Juniper Pale Ale - Rogue Ales

chodinheaven

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Hazy bright yellow hue with a healthy enough white head on top. Dissapates fairly quickly but does leave some lacing. It smells really nice. Definitely some nice fruity aromas coming through a floral hop nose. The juniper berries remind me of oranges mixed with apricots and maybe some sort of other tropical fruit.

Interesting taste, light to medium body with a small hop hit in the middle and then not much else with the hops. A berry bitterness is noticeable throughout the taste and even into the aftertaste, which I have to say is different than I thought it would be. Its bitter like a berry's rind actually, which, never having a juniper berry before, I can only assume is the juniper. Its unique at the very least and I do give it credit for that. Incredibly easy to drink and yet still enjoyable for the complexities of the berries and floral hop combination. The mouthfeel is quick, clean, and dry, lending itself to the style nicely. The hops actually come through more and more throughout the beer, but they never take over. They instead take a seat on the side and let the other flavors do the work, which is a plus for the style. All told, I'm enjoying the easiness and yet thoughfulness in the balance of this one. Didn't know what to expect with this, but I am pleasantly surprised.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2011 03:22:43 | More by chodinheaven

Murph

Arizona

4.13/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a beautiful pale golden color with a nice creamy head and a clinging lace. Citrus aromas from th hops blend well with the piney smell from the juniper berries. Slick hoppy flavors with a nice gin like flavor from the juniper berries again. A very slick and refreshing mouthfeel to it that makes this beer extremely drinkable. Yet another great offereing from Rogue. A pale ale with a twist that definitely wouldn't be for everyone but if you like beer and you like gin then you will probably like this.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2002 10:29:15 | More by Murph

hyuga

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2001 edition. Many bubbles ascend rapidly to form a frothy white head with great staying power. Pale orange/copper in color, definitely pale ale. Sweet floral hop aromas abound in the nose. Hints of toasted malt and what I'm guessing is the product of juniper berries from the bottle's statement (but I've never had juniper berries, so I wouldn't know). Flavors appear that jump between malty and hoppy as it rolls over your palate, and combine in a well-balanced sweetness. Medium body. Hints of what I again assume is the juniper abound. Later on, a small amount of rind-like flavor appears and leaves a bit of bitterness behind on the edges of your tongue. Although I expected more of a spicy brew, this is a great, well-balanced beer that I find very satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2002 12:46:45 | More by hyuga

TastyTaste

Minnesota

4.13/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A little haze in it's golden color, moderate white head. Smell of juniper berries is very apparent, paired with a nice hops aroma. Taste is spicy and bitter. This is a very unique brew, I split a bomber with a macro drinking buddy of mine, and he didn't have many kind words for it. I thought it was good, and something I would consider getting again.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2004 23:41:45 | More by TastyTaste

jameaterblues

New York

4.13/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Going into this I really did not know what a Juniper berry was...but that proved not to be too much of a problem...

The beer poured into a pint glass a golden color from a 22oz bomber(yeast sediment was visible through the bottle, but not so much in the beer), with carbonation that was visible throughout the entire drinking experience. It had a 1/4 inch or less head that was snow white, that disappeared quickly. The head left a bubbly white lace around the glass.
Smell was of strong herbal/citrus hops(but that might also be coming from the juniper berries) and a nice presence of slightly sweet malt.
Taste: this is a pale ale. The juniper part might turn people off thinking what they will, but it really is a nice american pale ale. The hops were present throughout the entire body, but the malt, which was very mellow and present mainly in the beginning and middle of the body, was there just enough to balance(but the hops was still the star quality). The finish was crisp, and almost clean but a herbal/spice flavor lingers for quite a while.
Mouthfeel/drinkability: more than moderate carbonation, medium bodied. I feel that this is more balanced than, but still representative of the american pale. Great american pale ale...I'm really glad I gave it a try...and will probably pick it up again.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2006 02:38:42 | More by jameaterblues

wingman14

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazy dark golden yellow with a white head that fades fast with some good lacing throughout. The smell is a usual rogue, with some malt, hop, and spice notes. The taste starts malty with some nice spicy notes, then stays malty throughout with a nice bitter and dry finish. The aftertaste stays somewhat bitter and a little hoppy. The mouthfeel is nice and smooth with a nice balance in flavor. This is an easy drinker, full of flavor that isn't overwhelming and has plenty of great attributes that contribute to a great beer. This beer, like all rogues, is worth drinking. Another great beer from Rogue.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2009 03:33:59 | More by wingman14

