Everything is getting darker this time of year…the leaves, the sky (at least here in Ohio!), my sun-bleached hair, and our Sip With Us Saturday beers. Last week we tested the waters with Warsteiner Dunkel. This week we are going to go darker, thicker, and bolder with the craft classic, Rogue Chocolate stout.
This is a very well received beer, and rarely disappoints neither the seasoned beer geek nor the cautious neophyte. Rogue is always gracious in revealing the contents of there beer. As one becomes familiar with the ingredients and specifications of a recipe (i.e. PLATO, IBU, etc) they can somewhat predict flavor. See if you can this week:
Malts: Northwest Harrington & Klages, Crystal 135-165, Beeston Chocolate, Rolled Oats & Roasted Barley.
Hops: Cascade.
Specialty: Imported Dutch Bittersweet Chocolate.
Yeast & Water: Rogue’s Pacman Yeast & Free Range Coastal Water.
Specs:
15º PLATO
69 IBU
77 AA
135º Lovibond
Style: American Stout
Food Pairing: Beef, Desserts
This should be fairly easy to find, and will warm you up should the weather leave you chilly.
Cheers!
Rogue Chocolate Stout it is!
I’m a fan of the Rogue brews and have tried (and enjoyed) the Shakespeare Stout, Chipotle Ale, Dead Guy Ale, Kell’s Irish Lager and Brutal Bitter. I tried the latter two at a Rogue Brew House up in Portland.
At 69 IBUs this should be an interesting Stout … but I guess this higher IBU rating is fairly typical of “American” versions of Ales and Stouts, yes?
Sounds good, guys. Off to my local beer mecca to pick up a bottle after work!
[Reply]
It is higher than a normal Stout but it’s still very good and I couldn’t taste the level of hops. Of course, utilization rates and IBUs don’t always match up. I made the mistake of drinking a whole growler of Dead Guy after a couple other beers one time. Not a good result. Rogue is normally hit and miss for me. I really like some of their beer and hate others. I’ve personally resolved not to drink the Chipotle without a fellow investor.
[Reply]
I’ve discovered that beers with menacing titles such as “Dead Guy” and ” Arrogant Bastard” are usually appropriately named! Consumer beware!
[Reply]
[...] Sip With Us Saturday – Rogue Chocolate Stout | Thank Heaven for Beer thankheavenforbeer.com/2009/10/23/sip-with-us-saturday-rogue-chocolate-stout – view page – cached This is a very well received beer, and rarely disappoints neither the seasoned beer geek nor the cautious neophyte. — From the page [...]
Dead Guy is a based on a Maibock, however it is fermented with ale yeast and has a higher hop dosage. When I first tried it, I though I was drinking fermented, carbonated herbal tea. Of course, this was before I acquired a taste for beers that are more aggressively hopped than the German ones that drew me into good beer.
Regarding other Rogue beers, I’ve not had one that I dislike. I really enjoy the American Amber. Their Imperial IPA was phenomenal. Mocha porter is a nice. Shakespeare stout… yes. I’d say Rogue would be the #2 brewery in the Northwest, behind the fabulous Deschutes brewery.
[Reply]
Who can fight with your Deschutes statement? Like I said, I really like some of Rogues stuff. Personally, I’m not a fan of their Hazelnut Brown.
I didn’t realize the Maibock connect with Dead Guy. Have you tried the Double Dead Guy. I’ve had it but need to look back at the notes for it. I seem to remember liking it quite a bit.
[Reply]