Sisyphus - Real Ale Brewing Company

glid02

Georgia

3.9/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle. I can’t recall the vintage but the label was green (2009?).

Pours a slightly hazy dark copper color with a light tan head leaving decent lacing.

Smells of sweet caramel malts with good amounts of fig and pear aromas. Also present are slight hints of butterscotch and leafy hops.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Moderately sweet caramel malts up front with booze-soaked pear flavors. Hints of toffee come into play near the end of the sip. The ending is mildly bitter. Mouthfeel is good, with smooth carbonation.

Overall I think this was closer to an English barleywine due to the pronounced sweetness and fruity notes, but even so it wasn’t near the top of the style. A solid beer but one not worth seeking.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 18:15:18 | More by glid02

TenHornsProud

Colorado

4.22/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2010 Bottle

Pours a light orange/amber with a small amount of white head.

Smells of sweet, caramel malt and fruity hop. It has a nice bready smell.

Tastes of sweet malt, alcohol, and balanced up front bitterness. The taste is sweet, toasted malt with some lingering hop character. It's quite nice actually...really balanced.

It has a medium body with a sticky sweet character that is great for the style.

I actually like this quite a bit. The malt-forward profile, balance, and booze character is what I want when I think of a barleywine. This years was better than previous that I've had. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2011 01:33:46 | More by TenHornsProud

hdelavega

Florida

3.45/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

2009 vintage poured from a bottle into a tulip glass, thanks to lnashsig.

An aggressive pour rendered about an inch head that sat atop this cloudy burnt orange brew.

The aroma on this 2009 brew is very mild for what I normaly encounter in an American barleywine, even after letting the brew warm up for awhile. I do get a slightly warm aroma of malt and barley, a bit of sweet fruit and carmalised sugar.

Taste is sweet with a suprising bitterness. The same carmalised sugars from the nose are apparent in the taste. I am surprised by the hoppy bitterness on this 3 year old beer. As the beer continues to warm the bitterness fades alittle and a sweet malty flavor starts to shine.

Mouth feel is pretty warm with a bright carbonation, and a warm and bitter finish.

Overall I enjoyed this brew but think it could use a couple more years on it.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2011 06:15:28 | More by hdelavega

Brez07

Maine

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

2007 vintage. Thanks to callmemickey for sending this to me. 12oz bottle poured into a mini snifter

A: Pours a dark reddish-orange. Slightly murky. There is a scant amount of head that disappeared before the pour was finished. Swirling gets 1/4 inch, but that also leaves quick. No lacing left

S: After all this time, still has a decent hop presence. Definitely fading, but some citrus starts this off. Love the amount of dark fruit, specifically figs. Balancing this all out is a great amount of sweet bready malt. Pretty sure there is some chocolate here too

T: The nose is a perfect preview of this beer. Brief start from the hops, which have some citrus left but are mostly slighty bitter. Again, very balanced with the amount of malt, which has flavors of bread, caramel and raisin. Wet cardboard flavor in the finish, although given the time this has aged it doesn't have that much oxidation

M: Medium bodied. Not much carbonation left in this one, but enough to notice. Slight bitter hop and malt finish

D: A solid barleywine, that has aged well. Maybe a year past it's prime. Would like to try this fresh to see how far it's come

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2011 02:05:41 | More by Brez07

theboozecruise

Louisiana

3.68/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a goblet. Labeled as 2010 vintage.

It's a hazy deep orange color with hardly any head.

The aroma is rich with malty toffee notes and very warm. There's a little hop presence there but not insane.

The hops are much more strong on the tongue, very bitter with floral notes to start out the sip. The toffee malt is there but overpowered by the hops.

The bitter aftertaste leaves a slightly less than ideal mouthfeel.

A good barleywine but not the best I've tried.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2011 03:26:01 | More by theboozecruise

DearthVader

California

3.73/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

2010 vintage courtesy of kspongeworthy.

