Rogue Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale
Rogue Ales
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, OR USA
Est.1988
www.rogue.com
www.rogue.com/beers/voodoo-bacon-maple

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.6 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 25.4

Postmortem Brew Review
Clear amber color with a honey colored tinge.
Distinct smokiness, bacon and maple aromas that become pronounced, then intermingle. Leans toward smoked meat on nose.
Traces of smoked malt and woody undertones.
Near white head color head that fades to a skim coat and rings the glass.
Maple flavor takes more of the lead at first and the finish has smoky malt sweetness.
Modest carbonation tingles the tongue.
Medium bodied.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
It was the Voodoo Man that caught my attention, not the shockingly pink painted bottle. There he was, standing with a mug of suds in hand, holding (dare I say), squeezing the life out of that piglet in his ham-fisted paw. Pink maple leafs checkered the spaces in-between each little piggy. With his sullen black eyes, pork bone necklace and replete in top hat and coat, the Voodoo Man was egging The Reaper to buy the bottle. Then it struck me that I was at Whole Foods Market. Ah hah! Well, surely this little piggy went to market, so now we would both go wheee-wheee-wheee, all the way home!

Rogue gives a tip of the voodoo top hat to Tres & Cat Daddy over at Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland, OR. The ale is loosely translated from the Bacon Maple Bar that can be found in the doughnut shop.  I had the good fortune to visit this past summer and can tell you that their doughnut selection is mind boggling and nothing short of awesome. Visit them at one of their three locations, but expect a line. It's worth the wait! As Voodoo Doughnuts slogan says, "The magic is in the hole!!!" The same can be said of this bottle.

As for the beer, it is a nice tribute to the creative essence that oozes from the Portland scene. Both brewmaster and baker are trend setters and at the forefront of their respective industries. I consider both the beer and the doughnuts to be fun stuff and worth a try.

Go ahead...pig out!

Rogue Chocolate Stout

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Chocolate Stout
Rogue Ales
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, OR USA
Est.1988
www.rogue.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 22.0 (3 oz. sample)

Postmortem Brew Review
Deep, dark brown in color.
Chocolate and malt smell with nearly no scent of hops.
Luxurious creamy caramel color head that lasts and lasts.
Luscious clinging of foam from top to bottom of glass.
Full bodied, malt, oat & chocolate flavor.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This blog post was done live at the first ever Beer Blogger's Conference, held in Boulder Colorado. 108 bloggers were in attendance, from over five hundred identified blogs. Luminaries of the craft beer world also attended to serve as presenters and keynote speakers for the event. A "speed round" of blogging was held by 12 brewers, each bringing an exemplary brew to blog. 12 beers, 12 blogging tables and 60 minutes were allotted in a fun, free-for-all session. 

Round #9

Sebbie Buhler

It was pure joy when I saw Sebbie Buhler approach the table with a bottle of Rogue Chocolate Stout. One of my favorites, Chocolate Stout is a crowd pleaser.  I have reviewed this one before, so you can read my thought on it here.

Sebbie spoke with enthusiasm as she passed the bottle to the bloggers at our table. For those of you that do not know, she is the woman depicted on the painted bottle label. Even her t-shirt let you know that she too, enjoys this brew. It is simply yummy.

Try some for yourself, and see if you agree.

Rogue - Mocha Porter

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Rogue Mocha Porter
Rogue Ales
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, OR USA
Est.1988
www.rogue.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.3 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0


Postmortem Brew Review
Black and opaque in color.
Roasted malt aromas with caramel and a bit of hops is noticeable.
Tan colored head with little to no retention and lace.
Medium amount of carbonation.
Caramel, vanilla notes dance around, but the mocha/chocolate flavor is profound.
Medium bodied. Easy to drink.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
A yummy porter that makes a delicious end of the night dessert, either paired with something sweet or all by itself. This is like a more compact version of their Chocolate Stout.  It is a bit easier to drink being that it's a porter and not overly sweet.  The dryness at the end of each sip is also enjoyable.

All said and done, another fine brew from the Oregon crew at Rogue. So handy that it comes in 12 ounce bottles as well.

Rogue - St. Rogue Red

Taps for a Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

St. Rogue Red
Rogue Ales
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, OR USA
Est.1988
www.rogue.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.1 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 (On Tap)


Postmortem Brew Review
Reddish copper in color.
Dry hoppy aroma; spruce scented.
Off-white head with good retention and lace.
Medium, active amount of carbonation.
Medium bodied.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Also on tap at the World of Beer, another fine Rogue brew for the Beertopia lineup.  This one has a distinct hoppy aroma and flavor.  It is dry hopping that brings the flavors out in this ale.  A nice but not overpowering amount of hops.  Easy to drink and oh, so tasty.

Get some religion and get this St. Rogue Red.

