The subtitle to Rogue‘s Dad’s Little Helper is "Malt Liquor" but don’t let that dissuade you—as their site quotes John Maier, "This ain’t your Dad’s malt liquor." It’s got the signature Rogue twist to it: it’s good!

We picked up a bottle when we were in Ashland a few weeks ago, and though I probably didn’t need to travel all the way to Southern Oregon to buy it (I’ve seen it here), I hadn’t tried it before and what the hey, Rogue Brewing originally started in Ashland so it fits.

So, my notes:

Appearance: Certainly looks the part [of malt liquor, to me]… fluffy white head resting over a crystal clear honey-yellow beer… wheat-colored.

Smell: Spicy (slightly), hoppy. A wheaty, toasty aroma, otherwise fairly clean.

Taste: Grain, corn, a nice spicy hop that isn’t too pronounced but has a nice crisp edge. Fairly simple in overall profile, but Rogue is shooting for that here, as an homage to classic American malt liquor.

Mouthfeel: Nice and medium-bodied, pleasantly so. (More body than you’d expect.)

Overall: I thoroughly enjoyed drinking this beer. I wish Rogue would sell this by the six-pack—or, better yet, stubbies.

On BeerAdvocate, it scores 78 out of 100, with 74% approval—not the higher marks I’m giving it. On RateBeer it got a miserable reception: 2.53 out of 5 and is only in their 18th percentile. Really, people? Really?