Old Tavern Rat
The New Old Lompoc

Old Tavern RatOld Tavern Rat
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From:
The New Old Lompoc
 
Oregon, United States
Style:
American Barleywine
ABV:
9.7%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.87 | pDev: 17.83%
Reviews:
8
Ratings:
21
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 23, 2020
Added:
Nov 15, 2009
Wants:
  8
Gots:
  1
Previously on draught only, released in 22 oz. bottles in Fall 2011 (those are brewed December 2009, aged in whiskey barrels).
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of John_M
Reviewed by John_M from Washington

4.16/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
The 2013 version, on tap at the Horse Brass (as if there's any place in town that would still have a keg of this nectar).

The beer pours a bright, gleaming copperish red color with excellent head retention and considerable lacing. At 7 years of age, the nose is a bit faint, but still offers up sweet malt, light vinegar, grain and light cherry. At this point there's very little barrel character showing on the nose. On the palate, this beer is complex and exceptional. There's some initial sweetness still, but that quickly dovetails into some noticeable bitterness and light alcoholic phenolics. The flavor profile is redolent with cherry, vanilla, light dry citrus and dry sherry. There's a slightly oxidized component to this beer at this stage of it's life, which I guess is to be expected. Mouthfeel is medium bodied I would say, which is to be expected I think. (By today's standards, the abv is quite modest, especially for a Barleywine). This beer still delivers a considerable amount of flavor, but with the alcohol starting to show a bit on the finish.

Impressive beer still, and I think it's held up well at the Brass. I believe it's been on tap here for well over two months now, which is a shame, but my guess is that very few current patrons remember the New Old Lompoc brewery (RIP).

IMHO, this beer is not showing at its very best, but even so... it's a treat to come across this old friend. Here's to you Don, the original and ever enduring Old Tavern Rat.
Dec 23, 2020
 
Rated: 3.75 by RochefortChris from North Carolina

Feb 26, 2017
Photo of LiquidAmber
Reviewed by LiquidAmber from Washington

4.08/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a Fremont small snifter. 2013 bottle, brewed and barreled in 2009. Pours a very dark red-brown with a fine half-finger light khaki head with great retention and nice lacing. Rich aroma of bourbon, caramel malt, oak and dark fresh fruit. Flavor is woody oak, mildly oxidized caramel malt, bourbon, dark stone fruit with a hint of tartness. Finishes with lightly tart dark fruit, bourbon and caramel. Medium bodied with mild creaminess. A barleywine that wears its barrel aging on its sleeve. Lots of woody, old forest oak flavors with a bit of earthiness. Full caramel malt shows a little oxidation, which is appropriate for an aged barleywine. Good bourbon that is not dominating. The light tartness is a bit worrisome to me as I'm not a sour beer fan; it is light and well supported now, but I'm not sure I would age one of these further for my taste in aged barleywines. Full flavored with an emphasis on the wood and fruit flavors rather than malt.
Sep 23, 2015
Photo of Braz
Rated by Braz from Washington

4.07/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Big time boozy aromatics and a heavy taste.
Mar 10, 2015
 
Rated: 3.97 by almostjay from Virginia

Jan 31, 2015
 
Rated: 4.16 by chcfan from California

Dec 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by NickThePyro from Washington

Dec 25, 2014
Photo of kscaldef
Rated by kscaldef from Oregon

1.5/5  rDev -61.2%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5
2013 bottle. Pretty terrible. Rubbing alcohol. Drain pour.
Dec 24, 2014
 
Rated: 2.25 by jkweaver from Pennsylvania

Aug 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by anteater from Oregon

Apr 25, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by fitius5150 from Oregon

Feb 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by irishgreensoda from Washington

Jul 16, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by fo1ksguitar from Missouri

Oct 03, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by bsuedekum from Missouri

Oct 03, 2012
Photo of UCLABrewN84
Reviewed by UCLABrewN84 from California

4.39/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bottle pour at Woodshop 7 held at Beachwood BBQ & Brewing in Long Beach, CA.

2009 vintage.

Pours a murky dark brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, caramel, wood, vanilla, and whisky. Taste is much the same but is slightly tart and has a woody finish. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer with a nice barrel aged presence in both the aroma and flavor.
Jul 24, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by CheapBeerBuzz from California

Jul 17, 2012
Photo of brokensail
Reviewed by brokensail from California

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks for sharing, Tim.

Pours a dark brown color with a small off-white head. A nice bourbon and oak aroma followed by plenty of toffee and brown sugar. Just a mild booze notes and a hint of dark fruit. The flavor is surprisingly woody and hoppy. Quite a bit of pine and earthy hop flavor, which is also a bit of a surprise. Lots of oxidation, but not so much in the cardboard sense. A hint of bourbon on the palate along with good malt character.
Jul 16, 2012
Photo of zaphodchak
Reviewed by zaphodchak from Virginia

3.82/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Hazy amber brown body. No real head.

Nose has some boozy malt, some orange.

Fantastic bourbon presence along with that sort of chocolate orange that you get at Christmas and have to whack on the fireplace to break apart. Big warmth on the finish.

Like I said, big, chewy, and warm.

Good beer-- still a bit hot (I thought It'd be more subdued by now), but given to me by John Foyston, who painted the label. Good bourbon presence, I'd recommend even more time on this.
Apr 14, 2012
Photo of HopHead84
Reviewed by HopHead84 from California

3.7/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
3/24/2012

Bottle shared by Tim at Kill the Cellar Day, thanks!

A: Reddish brown with some clarity and a big beige head.

S: Toffee and caramel with earth notes. There's a restrained nuttiness that meets brown sugar and a light whiskey presence. Oxidation is tame and alcohol is well hidden.

T: Boozy and nutty toffee with caramel. Moderate bitterness with a strong earthy presence. The finish is boozy and bitter. Whiskey is mellow throughout. There's evident oxidation in the flavor.

M: Medium body with medium carbonation.

Overall: Getting a little oxidized, but still a good beer. Definitely worth trying.
Mar 25, 2012
Photo of barleywinefiend
Reviewed by barleywinefiend from Washington

4.19/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I had the original tavern rat at Toronado Bwine festival years back, I enjoy this one much better.

Poured a dark brown with a small tannish head. Nose is all over the place with tobacco, brown sugar, hops,malts. Taste is molasses, brown sugar, caramel, candy sugar and perhaps molasses and perhaps some dried dark fruits. Booze, what booze? Very light and very drinkable. Finish is nice stticky and tasty.
Mar 01, 2010
Old Tavern Rat from The New Old Lompoc
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 21 ratings