Rogue Morimoto Imperial Pilsner

Brewed by Rogue Ales
Style: European Strong Lager
Newport, Oregon USA

I like this one a lot, definately a great beer. Very sweet, similar to an IPA, but definately a lager as it is not as thick or robust as an ale. Very smooth feeling in the throat, nice to sit around with. I don’t think it is worth the price, as there are many better examples of the style out there, but great nonetheless.

A little confusing, this beer reminds in many ways of an IPA just much lighter and with less body. Pours a hazy amber with thick white head. Floral hop aroma with something else, maybe honey. Alcohol was hidden very well and if this came in a sixer I could crush it without batting an eye but the price is too much for a beer that is not very substantial. Still, it’s a must try once type of thing.

Cloudy golden in colour with a herbal floral hop scent and some sweetness. Flavour is lightly sweet and piney with a bitter finish. I would say neither an Imperial Pilsner not a Strong Lager, but an interesting beer.

Opened up a bottle of this Christmas Day to toast the holiday. I’d picked it up in Memphis and had it stored away for just the right moment. It comes in a 22 oz? flip-top bottle which has a ceramic appearing coating. Neat bottle to say the least. Aroma: Very strong and in your face hop aroma. More of an earthy floral nose somewhat fitting the pilsner style just way over the top. Some nice munich malt character did come through as it warmed. Appearance: Cloudy and just a bit dark for the Pilsner style. Good head stand Flavor: Immense hop flavor. Some malt but nowhere near balance. Hops dominate. Finished dry with a bit of alcohol warmth. Mouthfeel: Carbonation twang and very bitter. There is some body in this brew from the abundance of malt but bitterness definitely dominates. Overall Impression: This is a pilsner on steroids. Very hop dominant. Way too over-the-top to be called a pilsner IMHO. So there you have it. This beer did get better with each sip. My impression on first taste was, literally, what the hell is this! I warmed up to the beer somewhat but probably will not get it again. I guess I’m just too much of a wimp for this Imperial Pilsner.

Expensive, fancy-schmancsy ceramic swing top bottle: Deep golden hue. Puffy beige head. Fruity, citric hop nose, with a definate band-aid-ish scent. Sweet grainy malts, medium to full body, pleasantly bitter, juicy, resinous hop ending. Tastes very Rogue-ish. Well rounded and quite quaffable, this strong lager will get yer pants off in a hurry. Did I mention this is quite expensive in Massachusetts? I would imagine this could find a place at the dinner table quite easily.

The overpriced marvel, I finally didn’t pass it up this time. Honey, hops, hint of caramel, aroma is almost like an APA. Frothy head, gold body. Alcohol is too much, taste is earthy with alcohol sweetness and pine. Malt backdrop is good, but Imperial beers need to be Stouts, or IPAs. But a worthwhile expieriment.

Wonderful cloudy amber color, soft light colored head that dissipated rather quickly. Strong hoppy flavor with citrus flavors. Mildy bitter aftertaste. All in all a fabulous pilsner. A little pricey but well worth it.

I bought a few bottles of this as an accompaniment for a sushi party I was hosting and I am thoroughly impressed by this beer. Pours cloudy. Definitely the favorite at the sushi party.