Jolly Rodger
Drake's Brewing Co.

Jolly RodgerJolly Rodger
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From:
Drake's Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
ABV:
9%
Score:
91
Avg:
4.1 | pDev: 7.32%
Reviews:
29
Ratings:
36
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 31, 2016
Added:
Aug 05, 2004
Wants:
  9
Gots:
  2
For 2009 and earlier vintages.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by kbub6f:
Photo of kbub6f
Reviewed by kbub6f from New York

4.19/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
The bottle says "Jolly Rodger" (with a "d"), whereas the drinkdrakes.com website spells it "Jolly Roger" (without the "d"). But the website also says the beer is only available in kegs, and I have the bottle right here in front of me, so I'll go with the bottle. It reads:

"Drake's Jolly Rodger is based on a 19th century Scotch Ale recipe. Brewed to be exported, batches start with a much higher Original Gravity to allow the beer to be more shelf stable on it's [sic] voyage. Drake's Jolly Rodger is lightly hopped with East Kent Golding hops for a slight bitterness to counterbalance the sweet malt taste. Limited Release"

The beer is a dark, dark red-brown with a small, beige, noisy, bubbly head that leaves runny spots of lacing. The nose is sweet molasses, grapes and a little chocolate. Sweet, fermented grapes, butter and a tangy toffee in front lead to a sweet, molasses, buttery, thick, sweet syrupy (but not too sweet) middle. It finishes with tangy fruit, some chocolate, a touch roasty and quite nicely, lightly bitter. There is a pleasant, warming alcohol effect. This is a thick, rich, buttery, tangy, fruity beer. Bread puddingy. More cream and chocolate develop with temperature, but it stays quite tangy and bitter. The sweetness never steals the show. I like it a lot!
Aug 05, 2004
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by NickThePyro from Washington

Jan 31, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by HaveUSeenMyCellar from California

Nov 04, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by Adamostella from Washington

Feb 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by BlueEyedAlien from California

Feb 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by yoitsarch from California

Nov 19, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by t0rin0 from California

Sep 22, 2012
Photo of elNopalero
Reviewed by elNopalero from Michigan

4.47/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A barrel-aged version of the 09 Jolly Roger? How can I say no?

This poured a dark, ruddy brown color. There’s a just-shy of being tart aroma to this, with a flavor that is a kiss of tartness on the lips. Some bourbon coconut notes, perhaps from being barrel-aged, with no noticeable hop presence. More tart than bitter, and an interesting experience.
Feb 29, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by shelby415 from Oregon

Feb 25, 2012
Photo of dwilson01
Reviewed by dwilson01 from California

4.37/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
poured from a bomber into my arrogant bastard pint glass, the body is an orange caramel color, very clear with nice carbonation rising throughout. The head is a healthy two fingers of tan creamyness, reminds me of the golden-brown color of a perfectly roasted marshmellow.

The smell is quite hoppy, the distinguished sweet orange floral part due to the cascade and the more pungent wooded bitterness from the chinook, what a great hop combination. The malt scents linger in the background bringing up aromas of brown sugar, and a nice toasted hazelnut.

The taste is great, full, and with multiple stages. It starts off nice with the floral aroma hops going all out for a nice refresher to the palate. This is followed by a growing malty flavor of thick honey maple syrup combined with buttered rye toast. After the first two stages have lulled you into a sense of security you discover your folly and get a nice wallop of bitter chinook hops to the taste buds. The bitterness comes from a nice planty, piney, spicey type of taste, it doesn't remind me of anything in particular though.

The mouthfeel is solid, just about the only thing that lets you know that this guy is an 8.0%er. Thick maltyness combines with mild carbonation to produce something very smooth, creamy, and refreshing.

Extremely drinkable, each bitter aftertaste lingers on and entices you to the next sip, I keep trying to define that bitterness in there but am unable to do so.

Perfect name on this guy also, it lulls you into thinking your safe just like a pirate ship with a fake flag up on it so it can get close. Then all of a sudden you're taken by surprise when you get a nice hop-smack in the face just like when the pirates lower the fake flag and fly the real one.
Dec 08, 2010
Photo of slayer3604
Reviewed by slayer3604 from California

4.22/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a nice amber/orange with a nice dense white head with a multitude of different sized bubbles. Smells like pungent earthy wilderness greenery. Nice bit of pine, and a slight hint of a fruity malt profile.
Tastes great. Very good way to wind down after a crazy day at work. Unlike the nose, malt comes first, and in a big way. Its followed by a spicy, herb infused hop bomb with a shit ton of bitterness lingering in the background.
Has a full body, and at 8% who'da though otherwise? The finish is dominated by hops, even tropical flavors, which did not appear on the nose, but overall, a damn fine DIPA.
Pretty apparent 8%er but its raining, I walked about a quarter mile from work to my truck and the last thing I want is a beer I can't feel! CHEERS DRAKE!
Dec 06, 2010
Photo of peacebone116
Reviewed by peacebone116 from California

4.7/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured 2010 Jolly Rodger Imperial Red into an over-sized wine glass.

A: Dark copper. Big tan colored head with strong lacing.

N: Pine and grapefruit.

T/M: Spicy piny, earthy, citrusy. Carbonation is nice on the tongue. Thick and chewy. light malt backbone, which becomes more prominent as the beer warms (as does the alcohol), but always remains in the background; this beer is almost more like an IPA except that there the malt has a much more caramelized flavor to it.

