Rogue Old Crustacean Barleywine

Brewed by Rogue Ales
Style: Barley Wine
Newport, Oregon USA

On tap at Zeno’s Pub - State College, PA. Aroma glows in a really intricate and developed fruitiness carried by a fragrant hop glow. Here the hops take on a new form, in bold spiced fruits, suave cologne perspective, and savory assumptions. There’s a notable estery character, but lots of giant hop presence. Smells great and evolves with a warming temperature. Looks inviting, with a deep ruddy-brown glow, as if a darkened ruby, shrouded with dripping shawls of heavily cloaking khaki satin. Flavor develops a lot of complexity. The hops merge with intense malt, alcohol, and yeast products, all tasting pretty good if not hot and harsh from the hops. This is to be expected. Turpentine-like as the brewer describes.There’s a palpable bubble-gum quality to the ester profile that actually isn’t detracting, instead it’s really refined and maturely fruity, adding to the depth already brought by the hop profile, which is rather destructive. Downfall is alcohol heat and biting bitterness. I cannot imagine how delicious this will be in two years. I would love to try some sufficiently aged. It’s obvious the hop profile is overly complex and will develop nuance as some of the raging overtones die down with time. Very interesting.

Bitter, bitter palate and I loved it. A cloudy dark brown with a tan head. Huge hop profile and a 120 IBU assault on the mouth. Barleywine lovers may not think as highly of this as I do as it is not "traditional" but for a hophead who prefers barleywine in the style of a Bigfoot Ale, this is superb.

Thick, hazy brown pour. No head, a few tan bubbles. Big sweet malts, caramel, dark fruits, hops in the aroma. Smells big. Starts sweet with the malt and caramel flavor going to a bit of the dried fruit and ending with dry bitter hops. Roasted aftertaste. Full body, complex. Excellent.

Dark red with a thin white head. Smells sweet and of barley. Sweet caramel malts with a nice barley bittersweet taste. Aftertaste is the same very nice. Just drank this beer for the second time, still think this is damn good and way underrated at 3.6.

Bottle. Pours a murky brown color with minimal tan head. Nose is sweet caramel, dough, yeast, some light chocolate and maybe brown sugar. Palate is very full and velvety/syrupy. Tastes of rich caramel, sugar, very sweet, some light chocolate and some biscuity bready notes.

Robe profondément rouge surmontée d’une mousse blanche fugace. Arômes de houblon, de levure et de malt caramélisés. Saveurs de houblon. Y’a aussi du caramel et de la levure!!! Le houblon est vraiment omniprésent. Un peu trop pour moi, trop pour le style, mais diable que c’est bien bon! Sa rondeur en fait oublier le pourcentage d’alcool!

Couleur brune rouillée, très peu de mousse lors du service mais cette dernière se recrée facilement à la moindre agitation du verre et adhère alors à la paroi. Écorce d’orange, résine de conifère, caramel brûlé, sucre résiduel, foin mouillé, une touche de fumée grise et un brin d’oxydation. Gros malt épais en bouche, caramel, café, écorce d’orange amères, amertume extrême mais pleine de caractère et d’authenticité. Bon réchauffement de la part de l’alcool. Mélasse, dattes et figues apparaissent au fil des degrés qui augmentent, devenant alors nettement plus sucrée et agressive dans son amertume. Corps d’épaisseur moyenne à pleine, texture résineuse et pratiquement sirupeuse en bouche, carbonatation restant en arrière-plan, parfait pour le style. Hyper longue finale amérissante. Merci tiggmtl, Février 2005.

Huge beer, the nose is massive and overpowering in a wonderful way. notes of brandy, sherry,caramel toffee,plums,apricots,peanut brittle,bread, nuts,caramelcorn,raisns,bourbon and port wine. develops a wonderful Oloroso note with aging. massive mouthfeel and intense bitterness with some nice resin. grat finish that linger forever.