Dead Guy Ale | Rogue Ales
Brewed by:
Rogue Ales
Oregon, United States
rogue.com
Style: Maibock / Helles Bock
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.80%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
An ale inspired by the style of a German Maibock, brewed using our proprietary Pacman yeast, Dead Guy Ale is deep honey in color with a malty aroma, rich hearty flavor and a well balanced finish.
9 Ingredients: 2-Row, C15, Munich, Rogue Farms Dare™, Risk™ Malts; Rogue Farms Revolution™ & Independent™ Hops; Free Range Coastal Water & Pacman Yeast.
Added by kbub6f on 09-05-2001
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 7,675 | Reviews: 2,455
Reviews by cypressbob:
4.42/5 rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
650ml bottle, laser printed logo
Pours with a murky amber body, cloudy and hazy. Decent foamy tan head, aprx. an inch tall
Smell is hoppy, dry and musky, herby and heady
Taste is nice and bitter, lots of hops . Citrusy finish leaving a dry and musky aftertaste
I'm a big fan of this, very drinkable, very moreish, so drinka ble
339 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
650ml bottle, laser printed logo
Pours with a murky amber body, cloudy and hazy. Decent foamy tan head, aprx. an inch tall
Smell is hoppy, dry and musky, herby and heady
Taste is nice and bitter, lots of hops . Citrusy finish leaving a dry and musky aftertaste
I'm a big fan of this, very drinkable, very moreish, so drinka ble
339 characters
More User Reviews:
3.64/5 rDev -7.6%
Undated bottle at 40 degrees into standard pint glass
Aroma malty/biscuity
Head average (3 cm), off white, frothy, slowly diminishing to irregular partial 2 mm layer
Lacing OK - one partial ring with stalactites and some small islands with tiny to small bubbles
Body medium orange, hazy
Flavor malty with bitter aftertaste; no hops, no alcohol, no diaceetyl
Palate medium, watery, lively carbonation
Appearance 3, Aroma 3.75, Flavor 3.75, Palate 3.5, Overall 3.5. Final weighted score: 3.6375
While the head is attractive, the lacing (meh) and the color/clarity of the ale leave a lot to be desired. The aroma is very tempting and the flavor does not miss expectations. The palate is pretty good. Overall, this is a reliable ale – good but not outstanding.
766 characters
Undated bottle at 40 degrees into standard pint glass
Aroma malty/biscuity
Head average (3 cm), off white, frothy, slowly diminishing to irregular partial 2 mm layer
Lacing OK - one partial ring with stalactites and some small islands with tiny to small bubbles
Body medium orange, hazy
Flavor malty with bitter aftertaste; no hops, no alcohol, no diaceetyl
Palate medium, watery, lively carbonation
Appearance 3, Aroma 3.75, Flavor 3.75, Palate 3.5, Overall 3.5. Final weighted score: 3.6375
While the head is attractive, the lacing (meh) and the color/clarity of the ale leave a lot to be desired. The aroma is very tempting and the flavor does not miss expectations. The palate is pretty good. Overall, this is a reliable ale – good but not outstanding.
766 characters
2.83/5 rDev -28.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
With the new Maibock tasting thread scheduled, and all of the inevitable discussion about Dead Guy and the debate over its style niche, I went on the hunt for some DG -- and almost failed to find some, but Rogue's BeerFinder helped out.
I drank this stuff a lot back in the early days of the Micro Boom®, but I've never reviewed it. With my enthusiasm for German-style beers, I could never understand why Rogue called this a Maibock. These days I see they're just calling it an Ale "inspired" by Maibocks, not sure how to rate it, but I'll follow BA's listing.
12 ounce bottle poured into my short Becher glass. No bottle dating to be found. 6.8% ABV now listed on the label.
L -- Clear, deep amber color with a dense and creamy, cream-colored head that holds up well.
S -- Caramel and earthy malt notes up front, warm-fermented fruit esters with warming, spicy, herbal hop notes and peppery alcohol back.
T -- Caramel sweetness with peppery alcohol and herbal, bitter hops. Citrus, peach fruit esters follow the bitterness, but the bitterness dominates the aftertaste.
F -- Mouthfeel is slick and syrupy with a dry, almost astringent finish and medium to light-robust body.