Poured aggressively into my Stone Old Guardian glass. The aggressive pour produced a tightly wound 1 1/2 finger head that was an off white color. The body is a beautiful murky burnt orange that glows brightly around the edges. Leaves tremendous lacing. Very nice start.

Smell is ok. The sweet caramel malts cover up a lot in the nose. I pick up the slightest bit of hops and orange peel when I really get a good swirl.

Upfront with the sweet caramel malts and definitely orange attributes in this one. Nice subtle orange peel bleeding into the slight hopped finish. I enjoy the after taste in this quite a bit. Its mostly of orange rind and slight burnt sugar.

Very nice feel for a barleywine. As smooth as I could ask for. This was still a little hot for me though. Probably could've let it sit for another 6 months and that would've been untraceable.

This was a decent offering of the style. Its good, but nothing to write home about. Always grateful to try beers I can't get here though, so thank you for the opportunity Hector.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2011 05:24:12 | More by DearthVader

kspongeworthy

Texas

3.88/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2009 Sisyphus (green label)
Consumed 5-31-11

Into La Fin Du Monde tulip. Comes out completely murky, brown-copper color. One inch of soapy head fades to thin ring after a minute.

Smells of big time caramel malts, and slightly burnt sugar, and a tiny bit of tangerine peel in the background.

Mild citrus-grassy taste first, then immediately comes the caramel taste. Bitterness in the back of the palate that hangs around for a while after each sip. Can't taste the booze much.

Nice mouthfeel, between thin and thick. I reckon that's medium.

Well balanced barley wine. It smells like it would be a massive malt monster, but some solid bitterness and another sweetness that seems to come from something other than malted barley (the yeast?) Balanced indeed, for the style. I haven't had the 2010 in a while, but I think this one tops it. Especially since it has a year and half of maturing under its belt.
 

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2011 04:01:58 | More by kspongeworthy

Phoptos

Massachusetts

3.23/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Won in a "beer bracket" contest for March Madness. 2010 bottle.

A: Poured into my Pretty Things goblet. One finger off white head that fades fast to a thin lace. Rusty burnt brown color in the body.

S: Toffee with citrus caramel. An almost metallic tinge lingers a bit beyond the earthy sweetness.

T: The alcohol burn is pretty forward with the toffee and sweet dark fruit flavor coming out of it. The burn might be laid back a bit given some age but for now, even after about a year, the booze is anything but smooth. The guy sending it out said to give it a bit of time and I should have taken the advice a little more wisely.

M: Even after the booziness, the creamy smoothness is a nice surprise. The complex and rigid flavor gives way to a subtle dry sweetness that is actually quite pleasant.

O: Being that it's my fault not giving it enough time I can't be TOO harsh. That being said, the harshness of the booze is a bit much. Given time I'd like to try this again.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2011 07:14:16 | More by Phoptos

depechemode1983

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Vintage 2009

A - Beautiful copper color with an fluffy off-white head that last an eternity. There are curtains of lacing all over the tulip glass. Also there are some particle floating around.

S - The nose is of sweet apricots, orange, a little bit of bitter grapefruit. Undertones or caramel, maple syrup and wood. Picking a slight alcohol scent as well. Amazing nose.

T - Very fruity taste. Sweet white grapes, sweet-sour apricot and bitter grapefruit. Along with some woody notes in the middle and a slight boozy finish

M - So damn creamy and so damn smooth. Bordering full bodied with medium carbonation. Coats the palate completely and evenly.

O - If I had regular access to this beer it would be a regular purchase. Worth more than the 3.99 I payed for the bottle. Excellent beer right here.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2011 03:09:18 | More by depechemode1983

JayAre46

Texas

3.9/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2010 sisyphus poured into DFH snifter
A - Great amber color with some orange shining throughout the edges, product of a 1 finger egg shell colored head with good lacing.

