“Inspired by Rogue Farms Dream Rye, this ale was originally brewed as a special one- time holiday gift exclusively for Rogue employees. It was such a hit that at the urging of Brewmaster John Maier, we decided to share it with the world. Taste the terroir of the Dream Rye, with full malt body throughout and plenty of hops in the finish. We all enjoyed it and know you will too.”
Served in an IPA glass. The deep ‘red’ amber pour generates a frothy two finger head that holds up well and retains for the duration of the beer. As we indulge it dispenses a thick and blotchy lace trail down the walls of the glass. The aroma provides heady pine resins, woody spice, pepper, slight alcohol, lychee and guava atop a rich and syrupy caramel malt base. The Mouthfeel is moderate with good length. A firm bitterness hangs around a plenty with a good swish. The IBU rating here is 70 and this makes sense as an assertive bitterness develops mid way. Sticky caramel/toffee lip smack here also adding to the texture. There’s a slight booze burn that pairs up with the spicy hops and pine resins up front. The caramel malts work in beautifully to soften the ensuing bitterness and warming 7.5% ABV across the mid. We note the use of Rogue’s Dare and Risk Malts which we haven’t familiarised ourselves with much but we get a certain spicy/piney resin here. Solid drop, really good balance of malt at the front and hops at the back. So so smooth. Loving the fact that most of the ingredients of this beer is produced on their on own farm and brewed in their beer. Respect.
r