It is interesting how many breweries have unique styles that characterize many, if not all, of their beers in regular rotation.

Quebec’s Unibroue specializes in ales on lees, meaning every liter is bottle-conditioned and has a yeast sentiment at the bottom. De Dolle Brewery, which literally means “The Mad Brewers,” is known for outstanding Belgian brews.

And in the United States, the Duck-Rabbit Brewery, based in North Carolina, has become associated with the perfection of dark beers.

Duck-Rabbit’s Barleywine Ale is a well-balanced beer that packs a punch.

Watching the draft get poured, it is easy to notice the beer’s hazy color. Another evident facet is the head and how it leaves traces from the sticky hops and malts. Still, the head is surprisingly sweet and lasts a long time.

On top of the pint, the beer smells of rich caramel. While drinking, one notices the heavy aroma of citrus hops. In regards to this, the brew almost smells of a double IPA. A bitter hint of toffee is also apparent.

The Barleywine’s full-bodied taste centers on lots of caramel and toffee, leaving a bittersweet taste on the palate. Duck-Rabbit’s piney and citrus hop flavors are slowly released as the beer runs down the palate, ultimately leaving a warm alcohol finish.

In a world where many breweries seek to perfect light-colored lagers or pilsners, Duck-Rabbit’s Barleywine Ale sets a high standard for dark beers among microbreweries. Priced at $4.50 a pint at Trappeze Pub and sporting a high alcohol content of 11 percent, this is sure to be a new favorite of collegiate beer drinkers.