Rogue Imperial Stout XS

[Rich30N90W]

Well I have to give this thing a try despite the $16 price tag for a 750mL bomber (by far the most I've paid for a bottle). 11% ABV, what the hell you only live once, no beer on tap in hell I'll crack it open in a few weeks and give my report, after I try some Unibroue 17.

Anyway, the big online review, mostly good: Imperial Stout - Rogue Ales Brewery / Brewer's on the Bay - Beer Advocate

Happy Ceramic Bottle that I'll actually keep:



Anyone else try it? It's been the same formula for years supposedly, just switched from a glass to ceramic bottle and shot up in price

[Anthony]

The bottle is sweet.

[Rich30N90W]

Originally Posted by Anthony

The bottle is sweet.

Yea but thats why it's $16 instead of probably $12ish - I'd drink trippels from a cardboard box if it was $2 cheaper

[Blaydeman]

there 10000 brew ale came in a bottle like that. i have it somewhere.

[adragster7104]

Rogues ceramic bottles are pretty cool The Imperial Stout Xs.....eh...not so cool. I don't think I liked it to much

[Rich30N90W]

Finally killed off this guy last night - pretty good but won't spend that kind of coin on it again. If they put it in a regular bottle and charge $10, but not worth nearly $18 after taxes. I doubt anyone from Rogue reads this, but if by some chance they do - sell the ceramic bottle as a decor item for $5 and give us regular bottles at the usual "anniversary beer" retail price of $10 per 750mL bottle :P

The overwhelming bite of alcohol kept a damper on the taste, I felt more like I was drinking a boilermaker then a beer. The Unibroue 16 also suffered from an overwhelming alcoholic bite, but the U17 nicely covered up the 10% ABV. Otherwise the taste was outstanding, very nutty and mocha-coffee like complex flavors, motor oil black color, thick consistency, excellent aroma.

I'm starting to think 7-9% ABV is the sweet spot to go for - anything less is pisswater, anything more starts to taste like wine or a spiked hard liquor drink. Personal opinion only!

[Anthony]

Meh, it depends on the beer. For intance, DFH 90 Minute IPA is above 9% abv, and it doesn't have a distractingly alcoholic taste.

[Rich30N90W]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Meh, it depends on the beer. For intance, DFH 90 Minute IPA is above 9% abv, and it doesn't have a distractingly alcoholic taste.

Agree, just saying that the U16 and this Rogue XS fail when it comes to keeping the bite off

Some good 8-9% that you can't taste it: Unibroue's, Chimay's, Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye (on this guy, the hops bitterness overtakes the alcohol)... U17 is the only 10% so far that hides the alco-bite.

What about MD 20/20 - whats the ABV on that

[Trendkiller Z28]

Originally Posted by Rich30N90W

Finally killed off this guy last night - pretty good but won't spend that kind of coin on it again. If they put it in a regular bottle and charge $10, but not worth nearly $18 after taxes. I doubt anyone from Rogue reads this, but if by some chance they do - sell the ceramic bottle as a decor item for $5 and give us regular bottles at the usual "anniversary beer" retail price of $10 per 750mL bottle :P

The overwhelming bite of alcohol kept a damper on the taste, I felt more like I was drinking a boilermaker then a beer. The Unibroue 16 also suffered from an overwhelming alcoholic bite, but the U17 nicely covered up the 10% ABV. Otherwise the taste was outstanding, very nutty and mocha-coffee like complex flavors, motor oil black color, thick consistency, excellent aroma.

I'm starting to think 7-9% ABV is the sweet spot to go for - anything less is pisswater, anything more starts to taste like wine or a spiked hard liquor drink. Personal opinion only!

That depends really. Most beers 8%+ do have an overwhelming alcohol taste but there are plenty out there that hide it quite well. I'm always impressed with a beer that hides the high amount of alcohol in it.