O -- This beer is reminiscent of a Maibock in color only. The strong hoppy bitterness, caramel malt character, and fruit esters are more akin to an American take on a Strong Bitter -- and not a terribly bad one at that, but stand this up to a Hofbräu Maibock (probably the most robust Maibock available) and the contrasts would be glaringly obvious. Re-categorize this as a Strong Bitter -- or better, an American Amber Ale and I'll alter my scores.
1,640 characters
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
With the new Maibock tasting thread scheduled, and all of the inevitable discussion about Dead Guy and the debate over its style niche, I went on the hunt for some DG -- and almost failed to find some, but Rogue's BeerFinder helped out.
I drank this stuff a lot back in the early days of the Micro Boom®, but I've never reviewed it. With my enthusiasm for German-style beers, I could never understand why Rogue called this a Maibock. These days I see they're just calling it an Ale "inspired" by Maibocks, not sure how to rate it, but I'll follow BA's listing.
12 ounce bottle poured into my short Becher glass. No bottle dating to be found. 6.8% ABV now listed on the label.
L -- Clear, deep amber color with a dense and creamy, cream-colored head that holds up well.
S -- Caramel and earthy malt notes up front, warm-fermented fruit esters with warming, spicy, herbal hop notes and peppery alcohol back.
T -- Caramel sweetness with peppery alcohol and herbal, bitter hops. Citrus, peach fruit esters follow the bitterness, but the bitterness dominates the aftertaste.
F -- Mouthfeel is slick and syrupy with a dry, almost astringent finish and medium to light-robust body.
O -- This beer is reminiscent of a Maibock in color only. The strong hoppy bitterness, caramel malt character, and fruit esters are more akin to an American take on a Strong Bitter -- and not a terribly bad one at that, but stand this up to a Hofbräu Maibock (probably the most robust Maibock available) and the contrasts would be glaringly obvious. Re-categorize this as a Strong Bitter -- or better, an American Amber Ale and I'll alter my scores.
1,640 characters
4.24/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
L - Hazy amber with a one finger head
S - Toffee, a bit of grass and a bit boozy
T - Between a doppelbock caramel and hop presence and the lightness of a paler ale, complex but straight forward. Molasses and ester presence
F - Medium body and carbonation
O - A great beer. My first maibock I can understand why it's a reference. Very drinkable and refreshing. A tasty beer of thirst
386 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
L - Hazy amber with a one finger head
S - Toffee, a bit of grass and a bit boozy
T - Between a doppelbock caramel and hop presence and the lightness of a paler ale, complex but straight forward. Molasses and ester presence
F - Medium body and carbonation
O - A great beer. My first maibock I can understand why it's a reference. Very drinkable and refreshing. A tasty beer of thirst
386 characters
4/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance - Dark, cloudy orange in the body with a good head that lingered but didn't lace.
Smell - Nice, mild, malt character with a stiff balancing hop (strange for the style but not for Rouge). There's a light melon/orange fruitiness to this aroma as well, making it quite nice.
Taste - Ist das eine HopBock? The lightly-toasted malt flavors complimented by sweet orange and grapefruit and honey are offset by stiff, bitter hops. I doubt if you'll find anything like this in Germany, but it is good nevertheless.
Mouthfeel - Medium-bodied with light carbonation and very refreshing thanks to the uncharacteristic hops.
Drinkability - You have to love Rogue or hate 'em. They make one of the hoppiest Stouts on the planet, and they do the same with this Maibock. I happen to enjoy the interpretation of the style, but many I'm sure won't.
Update - I can't remember the first time I had this ale, but I first rated it on the site in November 2003. I thought it would be fun to sit down with pad and pen (or keyboard and mouse as the case may be) and write an update.
It hasn't changed a bit. Beautiful body with a nice head that doesn't lace, nice malts with an off-style PacNW hoppy bite, solid medium-bodied with very pleasant carbonation, and the bottle empties before you can say, "Gibst mir einmal, bitte."
Update - I happened upon this again in 2010 and found it to be much more malty. The malt base is unsweetened and very raw. I think really it needed this to balance the big hop bit. It's almost like unsweetened caramel if that's not an oxymoron. It's a solid 4 all the way around and a definite "must try" for any beer enthusiast.
1,650 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance - Dark, cloudy orange in the body with a good head that lingered but didn't lace.
Smell - Nice, mild, malt character with a stiff balancing hop (strange for the style but not for Rouge). There's a light melon/orange fruitiness to this aroma as well, making it quite nice.
