John John Hazelnut (Rum Barrel Aged) - Rogue Ales

DelMontiac

Oklahoma

3.75/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I poured John John Hazelnut from a 22oz brown bottle into a Rogue Revolution pint glass. No indication of date on the bottle.

Nice mahogany brown color with a finger of off white head of larger bubbles that was gone in a flash. Zero lace, I repeat, zero.

The aroma is quite nice - nutty, sweet (think Tripel or Quad-like), strong caramel malty backbone, and this really lovely spice (think spiced rum or cider).

Flavors are interesting, but not exciting or mindblowing attributes here. The nutty flavor that the hazelnut extract provides is stronger than I imagined, but the booziness from the rum is fairly subdued. The spices mingle, and hang faintly in the back. The sweet malts take most of the spotlight followed by a tinge of chocolate and vanilla on the finish.

The feel is rather thin and lackluster. The carbonation leaves this brew at lightspeed. Started well, but ended nearly flat.

Glad I ran into this one, but doubtful I will seek it out again. Although, it's fairly fancy for a brown.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2011 00:47:36 | More by DelMontiac

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

2.42/5  rDev -30.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

On tap at the Happy Gnome I think.

Pours a lightly hazy reddish brown, neat colour, thin light tan head forms and settles to a thin ring around the glass and a thin layer, no real lacing.

Smell is weird, like vomit, light biscuit maltiness, rum spice, woody, slightly metallic, nutty and sweet, some caramel, weird and not very good.

Taste is same, not as rotten, sweet and malty up front, caramel, biscuit, nutty, woody through the middle, weird rum spiciness, some booze, interesting.

Mouthfeel is watery and thin, light bodied with medium carbonation. A bit of a mess, not good.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2011 17:21:45 | More by Viggo

patreely12

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

bomber poured into a Samuel Adams perfect pint glass.

A - murky brown ale. some amber highlights. about 2 fingers of fizzy tan head, which dissolves to a ring of film.

S - not a whole lot to the nose. hazelnut, and a very light toasted coffee hint. slightest hint of rum.

T/M - really creamy malts up front. very inviting, they draw you in and make you want more. the malts are complemented by sweet caramel, rum and a very very light bitterness from the hazelnut. really no hop presence at all. this drink is really smooth from start to finish. the caramel and rum make their mark in the finish, the combination is almost cocoa-y. surprisingly light bodied almost watery, which is my only gripe. not much carbonation either.

Overall I really liked the flavors of this beer. the combination of light body, low ABV and great flavor make this really easy to drink. I could see myself sessioning this in the summer.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2011 03:40:12 | More by patreely12

CupcakeNY

New York

3.78/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap in a pint glass. Appearance was very soft-drink like--small head, very carbonated with a lot of bubbles clinging to the inside of the glass. Small, light brown head. Color was a bit like watered-down cola.

Smell had strong notes of rum, hazelnut, toasty notes

Body was surprisingly light; no alcohol noticeable, flavor was not intense at all; slightly sweet, or the perception thereof as it was not at all bitter, and the flavors of hazelnut, rum, caramel, raisins, while all very subtle are all sweet flavors, so it increased the perception of sweetness. But honestly, the beer does not have very much flavor. What is there is interesting and complex, but I almost wanted to boil it down a bit to concentrate the flavors and thicken the body.

Finish was clean, and this is a very easy beer to drink; not filling, not harsh or cloying, but not much of anything. Balanced, but a bit too bland for my taste.

Serving type: on-tap

03-25-2011 12:35:07 | More by CupcakeNY

clarkm04

Nebraska

3.3/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Ruby reddish brown muddy color. Medium carbonation with an off-white yellow head retention

S- Slight rum notes with spices and some nutty malts

T- Lackluster at the front. Middle area is spicy. Nuttiness and vanilla notes kick in on the backend of the taste to the after taste. The taste does improve as the beer warms in the glass but I still expected more overall flavor from this beer.

M- Flat and sits fine on the palate

Overall- Good but not as robust in the taste. I really desired more flavors and it seems overpriced for what I got. The beer does go down very well. It's definitely balanced but just not much there. As it warms it does tastes better

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2011 19:48:22 | More by clarkm04

Scotchboy

Idaho

3.65/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Rogue John John Hazelnut

22oz Bomber, New Belgian globe Pours a cloudy brown & amber color. Head and carbonation went crazy on the pour but seconds later the head had dissipated completely. A quick swirl revives the off white wisps of head and leaves nice trails of lacing. Beer appears well carbonated.

On the nose I get Carmel notes and lots of figs and dates (is this a quad? I ask myself jokingly). Sweet but not artificial or sugary. The hazelnut is distinct but not overpowering. I also picked up on a distant banana smell and some bready characteristics.

