Beer of the week: RJ Rockers Patriot Pale

Beer score: 6.7

Web site: RJ Rockers
ABV: 6.0

IBU: unknown

Since 1997, RJ Rockers has been bringing quality brews to the Spartanburg, South Carolina, region, and this was one of their flagship beers. This American pale ale has a nice gold, cloudy look to it in a glass, and a slightly malty and citrus scent. Very wet, with a frothy head and a strong hoppy bitter flavor that goes down smooth. There's also a touch of caramel flavoring with hints of citrus. The taste is stronger than the scent, so don't be fooled and don't say I didn't warn you. This is not an overly complex beer, but it is quite a good one. This would make an excellent staple beer for any connoisseur's fridge. By the way, RJ Rockers is a microbrewery, and their brews are handcrafted.

Ruddles Pub Ale Draught

Beer score: 4.8
Web site: Ruddles Ales
I'm usually not a fan of these draught ales in a can, but this one isn't too bad. Has the smooth, milky head of a draught. Very wet, almost to the point of being flat. There's a slight hops (bitter) flavor that is a little stronger in the aftertaste.

Rogue Mocha Porter

Beer score: 5.9
Web site: Rogue
From the Oregon Brewing Co. of Newport, Oregon. Pretty sweet for a porter. There's some maple flavor behind all the sweetness. Heavy on the stomach. Not for wimps.

Rogue Ale Younger's Special Bitter

Beer score: 7.4
Web site: Rogue
Extremely smooth despite the barest hint of carbonation. A light, wet bitterness is here that will leave you more than satisfied. Goes decent with chili.

Rolling Rock Light

Beer score: 5.4
Web site: Rolling Rock
Basically this tastes like Rolling Rock with some extra carbonation thrown in. Not bad for a light beer. Interestingly enough, I couldn't find Rolling Rock's mysterious number 33 on the bottle anywhere. Smooth. If you're on the lookout for this brew, at different times I've seen it sold as Rock Green Light or Rock Light.

Rolling Rock

Beer score: 6.0
Web site: Rolling Rock
I have been told by more than one source that this beer was the official beer of Ohio University from the mid-to-late ’80s. Any of you alums want to comment? Anyway, this beer is very wet and a good thirst quencher. It has a frothy taste that stays with you. This isn't a real exciting beer but it is very agreeable. Normally I wouldn't say this is a beer snob's beer, but the taste is so smooth. I've had several beer snob buddies tell me they are shocked to see me score so high what they consider a premium beer, but each of us has to have our little peculiarities, right? I guess this one's mine. I like Rolling Rock, so sue me.

Road Dog Porter

Beer score: 5.3
Web site: Flying Dog Brewery
This Scottish drink is brewed by Broadway Brewing, LLC, of Denver for Flying Dog Brew Pub of Aspen, Colorado, at least as of my last drinking of this beer. This beer is a little sweet with a slight burnt taste, like most Scottish ales. A little education, for those who need it: "Scottish ales" are a type of sweet, dark ale brewed in Scotland; not all Scottish ales are necessarily "Scottish ales," but all "Scottish ales" are Scottish ales. Got it?

Rhino Chasers Peach Honey Wheat

Beer score: 7.3
Web site: Rhino Chasers Beer

Brewed and bottled by the William and Scott Brewing Co. of St. Paul, Minnesotta when I first tasted this brew in the 1990s. Nowadays it's brewed by the M. A. Hagerman Brewing Company of Ashburn, Virginia. This beer has a nice frothy feel with a light sweet taste. The peach flavor is just right, not overpowering. Reminds me a little of Pete's Wicked Strawberry Blonde, but more peachy than strawberry. You know what I mean.

Red Wolf

Beer score: 3.3
Web site: Anheuser-Busch
It's beer. You can drink it. You Budweiser fans who want to live on the wild side a little can try this without getting too turned off. I'll let you have it.

Red Stripe

Beer score: 2.4
Web site: Red Stripe
One of the most overrated beers I've ever drank. Apparently made for people who aren't really beer snobs but want others to think they are beer snobs. Made in Kingston, Jamaica. Lots of fizz here with a skunky taste. I'd rather drink Budweiser (not really; it's called sarcasm).

Redhook IPA

Beer score: 5.4
Web site: Redhook Ale Brewery
IPA stands for "India pale ale," traditionally a type of English pale ale. This has a little burnt sweetness but it doesn't have much of the usual sour India pale ale flavor, unless you let it sit and become room temperature. According to the packaging, this beer was originally called Red Hook Ballard Bitter, named after the Seattle neighborhood the first Red Hook brewery stood in.

Redhook ESB

Beer score: 3.7
Web site: Redhook Ale Brewery
ESB stands for "extra special bitter," which is one of three types of "bitter," an English ale. This brew is sweet and heavy in the mouth. There's too much fizz and it goes down a little rough. Probably makes a decent pub beer to go along with pretzels, peanuts and small talk.

Red Dog

Beer score: 3.1
Web site: MillerCoors

A prototypical American beer. Good for darts, bowling and as a bar beer. Nothing special. A little too much carbonation for me. Brewed by the Miller Brewing Company (which is now MillerCoors) under its Plank Road Brewery titles.