Rogue Ales & Spirits Canned Cocktail Launch Party

As craft beer sales continue to flatten out a few breweries have entered other arenas of beverages that includes hard seltzer, hard kombucha, and more recently canned cocktails. Rogue Ales & Spirits launches its new ready-to-drink Rogue Spirits Canned Cocktails this evening, Thursday, September 5th from 5:00-9:00pm at the Rogue Ales & Spirits Pearl Public House.

For its initial release Rogue has crafted up three flavors – Cucumber Lime Gin Fizz, Cranberry Elderflower Vodka Soda, and Ginger Lime Vodka Mule – all now available in 12oz slim cans. Each variety uses only 100% natural ingredients, are gluten-free, and contain 7.5% ABV.

“As brewers we love the convenience of beer in a can, and as distillers we enjoy the complex flavor profiles of a good mixed drink, launching a line of canned cocktails just felt right. Leaning on our 16 years of distilling experience, we developed three amazing cocktails and put them in a can, so you don’t have to worry about mixing up your favorite drink on the go,” Rogue President Dharma Tamm said in a statement. “Made with flavors that rival our freshly made bar equivalents, our sparkling craft cocktails are perfect for summer, whether it be camping, at the beach or in your backyard. They can be enjoyed right out of the can or poured over ice.”

All three Rogue Spirits Canned Cocktails begin with two sprits from Rogue. Rogue Bayfront Vodka is the base for the Cranberry Elderflower Vodka Soda and Ginger Lime Vodka Mule and Rogue Spirits Gin is the base for the Cucumber Lime Gin Fizz. According to the distiller’s website Bayfront Vodka is not sold to the public for off premise sales but must only be distilled for its pubs or just for this new canned cocktail launch.

“Our canned cocktails embody the spirit of the DIY ethos of mixology,” Rogue Director of Business Development Steve Garrett said in a statement. “They allow us to celebrate our craft spirits heritage and can be enjoyed no matter the occasion.

Here’s a breakdown on all three flavors with our tasting notes on each one.

Cucumber Lime Gin Fizz
Story: Inspired by cucumbers grown on Rogue Farms, Rogue Spirits Gin forms the base of this cocktail while the cucumber and lime provide a farm-fresh citrus balance.
Ingredients: Rogue Spirits Spruce Gin, cucumber, lime, raw cane sugar, sparkling water.
Our Take: Fans of a gin & tonic, but have been hesitant on Gin Fizz’s as on too many occasions there’s an overabundance of sugar used in this cocktail. With this one you can definitely taste the raw cane sugar used to make this canned cocktail. Too much so that the sugar leaves a bit of a lingering aftertaste.

Cranberry Elderflower Vodka Soda
Story: Inspired by the cranberries that grow on the Oregon coast, Rogue Spirits Bayfront Vodka forms the base of this cocktail while the cranberry, elderflower and lime add a refreshing tartness.
Ingredients: Rogue Spirits Bayfront Vodka, cranberry, elderflower, lime, raw cane sugar, sparkling water.
Our Take: The beauty of this one is what is first noticed as it pours a beautiful red color from the cranberries used in this drink. Its perfectly carbonated and the tartness of cranberries comes through quite nicely!

Ginger Lime Vodka Mule
Story:  Inspired by a favorite at the Rogue Pub in Newport, Oregon, RogueSpirits Bayfront Vodka forms the base of this cocktail while ginger and lime provide a refreshing balance of citrus and spice.
Ingredients: Rogue Spirits Bayfront Vodka, ginger, lime, raw cane sugar, sparkling water.
Our Take: Pours with lots of bubbles but upon first sip the carbonation is a bit underwhelmed. Some make like that this mule is not very heavy on the ginger, as others will prefer it to be a bit stronger.

In all, these three Rogue Spirits Canned Cocktails offer a great way to take cocktails to places such as hiking trails, camping or wherever mixing a cocktail may be a bit more challenging.

During tonight’s release party, all canned cocktails will only be $5.00 each during the release party. It’s a great price to sample these all for yourself. This price will also hold true if you attend the Rogue Canned Cocktail Patio Party that will be held at Rogue Eastside Pub & Pilot Brewery (928 SE 9th Ave, Portland) on Saturday, September 7th from 4:00-9:00pm.

The lineup of all three Rogue Canned Cocktails are now available in 4-pack 12oz slim cans in the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Florida, and Michigan with plans for a nationwide rollout in early 2020.

Rogue Ales & Spirits Pearl Public House
1339 NW Flanders St.
Portland, OR 97209