Taste - Ist das eine HopBock? The lightly-toasted malt flavors complimented by sweet orange and grapefruit and honey are offset by stiff, bitter hops. I doubt if you'll find anything like this in Germany, but it is good nevertheless.
Mouthfeel - Medium-bodied with light carbonation and very refreshing thanks to the uncharacteristic hops.
Drinkability - You have to love Rogue or hate 'em. They make one of the hoppiest Stouts on the planet, and they do the same with this Maibock. I happen to enjoy the interpretation of the style, but many I'm sure won't.
Update - I can't remember the first time I had this ale, but I first rated it on the site in November 2003. I thought it would be fun to sit down with pad and pen (or keyboard and mouse as the case may be) and write an update.
It hasn't changed a bit. Beautiful body with a nice head that doesn't lace, nice malts with an off-style PacNW hoppy bite, solid medium-bodied with very pleasant carbonation, and the bottle empties before you can say, "Gibst mir einmal, bitte."
Update - I happened upon this again in 2010 and found it to be much more malty. The malt base is unsweetened and very raw. I think really it needed this to balance the big hop bit. It's almost like unsweetened caramel if that's not an oxymoron. It's a solid 4 all the way around and a definite "must try" for any beer enthusiast.
1,650 characters
4.83/5 rDev +22.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Been drinking this beer since 1990 when it was only available in the large bottles (22-oz. I think). Used to buy it at a grocery store in McCloud, CA when I would fish the McCloud River. Was the only place I could get it back then. Iit was always a "special beer" because I lived about 6-hours away from the closest place that had it. Really enjoy the aroma, taste, feel, and finish of this beer. Since I can now get it locally in Washington state, I have some in my fridge right now and am considering home brewing some of this myself.
Not a beer judge by a long shot but this beer hits it on all accounts. The aroma is very inviting and makes you want to taste it. The tasted is full but not heave. Good head with nice lacing as you drink it. Certainly plenty of hops in there but the blossoming of the malts keeps it from being overwhelming. Has what I would call a medium mouthfeel to it. Not as light as a lager and not as heavy as an ouatmeal stout can be. But you know you are drinking it. The finish seems to be both slightly bitter and sweet. What I would call dry without being bitter.
This is one of my favorite beers. I always thought this was expensive until I visited Australia this year. They drink a LOT of beer and a "cheap beer" is $19 for a six pack. Most good beers are $24 to $29/six-pack. So now I treat my self to Dead Guy Ale without batting an eye at the $12.99 per 6-pack price. My other favorite beer was Otter Creek's Copper Ale (a Düsseldorf Altbier) when they used to make that.
1,531 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Been drinking this beer since 1990 when it was only available in the large bottles (22-oz. I think). Used to buy it at a grocery store in McCloud, CA when I would fish the McCloud River. Was the only place I could get it back then. Iit was always a "special beer" because I lived about 6-hours away from the closest place that had it. Really enjoy the aroma, taste, feel, and finish of this beer. Since I can now get it locally in Washington state, I have some in my fridge right now and am considering home brewing some of this myself.
Not a beer judge by a long shot but this beer hits it on all accounts. The aroma is very inviting and makes you want to taste it. The tasted is full but not heave. Good head with nice lacing as you drink it. Certainly plenty of hops in there but the blossoming of the malts keeps it from being overwhelming. Has what I would call a medium mouthfeel to it. Not as light as a lager and not as heavy as an ouatmeal stout can be. But you know you are drinking it. The finish seems to be both slightly bitter and sweet. What I would call dry without being bitter.
This is one of my favorite beers. I always thought this was expensive until I visited Australia this year. They drink a LOT of beer and a "cheap beer" is $19 for a six pack. Most good beers are $24 to $29/six-pack. So now I treat my self to Dead Guy Ale without batting an eye at the $12.99 per 6-pack price. My other favorite beer was Otter Creek's Copper Ale (a Düsseldorf Altbier) when they used to make that.
1,531 characters
4.49/5 rDev +14%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Had to buy this Oregon brew online and I felt lucky. Poured the 12oz bottle into a teku glass. Strong aromas of honey and malt. An interesting brew and worth every penny. Very good.
181 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Had to buy this Oregon brew online and I felt lucky. Poured the 12oz bottle into a teku glass. Strong aromas of honey and malt. An interesting brew and worth every penny. Very good.
