Voodoo Doughnut Maple Bacon Ale - Rogue Ales

TheSixthRing

California

4.23/5  rDev +43.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

I've had this beer twice now, the first time cold, and now a 2nd time at slightly cooler than room temperature. Trust me when I say this beer is MUCH better when consumed at a warmer temperature.

Appearance - A dark, golden brown.

Smell - Beautiful smoked bacon. Sweet syrupy maple. This smell instantly takes me to a lumberjack breakfast table.

Taste - At cold to ice cold temperatures, I got almost nothing outside of a smoke flavor, not unlike Rogue's Smoke Ale. As the beer warmed, the flavors opened, first a hint of bacon, and as it arrived closer to room temp, the maple made it's debut. The 2nd time I tried this beer, I gave this only a brief cool down before opening (10 minutes in fridge), and the flavors were there in full force. A nice smokey applewood bacon flavor upfront, followed nicely on the tongue with a sweet maple which fades well into the aftertaste. Beautiful, complex malts which work their magic and somehow deliver on the promise of the label.

Mouthfeel - Considering the target, this is where the beer loses points. The beer is fairly thin, or at least thinner than one should expect for what this beer is presenting.

Overall - Had I reviewed this after my first experience, it would have been one of disappointment. Following up on my instincts and trying this beer at a warmer temperature brought out it's true nature. At $11-13 a bottle, the price is steep, but if it won't break your budget, it's certainly a beer I'd recommend trying. Gimmick beers don't usually work; this one does.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 21:39:44 | More by TheSixthRing

jplopez21

Illinois

1/5  rDev -66.1%

05-18-2013 12:31:00 | More by jplopez21

rcdt76

Illinois

4/5  rDev +35.6%

05-18-2013 01:19:12 | More by rcdt76

darvinlikemarvin

Iowa

3.5/5  rDev +18.6%

05-17-2013 18:15:09 | More by darvinlikemarvin

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

3.33/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Definitely a different beer - I struggled through the first glass, but am now starting to enjoy it at the end of the bottle... ?! Heavily smoke-forward, there are definite maple and bacon notes - but overall a bit of a mess.

Pours a hazy light brown with yellowish tinges. Minimal head that disappears quickly. Aroma of smoked meat, with an industrially sweet maple backbone. The flavour starts sweet with a malt basis, albeit no "donut" that I can discern. This transitions rapidly into a smoky, smoky finish – almost overpowering.

A very different beer and glad to have tried it, although buying one bottle would have been enough!

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 00:38:25 | More by hopsolutely

Carpentiere

New Hampshire

3/5  rDev +1.7%

05-16-2013 12:17:27 | More by Carpentiere

Absolut

California

1.5/5  rDev -49.2%

05-15-2013 21:15:09 | More by Absolut

Zimm

New Jersey

3/5  rDev +1.7%

05-15-2013 17:13:21 | More by Zimm

lucasj82

Indiana

3/5  rDev +1.7%

05-15-2013 02:06:16 | More by lucasj82

InfragilisBrew

Illinois

2.5/5  rDev -15.3%

05-14-2013 06:22:34 | More by InfragilisBrew

ChaserBD04

Washington

1.36/5  rDev -53.9%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.25

A pretty rough beer. I, for the record, have had the bacon maple bar from Voodoo, and it is delicious. When you try to put it in beer form, it is terrible. The smell is off putting right from the start: a heavy smokiness with a hint of sweet. I read a review on here that says it tastes like dirty grill water, and that's about right. The overwhelming smoke flavor sticks, in a bad way. It stays in your mouth too. Thank god I had other beer in the fridge. I poured out a twelve dollar bottle of this stuff. The only decent thing is the appearance, with a nice thick head and good lacing. After that abandon ship.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 05:22:49 | More by ChaserBD04

ToddHolder

Illinois

2.75/5  rDev -6.8%

05-14-2013 02:49:04 | More by ToddHolder

ScottyDuzntNo

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +44.1%

05-14-2013 02:03:59 | More by ScottyDuzntNo

leftstagebrew

North Carolina

2.25/5  rDev -23.7%

05-13-2013 17:00:29 | More by leftstagebrew

drabmuh

Maryland

3/5  rDev +1.7%

05-13-2013 15:29:11 | More by drabmuh

zonker17

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +27.1%

05-13-2013 01:02:35 | More by zonker17

whallgren

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev +1.7%

05-12-2013 19:20:17 | More by whallgren

Minkybut

Virginia

4.29/5  rDev +45.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I poured this strange beer into my tumbler at 45 degrees. The thought of a greasy beer really worrying me. The beer was a light amber color with tan head that was thick and showing great lacing. Apple wood smoke and maple flavors oozing out of the glass really smelled good. I smoke with apple wood weekly so I know what I'm talking about. The taste was really quite startling. Smokey maplealy taste for sure. I got no bacon taste at all, yet my wife said she did. I liked the beer for a crazy taste experience. I would buy it again to change things up.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 16:35:55 | More by Minkybut

Mersh

Connecticut

3/5  rDev +1.7%

05-11-2013 22:03:59 | More by Mersh

bilhelm

Kentucky

1/5  rDev -66.1%

05-11-2013 04:52:51 | More by bilhelm

Flight0011

Washington

2.33/5  rDev -21%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.25

How exactly does one describe an abominatoin, sweet, smokey, salty, malty flavors that don't sit in to well on the palet or in the stomach. To each his own but this beer was not for me.
Poured- alright, decient head
Smelled- sweet and smokey
Taste-... undesireable

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 04:13:57 | More by Flight0011

NateMac13

Illinois

1/5  rDev -66.1%

05-11-2013 02:41:18 | More by NateMac13

krl2112

Illinois

1.5/5  rDev -49.2%

05-11-2013 01:26:03 | More by krl2112

caverog

California

2/5  rDev -32.2%

05-10-2013 19:31:21 | More by caverog

BDstripp

Florida

2.5/5  rDev -15.3%

05-10-2013 18:39:35 | More by BDstripp