Day 40: 02.09.10 Rogue John John Dead Guy

Rogue Ales Brewery/ Brewer's on the Bay

Newport, Oregon


John John Dead Guy Ale


Style: Maibock / Helles Bock
Availability: Limited - Brewed Once
Format: 22oz
ABV: 6.4% 
IBUs: 40
Malt: Carastan, Rogue Micro-Barley Farm Dare & Risk malts. 
Hops: Saaz, Willamette, Rogue Micro-Farm Hop Yard Revolution hops.
Yeast & Water: Pacman Yeast & Free Range Coastal Water.


Bottle text & Info:
In a collaboration of crafts, Rogue Brewmaster John Maier and Rogue Spirits Master Distiller John Couchot have joined forces to create a distinct, innovative series of brews called John John Ales. The series will take Rogue Ales legends and age them in Rogue Spirits barrels. A 3,100 gallon batch of John John Ale produces 1357 cases of beer. The first of the John John series is John John Dead Guy Ale, Rogue’s award winning Dead Guy Ale matured in Rogue’s award winning Dead Guy Whiskey barrels. 


Tasting Notes:
Pours a clear glowing amber color with an inch of ivory head that sits and never dissipates until drinking commences. A gentle pour unleashes a beautiful, vigorous swirl of carbonation persists throughout the session. Nothing too special on the nose, some sweet malts followed by slight whiskey and oak notes that are not nearly as noticeable as I had hoped. A medium bodied ale with a soft mouthfeel showcases a strong billing of american whiskey from front to back. For those who enjoy barrel aged ales, you will probably find this a bit mild but it does have some nice flavor profiles. Real basic, but pretty solid. Malt to Whiskey finishing with slight wood, vanilla and caramel notes. Too bad they don't char the barrels at Rogue. That would've been a nice touch. I think part of the reason people (myself included) find Rogue so underwhelming is that there are no extremes. All the ales seem to achieve a sense of balance that sometimes can actually distract from signatures of certain styles as in this case: where the whiskey is not strong enough. 


Bottom line: In this case, I actually think Rogue has found something. A barrel aged whiskey ale that's sessionable? hmmm.....ok Rogue, imma let this slide although less than 7% at almost $9 a bomber is borderline insulting.