Rogue – Imperial Red Ale (2008)

WWED Grade: B-

Appearance: Clear red ale – until I poured the sediment that settled on the bottom. Dark red. Deep copper.

Smell:  Hops. Mildly sweet. Like an apple.

Taste: Reminds me of the Kilt Lifter. Malty. Not quite a Belgian – but a nice balance with the hops.

Drinkability: An easy to drink ale. Medium carbonation. Slightly creamy.

ABV: 9.0%

Serving Type: Ceramic bottle poured in Perfect Pint

Why did I wait so long to open this bottle? I think it sat in my fridge for nearly a year. Did that affect the flavor? Likely – but I remember having this beer on tap and not being a huge fan. Maybe that fueled my reluctance. At any rate – I’ve had very old beer before, that may as well have been spoiled milk. This was not the case here. It wasn’t bad! Just didn’t excite me. I taste all the flavors I look for in beer – hops, malt, yeast – it’s not bad. But not something I’d necessarily buy again. If it weren’t for the high alcohol content, I’d say this beer could be very sessionable. As it is – it’s worth trying if you like this style.