Rogue Beard Beer

Rogue Ales   Newport, OR

Notes:

American Wild Ale

22 oz Bottle

5.6% ABV

25 IBU

From the Bottle:

Dedicated to Beards! Beard Beer is brewed with a yeast created from Brewmaster John Maier's Beard. No Need to freak out, Brewers have used wild yeasts in beer making for centuries. John has had the same Old Growth Beard since 1983 and for over 15,000 brews, so it is no great surprise that a natural yeast ideal for brewing was discovered in his beard.

Appearance:  Pours a maize/harvest orange color…head is non-existent, it kinda looks like a frat party beer…fairly transparent, I can see a few bubbles bubbling up in the middle…not the most attractive brew I’ve ever seen…(2/5)

Smell:  Belgian yeast aroma right off the bat, I’m getting tons ripe banana…it’s almost overwhelmingly banana…there is a pale malt smell that follows, but it’s definitely a background player…no sign of hops presence…no real spicy or pepperiness…a very muted, yeasty smell…(2.5/5)

Taste:  Banana, mild clove, yeast, light lemon and a pale malt hit the tongue with this traditional Belgian brew…very soft and easy drinking…a light grassy/lemon bitterness does show in the final phase, but this is a banana yeast runaway train…nothing fancy here…(3/5)

Mouthfeel:  One of the lighter brews I’ve ever review…carbonation is surprising light to medium (visually there’s no carbonation) and fluffs up bringing banana and a light grassy bitterness to the palate…very soft and light, a true “easy drinker”…(3/5)

Overall:  Very disappointing…the look of this beer couldn’t be worse really, it looks like a day old, flat beer…it’s only saving grace is that there is a touch of mouthfeel that saves this from total despair…I was attracted to the “Beard Beer” concept, sadly the beer doesn’t live up to the bottle…do yourself a favor and pass on this marketing ploy…(2.5/5)

Score:

(2.72/5)