Rogue - John John Juniper

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

John John Juniper
Rogue Ales
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, OR USA
Est.1988
www.rogue.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = ?.? % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 (On Tap)


Postmortem Brew Review
Yellow orange in color.
Juniper berry taste and aroma with floral scent of hops.
Off-white head with good retention.
Medium, active amount of carbonation.
Light to medium bodied.  Slight oak aged taste.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Another of the rare beers of Rogue from the tap, sampled on the east coast of the US.  John John was delicious.  A tickle of juniper taste and a slight oaked blast towards the end.  Not overly hopped; at only 34 IBU it was just right.  The play of the hops aromas and juniper taste made for a very pleasing and interesting taste. Tastes wonderfully like a Spruce Pine tree!

Great to have a sample of this at "Beertopia" at my local World of Beer and their celebration of Rogue ales on tap.

Rogue - Double Dead Guy Ale

Double Dead Guy

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Double Dead Guy Ale
Rogue Ales
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, OR USA
Est.1988
www.rogue.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 (On Tap)


Postmortem Brew Review
Yellow orange in color.
Caramel malt taste and aroma with floral scent of hops.
Off-white, almost tan head with good retention.
Light carbonation with hoppy finish.
Light to medium bodied, hearty flavor.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Irony, in a bottle.  It's twice the goodness of regular Dead Guy, and that's all you really need to know.  Muahaahaahaaahaaaaaa! ! ! ! !

The Reaper enjoys this Super Maibock ale when it's just the regular Dead Guy.  It was on tap at World of Beer for a display of Rogue's finest fares.  The event?  Beertopia. So appropriate for a fine brewer like Rogue.

This has made limited appearances, so be sure to get some when you see it.

Rogue Brutal Bitter

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Rogue Brutal Bitter
Rogue Ales
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, OR USA
Est.1988
www.rogue.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 22.0 

Postmortem Brew Review 
Cloudy almost murky orange color.
Grain, yeast and a bang of hops on the nose with some citrus smell.
Frothy off-white head with good retention.
Moderate carbonation.
Hoppy and bittering finish.
Medium bodied, hoppy flavor.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
"Hedonistic!"  Those aren't my words.  Believe it or not they are on the label of this over the top hop.  Self gratifying?  Indeed.  This bitter style has a mere 59 IBU's but tastes like more than that much.  It doesn't hit your palate until the third or fourth sip, but then it's there 'til the bottom of the glass.  And at 22 oz. for the bottle, that's a long time to endure.

I get it, though.  I like my hops too, but this one about did me in.  Oh, it was enjoyable, however be aware that it does live up to the name, "Brutal Bitter".  Every drop of it.

Are you up to the test?  Gird your loins and go for it.  After all, "...a person whose life is devoted to the pursuit of pleasure and self-gratification" is the very definition of 'hedonism'.  I'd say there's also an element of masochism involved here too.  You got a problem with that?

Rogue - Hazelnut Brown Nectar

Taps for a Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Hazelnut Brown Nectar
Rogue Ales
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, OR USA
Est.1988
www.rogue.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 16.0 (On Tap) 

Postmortem Brew Review 
Solid brown with ruby cast tones.
Malty aroma; pleasingly sweet. Hearty dry nut aromas.
Practically no head that sticks around as a cover showing spotting of yeast.
Drying bitter chocolate on after sip with creamy finish.
Good amount of head coats the glass.
Surprisingly light bodied for a brown ale.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This one had been recommended by a friend for a while.  I should have listened to him sooner.  He was right on about this brown ale.

I found the head was non existant and the ale looked lifeless in the glass, but after tasting those smooth nutty flavors, it seemed to wash away any notion of doubt.  Its maltiness and nuttiness come through with each smooth sip.  There is a touch of sweetness in there,as well.  There's also some good carbonation in this ale.  No more doubt about it; this is a great brown ale any way you look at it.

Rogue!  How do you make such great beers?

Rogue - Yellow Snow IPA

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Yellow Snow IPA
Rogue Ales
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, OR USA
Est.1988
www.rogue.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 22.0 

Postmortem Brew Review 
Cloudy yellow/orange color.
A bang of hops on the nose with some citrus smell.
Frothy off-white head with magnificent two fingered retention.
Moderate carbonation.
Creamy. Tart.  Hoppy and bittering finish.
Medium bodied, hearty flavor.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Drum roll........Beer review #200.  A landmark review calls for a landmark beer.  I pulled this out of the mortuary cooler for your perusal.

Let's begin by saying this name is wrong on so many levels. I'm getting flashback's from the old 70's Frank Zappa standard "Please Don't Eat The Yellow Snow".  Frank's Eskimo song mama reminds him to, "...watch out where the Huskies go..."  Frank, if you are listening from up there...mama was wrong!

Well as the saying goes, "...it has been colder than a witch's teat..." around these parts of Florida.  Some parts of the state have reported snow in the past few days.  Sooo, why not try this ale, I thought.  Now you are all chuckling to yourselves, "Cold! Did he say cold?  I mean, how cold can it get in Florida?"  LISTEN UP YOU DUNDERHEADS!  It has been in the low to mid 30's at night and barely reaching the upper 40's by day for the past week and a half!  If you don't think that's cold, why don't you plan your vacation for this week?  Don't forget your swim suit! Okay, I'm done chiding you. But, I digress...

This IPA would most likely warm me up, since it contains a hearty 70 IBU's.  That made it a good pick for tonight.  Also, according to the label, it pairs well with 'fire' and 'bulls heads' --- hey, that's the symbols they used.  Not my idea.  Anyway, tonight's sup was spicy meatball sandwiches, so the 'fire and bull' thing was also working in its favor.

The ale poured out a murky yellow-orange color (I know what you are thinking) and produced a jubilant, frothy head.  Being a bomber bottle, I drank some and then refilled the glass when done.  As the last remnants of the ale dripped out, into the three fingered, off-white snowbank of a head, it was stained with that yellow-orange liquid.  It soiled it...well...like yellow snow! Bwaahaahaaahaa muahaahaahaaa!  I like a brewer with a sense of humor.  And I like Rogue's Yellow Snow IPA.

You know? There is the Rogue fellow and his hound on the label; kinda looks like a Labrador retriever --- did he do it?!?

Lets end by saying this ale is SO RIGHT on so many levels!

Rogue - Santa's Private Reserve Ale

Jolly Dead Elf

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Santa's Private Reserve Ale
Rogue Ales
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, OR USA
Est.1988
www.rogue.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 22.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Brown color on pour with red tones.
Pine scent of hops with some malt in the aroma.
Tan/caramel  head with some retention.
Light carbonation with balanced malt and hops taste.
Medium  to heavy bodied, fairly complex flavors.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Not spiced at all as most winter and Christmas brews. The malt and hops play well together.  There is something else going on in the background that I can seem to identify.  But good to be sure.  A nice one for the holidays and a nicer one to share with some of your elves.  It does have a heaviness and I found it might be tough to session.  Well, thank goodness Christmas only comes once a year.

The malt/caramel/toffee taste comes out after a bright splash of hops when you first sip.  A bit unusual, but I liked it.  Also, this ale takes a different tack from most of the dryer and spiced beverages we find at Christmas time. It's still on the dry side, and a bit more malt sweetness would have worked  better for my tastes.

I must have been a good boy as Santa brought this early, this year.

Rogue - Chocolate Stout

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Chocolate Stout
Rogue Ales
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, OR USA
Est.1988
www.rogue.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 22.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Deep, dark brown in color.
Chocolate and malt smell with nearly no scent of hops.
Luxurious creamy caramel color head that lasts and lasts.
Luscious clinging of foam from top to bottom of glass.
Full bodied, malt, oat & chocolate flavor.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Hey! You got chocolate in my beer! No, you got beer in my chocolate!

If you like 'hot' chocolate, then you're sure to enjoy this 'cold' chocolate beverage. Every time you bring it up to your lips, you'll swear there's a chocolate bar in your glass. The rich and frothy head is like a mousse dessert on top of your beer.

Let's not forget to talk about the hops. Inside this cocoa madness is a whopping 69 IBU's of taste bud tingling fun. It's not masked, nor does it overpower. Instead it adds to the wonderful mix of ingredients; quite balanced I might add.

True confession...after every sip I couldn't help but exclaim out loud, "...man that's a great beer!" Bring out your inner Rogue and go get one. They melt in your mouth.

Rogue - Dead Guy Ale

Dead Guy

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Dead Guy Ale
Rogue Ales
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, OR USA
Est.1988
www.rogue.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Yellow orange in color.
Caramel malt taste and aroma with floral scent of hops.
Off-white head with little retention.
Light carbonation with hoppy finish.
Light to medium bodied, hearty flavor.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Oh! A man after my own heart...and soul! Muahaahaahaaahaaaaaa! ! ! ! !

I knew right from the start this Maibock style ale was going to exceed my expectations. But first it had to meet its maker...me. I had a chance to get some a few months ago, but it was out of stock before I arrived. Dang! Then in Colorado on a beer hunting expedition, he was in my grasp once again, but fate had a bitter twist and other beer was bagged. Well he has not escaped me this time.

A delicious ale that is recommended with pork and or spicy foods; this is a true pleasure for anyone to sample. Highly recommend it. This is the second of Rogue's craft lay to rest in the crypt, and they are fast on their way to becoming a favorite.

Rogue American Amber Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Rogue American Amber Ale
Rogue Ales
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, OR USA
Est.1988
www.rogue.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.6 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Cinnamon orange in color.
Malt taste and aroma with floral scent of hops.
Minimal off-white head with good lacing.
Hoppy punch with each sip.
Medium bodied mouth feel with full hops taste.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
What an ale. Great spicy sweet hops punch at 53 IBU's. It speaks to you that there's hops but doesn't scream at you. And after all, we're just looking for some peace and quiet around the crypt. Good one to kick back with after a hard day in the trenches. Dig those ditches. Love the hops...Mother earth. Good Mother earth. It feels like an honest days work went into this ale so the proletariat and petit-bourgeois could enjoy it. The capitalist pigs can drink the river water! Ha!

This is a fine amber ale worthy of its working class roots. Just look at the union guy on the label; sleeves rolled up with a solidarity fist pump in the air. You can check out their website and declare your own personal independence in the Rouge-dom. Karl Marx eat you heart out!

Now then, back to Rogue.....I hear they have some "Dead Guy Ale". Gonna' have to get my hands on that! Muahaahaaahaaahaaaaa!