Name – Rogue 21
Country – United States
Type – Old Ale

I just want start by saying I am still shocked at the Phillies bringing back Cliff Lee and snubbing the Yankees.  This is a dream come true.  Okay back to beer shall we.

It’s far from a little known secret that Rogue has been letting me down lately.  The XS series has not really lived up to the hype or the price tag.  So you may ask why I haven’t just given up on them.

Rogue still makes some good beers.  Dead Guy is still one of my favorite session beers.  I really enjoy the Chocolate Stout and Shakespeare Stout.  And Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale is everything I want in a red ale.  So I hold out hope on them.  And with that hope I made a big decision to try the newest beer in one of the big ceramic bottles.

Rogue 21 is dedicated to the 21st Anniversary of Rogue brewing beers for the Oregon Brewers Festival.  It is an old ale and said to be good now or to age.  I’ve decided to go with the now and see how it is.

I poured it into my brand spanking new New Belgium glass and the liquid laid in the glass a murky deep red color.  It had a good sized sandy head but it didn’t really leave any lacing on the glass.

The nose was big in dark fruit with some hints of brown sugar in there.  I also pick up a bit of an alcohol burn as well.

The first think I notice about the taste is it’s very earthy flavor.  It is followed by more dark fruit flavors before it gets earthy again.  Some bitterness and some smokey qualities to it.

The earthy and smokey notes throw me off a bit on this one.  I’m not use to tastes like those in an old ale.

Okay so you are going to ask was the $16 worth it for this beer right?  I would say not right now.  But I believe this beer is better suited for aging.  At 8% ABV it isn’t a big old ale but I think 1-2 years on it would make a world of difference.  I can see those earthy characters going away and the dark fruit coming forward more.  So if you have the cash (or credit) to pick one up now and save for later I think it might work.

Grade – B-