John John Dead Guy Ale - Rogue Ales

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

3.53/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Like DG, this beer is a hazy apricot color. It has a good-sized head and the nose carries notes of toast and citrus, plus a slight woody aroma.

Like DG, this beer is quite strong. It has a nice rich, malty backbone with flavors of biscuit, lots of marmalade, and maple syrup. Rogue did a good job with the barrel-aging on this one. It must be minimal, for the oaky vanilla flavors normally associated with it are subtle. They tend to blend in with and complement the other flavors of the beer instead of overpowering them, making the beer taste ``muddled'' (I think Southern Tier Unearthly suffers from this).

This is a strong beer and must be quaffed with respect! I enjoyed it.

Serving type: growler

11-21-2011 11:26:42 | More by deadonhisfeet

MAYOBOMBS

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Poured amber color, two finger creamy off-white head. Minor lacing.

S- Sweet whiskey and vanilla-caramel smell.

T- Sweet caramel-vanilla bourbon with and "oakey' slightly bitter aftertaste.

M- Smooth mouthfeel, well balanced, easy drinking.

O- Lost the Dead Guy taste, but it is a great drinking beer.

Serving type: growler

06-03-2011 03:14:55 | More by MAYOBOMBS

dogfishandi

New York

3.88/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

picked up a growler of this at the orchard park consumers for $17.99. poured into a bulb style glass right after i arrived home from the beer store. at fridge temp.

pours out a hazy reddish orange color with a big fluffy, soapy 3 fingers of slightly off white head that kept good retention. a nice foamy cap off the pour. lots of sticky lace.

the aroma is a bit of a letdown. lots of metallic malts off the first whiff. next to that there some fruity malts, some earthy, piney hops, some wood, and a bit of whiskey like alcohol.

the intial taste is metallic, fruity malts. almost a bit of dark fruits. lots of earthy, slightly herbal leafiness. some pine and citrus from the hops. the woody, whiskey barrel like alcohol comes in at the finish. as the beer warms, the whiskey barrel comes in a lot more and the metallic qualities seem to fade a bit both in the taste and the aroma.

medium bodied, decent feeling carbonation. just a hint of lingering hop bitterness on the palate.

an easy drinker and a growler to the head in one night shouldnt be a problem, but i expected a little more. not really worth the $17.99 growler fill. i havent had the original dead guy in quite awhile to compare, so i didnt really know what to expect.

Serving type: growler

01-15-2011 23:05:37 | More by dogfishandi

adamette

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the growler that I bought for $22 from Fat Heads in North Olmsted earlier today into my Cooperstown Beverage Trail pint glass.

A Brief but creamy light brown head over a dark honey, caramel body. Head is very, very brief compared to the on tap version that I had earlier today at Fat Heads but the body color itself is attractive. 4.0

S Some sweet whiskey notes, some light to moderate hops, very interesting and inviting. 4.5

T Nice, moderately strong balance of whiskey malt sweetness and hops in a complex, deep bock taste. 4.0

M Moderate feel of malt and hops and very appropriate to the style. I really like the feel of this beer which is beefy enough but not syrupy thick or biting hops. 4.5

D I finished two pints within about 20 minutes. I will drink two more pints tomorrow night from the growler. 4.0

Notes: The oak whiskey barrel aging (I think that is what they did....) really works for this beer. I am very impressed with the taste of this beer that I was not sure that I would like. Recommended for sure!

Serving type: growler

06-29-2010 03:12:17 | More by adamette

saccro

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - med-dark gold. Thin layer of bubbles. Clear.

S - malt. hint of whisky aroma. no hops.

T - the first thing you taste is whisky, but it fits nicely. Beautiful Rogue malt profile. Hop bitterness really kicks in in the aftertaste. Very tasty.

M - very smooth. Light carbonation (growler).

D - highly drinkable. So tasty.

Serving type: growler

02-21-2010 17:51:55 | More by saccro

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

(Served in a Nonic)
A- This beer pours a slightly hazy brown body with a spongey beige head that last and last sticking to the glass in clouds. There is a gentle carbonation gliding up the sides.

S- The slightly sweet rum and sugar aroma has a green hop aroma that lingers. There is an odd blue cheese and peat note that grows in the finish.

T- The sweet oak and caramel flavor has a slightly sulfury green hop note that is soft in the finish with a bigger bitterness that lingers.

M- The medium-light mouthfeel has no alcohol heat.

