Rogue XS Old Crustacean Barleywine

Rogue Ales are from Newport, Oregon. This barleywine comes in at 11.5% ABV and a big 110 IBU's. It is the 2012 vintage. The beer pours a very dark and dense amber in color. There is over an inch of off-white head, thick, yet bubbly, creamy, yet foamy. The aroma is lots of roasted malt, caramel, sweetness, fruity, some tartness, wood, dates. The taste follows the aromas, massive malt, lots of caramel, sweet, yet immediately cut off by massive bitterness, wood, dried dark fruits, and a touch of molasses. The finish is very dry. There are light fruity notes that bounce up out of all the malt and bitterness. A solid barleywine.