Kells Irish Style Lager - Rogue Ales

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Ah...the Beer of Kells...

This beer pours a slightly hazy medium golden straw colour, with one finger of creamy white head, which leaves a curtain of lace around the glass as it recedes. It smells strongly of white cracker grain, and grassy, spicy hops. The taste is mostly bready malt, with a bit of lemony citrus, and mild earthy hops. The carbonation is fairly high, at first, but mellows out, the body is medium weight, a bit oily, and it finishes dry, a bit floral, and crisp.

A nice, beefed-up version of the style.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2010 00:12:54 | More by biboergosum

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at The Lost Dog Cafe in Ithaca, NY.

Well, it is the best Euro pale lager I've ever had, but it's still Euro pale lager. There's a grainy background, but that's mostly hidden by a fruity ester flavor from the yeast. Not much bitterness, but not overly-sweet. If I was in the mood to drink a bunch of beer, and this wasn't so expensive I'd go here.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2007 01:36:35 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Simply fantastic tasting lager, I'm glad I grabbed a fresh bottle with the new neck label with Dare*Risk*Dream printed. God knows Rogue doesn't use any freshness info on their bottles, this was bought in season approaching St. Paddy's Day. Really a beer I've drank on tap and bottle in the past but have never written down any thoughts on it. APpearance is simple fizzy yellow beer at first site, but then you notice a slight haze to the straw golden body. Actual hop haze going on with a creamy texture fluffy white head that sticks around for awhile. Lacing is the same forms intricate chunky layers that add to the eye candy. Aroma has a mild rolling layer of citrus/herbal/grassy mild skunky hop notes going on. A nice dose of cereal grains backing up the malt profile. Flavor is a nice mix of malts and hops some would consider this boring, I think it proves what great brewers they have at Rogue this is a simple style flavor wise but extremely tough to brew. There's no hiding any sulfur or off flavors like diacetyl in this one. This is a well brewed clean crisp drinking beer, with herbal grassy hops from their own supply and no Pac Man yeast to create the typical Rogue house flavor. A touch of green apple tartness in the finish, but really a nice grassy/bready biscuit malt layer going on. Nothing off putting completely easy drinking experience, medium to light bodied lager carbonation is lively definitely doesn't fall flat, probably one of the better lagers widely available from a craft brewer. Up there with Sam Adams Noble Pils, Rogue Uber Pils, and Sierra Nevada Summerfest.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2011 19:51:32 | More by WVbeergeek

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.2/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pale gold color (not quite straw). Fair bright white head with some lasting power. Slight lace

Clean crisp smell, reminds me of a cream ale. Pale malts predominate the aroma--very dry.

Very "round" body that seems far closer to an ale than a lager. Full mouthfeel that lingers with a small level of sourness. Although not listed on the ingredients, the flavor is close to dry rye ales. Very low hop levels except in the aftertaste where they linger a little longer.

Rogue typically produces some of my favorite beers, however this one falls far short of expectations. Maybe they were too high, or maybe this is their first average beer I've tried. It certainly isn't bad, but it is ordinary.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2006 23:54:10 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

3.4/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a slightly cloudy yellow color, nice carbonation, nice head, some lacing throughout the drink. Scents of hops, malts, yeast and apples. The taste is slightly hoppy, with a really clean brisk finish. Medium body. Drinkable, a tasty brew from Rogue, if you have it available try it, otherwise I would not go looking for it.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2006 02:05:17 | More by Wasatch

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(Served in a pokal)
A- This beer has a clear golden yellow body with a matrix of big bubbles rising to the surface. There is a lumpy snow-white creamy head last for a good bit.
S- The dry green hop bite is mixed with a dry lightly toasted malt note.
T- The dry flinty note gives way to a slightly spicy graham malt note and a soft toasted malt note finishes the beer.
M- The light mouthfeel has a slightly full finish from the carbonation and no alcohol heat.
D- This beer is very dry with some good freshness to the malt flavors and some nice depth of malt. Very easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2010 03:47:28 | More by rhoadsrage

Jason

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Presentation: 22 oz bomber with no freshness date, brewed for the Kells Pubs in Portland, OR.

Appearance: A dull golden hue with a fine clarity hold a good lacing effect that draws rings down the glass here and there.

