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
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Ratings: 7,527 | Reviews: 2,427
Reviews by cypressbob:
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
4.49/5 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
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
4.32/5 rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Paired with pan-grilled BBQ chicken.
A - Poured into pint glass, 1.5-finger cream-colored head crawled down the glass. Beer is an only slightly hazy amber color. Decent lacing
S - Has a very nice aroma, it's not unlike having a mouthful of the beer just by getting a good whiff of it. Has a sort of banana-nut bread vibe, really very pleasant. Gets a bit funky when swirled.
T - Not terribly complex, starts with a generous amount of malt, and has a good hop bite at the end but isn't overpowering. Doesn't really push any new boundaries but instead offers simple quality.
M - Good carbonation, aftertaste is slightly bitter and lingers for upwards of 30 seconds. Starts off quite tight but opens up quickly. Alcohol aftertaste becomes more evident with warming. Overall goes down light and easy.
D - Very drinkable beer, especially if one is trying to escape macro hell and find some quaffable craft brews. Quite filling considering the mouthfeel. I wouldn't turn this one down, but I don't think I could make it through more than one or two either.
1,055 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Paired with pan-grilled BBQ chicken.
A - Poured into pint glass, 1.5-finger cream-colored head crawled down the glass. Beer is an only slightly hazy amber color. Decent lacing
S - Has a very nice aroma, it's not unlike having a mouthful of the beer just by getting a good whiff of it. Has a sort of banana-nut bread vibe, really very pleasant. Gets a bit funky when swirled.
T - Not terribly complex, starts with a generous amount of malt, and has a good hop bite at the end but isn't overpowering. Doesn't really push any new boundaries but instead offers simple quality.
M - Good carbonation, aftertaste is slightly bitter and lingers for upwards of 30 seconds. Starts off quite tight but opens up quickly. Alcohol aftertaste becomes more evident with warming. Overall goes down light and easy.
D - Very drinkable beer, especially if one is trying to escape macro hell and find some quaffable craft brews. Quite filling considering the mouthfeel. I wouldn't turn this one down, but I don't think I could make it through more than one or two either.
1,055 characters
Dead Guy Ale from Rogue Ales
3.94
out of 5
based on 7,527 ratings.
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