The taste is less busy than the nose, I really only get hazelnut and the Carmel/bready malt back bone of the beer. Beer is very smooth and carbonated, with a nutty dryness towards the middle and back of each sip. There is a slight fruity sweetness as well. Beer is medium bodied and feels light.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2011 14:38:52 | More by Scotchboy

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.4/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Orange notes overtaking russet. Head is off white and served a little paltry. Not much in the way of lacing either. Slightly disappointing, but I didn't see the pour, and it's advertised as barrel-aged.

Very little aroma, either. Toasted malt, fairly wheat-bready, and that familiar hint of Nutella from the regular release. This John John release is much weaker than others I've had, although the line is spotty.

I would rather have a Hazelnut Brown Nectar than this one. The body is a little more syrupy, but thin, and also a little harsh with the carbonation. That may not quite make sense, but I find it slick and viscous without bringing the fullness I want. Somewhere in between "drinkable" and "desirable".

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2011 03:46:49 | More by BretSikkink

KidsDoc

California

2.93/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bomber poured into samuel smith pint glass. Consumed while in Bethesda, MD at a Medical Home Conference

A: amber/light brown with a 2 finger light tan head. recedes quickly to soft lace

S: faint nuttiness, spiced rum aroma, light malt presence in nose

T: Quite indistinct and disappointing - anticipated a great combination of a brown ale I love with a little rum kick but there was not much in the taste profile. More unfortunate was that this even tasted "hot" which was surprising.

M: ok - fairly light bodied with moderate carbonation.

D: Unexpectedly filling and overall not the most enjoyable of the John John series.

**if looking to try this series (though i have not done formal review - I recommend the Juniper/Gin barrel version, and even the Dead guy aged in bourbon? was good. This has been my least favorite by far in the set.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2011 20:33:43 | More by KidsDoc

Chaney

District of Columbia

3.25/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Very cloudy brown (but not too), with about a 1/2 finger white head that dissipated within seconds.

S: It almost smelled like a pumpkin ale.... weird. Fairly sweet with a HUGE caramel presence. Brown sugar.... check!

T: Not much on the taste actually. It wasn't bad, but I was really expecting much more. Rum, with a good amount of Hazelnut, followed by more rum. Fairly predictable....

M: Thin actually, especially for a brew that prides itself on being part of a reserve series. The carbonation was low (which I felt was appropriate), but I actually expected MORE sweetness.

D: Nothing complex or memorable. I absolutely love the "Hazelnut Brown Nectar" and think of it at the top of its style class. However, this was very dissapointing.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2011 01:39:21 | More by Chaney

Kakaraht

British Columbia (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Dark brown crisp looking nectar, with a thin tan head with no lacing that is gone before you even see it.

S: The hazelnut comes up first with a nice spicy oakiness in the background. There is a nice caramel and taffy smell of the wood.

T: The hazelnut is on the thin side, but that leaves room for the oak to impart its flavors, and for the malt. there is no hoppiness, but a nice light alcoholic burn that resides.

M: Medium body, medium carbonation, clan finish.

D: Very smooth and subtle beer, a definite beer I will buy again.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2011 02:41:55 | More by Kakaraht

WhiteOak

Connecticut

3.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A- Dark copper color with a faint haze. The dark tan head fades away to nothing, not even a ring or bit of lace.

S- Hazelnut aroma dominates, with a very faint hint of cinnamon toast. I don't detect any typical wood notes one would expect from rum barrel aging, but it still smells good, if straightforward.

T- Flavors of hazelnut, mild sweet spice, and sweet dark (but not over-roasted) malt. Lingering sweet, nutty pecan pie finish. I didn't get expected oak flavors, but it tasted quite good despite that.

M, D- Medium bodied. Good drinkability. I would consider this to make a good Christmas ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2011 20:54:42 | More by WhiteOak

Vec2267

Florida

2.55/5  rDev -26.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A: copper brown in color, little to no head that fades almost instantly

S: a hint of spice, not much else

T: spice, ginger perhaps, hints of molasses, rather muted

M: the beer feels dead, lacking in carbonation (aging I guess)

D: rather bland, nothing bad, just nothing to bring me back

Given this beer blind, I would have guessed a very weak barley wine, certainly not a brown ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 22:38:22 | More by Vec2267

AlexanderSelby

North Carolina

3.08/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Not that into this beer. As a HUGE fan of the Rogue Hazelnut Brown, I expected the hazelnut rum barrel aging to exaggerate flavor, not subdue it. The head died out before I could say banana sandwich and the nutty aroma would be hard for a dog to get a whiff of. Also, the beer pours a very cloudy, opaque brown which is uncharacteristic for the style. The taste falls short, too. It is true that I was looking for certain things off the bat, such as a boozy warmth from the rum barrels, a sweet and spicy flavor from the hazelnuts and rum spice. Needless to say, I didn't get what I asked for. A few hints toward the back-end, if at all. After a few sips and abandoning all hope of a rummy brew, I came to it with a open mind. It is, in reality, a sessionable nut brown and not too much more. The spice is hidden behind the nutty smoothness, which isn't a bad thing, just not the outcome desired of a rum barrel aged brew.

