Sunday Beer Blog: Outta Line

Rogue has provided us with a very cute can and that was all this girl needed. Seriously, a penguin in a jet pack?

Beer Can

Outta Line is a West Coast IPA. It poured a beautiful gold and displayed ample head. The initial scent was hop forward as expected.

“Wow. That’s delicious.”

Frothy Head

I audibly liked this beer from first sip. It was a sweet hop flavor finished with a tart balance. Second sip smoothed out even more and the effervescence showed through.

I may have purchased for the can, but I’ll repurchase for the beer.

Rogue

Brewer: Rogue Ales

ABV: 6.9%

Style: West Coast IPA

Purchased: La Bodega

Sunday Beer Blog: Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout

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I am an unabashed word-nerd, so when I saw this brew on tap it was lurve! I point this out because it’s important for you to know, dear reader, that there is zero chance this post is unbiased. This beer could have been the worst. It could have been a delicate combination of flavors such as rotten eggplant and earwax, and I would still have nothing but glowing things to report.

“If you love those yummy Harry Potter jelly beans, you’ll love this!”

“Who hasn’t wondered what old eggplant tastes like blended?”

“Smoooooooooth.”

With that warning done, this brew was quite good. (Trust me.) It pours a night-black with foggy clarity. Initial sniffs return with yeast and sweetness. Rogue describes Shakespeare as a “mellow chocolate stout” created with “free range coastal water”. I include the first descriptor because it’s aligned with my thoughts. I include the second because it made me laugh out loud. I’m Alaskan. I read “free range coastal water” and I think moose pee. Indelicate, I know, but the absolute truth. See how I would like this beer no matter what?

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This stout was smooth, dark chocolate in view, and milk chocolate in taste. It was very easy to drink and fit the winter weather perfectly. I was surprised by the carbonation level- higher than most stouts. The only possible negative I have is it did have a slightly bitter aftertaste that lingered.

I know I would usually have a comment from my husband included that would give you another opinion, but my drinking buddy was Chowder. (He insisted I drink it all by myself. He’s a very thoughtful chihuahua.) Instead, I leave you with wise words from the bard:

10. Macbeth: Act 2, Scene 3

Drink sir, is a great provoker of three things….nose painting, sleep and urine. Lechery, sir, it provokes, and unprovokes; it provokes the desire but takes away the performance. -Shakespeare

Beer Name: Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout

Beer Style: Stout

Brewer: Rogue

State: Oregon

ABV: 5.8%

Purchased: Anchorage Wine House

 

Sunday Beer Blog: Hazelnut Brown Nectar

Today’s blog centers around a beer from Rogue. Brewing out of Oregon, Rogue boasts its own farm. On this farm they grow all of the ingredients used to brew their many delightful beers. I am in awe of their control issues, and I mean that as a compliment.

They have their own beer farm! Cool.
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The Hazelnut Brown Nectar Ale’s bottle lists the particular 14 ingredients used during brewing, and includes “free range coastal water” which I found amusing. I’m quite sure the brewers at Rogue plotted this amusement as they do other smile-inducing notes on the bottles of their varied, an numerous, other brews. (While serious brewers, these guys know how to have fun with it. For instance, the words “dare” and “risk” are on their bottle necks.)

This particular offering was the 2011/2012 Gold Metal winner at the American Beer Festival in the Specialty Beer category. The smell was nutty, toasty, and familiar for a brown ale. I wanted a stronger hazelnut taste, but perhaps with the right meal it would be more confident. After a tingly mouthfeel, the ale ended with a pleasant yeasty aftertaste.

Happy Sipping!
-Traci

Beer Name: Hazelnut Brown Nectar
Beer Style: Brown Ale
Brewer: Rogue
Purchased From: Wine House