Rock Art Ridge Runner. What is it?

[Zymurgrafi]

They claim it to be a "barley wine ale". It is pretty tasty I think, but a barley wine?

Considering beers over 8% abv cannot be sold in a regular store here in VT (I believe that is the law someone correct me if I am wrong?) it is not exactly in the barley wine range is it?

I have only had one barley wine, I think it was called Old crustacean, and that is what it tasted like, btw. I like the Ridge Runner but I am curious what others would classify this beer as. Off the top of my head it reminds me of Long Trails Double bag which I think is supposed to be a dopplebock although they call it a stickebier? What is a stickebier?

Oh, I have so much to learn...

 

[brewt00l]

I just did a quick search and Rock Art classifies their brew as a "mild barleywine" and Long Trail calls their double bag a strong ale.

A "mild barleywine" would be more an old ale/strong ale in my book but I don't do their marketing.

 

[c.n.budz]

I've had that beer a few times, notice they call it a Mild Barleywine and not just Barleywine. It is good but not a standard barleywine, the ABV is lower than a normal barleywine at 7.2% and a bit milder tasting. They could probably more accurately call it a strong ale but I'm guessing throwing barleywine into the name helps them sell more of it

 

[Evan!]

Yeah, most people don't know what an "old ale" is, I'd venture to guess, and "strong ale" sounds a bit vague to laymen.

On the other hand, I hate that labeling restrictions force breweries to put that stupid "-style" suffix on their b-wines. Oh, yeah, someone might mistake it for grape wine, and then civilization would collapse!!!!! Drrrr.

 

[brewt00l]

Yeah, most people don't know what an "old ale" is, I'd venture to guess, and "strong ale" sounds a bit vague to laymen.

On the other hand, I hate that labeling restrictions force breweries to put that stupid "-style" suffix on their b-wines. Oh, yeah, someone might mistake it for grape wine, and then civilization would collapse!!!!! Drrrr.

Third Coast....Harviestouns...mmmmmmm <drool>

 

[the_bird]

There is an 8%-restriction in Vermont; couldn't buy Stone 10th Anniversary when I was in Bennington...

 

[Zymurgrafi]

There is an 8%-restriction in Vermont; couldn't buy Stone 10th Anniversary when I was in Bennington...

That is what I thought and yet I was not sure because...

I can get 9-10% belgian beers in the liquor outlet. Strangeness...

I was just going off what the bottle says and it does not say "mild" anywhere on it. So, Old or strong ale seems to be the concensus. That makes sense. So sort of in the league of Hobgoblin?


Stickebier though still???

 

[brewt00l]

Stickebier though still???

I don't see that term on their site...but a quick google reveals that is a term for "secret beer"

 

[Glibbidy]

That is what I thought and yet I was not sure because...

I can get 9-10% belgian beers in the liquor outlet. Strangeness...

Yes, you can. These beers are only available at the liquor store due to their ABV. There is legislation in progess here in VT to change that. Once passed it will also give Commercial VT brewers the ability to start selling beers with an ABV higher then 8%.

You may also notice you pay a .15 deposit for those bottles as well.

I will need to pickup and try some of this ridge runner. In the past I have found Rockarts beer to be somewhat lackluster, and boring, but then again I'm spoiled with some of the best beer brewed in the world which is a few block from my house.

 

[Zymurgrafi]

In the past I have found Rockarts beer to be somewhat lackluster, and boring, but then again I'm spoiled with some of the best beer brewed in the world which is a few block from my house.

Well, the ridge runner is pretty decent but I would not say any of their beer is quite McNeill's.

Though I was dissapointed last time I picked up some bombers of McNeill's. I had their imperial IPA and it was FLAT. I did not notice when I bought it but it was filled all the way up so, no head space at all.

Keep thinking I should send them a letter and see about a free "replacement" bottle

 

[Zymurgrafi]

oh, and yes I have noticed the $.15 deposit

Hope that does not carry over. Really bizarre that you can buy wine (12-13% abv?) anywhere, but 8% beer has to be sold in the liquor outlet.