Smell: Clean malty aroma with light hints of biscuity and nutty grain, touch of herbal hop in the back but the malt is the star.

Taste: Some hoppiness upfront as the maltiness comes in layer by layer of pale biscuity complexity. Hop stay around with an ample bitterness and lightly herbal flavour, a small note of yeast is there but does not distract the palate too much. Lingers long with lightly sweet grain flavours as well as dry suggestions of bread crust.

Notes: A firm but raw lager, flavourful and rich. Coming from and ale brewery this is a damn good beer, I’d pick this over most pale lager of this sort.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2002 20:31:41 | More by Jason

Billolick

New York

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

typical Rogue bomber. No freshness indication. Pours medium cloudy straw in color, minor head, but leaves some fine bubble wispy lacing. A few lazy bubbles keep on rising to the top. Nose is just a hint of some lemony grass. Clean and refreshing, some more lemon and some grassyness. Light, snappy and easy drinking. Decent for the style, (lagers, who needs em??) and not a bad warm weather sessioner. Doubt I would go for this one too often, rather have any one of a bunch of other Rogues that exhibit more character and complexity.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2007 15:30:36 | More by Billolick

mdfb79

New York

3.25/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

From 07/20/11 notes. Thanks to my girlfriend for bringing this back from her trip to Oregon. Apparently one of her friends from Portland told her that Rogue does not get distributed outside of Oregon...she was wrong. Still, a Rogue beer I haven't tried before is always welcome. Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into my Duvel tulip.

a - Pours a cloudy bright yellow color with high carbonation evident and one finger of fluffy white head. There is very light lacing on the glass and no real retention.

s - Smells of wheat, bread, grain, and very light citrus. Mostly wheat here, kind of average and bland.

t - Tastes of wheat, grain, light citrus, light apples and fruity malts, and bready malts. A definite step up from the nose as there is some fruit, but still a bit dominated by the wheat.

m - Light body and high carbonation. A bit too carbonated for me.

o - Overall a pretty average beer; lots of wheat and not much going on in the nose. I think this would be a good beer for someone first getting into craft beers, but it just didn't do much for me. Very drinkable because of the light body and ABV, but considering some of Rogue's other great products out there, I'd pass on this one next time.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2011 15:33:54 | More by mdfb79

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle purchased from Julio's, Westboro, MA.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed 1/2" white head over the slightly cloudy dark golden brew. Head fades down pretty quick, with reasonable sticky lacing. Aroma is damp pale grains, with a light citrus tinge. Taste is well-balanced, pale malts and citrusy hops. Mouthfeel is nice and soft over the tongue, and drinkability is nice and easy. High sessionability here, I'll have to keep it in mind.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2006 22:42:36 | More by ppoitras

Zorro

California

2.83/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Pours a near clear darker shade of gold with an orange tint. Good white head that doesn't last.

Smell is good clean malt with a touch of fruity esters to it. Nice herbal and flowers hop scent. Slightly sweet smelling with a hint of lemon in the scent.

Taste is slightly sweet with some mellow malt flavor and slightly herbal and bitter hops. After a bit a sour flavor develops similar to what you get from old malt extract.

Mouthfeel is OK.

I thought this was going to be a good beer right up till I tasted it. This tastes like a homebrew with stale ingredients. Such a waste of a good opportunity.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2006 23:07:42 | More by Zorro

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle from the LCBO.

Pours a clear light amber yellow, very thick and chunky white head forms, quickly settles down to a thin ring around the glass, some lacing sticks on in clumps, decent retention. Smell is nice, very malty, some caramel and toast, grassy, light floral, biscuity malt, not very complex but has a bit more sack behind it than the average Euro pale. Taste is very sweet and malty up front, honey and caramel, toast and biscuit, quite nice, light floral hops, orange peel sweetness, grassy, lightly sugary in the finish. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation, very smooth and drinkable. As noted before, just has more to it than the average Euro pale, bigger and more flavourful malts, better body, quite nice. I like this stuff.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2009 04:29:55 | More by Viggo

Bighuge

Minnesota

3.08/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Hazy looking piss yellow. Thin off white head. Barely anything. Lace is minimal. Hmmm...On the nose, crisp malts, noble hops and a touch of acidity. Pretty basic with regards to flavor. Bland malts. A little grainy. A little biscuity. Not much to speak of. A touch of noble hop goodness. Mouthfeel is moderately carbonated. Medium body. Pretty average brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2005 02:20:46 | More by Bighuge

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.3/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Good pristine golden color with some seriously fluffy head. Couldn't pick much up in the nose here, a little sweetness, but everything else was pretty nondescript.

