Rackhouse
Great Lakes Brewing Co.

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From:
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
 
Ohio, United States
Style:
American Strong Ale
ABV:
9.5%
Score:
92
Avg:
4.13 | pDev: 8.23%
Reviews:
47
Ratings:
108
Status:
Active
Rated:
Oct 23, 2020
Added:
Oct 27, 2005
Wants:
  14
Gots:
  12
Sweet ale aged in oak bourbon barrels.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4.34 by cmrncrzy10 from Ohio

Oct 23, 2020
 
Rated: 4.31 by Jcarriglio from Florida

Dec 24, 2019
 
Rated: 4.03 by DVMin98 from North Carolina

Dec 04, 2019
 
Rated: 3.55 by heerboth from Pennsylvania

Jun 10, 2019
Photo of stortore
Reviewed by stortore from Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
22 ounce bottle into a tulip snifter. Had 10/5/18.

Pours a clear medium amber, with a one and a half inch foamy head and some slippery, foamy lacing. Aromas of figs, dates, malt, toffee, brown sugar, raisins, light apples and cherries, faint bourbon. The flavor shows more bourbon, then figs, dates, malt, plums, raisins, caramel, some brown sugar, light vanilla, a hint of cherries. It’s a bit sweet. Smooth, a good medium body, well carbonated.

Great aroma and flavor, has a big feel for a lighter body. Well made and enjoyable. Also had on tap, which I thought was slightly better, and that’s factored into the overall rating. Worth a purchase.
Apr 16, 2019
 
Rated: 4.28 by Mikexw from New York

Jan 22, 2019
Photo of SABERG
Reviewed by SABERG from Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 22 oz bottle from 2018 release into the test glass
A - Mahogany colored, clear as a bell, with meandering carbonation strolling top side. A thin cap of white is quick to recede.
S - Notes of vanilla, some barrel tannin, toasted oak, earthy grains. light brown sugar, caramel also
T - Well that follows the aromatics well. add toffee, and more earthy grains and you have a treat here for sure.
M - A bit slick to start, quick shift to semi sweet, then drying out with a sweet bourbon linger.
O - A very rich offering, with excellent feel. The flavors run a field through the base ale and barrel treatment. Excellent offering
Jan 01, 2019
 
Rated: 4.34 by Dactrius from Netherlands Antilles

Nov 05, 2018
 
Rated: 4.03 by cp45 from New Jersey

Oct 04, 2018
 
Rated: 4.25 by StormAles from Canada (ON)

Sep 19, 2018
Photo of MacMalt
Reviewed by MacMalt from New Jersey

4.21/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
On draught at the Stirling Hotel. 12 oz. pour served in a tulip glass. It pours a pretty light ruby-cola color with orange hues and a half finger of long-lasting, creamy, ecru-colored head and a thin sheen of creamy lacing. It has a pleasing smell of sweet malt, caramel, butterscotch, brown sugar, and light but noticeable bourbon. As expected, it's quite sweet and opens with caramel, vanilla, and butterscotch. At mid-sip I'm tasting black cherry and bourbon that is subtle enough not to distract from the other flavors. Each taste stands out but they blend seamlessly. This ale is thick and creamy with moderate carbonation, and you can feel the 9.5% ABV. It's a sipper and it paired really nicely with a brisket sandwich.
Jun 30, 2018
Photo of VABA
Reviewed by VABA from Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A-Pours a hazy dark amber color with a slight head and lacing
A-Aroma has slight bourbon hints
T-The taste follows the nose with a bourbon flavor
M-A medium bodied well carbonated beer
O-A good balanced American Strong Ale
Jun 27, 2018
 
Rated: 4.04 by monorailred from Texas

Jun 18, 2018
Photo of schoolboy
Reviewed by schoolboy from Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
If you are at the Great Lakes pub you have a couple good alternatives beyond the usual brews from this oldest of craft brewers in the region. This is one of them.

It's a monster dark ale, a little deeper than red, with beautiful color and fizz. The aroma is a boozy blend, enhanced by the aging process. The taste is a well balanced strong ale (not too deep, dark and foreboding, but enough to know it is serious) and pretty smooth drinking for a big boy..

Highly recommended, This is the one you want to get rather than something you can also get bottled.
Jun 17, 2018
 
Rated: 4.06 by DigitGrowler from Kentucky

May 29, 2018
 
Rated: 3.78 by Eychung from New York

May 17, 2018
 
Rated: 3.84 by Mantooth from North Carolina

Jan 18, 2018
Photo of Slatetank
Reviewed by Slatetank from Pennsylvania

4.12/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A great strong ale
Looks thick with auburn nutty hue
Smell is a caramel and bourbon mix
Tastes like wood with bourbon drenched booziness
Overall a bit strong in taste yet lots of bourbon makes for a warming sipper...Mouthfeel is easier on the palate as it finishes
Dec 10, 2017
 
Rated: 4.16 by kell50 from North Carolina

Dec 09, 2017
 
Rated: 4.38 by WesMantooth from Ohio

Oct 23, 2017
Rackhouse from Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 108 ratings