Rocky's Revenge Bourbon Brown - Tyranena Brewing Company

portia99

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12oz bottle poured into a Bruery tulip.

A - Pours a bit thin in appearance into the black. A murky brown colored liquid settles into the glass with a 1/2 finger of short lived rocky white head. Quickly only an uneven collar and sparse lacing is left as evidence.

S - Nutty and quite roasty in aroma. Medium kilned malt, touch of caramel, lots of earthy hop notes and bitterness. Bottle says a portion is aged in bourbon barrels...not picking anything up to back up this statement in the aroma.

T - Bourbon is subdued but is still quite noticeable in the flavor however. I would say it is the first thing that comes thru in the flavor of the beer. More earthy hops with a lower level bitterness. Plenty of roasted malts and a bit of caramelly sweetness.

M - Body is a bit thin and rather watery in feel. Carbonation is low and barely manages to contribute a pin prick or two on the tongue. Flavors are roasty and earthy and fade to a a mild bourbony kick of booze tingle on the back of the throat at the finish.

O - Not a bad beer at all...pretty decent American brown ale if not overwhelming. Bourbon notes are mild - very mild. If I didn't read it on the bottle I might attribute the flavors to something else. A slightly fuller body and turning the dial up on the bourbon a click or two would do wonders for this beer. Glad to have picked this up on a recent trip to the midwest.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 22:30:34 | More by portia99

PieOhMy

Minnesota

3.14/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

A Pours a fizzy dark brown, no head and little lacing around the sides.

S Smokey, chocolate, oak. Lots of oak. Too much oak.

T Oak taste hits hard. Followed by toffee, caramel, brown sugar. Oak returns along with a bitter aftertaste. The smokiness in the scent is lacking in the flavor.

M Slight fizzy and smooth. Finishes with a bit of carbonation lingering.

O I like the bitterness in the finish but that's about all Rocky's is got going for it. Way off balance, though they try. Very sweet and nothing to counter this. The aging is probably what kills this beer. Too much oak. Not a fan.

Poured into tulip.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 04:04:51 | More by PieOhMy

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

12oz bottle into a teku. The brew appears a dark cherry to mahogany color with a yellowish tan cap that is quick to fade. When held to the light, the brew appears a brilliant ruby color with almost yellowish orange coloring around the edges. Despite a careful pour, some chunks of yeast particulate find their way into the glass. The cap fades quick but a swirl revives a finger back to the surface. As the cap fades, it leave some spots of lace on the glass.

The aroma of this brew includes notes of dirty pennies. A bit mineral filled and carbonic with some tangy alcohol notes. A little bit of caramel, toffee and sweet vanilla. As the brew warms up, a bit more focus on toffee and burnt brown sugary character emerges.

The flavor of this brew is herbal with hops, a bit of earthen notes blend with minerals and some carbonic character. A faint amount of barrel presence is there across the back somewhat like vanilla mixed with caramel or toffee and a slight buttery touch before the hops come into play with a neutral fruit flavor.

This is a medium to lighter bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. It starts off a bit awkward and then the barrel presence comes into play which is nice. However, this brew doesn't seem to come all the way around and form a cohesive package. I am not that impressed with this but it isn't a terrible brew by any regards.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 02:16:31 | More by stakem

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.71/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

a deep amber almost brown pour with a finger of creme colored head. smells of chocolate, roasted grains, vanilla. this has a nice bourbon flavor to it, nice vanilla notes, and a sweet malty backbone to match up. a very enjoyable beer. medium body with moderate amount of carbonation.. feels light for a bourbon barrel aged beer.

overall this is a nice bba porter. sweet, malty, and not too overwhelming on the bourbon. honestly, pretty sessionable beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 21:43:49 | More by facundoCNB

bsp77

Minnesota

3.94/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Serving glass: Poured from bottle into Imperial Pint.

Appearance: Dark reddish brown as expected, but struggles for much head.

Smell: Caramel and chocolate, with some light bourbon.

Taste: Bourbon is noticeable upfront, along with the expected Brown Ale players of chocolate, caramel, cherry and nuts. The finish has floral components, as well as oak.

Feel: Moderately carbonated, medium-bodied beer with a somewhat drying finish.