I guess in reality if you just put this beer in front of me, I would enjoy it just fine for what it is: balanced, nutty with a inkling of vanilla and spice on the back end, mellow brown ale. But why settle for mediocrity when you are putting a lot of effort into the brew? I won't be purchasing this again unless it is on super-sale.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2011 20:57:14 | More by AlexanderSelby

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

(Served in a tulip glass)
A- This beer has a slightly dense but clear glowing brown body with a tan thick film of head that last a bit. There is a few hints of carbonation gliding to the surface.
S- The soft toasted malt hint has some spiced rum hints and a chocolate malt note in the finish.
T- There is a slight tartness with a hint of chocolate malt that has some toasted malt qualities to it. The finish takes on a stale spice taste that lingers for a moment. As the beer opens up there is a full brown malt flavor that is watery with a taste of hazelnut in there aswell.
M- This beer has a medium-light mouthfeel with a big fizz that scrubs the finish.
D- The hazelnut flavor is soft and blends with the stale spice flavor to make this beer a little unappealing. The spice rum hints are soft and the brown ale beer is even softer.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2011 03:34:48 | More by rhoadsrage

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

2.95/5  rDev -15%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance - caramel/brown iced tea color, a touch hazy. Some decent head tally at first, a bubbly manila color, but it fades back to a partial cover quickly.

Aroma - hazelnut on the pour, fades to a light nutty, somewhat metallic malt aroma.

Taste - an almost rye-like grain robustness. I was expecting a little sweetness to support the hazelnut, but none is forthcoming. As a result, the nuttiness doesn't have the depth I was hoping for. I am getting some hop bite on the swallow, it's playing off of the nut tannins. As my palate gets used to things, the hazelnut flavors develop. I still find them on the weak side but they are more present. Whatever spicing was supposed to be added by the rum barrels was a miss, outside of a vaporous abv note on the aftertaste. Not that it has to taste like hazelnut caramel candy, but Berghoff had better flavor than this.

Mouthfeel - crisp, decent smoothness and body.

Drinkability - For a series with expectation, I am disappointed. It's a decent drinkable brew, but not at all as memorable as a limited release should be.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2011 01:56:56 | More by brewdlyhooked13

kwjd

Ontario (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a pale brown colour, thick off-white head. Smells of hazelnut, brown sugar mild chocolate with some rum. Sweet flavour. Nice medium bodied carbonation fits the beer nicely. This isn't too different than a normal brown ale, just with a hint of the rum in it. I actually prefer the hazelnut rum from Rogue to this beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2010 21:09:02 | More by kwjd

SkeeterHawk

Texas

3.8/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I picked this beer up a few weeks ago on a whim. I really dig barrel aged beers and a beer aged in hazelnut spice rum barrels sounds like a winner to me. I hope that the beer is able to handle such a treatment and still hold up. Let's see...

Appearance: The beer pours a very very slightly cloudy burnt hazelnut color with a small 1/8" head of active bubbles that couldn't wait until after the pour to fade back into the beer. There are some bubbles rising, but they don't maintain the head. There isn't any lacing left on the glass after drinking and the beer looks pretty still after the pour.

Aroma: I definitely get the rum spice as well as some sweet caramel malt in there. The nuttyness is apparent, but isn't overpowering. This beer really has a subtle aroma overall for such a wild concoction. As the beer warms up the aroma is getting much more "boozy".

Taste: The beer itself is pretty thin with a defined liquor accentuated flavor. The wood is in there too, and is adding a distinctive dryness to the mouthfeel as well as some obvious vanilla notes. The spices are so assertive in this beer that it comes across more as a Christmas ale than a typical Brown. The overall mouthfeel is slightly balanced toward the malt, which I think is unusual for Rogue, and it does this presentation justice as I don't think that it would work any other way.

Opinion: This is a decent beer. I like the malt/hop balance and the boozy character isn't bad. I am enjoying this glass, but I doubt that I will be buying this again...and by the time I make it through this bomber, I am sure that I will be done with this one. I am not a huge fan of spiced beers and this one definitely has that character. I would recommend trying this one if you like Christmas Ales and the like...or if you are with some Comrades sharing a brew. Otherwise, there are a lot better Brown Ales out there.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2010 06:55:13 | More by SkeeterHawk

Retsinis

California

3.23/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Had this at a Christmas party/bottle share. Poured from a 22 oz bomber into a plastic red cup (not my party, what can I say)

Pours a light hazy amber brown with a thin off white head that faded and did not retain.