A - caramel malts up front, hops are rather subtle, more strong caramel and toffee aromas in the back for the last impression

T - combination of toffee sweetness and caramel malt, light hop bitterness that pushes for balance. Biggest surprise was that their is not a lot of heat....

M - medium to full bodied, light carbonation very creamy pretty typical and expected. soothingly covers the palate with great ease.

O - Real Ale has a solid barleywine here, interested what some age will bring. Only a couple a day at most after I noticed the 11.5 abv Jesus Christ this beer could put you in danger with its easy drinkability. It is a definite American style barleywine although brewed with english malts.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2011 01:05:05 | More by JayAre46

harrymel

Washington

3.03/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

vintage 2010

A: Pours a copper ale with excellent clarity. Medium sheet off-white head with rope lacing. Above avg.

S: Caramel, alcohol, sweet, sharp and little hops. What hops hang out are resiny and pine forward. Fairly simple. A slight hint of green apple skin.

T: Alcohol is a bit strong in this one. The beer is still hot, but has the beginnings of a sweetness and maltiness I enjoy in a well aged BW. The toffee is hiding in there somewhere. There's the slightest hint of vanilla at the back.

M: Medium body with Low carbonation. Middle of the road.

O: Decent BW, could use a little higher SRM to add to some of the malt potential on this beer. Okay. Not the best.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2011 08:24:36 | More by harrymel

JM03

Ohio

3.73/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2009 bottle.

Pours a nice amber/copper with a nice white head.

Very sweet in the aroma. Dark fruits, toffee, a hint of the alcohol.

Tastes are sweet upfront with the toffee, and a lot of dark fruits. Almost quad-esque. A bit of the alcohol comes through afterward, but not much considering the ABV.

Overall not a bad beer. Went down really easy and the 11.5% would creep up on you fast if you didnt take it easy.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2011 17:56:29 | More by JM03

ejyoung

Arizona

3.58/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Shared at a tasting with AZ BAs - thanks ottovon.

Poured a dark amber color with no head, lacing or much of anything to note. Just a trace amount of off-white bubbles on the surface.

Smelled of toffee and caramel with some citrusy hop that I caught every once in awhile.

Big toffee notes in the taste, finishing with a bite of bitter hop. Strong amount of alcohol too. Medium body with light carbonation.

Overall, I did enjoy this, but would like to try it with some age to lessen the alcohol presence.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2011 22:14:39 | More by ejyoung

Phelps

Arizona

3.9/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed at a recent tasting of Arizona friends, this was poured from the bottle into a tulip. Made with five different strains of hops at a rate of two pounds per barrel, Sisyphus was Real Ale's first seasonal product.

Pours a light, rosy amber, perfectly clear, with almost no head and no lace, although there is a microscopic light tan ring.

The aroma is smoothly citrusy, with orange juice, grapefruit peel, caramel and toffee. Smooth, rich and citrusy, like caramel-coated orange slices.

In the flavor, hops drop off at first, replaced by heavy toffee and caramel. Then, orangey hop bitterness returns at the finish with lingering grapefruit. Surprisingly dry finish. Very boozy.

The medium-light body's a little thin. Lightly carbonated, with a very subtle fizziness as it moves. The 11 percent ABV blazes through the nose as well as in the flavor.

Overall, a rather malty barleywine. Not bad, but it seems like it needs a little time to mellow out.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2011 07:59:59 | More by Phelps

Fenris244

Texas

2.73/5  rDev -30.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

I've. Really been looking forward to having this on tap, finally got my chance with a 2010 version

Light amber in color, 2 finger head, decent retention

Sweet malty character in the aroma and some cherry notes, hops are present but in the aroma at least are subdued.
 
It's hot and hoppy with some malt on the finish, had one of these that was a few years old and this a far cry from that. Needs some age

Light in body, and smooth, the alcohol inhibits the drinkability and knowing what it could be hurts it as well. With 1- 2 of age it starts to drink fabulously, new however I'll pass

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2011 01:59:03 | More by Fenris244

garbercury

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Beerwolf77 for knocking off another one of my wants, yeah Todd! 2008 bottle...