Overall: Pretty much as described, as standard Brown Ale with bourbon, which elevates the good, but not great, base beer. Nice to see bourbon used for a lower alcohol beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2013 12:31:46 | More by bsp77

mdfb79

New York

4.16/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

From 01/19/13 notes. Had a bottle of this at Lou Malnati's in Chicago. 12 oz. bottle poured into a pint glass, bottled on 12/17/12.

a - Pours a deep mahogany brown color with one inch of white head and low carbonation evident.

s - Smells of nuts, caramel malts, chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, toasted malts, and roasted malts. Bourbon is there but not overpowering; I like it quite a bit.

t - Tastes of sweet vanilla and chocolate, caramel malts, toffee, bourbon, oak, nuts, toasted malts, roasted malts. Taste is nice and sweet with more vanilla than the nose had; a slight step up for me.

m - Medium body and low carbonation; very smooth and easy to drink.

o - Overall I thought this was a really good BA brown ale; the bourbon comes through but doesn't dominate it, and give the taste a lot of vanilla and sweetness. Lots of flavor and easy to drink, would love to have this one again.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 19:42:31 | More by mdfb79

Malty_Matty

Indiana

3.01/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Huge disappointment. The bourbon flavor completely overwhelms the beer. I would suggest a bolder brown ale base to this beer. I have to give them props, I love a good Brown ale, and bourbon could definitely jive with the style, I just don't know if there is a brown up to the task.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 00:26:01 | More by Malty_Matty

TWStandley

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on NYE.

Drank from the bottle (gasp).

Smelled of light bourbon, dark fruits, and vanilla.

Taste followed the nose. Very tasty brown ale. Vanilla is prevalent and the bourbon, though only slight, takes this beer to the next level. I loved the taste of this one.

Mouth-feel was a bit thin but makes this one very drinkable.

I had little expectations for this one, and it came through huge. Loved the bourbon touch on a tasty brown ale. If you like bourbon barreled stouts, etc., pick this one up for a lighter, more session-able option when you get the barrel-cravings.

Nice!

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 23:43:28 | More by TWStandley

Belgianbeerbunny

Illinois

3.23/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Brown with maroon undertones. Head quickly dissipates to less than 1/2 inch.

S - Slightest hint of bourbon. Malt, too.

T - Barely perceptible bourbon taste. Some vanilla.

M - Found it thin for a beer that is so dark.

O - I am a big fan of the bourbon barrel-aged beers and was looking for a little more bourbon here. The color and the scent made me optimistic, but the taste and mouth-feel left me feeling as flat as this ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 01:03:35 | More by Belgianbeerbunny

mfnmbvp

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle, no bottled on date present.

A - Pours an extremely dark ruby brown color, about a half finger of head on the glass, with some nice lacing coming on down the sides.

S - Smells extremely nutty to me. I get a nice wiff of peanuts up front which is just marvelous. A little bit of an oaked hot boozey smell coming in also from the bourbon barrels.

T - Wonderful vanilla, oak flavor, which is very pleasing since I couldn't really detect some nice subtle vanilla in the nose. Not really tasting much bourbon, but there is a vague hotness that lingers in the end.

M - Nice mouth, not too dry not too moist. The vanilla oak taste kind of lingers for a bit.

Overall, this is a very well made beer, the only one I've had from Tyranena Brewing as of yet. The label is nice to look at, and since I am familiar with the locale, Rock Lake, it makes this beer all the more attractive. I would recommend this to folks who enjoy a nice bourbon aged beer. Overall, this beer is a winner.

Tyranena Brewing Rocky's Revenge ---4/5.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 00:34:10 | More by mfnmbvp

WankelEngine

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass

A: Pours a dark but clear brown color. There is a light tan head of foam which fades from about one finger to a thick cap. Moderate lacing is a pleasant touch.

S: Not a very potent aroma. Some mild brown malt and just a touch of oak.

T: Woah vanilla! This is one sweet, vanilla heavy beer. Some background oak character. I don't taste any bourbon at all.

M: Smooth, creamy and low carbonation.

O: An interesting effort. No bourbon character despite the advertisement. Very vanilla but not a complex flavor. Mediocre effort overall.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 23:49:02 | More by WankelEngine

rlee1390

Indiana

3.88/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Clear ruby brown, one finger almost off white head that tries to leave behind some lacing.

S-Nuts, roasted malt, oak and some bourbon.

T-Roasted malt, nuts, vanilla, oak, bourbon all of which mesh together well.

M-Medium bodied, nice carbonation, smooth.

O-Had at a tailgate and I finally found it to do a formal review, a solid brew. Nothing amazing but I just enjoy drinking this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 16:58:47 | More by rlee1390

barleywinefiend

Washington

2.98/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A: Poured slow, boring and dark brown with some reddish highlightss. Small white head quickly fades to a ring around the glass.

