Arroz con Leche

Arroz con Leche, 5 Rabbit Cerveceria, Bedford Park, IL
(Specialty Grain)

Golden orange pour with no head. Aroma of light malt, cinnamon, and fruit. Taste is as advertised, sweet vanilla, cinnamon, rice milk. Mouthfeel is milky, creamy. 7.5% abv. Sweet finish. Bit too sweet to drink too much.

12 Rye Beers

Here's the next of my themed lists, which I review twelve rye beers. Beers in this category have rye as one of the predominant ingredients in the beer, often substituting for a portion of barley malt. A similar style is the German Roggenbier, which was a style brewed until the 15th century. The addition of rye adds a dry, spicy flavor that can also have sour characteristics. In the United States, the use of rye in beer recipes has spawned a new style called "rye PA", where brewers push the hops so they resemble pale ales and IPAs. I happen to really enjoy the complex, spicy flavors that rye adds to beers, especially to one of my favorite styles, IPAs. You'll find that most of the beers in this review are of the "rye PA" style. Still there are a few others. Without further ado, here are...

12 Rye Beers

Smitten Golden Rye Ale

Smitten Golden Rye Ale, Bells Brewery, Galesburg, MI
(American Pale Ale, Rated 88)

Hazy golden pour with a white head and nice lacing. Aromas of rye, grass, and light citrus hops. Flavor is much of the same, rye spice, an earthy tone, a bit of hop bitterness, and a malty backbone with a resin finish. Definitely more on the pale ale side of hops. At just 6% abv, a solid drinker that leaves me wanting more.

Red's Rye IPA

Red's Rye IPA, Founders Brewing Company, Grand Rapids, MI
(IPA, Rated 99)

Pours a great crimson red color. Citrus, pine, floral hop aroma with sweetness from caramel malts. Citrus and floral hops well balanced with malted rye giving this great beer a nice crisp, spicy finish. A fantastic rye IPA from Founders and one of their many favorites of mine. 6.6% abv.

Hop Kitchen #5 RyePA

Hop Kitchen #5 RyePA, New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO
(IPA, Rated 85)

This IPA pours a clear amber with a thick white head. Big aromas of rye and pungent, fruity hops. Flavor consists of citrus and pine hops, little tropical fruit, and resin. Has a great spicy, malty rye backbone. Bit of a bready mouthfeel. Nice balance of sweetness and hops. 7.5% abv. A really great IPA.

Fade to Black Volume 5: Black Rye Ale

Fade to Black Volume 5: Black Rye Ale, Left Hand Brewing Company, Longmont, CO
(Specialty Grain, Rated 95)

This rye ale pours a dark brown with a light, off white head. Aromas of dark, roasted coffee and subtle smokey wood. The flavors cover a varying range beginning with a nuttiness and sweet molasses. Sweet turns to spice as the rye spices come through. Bit of a dry, earthy finish. I love dark beer. This black rye ale is pretty special and it packs a 7.8% abv punch.

Rye of the Tiger

Rye of the Tiger, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Cleveland, OH
(IPA, Rated 97)

Another favorite of mine. This IPA pours a golden orange with a small white head. Fruity hop aromas with lemon and an earthy tone. Initial taste is grapefruit and rye. Rye spice isn't as harsh as some others, but it lingers throughout. 7.5% abv is masked well. Nicely balanced and a clean finish. Excellent rye beer!

Rogue Farms Roguenbier Rye

Rogue Farms Roguenbier Rye, Rogue Ales, Newport, OR
(Specialty Grain)

Pours a brownish-red with a foamy, off-white head. Aroma has spices, malt, little caramel, and some smoke. Definitely has the roasted malt flavor with a touch of caramel sweetness. Nice spicy, rye bite with a smoky flavor that lasts through the finish. Medium body and a light, dry finish. 6.6% abv.

