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.