IIKaRuII

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pouring is a nice cloudy with reminisce floating in it. Very bubbly with a nice golden honey color. Head is a very frothy milk color. Head settles very nice.
Smell is of hops, and citrus. a more orange kinda smell more then a lemon. i really dont smell the juniper berries.
Taste is not very bitter. A very sweet beggining with a tingle of bitterness that doesn't really effect it. has a great kinda berry taste, but i dont think it tastes like juniper berries at that though. a little bit of spices that come out when finishing it. This a a very pleasant pale ale to drink. doesn't strike me at all as bitter.
Very bubbly with a great tingling of the citruses. has the dry Berrie feel to it.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2011 06:28:07 | More by IIKaRuII

ForWhatAlesYou

Minnesota

4.13/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Not a large head but a really nice golden color. Sunset orange hues, slightly hazy.

S: Toffee, citrus hops. A little honey and light bread.

T: Out standing. A very dry resin controls the flavor load here. The juniper plays this part, acting as the bittering hop. Malt is cleverly rich to balance the astringency. Agave, caraway, and rye could all be found here.

M: Astringent, dry yet viscous. Good.

D: Very good drinking pale. Interesting and unique but not overwhelming or a novelty.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2011 21:26:27 | More by ForWhatAlesYou

doho95fu

California

4.1/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It is a golden orange color with a thin white head and minimal lacing. The smell was fruit and hops, with a bit of a doughy smell. The flavor packed some spice, but nothing overwhelming like some other spiced varieties. The hops provided the most flavor in my book- making this beer seem pretty traditional to me. A solid brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2003 07:07:12 | More by doho95fu

TheLongBeachBum

California

4.1/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Another 22 fl.oz of Rogue, yippee, I have not had a new Rogue beer in ages, so I was very happy when I saw this untried offering in a local store, and so I jumped at the chance of trying this "newbie" from the Oregon based master brewers.

Labeled as “Yellow Snow Ale 2002”, it pours a slightly hazy yellow color with a light orange hue, that does have a remarkable resemblance to the last urine sample I gave the Doctor. A white frothy head that is comprised of large frothy bubbles, like the bottle, adds character to its presentation, but leaves very little lace. Average carbonation, but the head is soon gone almost completely, only a thin surface covering is left.
Nose is immediately spicy but it has a sweet honey dimension to it. Initial tastes are of restrained bitterness, which lead to a ‘soft’ malty middle. The spiciness then makes it entrance and intermingles incredibly well with the hops. This is the beers single greatest asset and uniqueness in my humble opinion. My guess is that the Styrian Golding and Amarillo Hops, are in a deeply disturbing, but tempestuous, ‘Menage-a-Trois’ with the Juniper Berries.

Overall this beer is different, almost unique, I like the controlled hop-bitterness and the ‘in-situ’ spicy facet, all combined together in an easy drinking, highly refreshing beer.

I remember the first time I created yellow snow when I was 5, and even when I spelled my name in it, well, to be honest I only got to doing the first 3 letters of my long last name, but hey I tried. Yellow Snow – who would have thought that some 28 years later I would enjoy drinking it some 3,000 miles away?

A very well-balanced and intriguing beer. Clean, crisp and highly quaffable. Well worth a try, though some may not understand its restrained complexities.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2003 17:19:56 | More by TheLongBeachBum

Shiloh

Ontario (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ahhh, my very first Rogue product and I was not disappointed. It poured a cloudy dull orange with limited head and average carbonation.
The body is medium and aroma very slightly of yeast...I detect nothing else.
The taste consists of a 3 prong attack...hops-malts-hops with little after taste.
Grapefruit is alive and well and living in yellow snow.
Impressive.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2003 04:33:13 | More by Shiloh

cokes

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I'm not gonna lie to you and pretend I know the first thing about juniper berries (other than the fact they are used in the gin-making process). But since I firmly believe that beer should make a person think, here are a few fun juniper berry tidbits for all y'all:
-it's a remedy to treat tapeworm
-In the Ayurvedic system (don't ask me) juniper is believed to not only purify the body but also the aura.
-contains thujone, which I believe is a hallucinogen (of absinthe fame)
-It has stimulant and analgesic properties.
-it helps clear acid wastes from the body.
-It acts on the urinary, respiratory, nervous and digestive systems
-it's an insect repellant
-It can be used during labor to stimulate contractions.
-And it makes your urine smell like violets (as yet unproven by yours-truly).

