Brews and Blues Beer and Smokin’ Blues

Rogue XS Imperial Younger’s Special Bitter

Brewery: Rogue Ales
Where: Newport, OR
Beer: Rogue XS Imperial Younger's Special Bitter
Style: Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
IBU: 52
ABV: 7.4%

If they don't serve Rogue Ales in Heaven, I'm not sure I want to go.  Beer after beer, I'm always impressed each time I pop the cap on a Rogue.  I can tell that I'm going to just have to make a trip to Oregon one of these days for the sole purpose of visiting Rogue's brew pub and brewery.  This is my ninth sampling of a Rogue Ale, and I have two more in the queue that will be coming up soon enough.  The only thing that makes me sad is that I'm coming very close to the end of my opportunities to sample the Rogues.  There are only three or four more available to me that I haven't tried already.  I guess I'll have to see what I can do about that in the future...

Anyway... The Rogue Imperial Younger's Special Bitter is a definite treat.  This beer poured with a rich amber color and a beautiful head of foam.  The initial aroma was a sweet toasted caramel with very little hop presence in the nose.  The first sip allowed the 52 IBUs to kick in with a nice warm HELLO when combined with the overall maltiness of this fantastic beer.  This beer, like many of its cousins, is much nicer in the mouth at around 52-55° At 7.4% ABV, it's a kicker by the time you reach the bottom of this 750ml bottle (26 ounces). 

And yes... it has been a while since I posted here.  Work is getting the best of me lately and I'm totally swamped through the end of December, but hopefully I'll squeeze in a few more beers before the end of the year...