Rogue Old Crustacean

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

XS 2013 Batch: Pours a hazy dark orange with a foamy beige head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, caramel, toffee, citrus fruit, and citrus zest. Taste is much the same with a sweet flavor and an herbal hop flavor on the finish. There is a medium amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer that is tasty and easy to drink, a bit pricey, i wish they didnt have to use these ceramic bottles.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

On tap @ Flying Saucer, Nashville. Lightly murky brown pour, tight short tan cap, nice droopy lacing. Big malt presence meets ton o'hops. Earthy, then sweet, then boozy. Lots going on here. Nice earthy big linger. Very nice as it warms. Big ass beer.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Bottles from 1995 and 1998 recently opened at our yearly Epic Vertical Tasting, please note my thoughts are on these well aged bottles and do not reflect any traits of a fresh release. Considering the age of these bottles, I was blown away at how well the beer has held up. At this time it's all about a mix of richly sweet malts providing influences of bran cereal and lightly roasted grains along with a heavy dose of dark fruits and berries. Minor biscuit and sugary candy aspects as well. Oxidation has creeped in, but does not diminish the overall enjoyment of this beer. Hearty and robust on the palate.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Bottle, under some obscure Japanese name, sampled at HaandBryggeriet, Drammen, Norway. This is the only Rogue ale with an ABV that fits, hope it's the right one. Deep copper colour, decent beige head. Intense aroma and flavour dominated by caramel malts, plenty of sweetness. Full and rich mouthfeel. Pretty impressive, I guess, if you’re on the caramel wagon.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

Crustacean. What a trip. Had this from the tap at the "Yard House." LIsted as Strong ale to not scare the lay person. It was very mild in terms of a Barley wine and quite smooth. There was nice balance of malts against the alcohol taste that was very present. A very dark brew, I was very satisfied with this choice.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Orange/Amber, very nice silky body that wasn't too thick and syrupy. No head to speak of, just a dotted ring and braille-like lacing. The hacksaw bitterness is all there--and almost overwhelming--but also burned sugar, a little malty nose, and bitter daisy stem flavor that lingers in the throat. Drank it while eating swiss fondue one time, and the fat seems to have smoothed the IBU out. This time, on an empty stomach, I am pacing myself but still looking forward to another taste.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Says RogueXS in the tittle of the smaller bottles (2004). Pours a pretty dark brown colour with decent lacing, slightly hazy, good retention and has small residue all over. Big chocolate nose with some notes of malt, nuts and hop. The mouthfeel has mild tartiness, but is overall smooth and nice, with no burn. Wow ! Really bitter... and it stays. Lots of chocolate too (but I do not see chocolate in the ingredients). Quite a hit in the face !!

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Pours a translucent mahogany with a fine-bubbled but not thick head (though this may be an artifact of the pour). Aroma is malty and has hints of cloves and hard cider. Flavor is strong and syrupy with a fierce alcohol bite and tones of maple syrup, caramel and hops. It is quite bitter yet has a whisper of sweetness. Texture is ragged and rough with a syrupy core.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

This is pretty good for a barleywine. They usually are a little too bitter for my liking, but this is well balanced and VERY smooth. I don't know if it is worth the price. Can probably achieve the same result buying a six-pack of Bigfoot Ale for half the price. If you are looking for an expensive luxury beer, and like Barleywine, then is probably worth trying.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 4

Old review of a fresh bottle of 2007 - but I obviously should have let this age. Interesting to review it fresh though. Why did I like this so little? Dark brown beer, oddly shaded brown cap and a tiny bit of retention. Aroma: alcohol first that almost burns the nose, weak toffee, some coffee. Boring. I sure hope that I have another one in the cellar so I can prove this review wrong. The taste is pretty lame as well. Pretty straight forward BW. Yeast, some sweetness, slight coffee and something else tied into the coffee bitterness. Full bodied. Chalky and not enough bitterness. Highly unsatisfying. I think that there was just waaaay too much stuffed into this bottle.