Anyway,

This is of the 2002 breed.
Pours a smogged golden under a bleached beige head.
Nose full of ferns and pine needles, and black-light ganja. Notations of dish-washing liquid. The berry sweetness present may or may not be imaginary.
Toasty up front. Progresses towards english muffins, topped with a spit of butter. Not sweet at all, at least right away. Hops are certainly the featured event here. Lightly resinous pine cone Amarillos (oh how I love them), along with the more abrasive and metallic Styrian Goldies. Interesting cross. There's a suggestion of blueberries soaked in gin- adding minor sweetness to the general bitterness- and that is my only entrance to the topic of juniper berries.
Medium bodied and monster drinkable, though that has nothing to do with any sort of berry.
Not as unique as expected, and a bit out-of-place as a winter seasonal, but a dandy pale ale regardless.

Now off to see if that whole violets thing is true.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2003 08:31:23 | More by cokes

WesWes

New York

4.1/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a golden color with a thick white head. The aroma is good. It boasts of pale ale malts and an array of floral hops. The taste is good as well. It is a light, pale beer with an awesome hop flavor and a dry finish. It says it is brewed with juniper berries, but I don't taste them. It is a good beer nonetheless. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a low bodied beer with good carbonation. This beer drinks very well. I've never had a bad beer from these guys. It didn't know what to expect with this only because of the name, but I was pleasantly surprised. Thanks Quaffer for helping me reel in my "white whale."

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2004 23:17:51 | More by WesWes

FormatKid

Tennessee

4.1/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I picked up a 22oz bomber of this from Riverside Beverages in Chattanooga. It pours out a slightly murky, transparent golden-amber. A respectable, big bubbly head rolls up a good two fingers breadth. Carbonation bubbles are big, lazy and sparse.

Piney hops are big on the nose, and I swear I think I can smell those Juniper berries. Other than that I detect the sweet underlying scent of the malt.

Taste is lead off richly by sweet, creamy, flat malts. Piney hop flavor takes over and rides it out to the end. The aftertaste is dry and slightly spicy. Mouthfeel is medium light and very crisp on the palate.

I like this one a lot, both the idea of it, and the taste. I nice switch up from a standard pale ale. I really regret not trying this on draft when having the chance. There’s always next time though.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2004 04:13:17 | More by FormatKid

cbl2

New York

4.1/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

8/19/2005 $4.65 22 oz. 5.30% No best by date.

Appearance:

Pours a crystal clear medium straw with over an inch of creamy white head.

Aroma:

Fragrantly hoppy, with citrus overtones coupled with a nice sweet backbone and a hint of flowers.

Taste/Mouthfeel:

Hop profile is very similar to Dead Guy Ale, with a touch of anise as well as a subtle floral quality. Malt presence is quite prevalent, leading to a nice sweet midbody. Finish is a bit bitter, though with a nice aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2006 17:04:53 | More by cbl2

loren01

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a golden color, good sized white head, good lace.
S: Juniper berries and good amarillo hop smell, citrusy.
T: Good malt profile up front, biscutty/bready. Followed by good hoppy taste, not too bitter. A little bit of juniper spice to the aftertaste as well
M: Light to medium bodied, good mouthfeel
D: This is one of my favorite rogue beers, very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2007 20:13:20 | More by loren01

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to tenderbranson69 for sharing this w/ me. Poured cold and allowed to warm in a goblet.

A - A brilliant amber w/ 2 fingers of white foam that creates sporadic lace on the glass. This ale had a slight chill haze when poured.

