Thither They Return
Roaring Table Brewing Company

Thither They ReturnThither They Return
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From:
Roaring Table Brewing Company
 
Illinois, United States
Style:
Rotbier
Ranked #2
ABV:
5.1%
Score:
89
Ranked #15,224
Avg:
4.06 | pDev: 4.19%
Ratings:
12 | reviews: 7
Status:
Active
Rated:
May 29, 2023
Added:
Mar 25, 2022
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  0
Franconian-style Rotbier Lager

Here's a seldom seen red beer that ought to be more popular. Our take begins with rich, toasty malt and notes of caramel sweetness and cocoa powder, then transforms into a crisp, dry, eminently drinkable lager lover's lager.

Hops: Magnum, Hallertauer
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by FBarber:
Photo of FBarber
Reviewed by FBarber from Illinois

4.24/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This one pours a dark reddish brown color. Thin khaki colored head forms on the beer, lingers for a while, then dissipates until no residual head remains. Aroma has notes of lightly roasted malts, some nutty malts, and a touch of grassy hops.

Taste is very malty, the roasted malts are very subtle and the nutty malts play a much bigger role in the profile, There is a touch of malty sweetness, some spicy herbal hops and a bit of cocoa. Feel is crisp but medium bodied for such a light lager. Moderate carbonation. Its supremely drinkable. Semi-dry on the back end.

Overall this one is also quite good, but it ends up skewing closer to a Czech dark lager or a schwarzbier.
Mar 19, 2023
More User Ratings:
Photo of jonphisher
Reviewed by jonphisher from New Jersey

4.02/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours deep dark amber, beautiful clarity when backlit, head was quick to rise, light brown in color; settled down to not much of anything pretty quickly.

Nose is very rich in malt; syrupy smelling in quality; dark toast and something fruity to me, almost date or prune like.

Taste leans into that malt, slightly sweet in nature; dark toasted in quality, some spice/pepper character on the finish, the syrupy nature of the malt and the spice almost reminds me of cola.

Light end of medium body; slightly sweet and syrupy, but it actually dries out pretty quickly, that sweetness is there with the liquid and instantly leaves upon swallowing; light touch of bitterness on the finish.
May 29, 2023
 
Rated: 3.78 by bschmidt_37 from Illinois

Apr 14, 2023
Photo of ovaltine
Reviewed by ovaltine from Indiana

4.35/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a reddish-tinged brown color that’s clear and sports a tan colored head. Beautiful beer. The nose features roasty malts, some cocoa, and I swear I smell ripe cherries. Lovely.

The taste is led by the roasty malts and those cherries I referenced, with a bit of cocoa and caramel at the back of the palate. The flavors combined with the crisp mouthfeel makes this an absolute delight to drink.
Apr 08, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by Chuckdiesel24 from Illinois

Nov 10, 2022
 
Rated: 4.09 by cd34 from Illinois

May 22, 2022
Photo of 4DAloveofSTOUT
Reviewed by 4DAloveofSTOUT from Illinois

4.29/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
16oz tallboy can. No canned on date. poured into Goldfinger branded dimpled mug.

Appearance: dark red body with mahogany brown hue. Off white head that stacks up to 3 fingers tall. Sticky lacing clings to the sif=de of the glass. great staying power of the head.

Smell: Malty sweetness. hints of caramel. cocoa powder. Lager yeast.

Taste: Malt forward lager. Lightly toasty grain. Caramel sweetness. Cocoa powder dryness. Earthy hops. Low bitterness.

Mouthfeel: medium light bodied beer with moderate carbonation levels. Creamy texture. Very drinkable lager.

Overall: Never heard of a Franconian-style Rotbier Lager. Whatever it is... I like it. Roaring table made a really nice beer here.
May 21, 2022
Photo of REVZEB
Reviewed by REVZEB from Illinois

4.02/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had on tap. Reddish brown mostly clear body with a tan head. Nose has some amber malt influence with caramel and light earth. Taste has a pronounced darker yeast note, caramel, cocoa, and light earth round out. Feel is malty, smooth, medium-light bodied, drinkable while still having plenty of character
Apr 21, 2022
Photo of steveh
Reviewed by steveh from Illinois

3.92/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Surprisingly, not another onsite purchase -- Binny's this round. Funny that there's no dating on the can, there usually is, but this is a little less than a month old.

Poured into my tall Becher.

L -- Clear, dark, cola-colored, thick and sudsy, light tan head that crashes fast, but revives well.

S -- Light herbal hops and lightly roasted and cocoa-like malt nose. Somewhat thin at first, but swirls help.

T -- Light roasted malts up front; lightly burnt grain and sweetish dark bread crust. Herbal back in the finish. Blend of herbal hops and bitter roasted malts with the light cocoa character in the aftertaste.

M -- Mouthfeel is dry to crisp with a light-medium body.

O -- Reminiscent of a Schwarzbier, but not as roasty. Very clean to drink leaving only a little of the roastiness in the aftertaste to mingle with the light cocoa. A very nice dark lager for when the mood strikes. I wish I had others of the style to compare. Nevertheless, RT has brewed a very drinkable beer.
Apr 12, 2022
 
Rated: 3.8 by TMoney2591 from Illinois

Apr 11, 2022
 
Rated: 4.15 by NappyB from Illinois

Apr 06, 2022
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

4.09/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Released 3/23/22; drank 3/30/22 @ the Yarchives.

Mostly opaque dark brown/orange appearance.

An even pour yielded a small tan head; decent lace.

Acorn, mild cream & faint caramel notes in the nose.

Creamy medium mouthfeel.

Acorn, cream & faint caramel flavors.

A nice, robust lager. I liked this!
Mar 31, 2022