Name – Rogue XS Imperial India Pale Ale
Country – United States
Type – American Double IPA

So here we are with another one of the little Rogue XS bottles.  I have been disappointed by the first two I have had from the XS line but I am convinced I will find one that I like sooner or later.  Let’s hope for the sooner.

It pours a hazy orange color into my Cigar City snifter.  There is a very thin white head on it but it is gone quicker than the start of the Kevin Kolb’s first year as the number one quarterback of the Eagles.  Yes I know he’ll be back probably in a couple weeks but I had to make a crack at that.

Oh the nose is very nice on this one.  Grapefruit, orange and pine hops with a sweet malt smell.  It comes across a lot like bubble gum.  Oh Rogue I may have found an XS series beer I like.  Things are looking up so far.  Or am I jinxing myself?

So the first sip and it’s definitely bitter.  Very distinct pine hops that also have a very earthy and grassy taste as well.  The malt character that was in the nose has decided to make like the Raiders and just not show up to play.  That earthy bitterness really sticks around for awhile too.

So it looks like again I am slightly let down by a Rogue XS bottle.  I would say that this is the best of the three I have had so far but it is just not well rounded enough.  While I have been known to like overly hopped IPAs and DIPAs I wish this had more malt backing in the taste.  It is strange that I found a nice malt smell but nothing in the taste.  Bummer.  But if you dig very hoppy and bitter then you may very well like this.

I will look forward to the Old Crustacean as many people say that is a great beer.  Until then another so so offering.

Grade – C+