O- This beer has some nice oak flavors but the sweetness really grows too sweet and the bitterness that tries to balance it is too harsh and abrasive. There is balance but both of the dominate flavors are too over the top to really enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2013 12:04:39 | More by rhoadsrage

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-orange amber color with an off-white head and decent lacing

S-malt, caramel, vanilla, oak, hint of whiskey

T-bready malt, vanilla, brown sugar, oak, whiskey, minimal bitterness in the finish

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, smooth, alcohol a little more noticeable than I would have thought

O-a decent barrel-aged ale, flavors work pretty well together

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 12:34:36 | More by MDDMD

Danno48

West Virginia

4.24/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured into a chalice.

She pours a hazy iced tea accompanied by a very shallow and quickly dissipating head. Not much lacing.

Smells.... well fantastic. A proper smelling beer. Very sweet on the nose with grape and fig fragrance. Smells very much like a Belgian strong dark.

Tastes of honey and oats... then a slight and soothing woodsiness from the barrel aging and maybe a dry, apricot type sweetness. Just delightful.

Very light on the tongue for the amount of flavor. Mild carbonation.

Lovely beer. And worth the money for one who wants to try something once. Having it with some nice Bleu d'Avergne which works wonders.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 04:14:21 | More by Danno48

Alyssat_

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

I drank the first half of the bottle just under room temperature while the second half chilled in the freezer. The first half was wonderful. The whiskey notes were prominent but not overwhelming. I can't really put my finger on the taste, but there is a mellow sweetness that follows the initial whiskey flavor. The second half tasted like a slightly hoppy Blue Moon. I regretted letting it chill! Really interesting aroma. Misleadingly herbal. Overall good beer. I prefer it to regular dead guy.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 03:51:37 | More by Alyssat_

chinchill

South Carolina

3.96/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

22 oz bottle served in a St. Bernardus snifter.

A: The beer is hazy orange-amber in color. It poured into my snifter with a sudsy head that quickly died down to a thin partial film over the surface and a thin ring around the edge of the glass.

S: Moderately strong aromas of malts, whiskey and wood in the somewhat fruity nose. Interesting and complex, although not a perfect mix in my nose.

T: The flavor is a little better than the aroma, with a solid malt/barley base, beer is quite malty and notes of wood and whiskey from the barrel aging process. Hints of yeast, spicy and herbal hops, honey and dark fruits are also present in the taste. Good sweet/sour/bitter balance, leaning slight towards the sweet/sour dimensions.

M: On the high side of medium-bodied with a very good, low-moderate amount of carbonation. Quite smooth with nearly no alcohol harshness.

O: A rich and complex ale I enjoyed quite a bit despite having no particular fondness for whiskey. The whiskey barrel aging adds a good level of wood and whiskey to the aroma and flavor, and probably contributes to the fine mouthfeel. Improved with warming.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 23:07:00 | More by chinchill

mfnmbvp

Illinois

4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz. bottle. No bottled on date, and I dgaf. Super stoked to try this beer! Poured into a Boulevard tulip.

A - Pours a murky cloudy orange color. No head to speak of. Looks amazing!

S - Oaked vanilla from the Dead Guy Whiskey barrels, amidst a crisp floral hop smell. Smells amazing, too.

T - Extreme burst of vanilla. Hot booze. Super delicious. Barrel aged beers are definitely my thing, and I am dying to try the Dead Guy Whiskey, so my first bottle of Rogue John John Ale is a lovely precursor to that for sure! I might be enjoying this beer more than I enjoy the actual Rogue Dead Guy Ale.

M - Sweetness invades the palate from start to finish. Burnt brown sugar taste lingers, which is very distinct.

Overall, very glad to have found and tried this. If anything, it might have been just a tad bit TOO sweet, but an excellent beer! I will definitely buy this again.

Rogue John John Dead Guy Ale ---4/5.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 16:40:17 | More by mfnmbvp

warrenout330

Ohio

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bomber into a chalice

A- pours a deep orange golden color. Frothy white thick head, quickly disappears to nothing but a thin white sheet over the liquid.

S- caramel malt, vanilla woody undertones. Earthy funk, mild alcohol ting in the nose.

T- earthy funk. Vanilla woody highlights through out the beer.. earthy hops. A perfect melody.

M- prickly in the mouth followed by a hop bite. Sweet highlight through out the ale
... almost slight creamy in the back.

O- very interesting take on a hells Bock. Dead Guy is a phenomenal ale.... this really highlights it on a slight Bourbon barrel feel... they really did well with timing on the aging of this beer on the wood. If anything longer this would of been a mess

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 02:33:45 | More by warrenout330

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.45/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Good beer! Poured at a good temperature wilth a decent size, light tan, foamy, frothy head that soon settled and some lace. Color is a clear amber with some bubble trails. Aroma is the best part here and is malt, whiskey, hop and aromatic. Flavor doesn't have mujch of the whiskey, but lots of malt and some hop comes through. It's also fairly dry with carbonic tang balanced nicely with the bitter and the slight sweet to take the edge off. Body is also excellent and is soft, but not overly and great carbonation. Finish is like flavor, good burps, a little boozy, the whiskey flavor finally comes through, and a bit on the long side.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 02:39:29 | More by drpimento

ThePaleRider

California

3.78/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Dark honey colored with a thick white head that leaves a little bit of lacing down the glass. Lots of cloudy stuff lingering around in the glass.

