Rock Art Brewery’s The Vermonster - Tasting and Cellaring Notes
By jason on Sep 23, 2008 in Barleywines & Strong Ales, Reviews
Name: The Vermonster
Brewer: Rock Art Brewing
Style: Barleywine (Double IPA?)
Vintage: 2008
Cellared On: September 1st, 2008
Original Tasting: September 8th, 2008
Hi folks. I’m still struggling to work through my backlog of reviews here. I know, I know, what a tough hobby I have! Drinking is hard work! 
This was my first beer from Rock Art Brewing in Vermont. I’m sure it won’t be my last, since they seem to be making some darn good beverages there! I shared this brew (along with some others) at a Monday Night Football gathering with some buddies; you’ll be hearing some of their thoughts in a bunch of upcoming posts.
The Vermonster poured a perfectly clear mahogany red with no head to speak of. There was a HUGE hoppy smell to this brew, with plenty of citrus grapefruit and a touch of orange in the air. I could sense some sweet malts in the background, but they were defintely on the subtle side. The alcohol of this beer wasn’t subtle at all, and was clearly present with just a whiff or two (it was 10% abv to be exact).
Not surprisingly, there was plenty of bitter flavor to back up those hop smells. This brew was incredibly bitter from start to finish with almost no let up at all. As you would expect, the hops brought a big citrus flavor, with a grapefruit taste being easily the most prominent. The sweet malts were playing second fiddle here, and I could sense some dark fruit just wanting to burst out. The finish was long and sweet, but bitter hops still ruled, even here.
The big discussion between me and my friends was exactly how to classify this beer - is it a Barleywine or a Double IPA? I, along with Mike W, thought it was more on the Double IPA side. We felt the hops were just too overwhelming and clearly the main attraction. Darren, on the other hand, thought we were F’in nuts, and this was CLEARLY a Barleywine. I guess it doesn’t matter too much, in the end we all enjoyed it.
I’ll be searching out some more brews from Rock Art to be sure. Hopefully they’ll start churning out the big beers now!
Cellar Outlook: This brew should be a good one long term. I think there is plenty of dark fruity goodness just waiting for the hoppy bitterness to subside.
Next Tasting: March 2009
Jason
One day soon, I’ll be heading up to Morrisville, VT, where both Rock Art Brewery and my wife’s Grandmother live. I intend to take full advantage and get as much of their beer as our vehicle will hold. I’ll recommend the Magnumus Ete Tomahawkus ESB³, as it is quite another hoppy monster of a beer.
Keith | Sep 23, 2008 | Reply
Nice, sounds like a great reason to visit Grammy!
I’m definitely going to look for the ESB next time I’m in Vermont, it sounds great!
jason | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply