When I look back on my early reviews with a lower overall grade part of me feels that I should revisit the beer to see if I missed something of if my taste has changed.  Of course I can’t love every beer I sample and with so many out there yet to try I certainly don’t need to be going back to already evaluated ones.  Part of the reason I started reviewing is to determine what beers better suit my palate and some just do not.  I should not feel too bad about it anyway since Rogue has so many beers for me to choose from and there just has to be some that I put towards the bottom of the scale.  Maybe a flight of Rogue ales is in order?

Brewery: Rogue Brewery (Newport, OR)

Name: Brutal Bitter

Style: Extra Special/Strong Bitter

ABV: 6.5%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the wine fridge and served in a pint glass.

Aroma: Moderate hop aroma (somewhat fruity) and slight maltiness.

Appearance: Medium copper color.  Four finger cream color head that slowly dissipates with a heavy trail.  Clear with some visible rising bubbles.

Flavor: Medium to high hop bitterness with a burnt caramel/malt flavor in background.  Dry/astringent finish that lingers for a while.

Mouthfeel: Medium to light body and medium carbonation.  Slight alcohol warmth.

Overall Impressions: Finish is very lasting and not as enjoyable for me as many other pale ales tried.  Glad to try but not my favorite (something unpleasant that I cannot pinpoint).

Grade: C+

Rogue Brewery - Brutal Bitter

You have an opportunity to stop by a Redhook Ale Brewery if you can make it to either coast.  We were able to stop by the one in Woodinville, Washington though you could also swing by the Portsmouth, New Hampshire location.  Like many craft brewers today, part of their company is owned by one of the big boys (A-B in this case).  What that means for most of us not near those two brewery locations is that you are more likely to find some Redhook beers on your shelves wherever you may live.  That is a good thing.

Brewery: Redhook Ale Brewery (Woodinville, WA and Portsmouth, NH)

Name: ESB (Original Ale)

Style: Extra Special/Strong Bitter (English Pale Ale)

ABV: 5.8%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a pint glass.  $8.49 for a 6-pack.

Aroma: Low hop aroma with some fruitiness (esters).  Medium malt with a hint of sweetness.  Slightly tinny?

Appearance: Medium to light copper color.  Two finger, cream color head with decent retention and some trail.  Very clear with rising bubbles visible.

Flavor: Very low hop bitterness with some astringency (dryness) at finish.  Low(ish) hop flavor and medium to low malt sweetness.  Some minerally/metallic flavor.  Good balance with no overpowering element.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with some (tongue coating) creaminess.  Moderate carbonation.

Overall Impressions: Good beer, but not great.  Very drinkable/enjoyable for a style of beer than sometimes can be more bitter.  Other common beers from this style are Bass Ale and Fullers ESB.

Grade: B

Redhook Ale Brewery - ESB