A--Nice amber hue to this one with sticky lacing that coats my snifter...

S--A little bit medicinal, hops, sweet nose.

T--Tad bitter and though the hops have faded, still present. Good flavor, really nice balance, the age has worked well.

M--Smooth, but a tad thin maybe.

D--Hot beer, would not be able to drink too much of this, but good version of this style, glad to have tried it...

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2011 18:53:35 | More by garbercury

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.63/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this on tap at the Petrol Station in Houston. It's a clear golden color with a thin cap of foam. The thin cap looks appropriate for an American barleywine, but the light color surprised me a little bit.

Really nice aroma, well hopped but not over-hopped. The hops come across as grassy, maybe a little floral, rather than citrusy. Really nice sweet malty notes beneath that, lighter rather than caramelly, maybe a hint of ethanol. Am I starting to come around to this style of beer, or is Sisyphus just my style of barleywine? Probably the latter more than the former. And probably due to a combination of non-citrusy hops and non-caramel malts.

Same in the flavor, this is excellent stuff. All kinds of delicious, there is just not a bad flavor in this barleywine. I so wish I had bought some bottles to take home, damn this is delicious.

As drinkable and approachable an American barleywine as I have come across. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2011 01:18:29 | More by TurdFurgison

beerpirates

Belgium

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

2007 vintage , 12oz poured into my stemware glass

It poured a clear amber color with a thin beige head that faded to a ring , very nice lacing , very thick brew

Aroma of sweet malts and a very nice fruity undertone, including hints of orange, apricot, and pear, with a light alcohol on the nose as well. Moderate caramel malts lead into a strong fruit presence consisting mostly of citrus (orange and apricot) giving way to a nice, bitter hop finish. Smooth on the palate, with a nice drying finish.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2011 19:41:34 | More by beerpirates

youradhere

Arkansas

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

Pours cloudy orange, head is good and beige. Smells floral, fruity, melony, cucumber, sweet goodness. Taste is fruity and floral, slight mango, hop bittering, sweet tangerine, some dominating flavors combating subtile ones here. Mouthfeel is medium and carbonation is high. Due to the flavor amplification this brew suffers on the drinkability, but a pretty solid brew overall.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 04:35:35 | More by youradhere

irishtimepiece

Texas

4.15/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2010 vintage poured into a goofy looking Dogfish Head glass.

I poured this beer probably ten minutes ago and haven't touched it yet. A rough pour yielded a small creamy off white head that after ten minutes is larger than when poured. Steadfast.
Color is of a raw honey. Clear.

Aroma is faintly hoppy and fruity(grass, citrus), but big on the standard malt aromas(toffee, caramel, plum, etc). Diverse without being muddled.

Taste starts off grassy hoppy, transitions to sweet, fruity, and bready, then fades back to piney/citrusy hops upon swallowing with some alcohol in the finish. A sweetness lingers.

(Note: At this point I am a third of a way through the glass and the lacing is more like sheeting and the head is still a strong, full cap. This differs greatly from some of the other reviews. Guess the way you clean the glass makes a big differences. I don't hand out a lot of fives, but on this particular pour it all came together.)

This beer is full bodied and slick with mild carbonation.

As far as barleywines go, they don't get much more drinkable. This is not cloyingly sweet or palate shredding bitter. Balanced flavors and subtle concealed alcohol make it an easy sipper.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 06:02:29 | More by irishtimepiece

OakedCanuck

Washington

4.15/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz poured into a snifter. 2009 vintage.

This beer pours a copper colour with a nice off white head. Smells of caramel, toffee and some dark fruits. The dark fruits come through strong in the taste, mainly raisins and plums. The back palate hosts toffee, caramel and butterscotch. It is like a dessert! Mouthfeel is light heavy with warming alcohol presence, perfect for a cold day. A true sipper and this one will catch up to you fast but it is worth it!

