Brew House Barrel Stout
Rocky Run Tap And Grill

on tap from rocky run in charles village. very drinkable stout, not as thick as some. dominant coffee tastes with a little bit of chocolate. the flavor becomes more prominent as it warms. goes very well with food. my favorite of the rocky run microbrews

-notes from 12/04

NOTE - Had this one at the location in Savage, MD.

Arrived in a skinny 12 oz. mug, not allowing me to catch more than faint roasted malt smells of either chocolate or coffee.
Had a very dark color but was somewhat syrupy from what I could tell, medium-bodied overall.

Not much on the palate to begin with as it just kind of blandly, smoothly passed over (I think they served it too cold). The only significant taste came from the aftertaste, where a backbite of coffee really hits you.

This isn't a bad beer, I just wouldn't order it w/ high expectations. As far as stouts go you can do MUCH better.

Now, I am never in Maryland, just happened to visit because my brother was in a hockey tourney. The other reviews of Rocky Run beers seem to be real good; maybe the location in Savage, MD just sucks. See for yourself.

Ordered a sampler platter and was pleasantly surprised with this one, most of the others also. Poured a deep back color and was topped by a large and thick brown head. The nose was big and roasty with hints of coffee. The coffee played through into the flavor and carried dryness with it. Was a little light in the body but still present a nice dry finish. Good Beer.

Just had this beer Tuesday night at the Columbia location. Please note that this is a chain: there are three locations total. This location is supposedly where they brew the beer. I have had the beers a few years ago at the Baltimore location, and they sucked.

A deep, dark black beer, poured cold with CO2 and not nitrogen. Tight bubbles with a dark tan head. Nice mix of smells, but nothing overwhelming.
Taste was a bitter chocolatey flavor. Went over the tongue well, leaving a bit of coffee. Drinks well. During happy hour, 20oz. beer goes down easy.

This dry Irish stout is not poured via nitrogen dispense, which is welcome! It's black body rests beneath a short, creamy head of dark tan foam and reveals brilliant ruby highlights when held to the light. The head retention is good and it maintains a thin lid and leaves some spotty lace throughout the first part of the glass. The nose is restrained, but offers a subtle roasty note. There's something odd but I cannot pinpint what it is. The body is medium-light and its smooth with a gently crisp carbonation. Roastiness, caramel, and fruit appear in the flavor backed by a solid bitterness that balances well. It finishes dry with a lingering, roasted, black coffee aftertaste that begs you to sip again.