Very light taste, was disappointed, thought from the appearance that we would have a light bodied, full flavored beer. Just got the light body, the minimalist floral hops were just too underwhelming. Didn't have the crispness an excellent beer in this style would have, there was some bitterness, but it just didn't pair well with anything. $6 for an easy drinker is a little much, negates the drinkability +.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2010 19:45:48 | More by Beerandraiderfan

glid02

Georgia

3.53/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Got this from Capital City Package in Atlanta.

Pours a dark straw color with a one finger head. Not very good retention, and the head recedes to a thin layer of bubbles on top of the beer. Very clear, and there's not much lacing.

Smells kind of sour, with apple smells. There's not a whole lot else going on.

Tastes much like it smells. Very crisp with an apple-y taste. There's a little bit of malt sweetness in there as well. Could have a bit more flavor.

Not much going on with the mouthfeel, but I didn't expect much. Thin but smooth, but enough carbonation to bring out the flavors.

This beer is pretty drinkable, a solid light lager.

Overall it's a good representation of the style, although as a beer it's not all that great. Worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2008 00:58:40 | More by glid02

Gusler

Arizona

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The archetypal pour for the lager style a crystalline gold, the head portly in size, creamy in its consistency, a brilliant white, and as it erodes leaves behind a thick clinging sheet of lace to conceal the glass. The aroma of barley, freshly toasted, sweet, clean and a real treat for the senses. As for the start, you guessed it malt, sweet and the top middling in its mouth feel. Modestly acidic, the hops apropos to the style, dry and long lasting aftertaste, quite drinkable and a real thirst quencher irregardless the time of year.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2003 16:51:53 | More by Gusler

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Poured a pale yellow with a 1 finger, fluffy white head. Visible carbonation was very aggressive.

S: a light floral hoppiness, pale malt and a faint sour grain aroma.

T: The flavor was slighty bready, with a nice floral hopping per style. There was some fresh grains, hay, and finished crisp.

M: fizzy from the carbonation and very clean, some fresh cereal grains.

D: A light drinking euro style lager, moderate drinkability, mild enjoyment.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2008 13:52:16 | More by beerthulhu

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Yellow daisy with a pillowy froth of pearl white head - this appearance reminds me more of tropical sunshine and white sand beaches than it does Ireland's mossy hills and rocky shores. Still, it looks unarguably appealing, even despite a heavyset haze. Not to mention the astonishing adhesiveness of this foam. I'm sure glad they didn't go all the way with the marketing and die it green, this is a nice looking beer.

The aroma also veers me to a specific spot on the globe, again not Ireland though. A deep, profound maltiness exhumes notes of fresh harvested cereal grains and crisp straw with even a generous sprinkling of green, leafy hops. I'd be far more likely to associate this with Germany, it has all the components of a nice Munich Helles. Pale lagers (especially on this side of the Atlantic) rarely smell this pleasant or clean.

Rogue's refusal to use chemicals, additives or preservatives pays big dividends, at least as far as well attuned palates are concerned. Not only does this *not* have any reminiscence of corn, adjuncts, chemical agents or artificial taste but it *does* have the honest, natural flavour of malted barley. It is clean and vivid - it's like the epiphany of tasting free range, grass fed beef for the first time all over again.

Aside from being happy not to be pestered by any corn or adjuncts, nothing about the mouthfeel wows me; then again, it's not expected to. This get's the 28 IBU, light drinking, highly quaffable, blessedly refreshing profile done in fine form. I don't often drink in the copious quantities associated with Irish habits or St. Patrick's Day celebrations, but this is something I could if were ever forced to.

Once a proud brewing nation, Ireland today is a market in which Guinness and Heineken own all but 4% of the share. Most of us associate the Irish with Stout but lager actually now accounts for roughly 60% of beer consumption on the island. It's too bad then that the Irish don't have access to Rogue's Kells Irish Style Lager. There's no competition between this and any actual Irish lagers I've had, this would win hands down.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2009 19:18:09 | More by biegaman

Brad007

Vermont

3.63/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Color: Golden yellow color with a fluffy head that fades down to a one-finger head.

