Sisyphus - Real Ale Brewing Company

eclipse54

Idaho

3.35/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A 12 ounce bottle that I won in an LIF put on by the generous turfy. He sent me a box of Texas-brewed products and included this 2010 bottle. Thank you! Into the DFH signature glass it goes...

A moderate pour yields about an inch of eggshell white heat, comprised of abundant tiny, nay, microscopic bubbles, atop a burnt orange and copper colored body. The body is rich enough in color to appear nearly opaque, giving off a warm, deep orange glow when held to the light of the computer screen. Legs of wet lacing are left clinging to the walls of the glass.

The smell is prominently of spicy hops, even having been stored this long, some caramel and toffee undertones, and bits of brown sugar. Really, the hops just carry this nose though.

The taste is strongly reminiscent of an older DIPA, with the hops leading on the tongue before some faint caramel takes hold. The toffee that was present in the nose really isn't noticeable on the tongue, and the taste is actually somewhat thin and watery. A warming alcohol presence finishes it off.

Mouth is much lighter than I expected for the style, being quite thin with seemingly little carbonation. Not bad, just unsuspected.

Overall, a decent American barleywine, but it certianly reminds me of why I like their English counterparts so much more.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2011 23:23:21 | More by eclipse54

acurtis

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +1.8%

05-15-2013 22:46:11 | More by acurtis

illy0sis

Texas

4/5  rDev +1.8%

05-14-2013 22:09:39 | More by illy0sis

Xzfgiimtsath

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +8.1%

05-10-2013 00:24:57 | More by Xzfgiimtsath

BigBarley

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Bottled on 10.01.12
Pours like honey-colored motor oil, coming out to be a deep orange/ honey blend, with a nice, sticky, imperial white crown of foamy goodness. Looks like cloudy, delicious goodness.

Aroma is one of sweet, citrus hops, backed by a buttery, bready malt character. It even smells syrupy, but delicious and intriguing,

Indeed! Candy-like zest, lemon, orange, slight hint of grapefruit... citrus candy syrup all over a malty, buttered cracker. Alcohol is prominent, and gives a general spicy texture to the flavor. I bet that rounds out nicely after a little age. Not for someone who hates booze presence on the tongue.

Thick, thick and thick. Carbonation is explosive and lively, which works well with the alcohol spice to give it a real kick. Good fun to drink.

All around impressive barleywine, enjoyable on all fronts. I'm glad I took the chance and grabbed this local gem, it's pretty nice.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 14:38:01 | More by BigBarley

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%

05-04-2013 20:32:52 | More by Kelp

MichialTanner1

Texas

4/5  rDev +1.8%

05-04-2013 02:04:46 | More by MichialTanner1

archero

Texas

4/5  rDev +1.8%

04-16-2013 15:45:50 | More by archero

Dusty6467

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +14.5%

04-16-2013 00:30:44 | More by Dusty6467

averydylan

Texas

4/5  rDev +1.8%

04-11-2013 22:49:06 | More by averydylan

deg

New Hampshire

4.05/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer poured a good amber color, and I could smell the hops. The smell had a fruit tang, like citrus, more like orange than grapefruit. I could taste the hops. I could not pick up much of a malt taste. The beer had a creamy feel to it. I felt very little alcohol warmth. Since I don't like American Barleywine (I prefer English Barleywine when I get Barleywine style beers), I probably would not buy this again. If you are someone that likes American Barleywine style beers, this would be a good one to try out since it matches the style (with the exception of alcohol warmth) well.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 23:19:01 | More by deg

abex44

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +14.5%

04-02-2013 02:09:25 | More by abex44

G-Hawk

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +8.1%

03-17-2013 00:39:12 | More by G-Hawk

monitorpop

Michigan

4/5  rDev +1.8%

03-13-2013 05:55:03 | More by monitorpop

JeffSuttonTX

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +20.9%

03-10-2013 20:57:50 | More by JeffSuttonTX

IdrinkGas

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -10.9%

02-26-2013 04:34:46 | More by IdrinkGas

seplo

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%

02-23-2013 22:31:50 | More by seplo

oldedog

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +1.8%

02-23-2013 02:39:07 | More by oldedog

tubeyes

Texas

4/5  rDev +1.8%

02-10-2013 07:30:34 | More by tubeyes

DmanGTR

New York

4.5/5  rDev +14.5%

02-01-2013 18:25:57 | More by DmanGTR

BJasny

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +8.1%

02-01-2013 04:09:08 | More by BJasny

DonFrap

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -23.7%

01-28-2013 03:25:39 | More by DonFrap

Auror

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%

01-27-2013 19:24:46 | More by Auror

phishbone23

New York

4.75/5  rDev +20.9%

01-25-2013 14:00:18 | More by phishbone23

charlzm

California

3.71/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Consumed on January 24th, 2013. Bottle dated 3.24.12. Purchased Austin, TX in May of 2012 at Whip In. Poured into a Klokke Roeland goblet at 50 degrees F.

Beer pours a nearly-clear orange-amber. A bashful head of white foam becomes a ring around the edges in short order. This beer has some legs when swirled.

Aroma is sweet with vanilla and cane sugar notes.

Flavor is big and thick. As in nose, vanilla and brown sugar are up front. Fruitiness I can't pin down (Pears? Peaches? Raisins?) swims in a sea of alcohol warmth. Finish is oddly clean with only a little sweetness lingering behind. Not particularly bitter.

Mouthfeel is thick and still and a little oily.

Not my favorite barleywine, but a significant one. Damn, that's strong!

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 05:45:04 | More by charlzm