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
This one tends to make it into my stocking each year, enough time for the hops to mellow out a bit. I enjoy the spiced winter ales a lot, however there’s only so much gingerbread, nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice one can take so by the time Chrismas comes I tend to enjoy the diversion away from those flavours. Double Mount Falalalala one is also a nice change if you see it in stores I recommend it.
Sounds tasty! I have never tried this one.