Rogue Ales John John Dead Guy Ale

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Rogue Ales John John Dead Guy Ale. I have previously written about my friend John Couchot who is the master distiller at Rogue (here). From the Rogue website: "Deep honey in color with a malt aroma, a caramel, vanilla, and oak finish. 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.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a medium amber color with little head.

Aroma: Caramel malt, vanilla bean, whiskey and oak. Smells fantastic!

Taste: Complex. Malty upfront, caramel and butter toffee, some hoppiness and fruit and a fantastic finish with vanilla, oak and bourbon.

Overall: At 6.4% ABV this beer is worth finding (if you can find it). And it IS so worth finding!

Cheers!

Mark Harvey