Rogue Farms Dirtoir Black Lager - Rogue Ales

metter98

New York

4.08/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is essentially jet black in color—only traces of amber are visible near the edges of the glass when it is held up to the light. It poured with a two finger high tan head that died down but consistently left a thin head covering the surface and thick lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: There are moderate aromas of roasted malts in the nose along with notes of mocha.
T: The taste is very similar to the smell and is dominated by flavors of roasted malts and notes of dark chocolate. There is a slight amount of accompanying bitterness, which is most noticeable towards the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a bit dry on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The beer is packed with interesting flavors and is very easy to drink because it isn’t very filling or high in alcohol content. This is a fine example of the style if you are looking for a sessionable dark lager.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2011 01:36:56 | More by metter98

GPHarris

Alabama

3.9/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

a - poured a two-fingers thick, bubbly, coffee-colored head into a pub glass that left a thin ring and decent lacing but both disappeared 1/4 of the way through. the body was dark black.
s - roasted chocolate and other malts.
t - caramel, roasted chocolate and other grains, with a hint of smokiness and cherry.
m - crisp and sharp at first but gets very thick and chewy. best feature of this beer.
o - good beer overall and one i'd go to again. kudos to rogue for gyo.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2011 15:05:24 | More by GPHarris

BetterWatching

California

3.23/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- Jet black like a stout with a brown head that quickly disappears.

S- Toffee and dark malts.

T- Astringent and slightly acidic. Not much upfront, then a big toffee/espresso flavor fading quickly back to nothingness.

M- Slightly heavy on the tounge.

O- Somewhat disappointing although I do commend them for the GYO dedication on this brew. This bottle could have been a little old as well adding to the lack of hops in the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2011 23:55:24 | More by BetterWatching

teromous

Virginia

3.3/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: It's coal black, with about 1/3 a thumbs thickness of creamy brown head. It has an impressive cocoa brown head color. It slowly fades to a ring. Pretty good lacing around the sides.

S: The scent is of a rich dark coffee laced with caramel.

T: I taste a lot more bitterness than I would have expected from the smell of the beer. It has a lot of roasted grain flavor. I don't really get any hop bitterness, despite the picture of hops on the label.

M: Mouthfeel is on the heavy side, with a strong body of roasted bitterness. Not overwhelming at all.

O: Overall it's a good beer, but I felt it could have used a unique character to identify itself. With the body and flavor as strong as it was, I'm surprised it's only 6% ABV. I would drink it again, but I probably wouldn't buy it. It's just to average of a beer to crave.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2011 21:47:28 | More by teromous

shambeano

Australia

3.98/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass.

A- Pours a pretty much jet black with about 1cm of dark brown head which quickly subsides to a whisper. looks pretty damn good.

S- malts up front, a touch of roastiness and sweetness. finish is a little savoury. not too bad.

T- a bunch of roasted malts up front, some sweetness as well, a touch of yeast. Finishes with a nice roasty bitterness. tasty.

M- this one is creamy, but with a tingly cabonation, very nice, has a pretty damn good length too.

O- I like this beer, creamy body with nice roasted malts. pretty good alround.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2011 11:45:49 | More by shambeano

chinchill

South Carolina

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

650 ml bottle served in a pint glass.

Pour looks a bit like used motor oil; this is a truly black beer. Completely opaque with an unusually dark brown head that reduces at a moderate rate to a thin ring.

Aroma: Not strong. Primary component is dark roasted malt. to very sweet, with lots of chocolate/smoky notes. Toasted malt and burnt toast, powdery cocoa, hints of coffee, and molasses.

T - Some sweetness initially, but certainly not as sweet as a typical German schwarzbier, and the finish is mildly bitter with a clear coffee note. Hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Mainly, there's plenty of rich dark roasted malt flavor that is pronounced and lasting but not challenging.

M - nice medium/full body with some crispness from carbonation and/or hops.

