Brewer: Rogue Brewery, Portland OR
Style: Red Ale
ABV: 5.1%
IBU: 65
Description: A double-hopped red ale, the Santa’s Reserve is part of Rogue’s winter seasonal lineup. It is brewed using a combination of 2 Row, Munich, C15, C40, C75 and Rogue Farm’s own Dare & Risk Malts; then bittered using Rogue Farm Newport, Rebel & Freedom hops.
Tasting Notes: This seasonal brew was a bit of a surprise, in that it didn’t have the spiced, sweet profile one tends to expect from a Christmas beer. But it was certainly pleasant, and packed the usual red ale characteristics. This includes some dry hop flavor and malts that are more on the sharp side than the rich and sweet. This led to an overall refreshing experienced, despite the presence of plenty of hop bitterness.
Appearance: Deep ruby, slightly cloudy, good foam retention and carbonation
Nose: Strong malt, dry hops, mild grass and pine aroma, hint of peat
Taste: Sharp, tangy malts, immediate dry hop flavor, grass and herbal bitterness
Aftertaste: Lingering dry hop bitterness and sharp malt
Overall: 7.8/10