Rogue Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale

Rogue Captain Sig's Northwestern Ale, named after the Northwestern and her captain Sigurd Jonny “Sig” Hansen and Rogue-dedicated to the Hansen family, poured a hazy, burnt orange into the glass, with heavy carbonation feeding a big, almost out of control beige head.  The nose carried caramel malts forward, but as the ale warmed the hops came through, citrusy and hoppy, of the slight fruitiness of the Pacman yeast. 

Rogue Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale opened crisp and clean, with citric hops over dark caramel malt.  As the ale warmed, the malts took on an earthier tone and the hops transitioned from grapefruit to light pine, all backed by a touch of dry, fruity yeast.  The ale ended on a lingering, bitter fade as the malt darkened as it faded and the hops became more pronounced.

Rogue Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale is a good ale… great even, at moments.  That said, it doesn’t do anything so spectacular that I can say it stick around in my mind for long or merit a second taste.  Too many good beers out there.

Chatoe Rogue First Growth Single Malt Ale

Chatoe Rogue First Growth Single Malt Ale, the newest offering from their Grow Your Own series, pouted a well carbonated, clear pale yellow topped with a big, foamy white head. The nose held spicy hop notes with some dark orange flavors and grassiness supporting.

Chatoe Rogue First Growth Single Malt Ale opened with a surprisingly light start, almost pilsner-like, with slight pepper notes.  A bone-dry, toasted middle took hold for the duration of the ale with some rind bitterness in the fade.

Chatoe Rogue First Growth Single Malt Ale is an interesting addition to the Rogue line-up… it had many Irish Ale characteristics, being dry and toasty, and seemed to be one of the few Rogue offerings that didn’t fit clearly within a single style.  Certainly a beer worth checking out while it is still available.  

Chatoe Rogue First Growth OREgasmic Ale

Chatoe Rogue First Growth OREgasmic Ale, yet another offering from the always prolific Rogue team, lefy some sediment at the bottom of the bottle as I poured it into the glass and settled into a hazy iced-tea color topped with a thin, cream, sticky head.  Flowery hops with hints of tropical fruit led the nose.

Chatoe Rogue First Growth OREgasmic Ale opened big and flowery up front, with a mild, grapefruit peel bitterness that crept in as the ale settled in the mouth.   The ale carried less of Rogues eponymous Pacman yeast flavor than most of their offerings, and there was autumnal cider spiciness to it before fading into a sustained finish of bitterness.

 Chatoe Rogue First Growth OREgasmic Ale is very IPA-like, and the hops tasted seem slightly higher than the 40 IBU would have led me to believe.  Despite the bitterness being a bit out-of-place with the flowery nose, this in an enjoyable ale worth checking out.  Kudos to Rogue for another homegrown, all Oregon offering.  

Rogue Chipotle Ale

Beer and spicy food… pretty much describes some of my favorite eating experiences.  Is spicy beer the logical next step?  Rogue Brewery apparently thought so, and it’s my duty to take the challenge with Rogue Chipotle Ale.

Rogue Chipotle Ale was a clear, dark orange hue in the glass with ample carbonation capped with a thin, lumpy head.  The nose had the smoky, metallic earthiness I associate with chipotle peppers, which was distinct enough to mask any other fragrances I would typically associate with an ale. 

The brief citrus hopped opening of Rogue Chipotle Ale, reminiscent of a good pale ale, quickly was overtaken by smoky chipotle.  The earthier qualities of the chipotle came through the smoke and the ale settled into a bready flavor.  As the ale faded, the heat from the chipotle came through and ended the experience on a dry, earthy note.

Rogue Chipotle Ale isn’t about heat, it’s about the earthy flavor.  The heat is barely there (you’d be hard pressed to find someone who considers it too spicy), but the chipotle flavor is prominent throughout.  The combination of implied richness from the chiles and crisp lightness of the ale make for an interesting pint, but are a little fatiguing by 22oz.  Chalk this one up to another “special occasion” beer.