O - recommended for fans of schwarzbier who also like an imperial stout: This schwarzbier heads in that direction.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2011 00:07:43 | More by chinchill

jettjon

Florida

4.03/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a bomber with no date into my Sam Adams glass (thanks, guys!). This one is engine oil black with a thin, dark brown cap that fades at a moderate pace to a thin ring. Very nice looking dark brew. Nose is sweet to very sweet, with lots of chocolate/smoky notes. Toasted malt and burnt toast, powdery cocoa, hints of coffee. In the mouth, it’s not nearly as sweet as the nose advertises. There’s a definite burnt character, and flavor is surprisingly dry compared to nose. Hints of mild coffee with dark chocolate bitterness. Firm but not overwhelming; enjoyable. Mouth is a bit thin and watery, bubbly, and quenching. Overall, looks and smells great, though a bit underwhelming taste. Overall good for style. Tasty and quenching, traditional. Not an “extreme” beer by any stretch, but good overall.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2011 17:58:49 | More by jettjon

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

from notes
A - pitch black, barely transparent on the bottom, short head with nice lacing
S - chocolatey sweet and musty with leafy greens and some ground corn
T - corn like graininess combined with very roasty malt, some sweet chocolate and leafy hops
M - chewy smooth with a coffee bitterness, generally light
O - another great brew from Rogue, the richness of flavour really drives this one home

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2011 02:45:08 | More by joemcgrath27

clickpush

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pour: 22oz bottle to pint glass. The beer pours a surprisingly thick, dark brown liquid and produces a two finger cap of brown head. Head is sticky and thick, reducing to a nice brown cap upon a black trophy. This could be a RIS judging by the look. Inviting!

Nose: Quite roasty. Nutty, coffee, crumbs burning at the bottom of the oven. Also a sweeter side, more nuttiness, like roast chestnuts.

Mouth: Flavor is as it smell, though with a fore-flavor of a medicinal sort that is a bit off-putting. Later flavors include the heavy roast and burnt toast. Chewy mouthfeel, without being heavy. A hint of warm milk & caramel.

One of the better beers of this style that I've had.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2011 22:22:11 | More by clickpush

LordHammer

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into my River Horse glass.

A: Deep black with a dark tan head. Permits no light to pass through.

S: Roasted malts, coffee, tiny tinge of burnt wood, and a delicate hop sharpness hiding at the back.

T: Smooth and malty out front, with just a bit of sweetness. The back, however, is another story. The roasted malts shine in the finish, with a deep coffee and roast flavor, and a long, slightly bitter, dry aftertaste.

M: Feels sharply carbonated and on the thin side, nothing special or spectacular here.

Good, but not stunning. Perhaps I expected something different.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2011 20:56:27 | More by LordHammer

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

4.38/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours like a thick baltic porter, Black, tan head, good retention & lace.

S: Floral, tar, steelie, blackstrap molasses and licorice.

T: Fairly well-hopped: floral & steelie; molasses, bakers chocolate, dark rye bread, espresso, licorice, solid bitterness. It's hard to believe this is only 15 Plato with this body & flavour. Great stuff.

M: Fully body is thick & chewy with a hint of roasted acidity.

D/O: Hell of a beer.

I think the style is more inline with a Baltic Porter.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2011 04:40:33 | More by Derek

sccala

Rhode Island

3.93/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My first beer review from the new beer bar in downtown Westerly, RI "The Malted Barley". Poured beer from a 22oz. bottle into a small hourglass shaped glass...almost like a fancy juice glass. I was taken aside by the glassware that I was served with this beer. Anyway, here we go....

A- black as night with a tannish, thin head that didn't last long. Other reviews of this beer made mention of thick, lasting head, but I didn't get this. Maybe improperly cleaned glassware? I don't know. Also, minimal lacing with this beer. Probaly a byproduct of having to head.

S- Strong coffee malt smell. I was suprised to smell this, as pretty much every schwarzbier I've ever had is on the sweeter, smoother, lightly hopped side of the smell spectrum...despite the dark color.

