Rogue’s Chipotle Ale pours a deep clear amber, with orange and golden hues when held up to the light. It develops a modest white head which dissipates but sits on the surface of the beer until it is gone.

There are no overwhelming aromas in the nose. The most prevalent notes are bread, malt, yeast and smoked green pepper. It’s somewhat reminiscent of a Rauchbier, a German beer with a signature smoky flavor developed by drying the malted barley over an open fire. It’s not quite that intense, but one can’t help but draw a comparison.

The body of the beer is pretty thin, with a modest carbonation that lends it a rather creamy texture. As with the nose, the predominant flavors that come across the palate are the malty sweetness and breadiness typical of amber ales. This gives way to smoke and charcoal, with a hint of green pepper running throughout. I don’t pick up any heat from the peppers, so I’m guessing that the seeds were either removed before the peppers were added to the boil or that the capsaicin was somehow neutralized.

The smoked pepper makes what would otherwise be a rather unremarkable amber ale. The body’s a bit too thin for my liking, but the smoky taste of the beer combined with its drinkability make it interesting enough to try if the opportunity presents itself.

The Beer Buyer Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 Pints 

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