Review – Rogue Santa’s Private Reserve

From Rogue Ales: A double-hopped Red, reddish in color, with a roasty, malty flavor and a hoppy spruce finish.

Rogue Ales – Rogue Santa’s Private Reserve.  12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass. 6.0% abv. Purchased at Whole Foods Market Hastings Pasadena, CA. as a single.

Appearance: A dark clear red. A decent tan head. Lots of lacing.

Aroma: Spicy, sweet malt. I smell a little bit of aromatic hops, followed by a large whiff of butter.
Taste: Bitter hops, caramel malt, butterscotch.

Mouthfeel: Pretty carbonated and full bodied.

Overall: Not sure if it was diacetyl or my tastes were off, but I don’t remember the buttery characteristics from years past.  I like the level of hopping, and is otherwise a pleasant beer for me to drink during the holidays.