Uneasy Rhetoric

One must ask why a microbrewery in Oregon would be given the task of brewing a private reserve for “The Man.” Perhaps Santa believes, as I do, that the area around Newport, Oregon where Rogue is brewed is some of the most beautiful geography on Earth. Even if Newport itself is not. Awsome aquarium though.

Rogue’s Santa’s Private Reserve is a golden reddish-brown beer (which makes sense, it is a variant on the brewery’s red beer) with significant head that lasts and lasts and sticks to the glass. It has a pungent, earthy nose, probably from all of those hops.

Despite the scent, this is not an overly bitter or hoppy beer going down. The earthy smell carries into the taste, which suggests this beer might pair well with seafood. There is a distinct bitter and hoppy aftertaste but the beer is smooth drinking. The bottle says the beer has a “sprucy finish,” and that is very much the case.

I’m enjoying it right now with chips and salsa.

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Ar matey, what be ye drinkin’?

The list from best to worst:
Sierra Nevada Celebration
Pyramid Snow Cap
Deschutes Jubelale
Rogue, Santa’s Private Reserve
Anchor Christmas Ale
Bridgeport Ebenezer
Full Sail Wassail
He’Brew Jewbelale 5766
Redhook Winterhook