181 characters
3.93/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
refrigerated can poured into glass
A - amber, hazy, mild active carbonation, ringing lace
S - malty, sweet, some sort of fruit, bready
T - malt, sweet, followed by a note of spice, mild bitter end
M - light, smooth, mild carbonation
O - tasty, smooth ale. I think I will have another.
290 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
refrigerated can poured into glass
A - amber, hazy, mild active carbonation, ringing lace
S - malty, sweet, some sort of fruit, bready
T - malt, sweet, followed by a note of spice, mild bitter end
M - light, smooth, mild carbonation
O - tasty, smooth ale. I think I will have another.
290 characters
4.25/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12 oz. bottle
Pours amber orange with a creamy off-white foam head. Smells like fruity apples, pear, raisins, plums, sweet melon, floral orange citrus, candied grapefruit, with malty caramel, molasses, toffee, brown sugar, honey, vanilla, toasty bread, and earthy herbal grassy pine. Tastes like fruity apples, pear, raisins, plum, sweet melon, rich malty caramel, molasses, toffee, brown sugar, honey, vanilla, toasty bread, candied grapefruit, floral orange citrus, with earthy herbal grassy pine. Feels medium-light bodied, creamy with moderate low carbonation. Overall a nice Maibock style ale.
599 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12 oz. bottle
Pours amber orange with a creamy off-white foam head. Smells like fruity apples, pear, raisins, plums, sweet melon, floral orange citrus, candied grapefruit, with malty caramel, molasses, toffee, brown sugar, honey, vanilla, toasty bread, and earthy herbal grassy pine. Tastes like fruity apples, pear, raisins, plum, sweet melon, rich malty caramel, molasses, toffee, brown sugar, honey, vanilla, toasty bread, candied grapefruit, floral orange citrus, with earthy herbal grassy pine. Feels medium-light bodied, creamy with moderate low carbonation. Overall a nice Maibock style ale.
599 characters
3.59/5 rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a pint glass. About one finger of pale head, dissipating rapidly. Very even lacing.
Murky gold in color.
Malty, toasty, a touch of hops bitterness in the finish. Carbonation was just about perfect. Very drinkable.
Overall, I'm underwhelmed. It's a good, solid, sessionable brew, but not one that I'd go too far out of my way for.
351 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a pint glass. About one finger of pale head, dissipating rapidly. Very even lacing.
Murky gold in color.
Malty, toasty, a touch of hops bitterness in the finish. Carbonation was just about perfect. Very drinkable.
Overall, I'm underwhelmed. It's a good, solid, sessionable brew, but not one that I'd go too far out of my way for.
351 characters
4.51/5 rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
I've been drinking this whenever I see it on-tap since about 2002 (I'm from NY). This pour was particularly cloudy, which worked well with the weather here in the "Couve"...
Good clean glass - good start
Smells like feet - typical for a chum-swillin ale
Such a great hearty malt taste - almost salty as well as sweet
Wonderfully smooth and even-bodied goin down
Don't think I'll ever get tired of it - prefer it on tap as it is not as consistent in bottles (and almost as expensive!)
I don't know what that's about, if I can get Lagunitas all day long from 650 miles away for $10 a six, why can't I get Dead Guy from 90 miles away for any less than $12?
I'll keep letting people serve it to me I guess :)
715 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
I've been drinking this whenever I see it on-tap since about 2002 (I'm from NY). This pour was particularly cloudy, which worked well with the weather here in the "Couve"...
Good clean glass - good start
Smells like feet - typical for a chum-swillin ale
Such a great hearty malt taste - almost salty as well as sweet
Wonderfully smooth and even-bodied goin down
Don't think I'll ever get tired of it - prefer it on tap as it is not as consistent in bottles (and almost as expensive!)
I don't know what that's about, if I can get Lagunitas all day long from 650 miles away for $10 a six, why can't I get Dead Guy from 90 miles away for any less than $12?
I'll keep letting people serve it to me I guess :)
715 characters
4.18/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Beautiful dark copper color and ivory thick foam. Had a pleasant aroma and wonderful taste. An extremely smooth ale that paired well with a crusty loaf turkey, bacon and American cheese sandwich (warm and toasted). I will buy this again. Very enjoyable ale.