S - Sweet malts, wood, and a little alcohol hit the nose.

T - Hits the tongue a little flat. Turns into whiskey and hops. Very sweet and pretty smooth. Not a lot of depth, but if you're a whiskey lover it works well. Could use a little more love from the ale, but not bad at all.

M - Full bodied and leave a very thick film in your mouth. Pretty flat, I think more carbonation would really set this ale off.

O - Decent barrel aged ale that I would really like to try on draft.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 00:07:32 | More by ThePaleRider

Jeffo

Netherlands

2.23/5  rDev -41.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Dad picked this up in NC sometime in the spring. Thanks for thinking of me pops!

From a bomber into a snifter
Dead Guy Ale in Dead Guy whisky barrels

APPEARANCE: Pours a two finger, very loose, fizzy, off-white head with lousy retention. Head quickly fades to a good foam cap and holds there. Perfectly clear saftey orand in color with medium carbonation evident. Only a faint, splotchy wisp and ring remain with touches of lacing down the glass. Really lousy head, but the body was quite nice, which saved it some.

SMELL: Caramel, toffee, and then some green fruits, like apples and pears. Some honey and spicy notes from the yeast, perhaps. Almost something Belgian about it, like a Belgian pale or triple. Relatively mild on the nose as well.

TASTE: Mild in flavor as well. Caramel and toffee up front with some green fruits at the swallow. Green apples, pears, and then a mild and lingering finish of malt sweetness, fruits, a light, spicy yeast note and a hint of oak vanilla flavors. The barrel is very mild on this one, and the base beer isn't all that impressive either. The yeasty, green fruit charecter reminds me of Belgian pales/triples as well.

PALATE: Medium-light body and higher levels of carbonation. A little prickly on the palate, could definitely be smoother, goes down fine and finishes a touch dry on the palate. Definitely needs to be creamier and smoother.

OVERALL: Unfortunately there are no dates on this, but this bottle isn't more than 6 months out from being sold. Mild in the nose and taste, and the barrels are boring at best. I guess they decided to just put an unimpressive beer into unimpressive barrels. The feel sucks as well. This is a boring beer I'd hope they'd forget about making again. I've had better from Rogue. Thanks again for the beers dad. Always appreciate you thinking of me while you're lapping up the sun.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 13:57:36 | More by Jeffo

Wolfpack2005

North Carolina

3.93/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- Deep tawny hazy orange that leave about a two finger head that fades quickly but maintains a minimal coverage.

S-Sweet caramel malt aroma with small hints of whiskey.

T-Taste follows the nose with the sweet caramel malts with a slight honey sweetness. Then I get a mild whiskey/oak barrel flavor thats not overwhelming and grows stronger as the beer warms up. Also picking up some slight vanilla notes.

M-Noting exceptional, medium body, light carbonation.

O- This whiskey/barrel flavor is very subtle. I really like the beer because dead guy is one of my go to beers and will still get this beer on occasionally in the future, but would have liked a little more of the barrel flavor.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 19:56:44 | More by Wolfpack2005

JackieTH

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap at the Autumn Brew Review, from notes.

Pour was a reddish haze of amber with a finger of creamy foam. Smell was biscuit and bready malt, caramel, dark fruit, oak, lightly vanilla.

Taste started with a nice base of honey sweetness, biscuit and bready malt, honey-nut-caramel and peach, then a very pleasant oaky-vanilla tone from the wood.

Medium bodied with light-moderate carbonation.

This is an already decent beer that has been barrel aged to add some subtle complexity. Not at all overpowering in the whiskey department. Very nice.

Serving type: on-tap

09-21-2012 15:45:43 | More by JackieTH

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bottle into a goblet.

Pours a clear copper, with a finger of foamy off-white head. This retains with a smooth foaminess, which leaves back a cascade of froth that quickly slides down the sides of the glass but doesn’t leave a whole lot of lacing behind. The aroma is heavy with oak and vanilla that meld fairly well with the caramel sweetness here, while a touch of ripe citrus sits underneath.

The taste is nearly identical to the aroma; with more strong oak and vanilla character which sticks to the base sweetness of this while underlying citric hops add a touch of crispness to the profile. More of a burnt whiskey feel hangs on the edges and pull in the back where it leaves the finish dry and tannic feeling. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and prickly feeling on the tongue with a firm creaminess that then blows a bit on the palate. The only alcohol I’m getting here appears to be coming from the barrel.