S: Light vanilla, toffee, caramel malt and hints if bourbon

T : Sweet malt flavor and caramel with a nice bourbon flavor evident on the finish. Not an overpowering flavor of bourbon. Perhaps I would like a bit more of the bourbon showing. Some nuts, light vanilla and toffee provide some flavor but this beer was rather muddy.

M: Medium body with a light carbonation, not okay for the style.

O: Not impressed, not bad but probably would not drink again. Besides the poor carbonation and muddled flavors it was not bad.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 15:00:02 | More by barleywinefiend

MaximalC

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours almost cola brown with burnt orange highlights and a modest off-white head that soon recedes, leaving a thin layer of froth on the surface. Aroma smells mildly of brown sugar and milk chocolate, with a touch of alcoholic heat. The flavor is a blend of both caramel and roasted malt, with a solid hop presence and a noticeable oaky, bourbon accent. The sweetness is most present up front before being subdued by the hops. The bourbon presents most prominently in the finish. Some black coffee can be detected as well. This beer has a number of elements working for it as far as the taste is concerned, but the downside is there is not a great deal of cohesiveness, as each aspect appears to assert itself in sequence as opposed to in a balanced blend. The carbonation may be a shade too prickly as well. Don't get me wrong, as this is still a very drinkable brown ale, but it lacks some polish that could elevate it to the next level.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 00:24:56 | More by MaximalC

Thedaver4220

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. Bottle poured in a pint glass

Rockys revenge poured a murky brown with some ruby highlights with about a 1.5 finger head. It smelled of sweet malt with a little vanilla. The taste was just like it smelled. Malty sweet with vanilla notes. Not much bourbon taste though. There was some alcohol heat but not much. I was expecting more barrel flavor, but was let down. It's not a bad brew, but it could have been much more.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 18:58:46 | More by Thedaver4220

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

2.85/5  rDev -24.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle poured into a Horny Goat pint glass.

Appearance- Very dark brown with red hues. Off white head that dissipates to a small layer on top that leaves some spotty lacing.

Smell- Some raisin, cracker and very very slight nuttiness. Pretty mellow smelling overall.

Taste- Similar to the nose as far as mellowness. Toasted nut and thats about it, very tasteless beer really.

Mouthfeel- Medium body with average carbonation. A little less then average on the drinkability factor.

Overall- Bottom line is that it is a very blase beer with not a lot going on. Would I rather have it then a Miller Lite? Yes, but would I rather have it then a PBR? No!

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 01:45:11 | More by BrownAleMale

tigg924

Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: dark brown in color, hazy, minimal head, moderate carbonation

Smell: dark chocolate and coconut

Taste: complex-chocolate, vanilla, oaking from the whiskey and a touch of coconut taste

Mouthfeel: sweet with a dry end, moderate carbonation, medium-heavy bodied

Overall: One of the best beers I had on my recent trip out west. I love the complexity and there is a bit of a taste of coconut that really makes this stand apart. This one reminds me almost of a good candy bar mixed with beer--may not sound good but is fantastic. This would be a regular staple in my fridge if I could get it here. Fantastic beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 17:23:04 | More by tigg924

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.65/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into an E&J Cask & Cream glass on 8/8/12

Chestnut brown at the stem, gradually blending to a darker brown higher up in the glass. The color is antiquated and quite striking. One thumb head doesn't last too long, leaving a squat layer of foam. A few strands of lace up top develop into thick swaths farther down.

Pleasant aroma of dark baked breads, nuts, spice and an underlying earthiness. Aside from wisps of vanilla, I'm not picking out much of the barrel aged portion (probably a good thing). The taste is snappier than the aroma, but it's a nice progression from one to the other. While there's still a decent showing of dry bread, there is a concise fruit twang in the mid-section and a mild raking of hops. From there, nuances of the barrel emerge - charred oak and subtle bourbon. The feel is a hurried medium, made so by lively, robust carbonation. Hmm. The carbonation actually works pretty well here.

Rocky's Revenge is a refreshing surprise. Brown ales are far from my go to style, but I like to drink them from time to time; this one seemed interesting, so I gave it a shot. I'm glad I did. I think the portion-aged is key with this one; the barrel adds depth and integrated layers.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 05:53:47 | More by Ryan011235

n2185

North Carolina

3.13/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: pours a murky brown with not even half a finger of tan head that immediately dissipates with no lacing.

S: vanilla, caramel, and oak on the nose with some oxidized notes as well. Not for sure how old the bottle is.

T: vanilla, oak, and caramel here as well with slight bourbon notes following. The finish is sweet and a little bready.

M: medium body with low carbonation, this beer is a bit watery.

