Brews and Blues Beer and Smokin’ Blues

Rogue XS Imperial Stout

Here we are at #100. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity this year to taste 100 new beers. I wanted #100 to be special, and I'm quite excited to have been able to locate a bottle of the Rogue XS Imperial Stout (2008) on a trip to Charlotte yesterday afternoon. This was not my original pick for my 100th beer, but when I found this one yesterday, it replaced my other option in a heartbeat.  I have been impressed with my experiences this year with Rogue's beers.  The Imperial Stout is one I have been looking for without any luck, and when I spotted this one, I bought it right away.  It was the last bottle available at the location where I found it. 

This beer poured a deep black color with a chocolate tan colored thick and foamy head.  The aroma of roasted barley was dominant.  Being an imperial stout at 11% ABV, I decided to let this one warm up to 55° before really digging in, and I believe it was a good decision.  The alcohol is not evident on the tongue and the rich full-bodied roasted malt blast has an intriguing velvety mouth feel created by the addition of the rolled oats in this brew.  I still can't seem to find anything negative to say about Rogue Ales.  In my humble opinion, this imperial stout is as good as any and a standard to which others should be held.  I'm possibly biased by my love of stouts and clouded by the fact that this one is half empty at this point in my writing ;)

I don't know if anyone at Rogue ever sees what I write, but I'd love to make a suggestion for a future XS beer.  One of my favorite Rogue Ales is the Dead Guy.  The Double Dead Guy is pretty good too.  I think someone should craft a new XS called DeadGuy³ for those of use who teeter on the brink of our mortal existence :)

Cheers and check back for my next post where I'll choose my 10 overall favorite beers from the first 100...