upon the first sip I get a massively malty crack with a large amount of hop backbone. The malt has a toffee caramel, a touch of butterscotch, and loads of bitterness. Dole Pineapple juice comes to mind with the amount of hopiness this has. In the finish, this is nice and dry, slightly astringent, and delicious. The finish, also, is quite long.

M- Huge malty feel from first to last sip, low carbonation, and great fiinish.

D- My only gripe with this beer. This comes in a 750 crock and given the aggressive/bold nature of this beer, I would be mighty hard pressed to finish the bottle solo. I'd recommend sharing this one with a fellow adventurous beer purveyor. Given the enormity of the beer, I have to give it a 3 for drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2009 17:44:59 | More by Greggy

henrysunset

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

clear of sediment with a dark amber/mahogany beer and tan head.

Smell is of prune and dark roasted malts.

taste is bready, not nearly as sweet as it smelled. hazlenut flavors.

Mouthfeel is a bit thin, like an IPA with a rather quick dryign taste.

drinkability is good, but not exceptioal. It is a big beer and not perfectly balanced so it is better for sipping.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2009 03:45:46 | More by henrysunset

chaz410

North Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Got this on tap from the Flying Saucer here in Charlotte NC.

The color surprised the hell outta me! It is dark brown with a caramel head and medium size head. I knew this was more or less an IPA but this baby is dark as a brown ale.

The nose is full of floral and piney hops. There are some sweet malty notes on the nose as well. And as a reference, don't inhale too hard, I suck some of this up the nose by accident and it burns pretty bad haha.

The taste is laced with hops and sweet/tart malt flavors. There's a ton of hope notes, from floral to bitter. There is definitely some malty flavors laced in but it's mainly citrus and floral hops.

This is not a highly drinkable beer, I loved it, but your average person probably wouldn't be open to the over hoppiness of it

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2009 03:36:26 | More by chaz410

RuinationMan

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Purchase at Joe Canals in West Windsor, NJ by my wife for our Valentine's Day dinner.

A: Cool porcelain bottle with Grolsch top and custom dogtag, give little indication of whats inside. Pours intense, but clear reddish-brown, with an off-white textured head, which recedes slowly to reveal lacy legs.

S: Intense roasted cracked grains, subtle hops and hints of bitter cocoa powder. Anticipating a hell of a drink.

T: Malt, malt and more malt. Bitter, but minimal indication af specific hop character (ie. not particlalrly "piney" or "citrusy"). expected more hops; a little too malty.

M: Very solid. Lingers for a while.

D: Going to be tough to finish this 22oz. bomber and do much else afterwards.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2009 01:22:32 | More by RuinationMan