213. Rogue John John

I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that we can’t find any more time to drink any more Rogue beer. Well, I’m here to tell you that you’re wrong—dead wrong (pun intended). Our latest installment from Rogue is John John, which is Dead Guy Ale aged in Dead Guy whiskey barrels. Tell me that didn’t take some planning. We had this out of the bottle at South Park Tavern courtesy of the fine discerning eye of our friend Jeff Fortney. Oh yes, and this makes our ninth beer from Rogue. We’ve hit Mogul Madness, Dirtoir Black Lager, Yellow Snow IPA, Chipotle Ale, First Growth Wet Hop Ale, Juniper Pale Ale, Maierfest and Capt’n Sig’s Northwestern Ale.

John John has a malty nose with tannic oak and vanilla aromas (which come across as a hint of whiskey); the beer is a clear copper with a thin white head that quickly dissipates to a ring. The front is malty and slightly biscuity, which dries out in the middle, the sweetness being replaced with some light bitterness and oaky flavors; the finish is spicy with a lingering tannic bite. The overall flavor profile is rather oaky, which limits the maibock characteristics--the oakiness covers the traditional clean lager ending of a maibock. Not that we're complaining too awful much, as this is a yummy tasty beer. John John has a soft mouthfeel with medium to low carbonation and bite, and is clean and fresh, although there is some dryness created by the oak. Another delicious beer from Rogue; much like with Dead Guy, I still can’t believe that this is a maibock. Or, to put it in more literal terms, Dead Guy and John John strike me as the alcoholic versions of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter.

From the Rogue website: “In a collaboration of crafts, Rogue Brewmaster John Maier and Rogue Spirits Master Distiller John Couchot have joined forces to create a distinct, innovative series of brews called John John Ales. The series will take Rogue Ales legends and age them in Rogue Spirits barrels. A 3,100 gallon batch of John John Ale produces 1357 cases of beer. The first of the John John series is John John Dead Guy Ale, Rogue’s award winning Dead Guy Ale matured in Rogue’s award winning Dead Guy Whiskey barrels.”

Dead Guy Ale and Whiskey are also a candidate for an all Rogue boilermaker, joining Anchor Steam. We could even use John John or Double Dead Guy if we were feeling crazy. There’s a whole realm of possibility when you draw in the whole Dead Guy family.

ABV: 6.4%
OG: 16º P
IBU: 40
Malts: Carastan, Rogue Micro-Barley Farm Dare & Risk
Hops: Saaz, Willamette, Rogue Micro-Farm Hop Yard Revolution

(1/29/2010)