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 03:27:22 | More by OakedCanuck

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

2007 bottle, extra'd by Jim. Pours a clear guava, pinkish orange color with a head that quickly settles to a collar. Nose is a fairly round malt, sweet apples. Very nice feel in the mouth -- rich, thick, tingling bubbles, kind of evaporates on the tongue. Medium-heavy body, quite a bit of honey, I get this apple quality. A touch of bittering hops that's somewhat at odds with the flavor profile. Fairly large, but I want more aggressive malt and darker fruits here. It's nice, but I'm not sure this particular year is going to get better.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 02:27:51 | More by JAXSON

JMad

Texas

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

I got a 2009 bottle from Hall's and poured it into my snifter...

The liquid was a vibrant orange, the head was white, thin and leave some nice web lacing on the glass.

I smelled a boatload of sweet toffe-like malt, lots of citrusy hops, and a hint of alcohol.

Taste has lots of piney hop flavors, caramel, toffee, and some alcohol heats things up a bit.

It feels silky, heavy, warming, and alcoholic.

This is a beast of a beer, but very enjoyable, take your time with this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2011 23:29:39 | More by JMad

Beertracker

Oklahoma

3.9/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Real Ale's Sisyphus (2007) pours up with a bit of a wallop, lacking much in the way of effervescence but with enough carbonation to create a small, thinnish ring of beige head around the glass above a hazy, deep copper-orangish amber colored body. The aroma is hugely malty & sweet with a ton of apparent caramel and plenty of pleasant fruitiness (e.g. caramel apple, dried apricot, Seville orange slices) & just the faintest wisper of hop character (e.g. Willamette) and some notable warmth that comes through after it warms in hand. Hint of sherry-like oxidation that adds to the complexity. The flavor starts-off very fruity with plenty of sweet-bready character and lots of rich caramel notes along with a perceivable nuttiness (e.g. cashews, caramel peanuts). The maltiness has a clearly defined caramel maltiness from apparent kettle carmelization and some toastiness that adds an extra dimension to this grain fed monster. There's a moderate amount of underlying bitterness that never seems to balance this one out, but it does prevent this one from being overly cloying. The finish is bready, creamy & intensely warming with a wisky-laced kick. This full-bodied American-style barleywine is a rich & chewy, caramel dominated barley treat that is as big & bold as Texas yet seems as refined as a country English gentleman. Here's to the mighty Sisyphus!

CHEERS! Beertracker

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 05:48:15 | More by Beertracker

SpeedwayJim

New York

4.58/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Thanks to Joshua (HopSchnapps) for this one. 2007 vintage. Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a Darkness snifter.

A: Tall pour yields a billowy 2 finger creamsicle colored head with fantastic retention. Beer is a semi-clear dark reddish-orange. Lacing is thick and layered with incredible stick.

S: Nose is subtle but noticeably sweet. Sappy resin hops, caramel, brown sugar, and some toffee notes. Also green raisin thrown in for good measure. Tree sap and syrup.

T: Opens brown sugar and caramel. Sweet toffee and dark fruit flavors towards the middle with some lingering resiny hop bite. Sappy towards the end with some syrup and green raisin sweetness. Finish is tree sap and resiny hops with a slightly bittersweet aftertaste.

M: Medium to full bodied with minimal carbonation. Oily, frothy, and substantial in the mouth. Super smooth going down and not the least bit of heat. Hides its ABV incredibly. Finish is subtle with a muted, lingering aftertaste.

D: The new year is still young but this has to be the frontrunner for the surprise of the year so far. An incredible beer from start to finish and it achieves near perfection in every aspect. I've never had it fresh but aged, this one is a masterpiece through and through. Amazing!!

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2011 00:13:29 | More by SpeedwayJim