T- Again, deeply roasted coffee malts. Hops are hard to recognize. Not what I would expect from this style at all, but style aside, it tastes quite good.

M- Leaves a long lasting aftertaste in the mouth and throat. I can almost smell the coffee on my own breath!

O- If you are expecting a traditional schwarzbier, you'll be dissapointed. But if you can adjust your mindset on the fly, and perhaps pretend that you are drinking a coffee porter or imperial stout, you'll like it more. Above average beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2011 13:56:21 | More by sccala

mgoblue5743

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Very easy drinking beer, it's definitely thin, but I feel like I could have had six or seven glasses at the bar, it pours with limited carbonation and is dark as the style would indicate. I had it next to the Left Hand TNT, which was outrageous in style and smell, making this beer seem quite bland, but, again it was pretty good for the style. I wouldn't go out my way to have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2011 16:15:00 | More by mgoblue5743

BelgiumBill

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Paid $6.99 for a bomber of this.

The label said it was jet black with a tan head. It was certainly jet black, but the head was much darker, one of the darkest heads I've seen - more like an imperial stout (like Yeti).

It had a nice foamy thick head.

It gave off fragrances of coffee, malts, and sweet chocolate mousse. The flavors mirrored the smell with more intensity.

The alcohol seemed low and would have benefited from 8-9%.

It carried a rich mouthfeel - very nice with ample carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2011 23:46:33 | More by BelgiumBill

RickS95

Indiana

3.6/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours extremely black, no other shade of anything resembling pitch black, with an almost brown head. It's almost perfect in appearance, I just like a little thicker head with a bit more retention.

Has a thick malty scent to it, with chocolate, coffee and wood prevalent.

Unfortunately, this is a lager and it lacks as much taste as it looks and smells like it would have. There are NOTES of chocolate and coffee and smoke, but nothing stands out.

There's just not much character in this beer. It starts off kind of bland and finishes with a slightly bitter feel. There's nothing in between.

This is a better than average beer, it just doesn't blow me away like I expected based on its look and smell.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2011 02:24:31 | More by RickS95

innersanctum

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My lingering impression is one of confusion if Diroir is really a black lager or porter? This had a sweet smell and had noticeable sugar on the pallete. It left a sticky tack around my lips and offered much more character in taste compared to any other lager I've tried. But problems like these are why we keep trying new brew, right?

This poured a jet black, motor oil like color into a standard pint glass, and showed a most remarkable black/tan head several fingers thick. Its smell was sugary like ripe fruit, and its taste was clearly heavier than your typical lager. There were noticeable tones of dark chocolate, raisen, and perhaps plum with a touch of smoked cherry. This made me think it would be an ideal winter sipper as it has lots of charm. Its mouthfeel felt flat across the front of my tongue, with a mellow hop finish. This really is a unique product, and I suggest you try it if you enjoy a porter or dark lager.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2011 15:31:13 | More by innersanctum

mater

Ohio

3.78/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

One of the first craft beers I tried and liked was SA Black Lager, so when I saw this bomber for $5 I thought I'd give it a try.

A-Pitch Black with a 1.5 finger coffee colored head that hung around for a little bit, but no lacing. Still looks pretty good though.

S-I smell some chocolate and roasty malts.

T-Malts, chocolate, some coffee and a tad of hops.

M-Mouthfeel was medium to light. I was a little disappointed in this.

Overall this was a decent brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2011 08:49:06 | More by mater

kindacold

Virginia

4.78/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours pitch black. No light gets through at all. Thick, tan head that stays for a while.

The first sip of this beer blew my mind. I was expecting a much heavier beer, but this was sweet with chocolate and coffee notes, and very light.

This beer was so easy to drink, I'd prefer it to water. Everything about this beer was light and sweet. It was very clean with a crisp aftertaste.

Outstanding beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2011 04:53:50 | More by kindacold

Duckmancgy

Alberta (Canada)

4.58/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bomber to glass.

