Rogue XS Old Crustacean

Rogue XS Old Crustacean is an American Barleywine. This review is for the 2013 vintage, opened on Halloween Eve, 2014.

This is one of the best smelling non-barrel aged Barleywines I’ve had the pleasure to get my nose into. Tons of luscious sweetness, getting caramel and brown sugar with each whiff. Maybe just this slightest hint of apples and white grapes as well. That sweetness, and the hints of apples, are perfectly present in the taste as well. Of course, you can add a heap of hop bitterness and flavor to that as well. The Rogue Pacman yeast is really evident in this too, adding even more spicy goodness to bold Newport and Cenntenial hops in this big American Barleywine. The distinct house flavors associated with Rogue really work perfectly with this beer.

This is a Rogue beer that will probably make into my Barleywine rotation. It’s the kind of quality beer you want to have on hand in your cellar for when you’re in the mood.