RHYE IPA

RHYE IPA, Smuttynose Brewing Company, Portsmouth, NH
(IPA, Rated 97)

Make mine a Smutty! This beautiful IPA has a hazy, orange color with a nice, thick, white head that's long-lasting and leaves nice lacing on the glass. Nice aromas of bread, citrus, sweet grass, and some spicy, rye malt. Fantastic blend of hop flavors and spicy rye malts. Piney, citrus, little caramel sweetness, and rye spice that tingles. Well balanced. Little dry at the finish. Just 6.8% abv. A great IPA!

The Bruery Rugbrød

Rugbrod, The Bruery, Placentia, CA
(Specialty Grain, Rated 94)

Rugbrod is Danish for rye bread and this offering from The Bruery fits the bill as it is brewed with three types of rye malts. Pours a dark brown with a nice, thick tan head. Aroma is spicy, sweet caramel, a bit earthy, and malty. Taste isn't far from the nose with sweet caramel, bit of dark fruit, and that nice spicy rye. The rye isn't overpowering, but appears subtly at the end. The 8% abv is hidden by the sweetness. Dry finish. A different take than the others. Amazing beer!

Rye Hatter Rye P.A.

Rye Hatter Rye P.A., New Holland Brweing Company, Holland, MI
(Specialty Grain)

Dark orange pour with a thin, white head. Aroma is sweet caramel, citrus, malty, and a bit earthy. Nice mild hop taste with rye spices. Detect a little caramel sweetness as well. Hops are not overpowering. Well balanced with lingering flavor. The rye spice tingles the tongue well after the finish.

Hebrew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A.

Hebrew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A., Shmaltz Brewing Company, Clifton Park, NY
(Imperial/Double IPA, Rated 98)

This 40th anniversary beer pours an amber color with a thin, white head. Very aromatic with strong hops, piney, and sweet malts. Excellent flavors of rye spice, resiny hops, and burnt caramel. Tons of hops and malt flavors. A palate pleaser for sure. Smooth finish for 10% abv.

Rye Dopplebock

Rye Dopplebock, Sand Creek Brewing Company, Black River Falls, WI
(Doppelbock)

Deep brown pour with an off-white head. Nice, rich, full aroma of sweet caramel and malts. Flavors of molasses, dark fruits, and caramel. Spicy rye comes through in the finish. A very flavorful beer. Smooth body. Nice balance. Very enjoyable.

Rocketdog Rye IPA

Rocketdog Rye IPA, Laughing Dog Brewing Company, Ponderay, ID
(IPA, Rated 91)

This rye ipa pours a clear, golden, yellow with a thick, foamy, white head. Aromas of grapefruit, rye, floral hops, and sweet honey. Hops up front but tame. Taste is a tad bready with rye spice, citrus hops, and a malty sweet finish. Smooth and well balanced. Excellent drinker at 6.9% abv.

There you have it, twelve rye beers. Most rye beers are seasonal beers for many brewers. I'll be honest that I wasn't sure that I'd find twelve to review here, but I did. In fact, here are a few more...

2XRye

2XRye, Southern Tier Brewing Company, Lakewood, NY
(Specialty grain, Rated 95)

Clear burnt orange pour with a thin white head. Nose of caramel, sweet malts, orange zest, and a rye spice background. Nice carbonation. Taste begins with spicy rye, then sweet caramel malt, finishing with a mild mix of citrus and pine bitterness. Not overly spicy. Complex and balanced at the same time. Way too easy of a drinker at 8.1% abv. Cheers!

Road Warrior

Road Warrior, Green Flash Brewing Company, San Diego, CA
(Imperial/Double IPA, Rated 98)

This is one fantastic imperial IPA! Pours a nice dark, copper color with an off-white head. Aroma is herbal, earthy, citrus hops, and rye bread. Great complex flavors of dark fruits, bitter rye spice, piney resin, and citrus hops. Full mouthfeel and delicious. Has a malty sweetness as well. Flavors are like a roller coaster through the mouth. Nice lingering alcohol burn at 9% abv. This beer surprised me a bit. Excellent!

