166. Rogue Chipotle Ale

Once this Rogue train a-here starts rollin’, ain’t no tellin’ when it’s gonna stop. This is our fifth beer from Rogue. Our previous roll call includes: First Growth Wet Hop Ale, Juniper Pale Ale, Maierfest and Capt’n Sig’s Northwestern Ale.

Chipotle Ale has a malty and bready nose with a little smokiness; the reddish copper color and tan creamy head create a nice visual combination, and there is a decent amount of lacing on the glass. Flavors start with a sweet bready malt, moving into a smoky bitter middle—we’re guessing the smokiness is from the chipotles—with a little vegetal flavor, and finishing with a deep smokiness and slight heat bite and burn from the peppers. Chipotle Ale has a medium to light body with a moderate carbonation bite and some lingering low level burn on the palate. The smokiness of the chipotles makes this reminiscent of a rauchbier, which is a very nice touch to build and balance out the spice and heat of the peppers. The malt profile is quite enjoyable: sweet, smoky, and well balanced. The vegetal touch in the middle is a slight downside, but overall Chipotle Ale is an excellent and well crafted beer.

From the Rogue website: “Roasted chipotle peppers produce an eye opening chile flavor in this deep golden ale with a malty, smoky aroma and smooth, crisp flavor. Dedicated to Spanish author Juan de la Cueva, who, in 1575, wrote of a Mexican dish that combined seedless chipotles with beer: Chipotle Ale is based on Rogue’s American Amber Ale, but delicately spiced with smoked chipotle chile peppers. Blend it with Rogue Chocolate Stout and create a Mole black and tan!”

OG: 12° P
IBU: 35
Malts: Harrington, Klages, & Maier Munich
Hops: Cascade & Willamette
Specialty: Chipotle Peppers

(12/13/2009)