The Triangle

Issue date: 2/27/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Rogue Brewery

Today I bring you a bottle of Rogue Imperial Pilsner, from the Masaharu Morimoto Signature series.

Rogue, one of the first microbrews I ever tried, has long held a special place in my memory.

This is not without merit, as they pride themselves on attractive and humorous bottles, as well as complex flavors competently paired with various styles of food. Founded by friends Jack Joyce, Bob Woodell, and Rob Strasser, after Woodell's accountant approached him about brewing, Rogue Ales has been an advocate for the community and good beer since 1988.

The Newport, Ore. pub found its start when Joyce was trapped in an unusual and unexpected snowstorm and was approached by Mohave Neimi, owner of Mo's restaurant.

Mo had always dreamt of living above a bar and just so happened to have a space available.

For them to be able to sign on to it, she placed two stipulations on the deal.

One, they had to always have a picture of Mo displayed at the bar.

This would not be just any picture - this was to be a picture of herself naked in a bathtub. Second, they had to "feed the fisherman." Essentially, they had to remain involved in the community and give back as much as possible.

On every bottle of Rogue ale, you will always find several things.

A great label, painted; ingredients including free range coastal water and, usually, Pacman yeast; suggested food pairings; alcoholic content, bitterness units, and color (in degrees lovibond).

This particular treat comes in a ceramic, flip-top, bomber bottle, exquisitely painted in brush strokes reflecting Iron Chef Morimoto's series.

It weighs in at 8.8 percent ABV and 74 IBU, and goes great with chicken or fish.

The pilsner style itself hails from Pilsen, Bohemia in the Czech Republic.

Traditionally, Bohemian beers were top-fermented beers that tended to be cloudy and dark.

Around 1839, the citizens of Pilsen founded their own brewery after being thoroughly dissatisfied with the standard beers of the day.

Citizen's Brewery adopted a Bavarian method to store and chill beers in caves, which is now known as lagering.

This process utilized a bottom fermenting yeast and improved flavor and shelf life. Most Americans should be familiar in some manner with this type of beer - unless you've never heard of Budweiser.

I admittedly do not own a pilsner style glass, however, I do own a cheap facsimile.

Continued...

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