#006: Rogue Farms Dirtoir Black Lager

This one has been on the wishlist for a while...

The Brewery: Rogue Farms (Newport, OR)
The Brew: Dirtoir Black Lager
Availability: Draft & Bottles (22oz. Bombers)
ABV: 6.0% // IBU: 35
Rating: 9/10
Location: The Westy, Ithaca, NY

The Story? I'm always on the look out for robust variations on lagers and pilsners and this one is an award winner.  Part of Rogue Farms series (organic, no chemicals or preservatives), this black brew has won several US Beer Tasting and World Beer awards. I must have stopped, stared, and nearly picked this one up a dozen times, but for some reason it wasn't the right moment. Glad I waited and had my first glass on tap at my favorite local spot. 

The Beer?  WOW! Roasted bliss. This gives half the common stouts and porters I've had a run for their money.  An opaque, jet black lager that is totally scorched (in a great way) with a tan / brown head. First taste is full bodied and full of roasted malt goodness. Earthy espresso and dark chocolate fills my pallet continuously through the glass. Rogue are big hop fans, but with perfect restraint, the hops are present but not "hoppy" and hold the malt from hitting the sweet side of things.

There's no running away from this beer. The taste sticks to your tongue like flypaper. I'm a big fan of blackening / roasting / smoking beers which are traditionally light in taste and body. Rogue nailed it on the head with this one.

BeerAdvocate calls it a Schwartzbier, but that'd be like calling Hoptimum a pale ale.

Nickname: Recommended Roasted Adventure