Archive for June 21st, 2009

• @ESBAle Mrs. OAB not jazzed about watermelon wheat but I think sound interesting. Plus-excellent beer name! in reply to ESBAle #
• @kgs not to gloat but never need AC here @ OAB HQ. House stays @ 70 even if outside is 90. Gotta love big maples and cold cellar. in reply to kgs #
• Possibly used too much clove in the Belgian. Great hazy gold color. Would like a touch more citrus balance. #
• 1st tasting @foamybeer Ring My Belgian – 2wks in bottle. A bit geysery but this bottle had some bottom yeast. Big spicy Belgian candy beer. #
• 1st bottling session done:@foamybeer My Cherry Amore Wheat. Next up:@foamybeer Taste of Honey Amber. 2 bottling in 1 day = a bit of a pain. #

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Brewery: Rock Art Brewery
Location: Morrisville, VT
Style: Barley wine ale

Keeping in a Vermont beer mode (see the last few days of Wolaver’s/Otter Creek reviews), next stop is Morrisville and the Rock Art Brewery Ridge Runner Barley Wine Ale. One major factor in picking this bomber up was the price – $3.99.

That’s right $3.99 for a bomber of craft beer!

Now I can’t say for certain it was not on some sort of close out, but it was in the regular stock surrounded by all of the usual pricey craft bombers. Like a slightly sad kitten at a shelter, it just seemed wrong NOT to pick one up and take it home.

This pours a dark amber brown with a thick creamy long lasting head. There is a dense malty aroma. Tasting proves to also be big on the malt. There is an excellent sweetness – not too cloy – with a lovely additional nuttiness. That is finished off with a hint of bitter hops at the very end.

This is a medium bodied barley wine. Not as thick as most I’ve had – more like an amped up dark American ale. There is a bit of alcohol linger on the tongue, but all in all this is a somewhat toned down brew good for a summer’s evening but not the sort of big brew you expect in a barley wine.

Than again – at $3.99 a bomber – if I see it again I’d most likely pick it up.