I’ve known from the first time I tried it that I wanted to reformat this recipe. The beer was malty, but had no distinct malt flavors, just a bland general maltiness. It was also overly sweet in my opinion. Even the warming character common to bigger beers just wasn’t there. The thing that bugged me most though was that the rose character didn’t come through the way I wanted it too. Strangely enough these were the same issues the judges had, and it’s what kept the beer in the very good category.

Judge 1

Aroma:Carmel malt, slight hops, rose is subdued, perfumy   7/12

Appearance: med brown, a bit cloudy (clears as it warms), low head   2/3

Flavor: interesting, low malt/hops, kind of woody/astringency, low bitterness  15/20

Mouthfeel:fairly astringent, a nice warming sensation but does not seem verry alcoholic   3/5

Overall Impression: interesting “beer” I would not have guessed rose without knowing it. Subtle but pleasent   7/10

Judge 2

Aroma: fragrant perfume, not flowery   8/12

Appearance: a bit cloudy   2/3

Flavor: this has a very lite rosehip flavor, but it is very subdued  13/20

Mouthfeel: crisp, clean, some astringincy   3/5

Overall Impression: a nice beer w/ a slight floral flavor, needs more character   7/10

Judge 3

Aroma: fragrant & floral, not finding rose hips, fruity esters, -light malt-, floral increases as it warms, light wood   8/12

Appearance: med brown color, slight haze   3/3

Flavor: sweet non discript malt, no hop, esters, -perfume or floral-, a touch of wood  11/20

Mouthfeel: med body, carbonation oil, non warming   4/5

Overall Impression: rose component is very lite, would like it more descript, beer is sweet slowing down on drinking pleasure   6/10