EXCELLENT beer! I may have to contact the brewery to see if I can get a keg!
Nov 29, 2010
Photo of vince4953529
Reviewed by vince4953529 from California

4.32/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
22 oz bottle, the cute-looking label indicates the 2010 version to be an imperial red ale; 8% abv.

Poured into my Stone RIS snifter, color looks a very dark ruby red, a lovely head surfaced as well. Lacing braced against the side of glass like continuous images from the Rorschach test.

Smells full of hop, a bit musty.

The taste is very hoppy, very much like an IPA. I did not detect much of the "red" aspect, minimal malt support actually. This could pass for a DIPA anytime.

I love the taste, and drinks very smooth. But the taste should be bit malty for an imperial red even though the color differs. But that's a minor complaint because it's very delicious.
Nov 22, 2010
Photo of GarthDanielson
Reviewed by GarthDanielson from Virginia

4/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a bottle, this beer presents with a dense, foamy head and a dark, amber/red color. The beer has a sweet caramel and molasses smell, with a nice undertone of scotch (hence the name). The beer carries a rich, malty taste, with hints of fruit in the aftertaste. Flavors similar to some barleywines. Very drinkable in moderation, and we found that it actually tastes more full and flavorful at room temperature.
Nov 20, 2010
Photo of augustgarage
Reviewed by augustgarage from California

4.08/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
On-tap at Blue Palms Brewhouse. Served in a generic wide-mouth tulip.

Liquid is a very dark burgandy with ruby highlights, topped by thick cream-tinged ivory foam - leaving soapy lacing in its wake.

Rich caramel malt and peat smoke aromatics. Light toast, and a hint of raisins.

Tobacco, figs, prunes, lots of floral notes, rich buttery caramel on the palate. Heavy malts balanced nicely by lightly bitter zesty hops. Finishes relatively dry with a touch of bitterness and grass.

Medium-light bodied, well carbonated, and warming.

A very good example of the style, though lacking a little character compared to the best Wee Heavies.
Jan 12, 2010
Photo of dirtylou
Reviewed by dirtylou from Oklahoma

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
ontap, Rogue Alehouse in San Francisco

cellphone notes

appearance: served in a standard pint, amber hued mahogany body, creamy tan head

smell: chocolatey, caramel, milk chocolate, roasted malt, figs, toffee

taste: really nice beer from Drake's - creamy caramel, toffee, big roasted malts, spruce and citrus peel hops, layers and layers of flavor

mouthfeel: creamy, sweet, and big bodied

drinkability: good
Jan 02, 2010
Photo of berkey
Reviewed by berkey from California

4.02/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
On tap at the Hopyard in San Ramon. Served in a pint glass. From notes 12/08/09.

Body is a very dark but clean brown color with ruby tones at the edges. Forms a very small tan head of loose bubbles that fades fairly quickly leaving only a small ring of foam along the sides of the glass.

Nose puts off tons of roasted malt and chocolate and an unexpectedly vinous dessert wine character. There's also a fairly healthy dose of hops for the style, which is pretty typical of this brewer. They seem to really love the aroma hops.

Flavor follows with a nice dose of sweet fruity esters but I'm not entirely sure I can identify which fruits for some reason, seems to lean slightly toward the citrus more than the dark fruits you might expect. There are hints of alcohol and an interesting slightly spicy herbal finish which compliments the still very present roasted malt character well.

This pour had medium to low carbonation. You can tell you're drinking a bigger beer due to the minor heat in the feel but it's not enough to be distracting. Even so, I find myself really taking awhile finishing this one glass. Obviously not a session beer.

Very interesting brew. While not exactly the best Wee Heavy I've tried it was very well done and a nice alternative to the usual Winter Warmer many brewers do for a seasonal this time of year. I found this highly enjoyable as an after work beer on this unusually cold day. If it wasn't for the high importance of appearance on this site my score would be even higher.
Dec 08, 2009
Photo of Georgiabeer
Reviewed by Georgiabeer from Georgia

4.2/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2008 edition on-tap at Barclay's for their Christmas in July celebration. Pours reddish brown with a thin, tight head that fades to a thin cap that leaves some lacing. Smells quite malty with some piney hops tossed in and some light maple and soy notes in the finish. The taste is similar. This tastes a good deal like an old ale, which is no surprise given its strength and its being aged for a year, with a still firm malt backbone, some sherry notes, but still quite hoppy with some pine notes. Very well integrated by this point, and not at all tired. Quite good.
Aug 08, 2009
Photo of bbothen
Reviewed by bbothen from California

4.09/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a nice red/copper color with a small bubbly off white head that quickly dissipates into a few bubbles rimming the glass.

The smell of this brew is awesome. I was not expecting the epic battle between hops & sweet malt here. The hops come strong with pine, spruce, tropical aromas. Malt aint no joke either with some sweet toffee & fruitiness. Bravo. I could put my nose in this glass all night.

Sweet caramel maltiness up front, nice citric hoppiness, fruity, tropical, faint smokiness, all these flavors balance nicely for a really tasty brew. Yeah.

Medium to full, moderate carbonation, warming booze, lingering great taste.

A big & flavorfull brew. A couple pints is a good serving for one sitting.

I really enjoy this beer. Unique, well made, & really tasty.
Jan 28, 2009
Photo of hopdog
Reviewed by hopdog from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12oz bottle shared courtesy of jasonmech77. Poured a medium orange color with a small sized off white head. Aromas of caraml, grapefruit skins, oranges, and some pine. Tastes of caramel, grapefruit, oranges and melons. Light alcohol in the finish.

Notes from 3/2/07
Nov 12, 2008
Jolly Rodger from Drake's Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 36 ratings