It was the Round Boy Stout which ended up being the most interesting beer in their lineup. Now, when it comes to stouts I tend to find that I am not a big fan. They tend to feel thin and flat in my mouth. I have discovered a few that I can really enjoy, including the locally brewed Milk Stout from Lancaster Brewing Company. The Round Boy is not likely to enter my list of good beers. However, it is the most distinctive thing right now at Union Barrel Works. The guys in my group seemed divided on the beer — half rather enjoyed it, the other half felt it was kind of funky. It has a taste that has some coffee touches, which isn't all that unusual. What is rather unusual is the aftertaste. It is head scratching and tough to put a finger on what is odd about it. It is the sole beer in Union Barrel Works' lineup that seems to take a chance and, whether or not it is accepted by the patrons of the pub, is distinctive for that very reason.

Union Barrel Works does a lot of things correctly. They provide a great atmosphere and nice dining. The great problem is that, with the exception of the stout, none of the beers seemed to stand up and say, “I am BEER!” By playing it safe they come off as kind of bland and uninteresting. Despite the disappointing nature of the beers I still had a fantastic time at the brewpub and would encourage people check it out.