Monday, October 31, 2011

Hop Rod Rye: Review


Specialty Ale
Bear Republic Brewing Co.
Healdburg Cloverdale, California, USA
American IPA Style
Made with 18% rye.
1pt 6oz bottle
8% abv
$5.50 a bottle at Fine Liquor and Wine in Canton Michigan.

I recommend rolling this bottle before opening to pick-up the sediment.
You will get a better head on the ale and some cloudiness in the body color.

Appearance: deep rich mahogany with a fine tan head that leaves a curtain of lacing.

Aroma: nice spicy, hoppy, and grainy nose. Moderate piney note.

Flavors: full throttle spicy, piney hops that just tingle the palate right off the start. Roasted malts and grains; that remind me of toasted rye bread with caraway seed.  Toasted caramel

Mouthfeel: pine needle tingle on the green light (delivery), wool like texture, pine gets the checkered flag (finish – get it ‘checkered flag’) and lingering pine and citrus peel on the palate. Firm bitterness throughout.  

My Strength Rating: 8 – the rye and hop spice along with a piney hoppy note delivers a good bitter quality.  All this makes for a tasty full flavored style IPA.

To the Point: Hop lovers who like the piney style of an IPA this is it.  The good spicy character should not be overlooked because of the big pine style. 

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