Ah Rogue, is there a cooler brewery in the USA? Probably, but we sad Ontarians will never know unless we go there, or someplace with better access to beer (like Volo). Still, Yellow Snow IPA is a great example of what our Yankee friends are doing to IPAs in their near relentless pursuit of hoppy perfection. Look out, this beer is not for the uninitiated.
Poured from a 650ml bottle with a classic Rogue silk-screened label (incidentally, the character on the bottle looks a bit like an old friend of mine, Wil Brillinger). Production date is listed as K0509, which I’m guessing is November 5th, 2009 (K is the 11th letter of the alphabet). Beer is an amber honey yellow with shades of orange in it. Hazy and opaque, with a nice dense head that settles, but remains throughout the drink, leaving a lovely lacing on the glass. Aroma is sharp and citrusy, astringent and clean. No grain to speak of. Taste is white grapefruit, bitter and sour with a nice sweetness to it. Lots of peel, very resinous and dry. I almost expect to find a seed in it. Grains are identifiable, but you’ve got to look for them, really more just as a sweet undertone to keep the hops somewhat in check. Meanwhile, my mouth feels like a violin bow. Almost sticky. The beer is smooth on my tongue, medium bodied, with little itty bitty champagne bubbles to keep it from being medicinal and boozy. The beer is slightly warming on the finish, with a hint of sweetness, but stacks of lovely citrusy hops, with a bitterness I’ll probably still taste tomorrow morning. It’s like the hops have been tattooed to my mouth. While I think most people would find this beer over the top and hard to drink much of, hop-heads will find it comfortable and familiar. I probably couldn’t drink this as a session beer, but I could probably get through a pair of bombers, especially if I was eating Indian with it. Now there’s a good idea…..
Ah Rogue, thanks, keep up the great work. This one’s for you.
I regularly describe myself as an "ardent supporter of beer", which pretty well sums it up. While I'm not working or busy being a husband and dad (okay, honestly, sometimes while I'm doing those things), I am drinking beer, attending events, visiting pubs, and thinking about beer. I work at Castro's Lounge, my local bar in the Beach, where I host beer events and take part in most things beer-related.
14 Comments
Sounds tasty… maybe we should share one, one day! An old friend from where?
Sounds tasty… maybe we should share one, one day! An old friend from where?
Ahhh, the power of the internet. 2/3 of a continent and half the pacific ocean between us, and 14 days after I post a reference to Wil, here he is! Wil and I worked together at a Christian summer camp, called Muskoka Woods years ago. He’s a surfer and a hell of a good guitarist.
Welcome Wil, glad to hear from you again. Do you see the resemblance in my (albeit fairly poor) picture above?
Ahhh, the power of the internet. 2/3 of a continent and half the pacific ocean between us, and 14 days after I post a reference to Wil, here he is! Wil and I worked together at a Christian summer camp, called Muskoka Woods years ago. He’s a surfer and a hell of a good guitarist.
Welcome Wil, glad to hear from you again. Do you see the resemblance in my (albeit fairly poor) picture above?
Did you know Eric P or Paul H….they worked there as well.
Did you know Eric P or Paul H….they worked there as well.
Oh dear, we’re having a right little MW reunion here. Yes, I knew both Eric and Paul, though both were staff in my earlier years. Paul taught me how to boardslide and 50/50 when I was still a guest. Eric used to let me come up and climb at the ropes course when I was on kitchen staff. I haven’t seen either of them for years and years. How do you know them, Matt?
Oh dear, we’re having a right little MW reunion here. Yes, I knew both Eric and Paul, though both were staff in my earlier years. Paul taught me how to boardslide and 50/50 when I was still a guest. Eric used to let me come up and climb at the ropes course when I was on kitchen staff. I haven’t seen either of them for years and years. How do you know them, Matt?
Paul is one of my best buds….and I am friends with Eric through Paul.
Paul is one of my best buds….and I am friends with Eric through Paul.
Haha, classic. If either of them remembers me, it wouldn’t be as Chris Schryer (I took my wife’s last name), it would be Chris Smith. They also might remember that I could kick myself in the head……. (note that was past-tense, I’m not as flexible as I used to be).
Haha, classic. If either of them remembers me, it wouldn’t be as Chris Schryer (I took my wife’s last name), it would be Chris Smith. They also might remember that I could kick myself in the head……. (note that was past-tense, I’m not as flexible as I used to be).
That is an interesting talent
. I will get Paul onto your Blog. He is a bigger beer lover than me….if that is possible
That is an interesting talent
. I will get Paul onto your Blog. He is a bigger beer lover than me….if that is possible