The Vermonster - Rock Art Brewery

cfleisher

New Hampshire

3.48/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

My problem with American barleywines is that they are overhopped, and this one is no exception.

It's a pretty beer, reddish caramel color, clear with some sticky lacing on the glass. Light head dies down.

Aroma is yeasty, with spicy hops. Maybe Nugget or Chinook? Whatever they used, I like it, but might prefer it in a lighter bodied IPA.

Taste is pretty hop forward, with caramel backing. Again, the more American barleywines I have, the more I prefer the malt complexities of an English style.

This is a drinkable beer. I wouldn't be ashamed to bring it to a party, but it doesn't distinguish itself enough to be a 'best in class.'

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2010 22:24:43 | More by cfleisher

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-23-2013 15:44:19 | More by InspectorBob

DrunkinYogi

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

05-22-2013 02:59:31 | More by DrunkinYogi

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-22-2013 01:28:00 | More by mikeincharleston

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

05-21-2013 14:11:37 | More by Slatetank

tnbeatty

Vermont

3/5  rDev -23.3%

05-15-2013 13:36:13 | More by tnbeatty

Bonko_the_sane

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-13-2013 05:49:00 | More by Bonko_the_sane

hopkrid

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +21.5%

04-29-2013 00:18:53 | More by hopkrid

nzerbe

New York

4/5  rDev +2.3%

04-14-2013 14:00:17 | More by nzerbe

mendvicdog

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

04-08-2013 02:36:52 | More by mendvicdog

marlinsfan4

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

04-07-2013 17:43:16 | More by marlinsfan4

duceswild

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

04-07-2013 14:20:59 | More by duceswild

brheuer

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +2.3%

03-24-2013 21:27:00 | More by brheuer

HoppyKilaMonster

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -16.9%

03-21-2013 00:57:46 | More by HoppyKilaMonster

SupremePie

Vermont

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

03-19-2013 05:06:46 | More by SupremePie

chippo33

Vermont

3/5  rDev -23.3%

03-13-2013 22:49:19 | More by chippo33

Mack

Quebec (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%

03-06-2013 23:58:08 | More by Mack

judkinst

Vermont

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

03-05-2013 03:38:22 | More by judkinst

acurtis

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

03-03-2013 00:13:06 | More by acurtis

JoeBloe

New York

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

02-28-2013 21:56:15 | More by JoeBloe

Larrydoherty

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -16.9%

02-25-2013 17:18:12 | More by Larrydoherty

Ryan011235

Ohio

2.95/5  rDev -24.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured into a Darkness tulip on 9/26/11

Split with MbpBugeye

Pours a dull, faded, pond-watery light brown and settles a dark, muddy brown. Not a very pleasant color. The head is almost two fingers tall and drops to a skim and a thicker patch of bubbles. Some ring retention, too. Decent, scattered lace.

The aroma is terse and dry instead of overly sweet. Heck, it doesn't smell very sweet at all. Earthy, leafy hops sit atop notes of caramel, raisins, plum, dry bread and fruit esters. Fairly light overall. It gets a little sweeter as it starts to warm. Toffee and candied malts. Not boozy.

Ugh, this must be in an awkward transitional period between hoppy fresh and malty aged. Dry, piney, earthy bitterness; very one-dimensional. Tastes a bit dirty. Toasted bread middle. Undercurrents of plum, raisins and candi sugar. The taste is not bad but, as is, it's rather disjointed. Perhaps it could come together with more age.

Medium-full body. Carbonation is lively and keeps each sip on the tip of the tongue. Kind of gritty, too. The alcohol is well-hidden aside from a slight slickness.

Most everything going on is something I like in beer but they are not exactly befitting the style. I'd like to try this fresh or aged.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 05:32:35 | More by Ryan011235

browniewithnuts

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%

02-19-2013 12:20:31 | More by browniewithnuts

stephenjmoore

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

02-16-2013 22:30:39 | More by stephenjmoore

CheekyBroad

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +2.3%

02-06-2013 22:31:45 | More by CheekyBroad