133. Rogue Juniper Pale Ale

Our third beer from Rogue—we’ve had Maierfest and Capt’n Sig’s Northwestern Ale—does this make us official members of the Rogue nation? I'm certain they’ll be a good deal more Rogue before the year is done...

Rogue Juniper has a delicious bready malty nose and a hazy gold color with a creamy off-white head. Starting with a dry, biscuity front, Juniper Pale Ale moves into bitterness along with pine, resin, and spicy flavors in the middle—the mixture of hop flavor with the pine of the juniper is well done here, and really plays well with the bready malt flavors. The finish is clean, moving dry to bitter with lingering spiciness. Juniper Pale Ale has a medium to light mouthfeel that starts soft in the front but finishes with some carbonation bite in the end. A solid, well balanced beer; we’d drink this all the time if Rogue didn’t paint their bottles. On the British side of the pale ale family with the biscuit malt and lower hop aroma and flavor profile, but still some smooth smooth drinking.

From Rogue’s website: “A pale ale, saffron in color with a smooth malt balance, floral aroma with a dry spicy finish from whole juniper berries.

The Turkey was named the official bird of the Rogue Nation in August 2007. To commemorate the momentous occasion, Rogue Juniper Pale Ale was dedicated to ‘the turkey in each of us.’ An axe and the dedication have been added to the serigraphed 22oz bottle and Juniper Pale Ale tap stickers.

The Pilgrims were ale drinkers and most likely enjoyed beer at the first Thanksgiving. Juniper Pale Ale, like all Rogue products preserves water by using more ingredients, contains no chemicals, additives or preservatives and uses Free Range Coastal Water.”

OG: 13° P
IBU: 34
Malts: Northwest Harrington, Crystal, Triumph, Maier Munich, C-15
Hops: Styrian Golding & Amarillo
Other: Juniper berries

(11/10/2009)