Rogue Santas Private Reserve Ale

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Really nice looking beer. Dark amber, frothy head, slight haze. Aroma is mild with a hint of hops, not much to it. Flavor is solid without being anything special, its a true amber ale that I am sure is pleasing to many, a slightly hoppier version though.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

Some spice and malt in nose, but nose is faint, Decent copper color over nice head with good retention and not much lace. VERY dry in the mouth, not sure of the spicing but its like they suck the moisture out of your mouth, not unlike alum. Mouth is VERY thin. I'm not a fan of this flavor, mostly musty and drying. Not my cup of tea but hey, Rogue doesn't usually intend to appeal to the masses. Very hoppy bitter a bit of malt

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Thick pour with a thin head. Amber brown in color. Musty smell. Looks like Christmas! I would certainly leave this one for Santa. This is brown ale with a lot of piney hops. Unfortunately, the hops overhwhelm every thing else. It's just too hoppy! Ther is a little malt, rum and brown sugar. Finish is bready with nutmeg, allspice and sugar cookies.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

Poured red/brown/clear. Tan head firm. high,long lasting and lots of lacing on glass.Aroma smooth, a bit fruity and very hoppy. Smooth malty flavor ending with lots of hoppiness and lingering bitterness after swallowing. Also dry. Kinda made me want to grab for something salty to eat

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Interesting. Has ok lacing but a very nice cranberry color. Mild aroma with some hop to it. Flavor is a little malth sweet like a usual red ale but turns fairly hoppy with a bitter finish. Kind of unique. Not bad but still not exactly something to brag about.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

It's September but I am ready for christmas :) This one didn't have as much spice as you would think for a Christmas beer, it was a little more on the hoppy side in both flavor and aroma. Some hints of caramel and dark fruits, mouthfeel was full yet smooth. Overall it is a nice beer.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

(From Lennox Liquor). A leftover from Chistmas, it poured a deep and rich copper beneath a thick and creamy tan head. Aroma was different, spices and malt in the main. Flavour was likewise, but nice to drink all the same. Mouthfeel was VERY smooth, and it finished with a nice hop bite.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Beer 9 of my 12 Beers of Christmas - and a hoppy mother it is. Pours a ruby amber with a medium sustained head and tons of lacing. Hops, malts, a touch of pine in the aroma. Taste is actually hoppier than I expected with a nice slightly sweet and sticky malt backbone. I really liked this one. Big, Hoppy, Malty. Santa would be proud.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Pours a nice cinnamon color with moderate light transparancy. Aroma is a bit lacking, but notes of brown sugar and allspice are light and wispy. The expected bite of hops on first sip are surprisingly not there, but come back in the finish. For a 65 IBU you might expect more of a hit, but it is nicely balanced with the spices and not overly hoppy. Gentle mouthfeel and satisfying without being heavy. Pine and spruce are present from nose to finish, light at first, then finishing sharp. Pleasant but not exceptional. Pretty standard Rogue fare. Not bad for a seasonal.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Not too sure if this classifies as a "strong ale", but seems semi-heavy when drinking. A little bit on the dry side for Rogue, and has a decent hop bite. Reminded me of a hoppier/more bitter version of their dry-hopped Red Ale, without as much of the "red". Also some spice added into the flavor. A good winter-ale.