Rogue Brutal Bitter

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

one dimensional. a monster brew for a true bitters imbiber. short finish, this has a nice power grapefruit hit. dark orange coppery brew this is a hop heads elixer (as well). scores extra as a truly mother of a bitter. low enough alcohol content underscores the inventiveness of the flavor. it is not a very good bitter as i see around me now. this will be the beginning of great bitters yet to come!

Orange amber and very hazy, particularly with agitation at the end of the pour. Soft orange-cream head. Fresh grapefruit, apricot, and tangerine aromas jump out of the glass. Very fresh fruity citrus flavours up front are quickly twisted into an incredibly bitter finish that, perhaps surprisingly, is very pleasant and feels right. Once I got further into this and my palate re-calibrated, there was a definite soft earthy malt flavour as well. Very well made indeed.

22oz bottle. Pours a hazy coppery orange with a one finger head that settles slowly to a nice cap. The lacing is thick and very sticky, leaving behind a nice sheeting of lace behind. Smell; lots of toasted malts, with some caramel and some mild hints of brown sugar. The hops are evident, but not quite as strong as I was expecting, with some grapefruit and oranges. Taste; the hops hit a little more upfront in the flavor that they did in the aroma, with grapefruit, oranges and a little bit of pine. Bu then the malts to an outstanding job of balancing it all out with a nice biscuity, caramel with a little sweetness on the back end. I was expected to be blasted with hops, and this is a bit closer to an ESB than I was expecting from Rogue. I’m a bit surprised that this is so balanced. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a nice rich/smooth creaminess, and the drinkabilty is reall great for me.

Bottle. Pours a hazy orange with a foamy white head that sticks around. Slightly floral aroma with enough of a hop smell to let you know what you’re in store for. Flavor is deliciously bitter and hoppy, yet balanced. Leaves a nice bitter after taste. This is a terrific brew that will appeal to IPA fans. My favorite of the 10 or so Rogue brews I’ve tried.

pours a hazy yellow with a thick foamy head and lots of lacing. Aroma is floral and sweet. he flavor is wonderfully bitter, nipping at the edges of the tongue. Hoppy with a light sweetness. So good after a long day at work...

22 oz. bottle. Medium copper with a slight chill haze that clears rather quickly. Medium off white head settles after a few minutes to a thin coat of fine bubbles. Citrus hop aroma over a backdrop of malty sweetness. Wonderful mouthfeel and very mild carbonation. Light roasted and caramel malt flavors are punctuated quickly by citrus hops and light bittering. Finish is dry, mildly astringent. Perfectly balanced. A truly enjoyable beer.

Bottle. Looks murky, with a copper body and a nice thin white head. Aroma is hugely hoppy, with hints of grapefruit. Flavor does not betray the scent - as this beer is exceptionally bitter from start to finish. The real surprise is how complex (and thick) the body remains. I think I’m picking up mostly grapefruit and lemon tones, but it tastes like there’s something else there. Rogue has a real winner here.

Cloudy amber orange brew, foamy white head with an orangish tint. Soft citrus floral aroma, like orange juice. Solid bitter citrus flavor, like eating a fresh orange, peel and all. very satisfying. Very bitter. Nice! Like Ronald McDonald..."I’m Lovin’ It!" Great orange zest aftertaste lingers.