The Beer Guy Review #18 – Rogue Brewery Hazelnut Brown Nectar

The Beer Guy
October 4, 2012

The Beer Guy

Occupation: Beer Taster & Reviewer
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Name of beer: Hazelnut Brown Nectar

Brewing Company: Rogue Brewery

Brewing Location: Newport, OR

Type of Beer: American Brown Ale – ABV: 6.2% / IBU: 33

Beer Description: From website:

Tasting Notes:  A nutty twist to a traditional European Brown Ale. Dark brown in color with a hazelnut aroma, a rich nutty flavor and a smooth malty finish.

History: Dedicated to the homebrewer in each of us! The homebrewer who inspired this creation is Chris Studach, a friend of Rogue’s resident wizard John Maier, who added a Northwest twist to the classic style by adding hazelnuts for the host homebrew at the 1993 American Homebrewers Association convention. Chris put the nut in nut brown!

The Beer Guy Review:

When I think of craft beer, I think of those long-lost years in college, and shortly thereafter, where I subjected myself to what I call “macrobrewery” beers.  You all know the names.  But then, one day back in Chicago, I found this beer.  I never heard of the brewery or seen anything like it.  A bottle of beer with a drawing of a skeleton coming out of a barrel on it.  It was my first craft beer: Rogue Dead Guy Ale.  ”Wow, this is great…I wonder if there are other such beers out there like this,” I thought to myself.  And thus was the beginning of my voyage into the craft beer world.

It’s up for debate (just trying to stay in theme with the news of the day) among a few states as to  which one is the hotbed of craft beer.  Maybe it’s not too heated of a debate, but I think Oregon is king.  And when I think of Oregon craft beer, I think of Rogue Brewery.  Whether it was because of that first Dead Guy Ale, or the Double Dead Guy Ale, the Rogue 23 at the Oregon Brewers Festival or the two others I tried when up in Portland for the festival (Portland State IPA & Voodoo Bacon Maple Ale), Rogue has a special place in my heart.  They produce great beer and are willing to do things a bit differently too.

So when I saw the bomber bottle of Hazelnut Brown Nectar staring back at me…rather, maybe it was the bearded, bespectacled, bald guy with a beer (say that 10 times fast) staring at me, my decision was made.  Now, when I started out writing these reviews, I didn’t care much for the brown ale.  But with time and trying different types of beers, it’s quickly become one I’ve enjoyed drinking (see Review #4 and Review #6).  The Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar didn’t disappoint either.

As for the Beer Guy rating, I give this a:

The beer pours a nice, darker, caramel color with the smell of nuts profusely emanating from the glass.  I thought it might be a bit sweeter, but maybe that’s my affinity to pouring half the bottle of hazelnut creamer into my coffee, in the morning, that I’m used to.  This has a nice roasty, nutty taste that has the slight essence of caramel to give it a bit of sweetness.  What I really appreciate in this beer is that it’s not some ordinary beer that a brewer poured hazelnut nectar into.  You need a good body and background to it.  And sure enough, Rogue comes through again.  But then again, that’s what has come to be expected from them: revolutionary in how it brews its beers, desire to do things different and producing uncompromised quality in its beers.  Delicious.

So, what do you think?  Have you had this beer?  Do you like it?  Do you not like it?  Send me a note at The Beer Guy’s mailbag, TheBeerGuy@lifeofdad.com.  You can follow me on Twitter (@TheBeerGuyLOD), Facebook and LinkedIn as well.  Take care, happy (and safe) drinking, and enjoy your weekend.  And don’t forget to check out my podcast, “The Last Call Show,” on Tuesday (9 PM EST / 6 PM PST).

About The Beer Guy – A dad, husband, friend and drinker of beer. I review & blog about it all on LifeOfDad.com, the social network for Dads.  The Beer Guy enjoys IPA’s and Pilsner’s, but will really try any kind of beer.  You may disagree on some of his opinions.  Let The Beer Guy know.  Reviews are published on Thursdays.  Blogging is done on Tuesdays.  Read more here to learn about The Beer Guy, who he is and his beer rating methodology.

The Beer Guy, and Life of Dad, promote responsible drinking.  Never drink and drive.

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