Old Crustacean Barleywine Style Ale – Rogue Ales
So, again, it’s been quite some time since my last Brewsday Tuesday. Yes, I know today is Saturday…I’m just making up for it. After having a wonderful morning/afternoon in Newburyport, MA, we drove back to Salem, NH, and stopped in at McKinnon’s. If you haven’t been there yet, and you’re not too far away, you should stop in for their vast supply of meats and their wonderful choice of frosty-wobbly pops.
I picked out a few odds and ends to sample in the future, including a twelve-pack of the Wachusett sampler and a six-pack of the Harpoon Rye IPA. Like normal, Ashley found something new and exciting for me to try. She’s always on point. The Old Crustacean Barleywine Style Ale, produced by Rogue Ales, comes in a tall frosted black Grolsch-style bottle. The main reason for this style bottle, the 11.5% content. You really don’t want to schwill this bevy.
I popped the top and poured a mug full and the color was a very deep amber. I took a sip and it was like Bruce Lee was assaulting my taste-buds – in a good way. There is a sweet caramel with a hoppy-zip punctuating the finish. Mixed throughout the flavor is an overwhelmingly heavy malt.
About halfway through (the first glass) there is a piney aroma accompanying the hops, which starts to become apparent. There’s definitely enough going on to keep the palate active. This beverage is also, at this point, starting to warm me from the inside. Hence, one glass should definitely be enough to do the job.
I suggest that if you’re up for a challenge and you aren’t afraid of the higher alcohol content then you should give this a go. Just don’t plan to do much afterwards.
