Rogue Smoke Ale

Another good one from Rogue. I wasn't so sure about the "smoke" ale, but decided to give it a try. According to Rogue: Style: Rauchbier Food Pairing: Pork, Beef
Tasting Notes:
A German style Rauchbier with an orange-amber hue, a delicate smoke aroma and flavor, with an intense hop finish.

12 Ingredients:
Malts: Great Western Harringon, Klages, Munich & Hugh Baird Crystal, Carastan 30-37 & 13-17, Chuck’s Alderwood Smoked Munich and Smoked Bamberg Beechwood.
Hops: Saaz and Perle.
Yeast & Water: Rogue’s Pacman Yeast & Free Range CoastalWater.
Specs:
14.5º PLATO
48 IBU
76 AA
20.6º Lovibond
World Class Package:
Draft, 22oz Bottle

This was a damn good beer. Not surprised at all, as the Rogue crew seems to always put out good ones. I was a little leery of the "intense hop finish", but this one went down smooth and sweet. There was a hop finish, but not strong, not intense. In fact, it was balanced perfectly. I highly recommend this beer. Really good. And they have awards out the ying-yang to back it up. Check it out:


2008 World Beer Championships—Gold
2007 Australian International Beer Awards—Bronze
2006 U.S. Beer Tasting Championships—Pacific NW Champ
2006 New Zealand Intl. Beer Awards—Silver

2008 New Zealand International Beer Awards—Bronze2007 Australian International Beer Awards—Bronze2006 U.S. Beer Tasting Championships—Pacific NW Champ2006 New Zealand International Beer Awards—Silver2006 World Beer Championships—Silver2005 International Beer Comp (London)—Gold2005 World Beer Championships—Silver2004 Festival of Barrel Aged Beer—Gold2003 Australian International Beer Awards—Silver2002 World Beer Cup—Champ2002 World Beer Championships—Silver2000 GABF—Silver2000 World Beer Cup—Bronze1999 World Beer Championships—Silver1999 North American Beer Awards—Bronze1999 Colorado State Fair—3rd1998 World Beer Cup—Gold1998 GABF—Silver1998 World Beer Championships—Silver1998 Colorado State Fair—Gold1997 GABF—Gold1997 North American Brewer’s Assoc.—Bronze1996 GABF—Gold1996 World Beer Championships—Silver1996 Colorado State Fair—Gold1995 World Beer Championships—Gold1995 Colorado State Fair—Gold1994 World Beer Championships—Silver1993 GABF—Silver1992 GABF—Silver1991 GABF—Silver1990 GABF—Gold

Holy crap! I mean, holy crap! They must have a separate facility to house all the awards. Phelps has nothing on these guys.

When you get a chance, grab yourself some of this stuff. Delicious.