Review of Rogue's Imperial Pilsner...
Surprisingly cloudy, sort of like my Maibock. I poured it gently and I would still declare it to be "clear enough", but it was definitely on the swampier end of clear, even with a gently pour.
If you wanted a barleywine to serve as a lawnmower beer, this would be it! It's seriously hoppy, about 70-some IBU's and it's light enough. I think hop heads would really enjoy it as a sort of moderate IPA, not really hardcore like some, but just a tasty beverage for hop heads. Me though, I'm not a hop head. I don't think it's a very well balanced beer. It has maybe 10 IBU's too many. There's some really good maltiness going on there, but it's pretty well covered up, if not from the hops, than from the yeast. The yeast strain doesn't seem intended for malty beers, it has a sort of a sharp bite to it that seems better suited for hoppy beers and ales. I suppose that is a good thing when you are known for high gravity beers (because with those, getting enough hoppiness can become a challenge).
The imperial brown ale by Rogue, I expect to be better balanced. The Imperial Pilsner is good, but it's pretty close to an IPA flavor-wise.
The smell has a very fresh scent, slightly citrusy and bright. There is some good maltiness there, but it's just slightly hidden too much by the hops. I dare say I get some suggestion of Belgian beers in this one, there's a slight yeastiness, and a slight candy-sugar aftertaste that should be familiar to people who enjoy Belgians.
The finish is a little too bitter for my palate, though I imagine most people who like Rogue products will love it. There are even some banana and a hint of clove flavors that you will notice. Overall, it has a pleasing aftertaste, though, like a pilsner, it tends to finish a little dry and a little weak- that, to me, is surprising for a beer of this strength.
All in all, it goes down smoothly. With regard to it being an "Imperial Pilsner", it is certainly up there, for a pilsner, at 8.8%ABV. I'd order it in a bar, but I can't say it's worth the $13 I paid. It's a novelty, sort of an IPA with a more mellow, subdued flavor and emphasis on hops flavor, rather than smell... all in all, a satisfying beer, I'm glad I bought it, but I won't be plunking down for a sixer. I'm betting you IPA lovers will be able to find better alternatives in that direction as well... for a lower price.
What the heck, it's a neat little lager.... but with all the hops and alcohol, it might as well be an ale. There's not much lager character here except from the smoothness of the aftertaste... that is very lager-like, but it's certainly not enough to impress most middle-of-the-road lager drinkers... and it's probably a bit too cloying for most IPA lovers...
Toot's Rating: 8.1