Rogue Brutal Bitter

Brewed by Rogue Ales
Style: Premium Bitter/ESB
Newport, Oregon USA

Prett good tastes like a caramely IPA but with an increase in bitterness. My only complaint is how harsh it is on the throat and palate which makes it hard to drink.

Eh, yes hops. Nutty and caramel. Tastes and smells much like a Rogue. Slightly sweet. Orange color. Some butter feel and texture. Soft all around.

Bottle. This was nice,. More like a very well done pale, the bitter is not as the name says, not brutal or over the top. Well balanced and enjoyable.

A bright pale copper, thin layer of egg-shell white head. Candied orange aroma; flowery, spicey. Very pretty hop flower this Crystal. Flavor is initially orange peel bitterness. That rind flavor that coats your mouth in a somewhat dominating way. In subsequent tastes, the bitterness begins to blend with the rest of the flavors and a bit of unassuming malt sweetness comes through. Fairly light body, but the chewy quality of the hops makes it feel thicker. This is certainly one of the more fragrant beers I’ve had in a long while. I’m a bit disappointed though--the balance is off, with just too much chewy bitterness not enough backbone, taking this from Epic Status to just pretty good.

Orange pour with a big hoppy aroma mixed with some sweet, spicey malt. Flavor is bitter, but a nice, flavorful bitterness, balanced by the caramel spicy malt. Very smooth. Seems like a great session ale.

Pours a cloudy semi-dark gold with offwhite head. Sweet malty aroma with hints of hops. Flavors of caramel, malt, some citrus and grassy flavors, and finishs with some hops. An enjoyable ESB.

Cask Draught: A nice find at Eli Cannons. Served at proper cellar temperature. It pours a slightly amber, dark golden color. Mine ended up with quite a bit of head on it, which did linger awhile. It was dense with very small bubbles. The aroma is rich and malty, with hints of pine and grapefruit hops. Well balanced malt body with a bit of a hop bite. Very good example of this style.

Have to laugh as the beginning of the first sip I was questioning the Brutal name. Somewhere between sip two and three the answer came. Good things come to those that wait. And yes, I'm slow on the intake. What an incredible head! Hazy orange, or perhaps a shade darker, malt sweetness riding WAY in front with the brutal attack being more like a playfull punch from a good friend on the shoulder. I go against the norm in not singing the praises of Rogue all too often. Well, I like this baby. If it were available I can see picking up one to brutalize myself perhaps weekly or maybe even more often.