XS Old Crustacean Barleywine brewed by Rogue Ales - Newport, Oregon   

In Britain, seasonal brews for winter are robust, malty, and dark. The two main styles of these brews are Old Ales and Barleywines. As the name suggests, barleywines are similar to wines in alcohol and need aging but are derived from grain, not the grape. Rogue’s barleywine is described by beer expert Stuart Ramsey as: “A masterful, intense creation from brewer John Maier....it has achieved a depth and complexity usually associated with well-ages strong ales. I hope the brewery bottles some before it disappears.”  IBUs: 110. ABV: 11.5%.

         
7 Ingredients
Malts: Hugh Baird Carastan and Great Western 2-Row. Hops: Chinook, Cenntenial, and Perle Hops. Pacman Yeast & Free Range Coastal Water.
 
Beer Review by Beer Advocate:
Pours a gorgeous oily light caramel color liquid with some nice orange hues and amber notes. Very nice off-white almost yellowish head that is dense and has some sticky lacing to it. Very nice and thick looking.

Aroma is also very nice. Caramel notes a plenty with some hop backed citrus notes and some herbal grassy and flowery notes. Slight molasses aroma can be perceived with some bready notes as well. There are some nice fruity notes as well with some slight prune notes. Mild heat as the beer warms.

Wow. Pretty impressive brew. Feel and body is a bit lighter than expected but the flavor really makes up for this. Strong malt undertones. Tons of caramel and molasses notes that are quickly overtaken by a nice prickly and citrusy notes. Very strong hop backed flavor profile. Definitely a hop bomb American Barleywine. Delicious combination of hops and caramel malt notes. Very rich flavors and a nice boozy notes. As it warms some more fruit notes pop up with some nice toffee notes as well. Mouthfeel is still pretty thick and oily with some nice carbonation and a nice dry bitter finish.

I was pleasantly surprised. I had stayed away from Rogue for a while but this is a great beer. Very flavorful and well crafted. Great job Rogue.
 

  
The Rogue Ale Story 
Jack Joyce, Bob Woodell, and another friend, Rob Strasser, were approached by Jeff Schultz, Bob's accountant, and an avid home brewer about starting a brewery. After many beers discussing the idea, construction of a small brewery began in June of 1988 in Ashland along a very scenic little stream called Lithia Creek. The 10 bbl brew system was set up in a basement with a 60 seat Pub above. The first brews were Amber and Gold. The Brewery and Pub opened in October 1988.