Poured a wonderful black with a finger and a half of tan foam. I see why this style is called "Black Beer". Looks like a nice stout and smells very similar. On the nose is nice chocolate, and a roasty malt.

First sip with a bit of the head and it was really nice. Creamy with strong notes of chocolate and nutty flavours. Slight bitterness of coffee comes in the middle and the sip ends with a sweeter slightly dried fruit flavour.

Nice on the mouth, the carbonation isn't overly strong and helps carry the flavours around your mouth. Alcohol isn't up front which makes this fairly easy to drink. However, it may not be best for a session beer in my opinion. The sweetness would make this a good beer to pair with a nice chocolate desert.

All in all a very nice beer that I would drink again.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2011 02:24:41 | More by Duckmancgy

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This is a style that, on occasion, I've struggled to fully appreciate. Curious to see what Rogue's interpretation is like.

A - Pours pitch black, finger of mocha head with decent retention and some sporadic lacing.

S - Roasted malts with a touch of espresso, albeit subdued by some sweet corn and grassy hops.

T - Much like the scent with the roasted notes taking a back seat to some traditional lager flavours including sweet corn, sugar pops and biscuit.

M - Medium bodied ale that goes down smooth and finishes with a touch of dryness.

O - Overall a little disappointing. Nothing spectacular or overly memorable, though not to be interpreted as offensive. Some more bold flavours could enhance this offering, though given the style, I would suspect it captures the the flavours well.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2011 00:30:24 | More by andrenaline

BDTyre

British Columbia (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Yummy! Black, cafe au lait head. I actually thought this was a stout or porter at first!

Creamy, brown sugar malt smell with a bit of hop sourness. Very smooth in the nose. Light espresso hints.

Big burst of coffee, almost a mocha taste. A light fruitiness from the hops. Very rich, creamy and smooth.

Hard to believe I'm drinking a lager...very smooth, low carbonation. Its not malty enough to be a baltic porter, but this has rich coffee flavours and a nice, thick body.

By far my favourite "Chatoe."

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2011 06:03:18 | More by BDTyre

gopens44

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Thick foamy mocha colored head over a pretty darn black beer

S - A little nutty and malty, but not a ton else

T - Roasted malts, coffee and bitter. Really not much else to say. Good, but not overly complex.

M - Dry, thin, surprisingly crisp. Well carbonated. A bit of a bitter aftertaste.

O - Good taste and pretty drinkable with a relatively low ABV. Not too filling either.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2011 12:27:40 | More by gopens44

MrHassellYaHurd

Louisiana

4.35/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dirtoire pours a nice cola-black with a tall tan head composed of large, light bubbles.

The smell was very clean, with only roasted grains and a hint of sweetness coming through.

Very clean taste. The grains were well balanced between malty sweetness, and a gently roasted flavor. The hops play a subtle support role in rounding this delicious brew. Mouthfeel is on the medium/thin side, with assertive carbonic sharpness.

Serving type: on-tap

04-17-2011 21:32:06 | More by MrHassellYaHurd

negroobserver

New York

3.1/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

C: Black. Coffee colored head about 1/2 inch.

S: Coffee. Chocolate. Little else. No hoppy scent.

T: Taste lacks flavor. The coffee flavor w/ malty combination dominates the beer but lacks character.

M: Low carbonation. Watery flat texure. Low carbonation.

D: Gets boring quickly.

OVERALL GRADE: C-/C

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2011 15:28:58 | More by negroobserver

DrinkingDrake

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours out an oily black with a crazy charcoal/brown head which is thick and bubbly. Chocolate nose with a dark fruitiness some figs and raisins along with a lot of earthy hops. Some dirt with a good amount of roast.A lot of dry dark roast. Chocolate and roasted barley. A fruity and roasted middle with an extremely dry finish. For how it pours out the body is extremely light. It is an interesting combination of heavy chocolate and roasted malt characteristics with such a light body. More of the dry and roasted notes pop out and the hops are less subdued than with a heavier body.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2011 00:33:20 | More by DrinkingDrake