257 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Beautiful dark copper color and ivory thick foam. Had a pleasant aroma and wonderful taste. An extremely smooth ale that paired well with a crusty loaf turkey, bacon and American cheese sandwich (warm and toasted). I will buy this again. Very enjoyable ale.
257 characters
2.44/5 rDev -38.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2
The name says it all. Imagine squeezing the fluid from the rotting corpse of a homeless crackhead whose last shower was recorded in the dead sea scrolls. Not something I would drink again.
188 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2
The name says it all. Imagine squeezing the fluid from the rotting corpse of a homeless crackhead whose last shower was recorded in the dead sea scrolls. Not something I would drink again.
188 characters
3.88/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nice rich gold color with creamy head that stayed nicely,smelled nice and malty with some fruitiness to it.Nice balanced brew not overly sweet but enjoyably sweet,hop is in there after a few sips it shows.Drink this one alot really good beer with some balls.
258 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nice rich gold color with creamy head that stayed nicely,smelled nice and malty with some fruitiness to it.Nice balanced brew not overly sweet but enjoyably sweet,hop is in there after a few sips it shows.Drink this one alot really good beer with some balls.
258 characters
4/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: 650ml bottle. golden orange with a moderatley white-foam head.
Smell: nice hoppy/fruity sweet nose. hints of sweet apricot and peach. sweet and hoppy, very pleasant.
Taste: Nice hoppiness off the top followed by a mellow and smooth sweetness. this is highlighted by apricot & peach and a good malt backbone makes this a nice ale with some good body.
Mouthfeel: Smmoth and creamy. just enough bubbliness to keep me happy.
Drinkability: one a day wouldn't be too much. a pleasant everyday drinker.
519 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: 650ml bottle. golden orange with a moderatley white-foam head.
Smell: nice hoppy/fruity sweet nose. hints of sweet apricot and peach. sweet and hoppy, very pleasant.
Taste: Nice hoppiness off the top followed by a mellow and smooth sweetness. this is highlighted by apricot & peach and a good malt backbone makes this a nice ale with some good body.
Mouthfeel: Smmoth and creamy. just enough bubbliness to keep me happy.
Drinkability: one a day wouldn't be too much. a pleasant everyday drinker.
519 characters
4.75/5 rDev +20.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
3.38/5 rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This would be a great beer to have with food as it is relatively mild in flavor intensity. The beer poured a nice orange/amber with little head. It had a refreshing smell of fruits like apricot and citrus but with faint smells of malt. This was a good casual beer to have, my only suggestion would be to intensify the flavor a bit as I found it to be a bit too mild.
366 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This would be a great beer to have with food as it is relatively mild in flavor intensity. The beer poured a nice orange/amber with little head. It had a refreshing smell of fruits like apricot and citrus but with faint smells of malt. This was a good casual beer to have, my only suggestion would be to intensify the flavor a bit as I found it to be a bit too mild.
366 characters
3.58/5 rDev -9.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On tap at Old Chicago. Pours a deep amber, almost brown color with a tiny head that only left behind very small traces of lacing. The nose is full of a nice mix of hops, malts, a bit of sweetness, and a touch of woody/nutty undertones. The beer is fairly smooth and has a heavy malt character with a light toffee/caramel flavor and a bit of biscuit yeast that comes alone. Some very faint hop presence can be detected, but only if you're really looking for it. Medium body and medium carbonation with a nice, malt flavored finish.
Decent beer, here. Nothing too special or over-the-top excellent, but still tasty and very easy to drink.
637 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On tap at Old Chicago. Pours a deep amber, almost brown color with a tiny head that only left behind very small traces of lacing. The nose is full of a nice mix of hops, malts, a bit of sweetness, and a touch of woody/nutty undertones. The beer is fairly smooth and has a heavy malt character with a light toffee/caramel flavor and a bit of biscuit yeast that comes alone. Some very faint hop presence can be detected, but only if you're really looking for it. Medium body and medium carbonation with a nice, malt flavored finish.
Decent beer, here. Nothing too special or over-the-top excellent, but still tasty and very easy to drink.
637 characters
Dead Guy Ale from Rogue Ales
Beer rating:
3.94 out of
5 with
7,675 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with ≥ 150 characters.
In English, explain why you're giving this rating. Your review must discuss the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) and your overall impression in order to indicate that you have legitimately tried the beer. Nonconstructive reviews may be removed without notice and action may be taken on your account.