S - A light apricot aroma is fragrant w/ a subtle floral note. There is a pleasant aromatic pine/juniper note w/ an herbal aspect. The citrusy amarillo hop aroma is noticeable in the nose.

M - Grainy w/ a moderate amount of bitterness up front. The malt provides a decently balanced feel. A full effervessence contributes to the balance also w/ a nice touch of malty warmth underneath and herbal tinges.

T - A smooth malt flavor w/ a good juicy dose of tangerine flavored citrus hops. Plenty of malt flavor w/ crystal influence is detected in the sweetness of the flavor. A piney note that carries on until the sweetness and subtle warming w/ a hint of spice.

D - Very decent drinkability wise. This is a nice NW pale w/ plenty of hop flavor and the juniper is hinted at also. The balance is very good, I would definitely pick this one up again.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2007 18:59:29 | More by Slatetank

Brad007

Vermont

4.1/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a decent golden pale color with a thick head that recedes down to a one-finger head, leaving some lacing in the result. Nice and bready upfront, malty and with the juniper berries adding a nice but subtle touch to the aroma. There's almost a minty quality in the aroma as well.

Taste is smooth and malty upfront with a biscuity touch in the mouthfeel and a slight dryness at the back of the throat. The juniper seems hidden though but in its' place is a decent and drinkable pale ale. There is a slight mint feeling in the aftertaste but that's all that I can detect.

Overall, a solid pale ale that when fresh, would no doubt taste much much better.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2007 02:44:25 | More by Brad007

bisoubisou

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thought this would be a try-once bottle but we've had at least a sixer. Very drinkable and not as much juniper considering the name. The pretty hop aromatics are assertive and complex. Would make a great everyday pale ale if it was local. One of my favorite Rogues.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2008 04:30:36 | More by bisoubisou

fbandc

New York

4.1/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I received the Yellow Snow Pale Ale (an alias for the Juniper Pale Ale, as I am informed by beeradvocate) as a secret santa gift from our beer club. This was a good representation of the style, as Rogue continues to not disappoint. A great hoppy aroma, and a really nice IPA taste. This is definitely a beer that I could stay with all night.
One of the measures that our beer club uses is "would you buy a six pack of it?" and my answer would be yes...

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2008 13:45:03 | More by fbandc

shamus

Ontario (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I'm drinking this from a bottle labelled "Yellow Snow IPA" which according to the Beer Advocate is an alias for Juniper Pale Ale. It has great head retention. Smells of pine (Juniper i guess) and has a very earthy, grassy hop scent. I'm not a fan of the name but it is good beer. Much better than the stuff i had earlier in a can from Belgium.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2009 00:48:53 | More by shamus

hdofu

Maryland

4.1/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Kind of golden colored, bubbly. Smells very strongly of berries. Taste begins sweet of a wild berry but finishes with a strong bitter taste that ends in hoppiness. Not a bad beer, I wasn't sure what to expect when I popped the top on this bottle. It would probably go very good with some boneless honey wings. It goes down easy enough to go back for seconds

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2010 02:58:16 | More by hdofu

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

slightly hazy orangish golden color. bright white head. decent lacing and good head retention.

I do smell a bit of the juniper in there, but also some toffee aroma?

well balanced taste, with just a bit of bitter piney flavor. medium body, smooth carbonation. very easy to drink

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2011 03:01:31 | More by jmdrpi

EagleTalon

Arkansas

4.08/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Rogue beers never fail to impress me. This one never failed to impress me either. Nevermind the juniper berrries, this is just good pacific northwest ale. Excellent head, very tasty, clean bitterness. I like it.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2002 23:08:29 | More by EagleTalon

Valevapor

Oregon

4.08/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

- Gotta love the big bubba bottle, the name, and the victorious skier dude with mutt print!
- A clear, honey-colored ale with a white, fizzy head that rapidly dissipates.
- Floral and fruity hops invade the nostrils, supported by an underlayer of malt and a touch of spice.
- Smooth, malty body with fairly dynamic carbonation. Hops are ubiquitous, but not overbearing. Dry, spicy, mildly bitter finish.
- A highly drinkable pale ale with a unique twinge imparted by juniper berries. Another round, bartender!

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2002 16:04:18 | More by Valevapor