Aroma: Sweet and malty. Bottle describes beer as having an apple cider crispness but I can actually detect a bit of that in this. Smooth.

Taste: Smooth and sweet. Malty with hop bitterness in the middle. Bit of that apple cider crispness at the back of the throat. Crisp. Tasty. Inoffensive.

Mouthfeel: Hop bitterness, malt sweetness and apple cider-like flavor.

Verdict: A decent lager that is good for what it is.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2008 23:23:17 | More by Brad007

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This is eclectic, rather than keltic!

An American krystal-wheat perhaps?

A: Yellow with a fluffy, white head, some retention & good lacing.

S: Floral & grassy hops with a hint of tartness & grain.

T: Interesting tart-bitter balance, floral & grassy spicing, hints of bready malt.

M: Light to moderate body is smooth.

D: Very drinkable. Would be a great summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2009 23:19:25 | More by Derek

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.45/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours golden with a medium head that fades to a ring. Constant bubbles from the bottom of the glass. Smells tangy with lager yeast and with quite a bit of dry malt. Slightly grassy aroma as well. Same tanginess in the taste, and a good bit of malt. Its a bit sweet, still grassy, and has low hop levels. Fairly dry in the mouth, but not really very creamy or malty feeling despite the aroma and taste. No real bang here, just okay.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2008 00:49:49 | More by Georgiabeer

tavernjef

Minnesota

3.63/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Light pale honey yellow. Small, stark whitened cap of whispy smooth foam. Keeps an adequate collar at the edge and a broken skim arcoss the top. Small curtains of lace drape in a ringed pattern.

Aroma is quite simple and somewhat floral with a sweetish fruit sided maltyness of pear, white grape, and apple and a nudge of crispy grain.

Flavors are about the same, quite simple and easy; moderately lengthy with a few seemingly empty drags in there as far as the body goes. Sweet with a small grain tilt of crispness thats a bit like a Czech pils breadyness and rounded off in a light pear/apple-like fruityness. Has s light Sterling/Noble-like hop dryness going off into the finish with some leftover bready tones.

As mentioned, the body and feel has a few empty areas that seem to take from the flavor profile a bit in places. Quite sad really, cuz with a bit more attention to some bigger body to fill in those gaps and this would be quite a nice brew to have more then a few of.

A bit boring, but has and shows potential with a subtle complexity in some of the flavors. Otherwise, one of the more unmemorable brews from Rogue.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2006 03:42:24 | More by tavernjef

mactrail

California

2.95/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Tastes like a watered-down malt liquor. Slight sweet hint, nose of damp cardboard. Big head on golden beer with a chill haze. Quite lovely lacing in the wine glass. Rather coarse carbonation. Just the slightest touch of bitterness appears in the aftertaste, which is welcome to the taste buds. Extremely light bodied and refreshing at first sip, but turns a little soapy. Overall, pretty anemic, but clean and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2011 04:12:17 | More by mactrail

RoyalT

Ohio

3.13/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance – This one is light yellow in color with some noticeable carbonation and a big, beautiful, head even though I had it in a taster. The head left some foamy pits and lacing all over the glass.

Smell – There was no mistaking the raw American grain in this nose. It was mixed with some light, sucrose-type of sweetness and a grassy hoppiness.

Taste – The grain is a lot lighter than I thought after smelling this lager and the hops are muddled. The sweetness from the nose finished up the taste.

Mouthfeel – This one is light-bodied (lighter than what I experienced when drinking it bottled) with a nice, tingly sensation in the mouth. It is smooth and the flavors flow well together.

Drinkability – It seems that American breweries really struggle with this style. Having said that, this wasn’t half bad and is better than most.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2004 19:40:14 | More by RoyalT

largadeer

California

4.15/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - Clear and golden with solid head retention and lots of sticky lace.

Smell - Pale, doughy malts, a bit hay-like. Subtly sweet.

Taste/mouthfeel - Bready sweetness, a bit of apple or pear and a hint of citrus. Moderate hop bitterness, though the finish is very clean; the aftertaste leaves the palate pretty quickly. Light-bodied and crisp; highly drinkable stuff. A great session lager with plenty of flavor.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2008 23:14:22 | More by largadeer