This was OK but overall, the base Dead Guy just doesn’t seem burly enough to hold up to the strength of the barrel at times, with a lot of oak, vanilla and burnt character really starting to emerge as this warmed up. This wasn’t bad to me or anything but just seemed like it needed a little more balance between the base and barrel.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 15:42:56 | More by Kegatron

Kromes

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy orange color with a thin lie of bubbles on top. Sweet honey and caramel malt aroma with a touch of alcohol and fruity esters. Sweet caramel malt and fruity esters mix with a vanilla and oak flavor. There is a little bit of hop bitterness in the finish to balance it out. Medium body and the feel is peppery from the carbonation with a lingering bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 18:11:27 | More by Kromes

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Snagged a bottle at the House of 1,000 for 5 bucks.

A - Pours a hazy amber brown with a 1/4 inch of sticky opaque head.

S - Smell is nice even though I get very little dead guy. Mostly whiskey and dough with a touch of caramel malts.

T - To me it seemed like such a waste of good whiskey barrels. Sure it has mild bourbon undertones and some dough but it had very little hop or dead guy balance so it seemed too light for it's own good. I think the only aspect that would remind me this is dead guy is the caramel/toffee in the finish.

M - Medium and kind of chewy. Ok i guess.

Overall they had the barrel thing down but used too low of an ABV beer that wasn't even too complex to begin with. Now if they aged double mocha porter like this is would be world class. Worth picking up for 5 bucks I guess.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2012 02:19:05 | More by DrDemento456

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured a dark burgundy color ale with a rather large foamy head with good retention and minimal lacing. Aromas of whisky notes are quite dominant with some light caramel malt notes also noticeable. Taste is a good mix between the caramelized sugars from the malt backbone with some nice whisky notes that are not too boozy. Body is about average with good carbonation. Nothing earth shattering here but very nice nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 17:22:18 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERMILER12

Maine

3.9/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a golden orange color with a fingers worth of slightly off-white head

S: Less pungent than regular dead guy, but some nice light oak and caramel notes come through. Not particularly strong in any way, which is a big turn from the regular which is usually in-your-face lager yeast and malts. Interesting difference for sure

T: Very pleasant. The base beer is still great and recognizable, but the barrels add a nice subtle oak and vanilla flavor to the picture

M: Medium bodied with light-moderate carbonation

O: If you want a beer that is going to slam you with whiskey, this is not your beer. The oak and whiskey are light and subtle, but present enough that you certainly notice them. Very solid beer and barrel-aging job here by Rogue

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2012 00:57:11 | More by BEERMILER12

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

3.85/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz served into a snifter.

No born on date, but supposedly fresh from the truck.

A - Pours a slightly hazed amber/red. 2 fingers of cream colored head looks thick and blankets the ceiling with micro-bubbles.

S - Bready malt, alcohol vapors, golden grahams cereal, faint fruit, hints of vanilla, bright fruit, peaches,

T - Bright caramel, honey sweetness, very bready, suggestions of wood, clean but doughy yeast (if that makes sense), peaches, toasted grains covered in honey.

M - Very smooth feel, light to medium bodied, semi-sweet finish.

Bright and bready are 2 words that would describe this beer.

If it wasn't printed on the label I would have never guessed this was aged on whiskey barrels.
The signature pacman yeast is very present.(nutty and doughy) The barrels seem to add creaminess and hints of vanilla. (I guess) Nice fruit profiles and nice honey flavor.

A solid beer that has grains of barrel aging and pulls it off. Outrageously overpriced so this is a one and done.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2012 23:10:02 | More by StaveHooks

GONZALOYANNA

Spain

3.9/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap. ½ Pint glass. Enjoyed on may´12. Bright orange color. Off-white, creamy, lasting crown. Floral hop, moderate caramel malt & yeasty with apple touch. Maltiness dominates flavors, eventhough they are well rounded by low bitterness. Ripe fruit -apricot & peach- hints. Whiskey malt notes in the middle, slightly wood-cask too, give a very kind warm touch to such an smooth mouthfeel. Medium body, soft carbonation. Subtle astringency. Don´t like Helles Bock style?. Try, this. Refreshing & flavorful.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2012 20:59:01 | More by GONZALOYANNA

Suds

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

After just having a deadguy ale, this is an interesting counterpoint. It is clearly a similar beer, but is also smoother, more rounded, dynamic, and interesting. The appearance has the same amber hue and white head. The smell, though, has a rounded complexity...wood, sweetness, brandy-like vinous scents, and some smokey notes. The taste is also smoother, and more blended. Sweet, but very drinkable. Full in body. Great.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2012 02:59:39 | More by Suds