Aroma has some vanilla, toasted malt, toffee, caramel. Don't seem to pick up anything resembling rum on the nose. None of these notes were that intense either.

The taste is even less complex. I can't really find the barrel aging or rum. Just a hint on the finish, but I would have thought it would be more evident. There is some hazelnut, light hops, and tofee in the middle that are present. There is also this dry earth feel to it.

Mouth feel is thin.

Overall, it is a basic a brown ale to me, with some hazelnut & light toffee tones. Not sure what happened, but the whole thing just seemeed underwhelming given the description, and it seemed to hold such promise.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2010 20:56:29 | More by Retsinis

GregSVT

Texas

3.93/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle into a snifter

A: Pours brown with a nice light tan head that fades to a ring and leaves no real lacing.

S: The nose is full of sweet nutty aromas with a slight spice smell like nutmeg or cinnamon. It almost smells like a pumpkin ale.

T: The taste follows the nose with flavors of hazelnut, nutmeg, and surprisingly pumpkin. I know the rum barrels previously housed spiced rum but this is weird.

M: The feel is creamy and medium bodied.

D: This is tasty but I can see it not being for everyone due to the nutmeg. Given the ABV this is very drinkable though.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2010 04:38:40 | More by GregSVT

Reidrover

Oregon

3.6/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22 oz from Roths Sunnyside Market, Salem. $6.99 Plain brown, slightly hazy ale with a nice half inch thick, frothy,thick tan head. Certainlly nutty aromas with the slightly toasted malts and a wiff of wood/ rum in the back makes it pleasing. Nice smooth taste..really hazelnut in the end of the mouthful, the rum is there, but its like an afterthought. Also brown sugar, vanilla and slight ginger. Kinda thin and carbonated mouthfeel on this one. I wanted to give this one a better score but really i cant honestly. I think the original hazelnut ale was far better..the rum casks made it a more average beer!!

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2010 01:01:08 | More by Reidrover

WesWes

New York

3.3/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours a dark amber/brown color with a thick frothy off-white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is decent. It has a dry, roasted scent along with a bit of caramel sweetness and some hazelnut aromas. The spiced rum is faint at best. It does have a spiciness to the aroma. The taste is average. It has all the regular flavors that the original brown nectar has; roasted, caramel malts, hazelnut flavoring. The twist is the spicy rum barrel aging. It adds a character I'm not too excited about. It takes away from the brown ale taste and adds more hazelnut flavor as well as a rum character. The mouthfeel is decent. It's a medium bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is an easy drinking beer, but not one I'd seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2010 21:04:44 | More by WesWes

LanceW

Michigan

2.15/5  rDev -38%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

I drank this brew at a "barrel aged" tasting. I was not the biggest fan. I felt that the sent of the beer was very faint and lacking any recognizable notes. In regards to taste I felt that it resembled more of a sour than it did something that was aged in a rum barrel.

To be completely honest... i would recommend it to someone that want to experience something different but not because it tasted that great.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2010 00:20:49 | More by LanceW

WCBCFrank

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I love Hazelnut Brown and I was excited when I purchased this...Off-white head retreats gently to the typical slightly murky brown. The original Hazelnut has a perfect dense and sweet flavor; John John has that mild spice thanks to the barrel treatment. I can imagine other breweries overkilling the spice, but Rogue being Rogue gets right on the money.
I agree with other reviewers who describe the initial sip as non-descript, but during the swallow the flavor comes forward with a mixture of toasted malts and light hops.
Would I buy it again, I would probably buy the original Hazelnut first, but then reach over and grab one.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2010 02:48:55 | More by WCBCFrank

EnojysAnyBeer

Colorado

4.08/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Red tinted copper body with a nice haze and a filmy head.

S- Hazelnuts soaked in apple cider

T- Sweet doughy flavors like teacake and sweet rolls

M- A bit under-carbonated but nice and smooth

D- Sweet and simple with a drinkability that goes with what you want. Hops-this is a pale ale. Malt-this is a brown ale

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2010 04:16:16 | More by EnojysAnyBeer

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.45/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This meets the mark of brown ales. It is opaque brown,with some brown ring. The aroma is apricot more than malt. The carbonation is right there from a fresh bottle, brown sugar with a little sourness in the finish. Some rum,like the brown sugar. Ok drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 21:30:25 | More by northyorksammy