O: an alright beer overall, tbough nothing apecial. It's a bit too simplistic and undercarbonated.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 21:52:38 | More by n2185

Etan

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Skylark, Chicago.

A: Amber brown, off-white head.

S: Sweetish amber malt - brown bread, a bit of bourbon.

T: Caramel, whole wheat bread, slight bourbon kick and sweetness. A bit of cinnamon, very nutty but in a flat sort of way.

M: Tingly carbonation, medium-bodied.

O: The bourbon level reached with the partial blend was good, but I didn't really like the beer itself too much. Sort of a flat brown.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 17:54:31 | More by Etan

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.8/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from session notes.

A. Pours out darker (yet still transparent) mahogany with a rapidly dispersing single finger head and no real lacing to speak of.

S. I can pick out the aroma of chocolate bars with peanuts and marzipan as well as a mildly toasted breadiness underneath the mild bourbon / vanilla / coconut tones.

T,M. The flavor has a more mild bourbon level than the nose would indicate. Dry caramel malt and nuts get joined up with the gentle bourbon tones and some milk chocolate tones with the finish allowing the nutty tones to dance on the palate nearly solo long after the bourbon has faded out. Body is somewhat thinner and spritzier than expected, carbonation is slightly sluggish for the flavors.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2012 16:38:19 | More by WastingFreetime

ferrari29

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Beer poured from bottle into a Nonic shaped pint glass

A - Beer pours with a very well carbonated dark brown colored body; opaque; nice white head forms on the top of the glass; small chucks of yeast are floating around; moderate lacing formed around the edge of the glass

S - Sweet bourbon barrel smell; secondary scents of roasted nut malt; scents of yeasty mold; oak; rich caramel; grain alcohol

T - Sweet bourbon barrel taste; toasted malty taste; caramel and nuts; peanuts

M - Thin and slightly effervescent; lingering brown sugar flavor

D - Very good beer; I like the whole brown nut bourbon barrel aged concept; could use a little more bourbon taste

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2012 03:56:45 | More by ferrari29

EgadBananas

Louisiana

3.6/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First off, I can't help but be drawn to the concept of a brown ale with some barrel aging!

Pours brown, appropriately, with a light tan head. Twas very minimal and short lived, though it didn't dissipate away completely.

The nose is nutty, with caramel sweetness, and some light oak and bourbon notes...very light.

Taste is as well nutty, with bits of caramel and oak. There's some light bourbony notes too. Wish I knew the percentage of barrel aging.

Nice slick feel, medium body, solid carbonation.

Different, and while the barrel aging adds a nice dynamic to a style that can be hit or miss for me, but still, not the best brown I've had.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 02:35:55 | More by EgadBananas

tobelerone

New Jersey

3.3/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Weird beer. It looked pretty nice, a rich brown color with a small tan head, decent lacing and head retention. Kind of a boozy, bourbony nose, some sweet malts, an oak note perhaps. Not the nicest flavor; there’s definitely a prominent bourbon taste, but it overwhelms the rest of the beer. Not that this is super-boozy, because it isn’t, it just tastes like a bourbon barrel and the base brown ale seems too meek to support it. Some bready malt, oak, caramel and/or toffee sweetness detected underneath. Not bad, per se, but just a bit unabalanced and unsatisfying.

The feel was pretty good, medium body and carbonation, somewhat smooth and creamy. But I can’t say it was particularly enjoyable or tasty or that I’d seek this one out again.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2012 18:56:13 | More by tobelerone

eatabagofbooger

Oregon

3.1/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle to a snifter

A: Like a typical brown ale. Rusty brown with slight ruby hints. Very little head that doesn't stick around long. Nothing special, but I don't really expect much from this style in terms of appearance. Put simply, it's adequate

S: Bourbon, bourbon, bready malts, bourbon. Good thing I like the smell of bourbon! Maybe a little bit of black tea

T: A LOT more going on here than I would expect from the nose. Very tannic and woody, with a hint of herbal hops. Bourbon is there, but nowhere near as strong as in the nose. It's actually pretty subdued. Not too much from the malts, though. Lots going on, but none of it too interesting.

M: Here's where things fall apart. This beer could really use more carbonation OR a thincker mouthfeel. As it is, it's both slick and thin, which is a terrible combination.

O: I'm rating this a bit high just because I really like the idea of a beer that gets some good bourbon, oak, tannins in at a moderate abv and in a 12oz format to boot. These give the beer a pretty damn good "drinkability", even if it isn't such a great example of a brown ale or a barrel aged beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 22:44:49 | More by eatabagofbooger