Sour in the Rye

Sour in the Rye, The Bruery, Placentia, CA
(Sour Ale/Wild Ale, Rated 99)

Ahh the sour ale. A style of beer that has taken a little more time for me to really enjoy than others have. But let me tell you, this style of beer is nothing short of fantastic. This one pours a deep golden orange with a thin white head. Tart acidic aromas of sour cherry with a faint hint of sweet oranges. Taste is funky, sour, a blend of sour with a touch of sweet. Spice from the rye is subtle, but noticeable. Fresh lemony, sour finish. The 2014 year is 7.8% abv.

Reeb Rye'd IPA

Reeb Rye'd IPA, Oskar Blues Brewery, Longmont, CO
(Specialty Grain)

I picked up this delicious offering at an Oskar Blues tap takeover event at Ray's Growler Gallery, which is part of Ray's Liquor, one of my favorite bottle shops near where I live. Pours a hazy, golden orange with a thin white head. Nice aromas of rye spice and citrus hops. Little hint of sweetness. Taste is rye spice up front. A well-balanced mix of rye spices and citrus hops. The hops are tame to the extent that they accentuate the rye spice but do not overpower. Nice bitter, dry finish with 7% abv. An excellent rye pale ale.

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Rye certainly adds some distinct and sometimes complex flavors to beer. Being a lover of IPAs, the added spicy, rye flavors to an already bitter and spicy just enhances my enjoyability. That being said, the "rye PA"s have been my favorites, though the Rye Dopplebock was very tasty. If I had to pick a #1 from this list, it has to be Green Flash's Road Warrior. Thankfully, I still have a few more of those in the fridge.

I think I say this after each and every themed list I do. These are a lot of fun. The search for the beers for the list and then drinking and reviewing each one are great. These are educational opportunities for me as I research and learn more about the distinct styles or the special ingredients used. Being a craft beer lover is like being a foodie, only with alcohol. The brewers that create these fantastic recipes are not only chefs, they are artists. I am definitely looking forward to my forthcoming adventures.

So what's next? Another pumpkin list? A second barleywine themed list? How about a pepper beer list?  Do you have any suggestions?  If you do, I'd like to hear them. Until next time, Cheers!

Beers of Sixpoint

Sixpoint has only been in Wisconsin for one year, having been first distributed in March 2012. They have quickly become one of my favorite breweries. Their motto is "Beer is Culture." While many craft breweries make up their own rules when it comes to developing their portfolio, Sixpoint seems to smash rules altogether. Sixpoint's beer recipes are distinct and unique. I also love the characteristic can labels. Let me introduce you to some of the Beers of Sixpoint...



Resin

Resin, Sixpoint Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
(Imperial/Double IPA, Rated 97)

This is the beer that started it all for me with Sixpoint. As one who thoroughly enjoys IPAs, especially the imperial variety, this is one fine example. Nice, slightly hazy copper-colored pour. Aroma is of big hops, piney, with a citrus tone. Hop flavor explodes in your mouth. Nice piney, citrus bitterness and a sticky resin feel. Bitterness lingers on your tongue.

This being my first Sixpoint, let me share with you the picture of my #FIRSTSIXPOINT that I submitted to Sixpoint's website...

"Sixpoint's Resin Gives You Wings!" at the Calatrava - Milwaukee Art Museum 

Sweet Action

Sweet Action, Sixpoint Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
(Cream Ale)

Hazy, gold pout with a nice, white frothy head. Aroma has herbs, hops, and a faint sweetness. Taste is a blend of mild hops and malts giving it an earthy quality. Has a very slight carbonation that tingles and then smooths out to a creamy finish.

3 Beans

3Beans, Sixpoint Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
(Imperial/Strong Porter, Rated 97)

Dark brown pour. Strong roasted coffee aroma with chocolate notes and malts. Flavor is rich with coffee and chocolate. Malty with a sweetness. Taste that lingers. Amazing beer!

Bengali Tiger

Bengali Tiger, Sixpoint Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
(IPA, Rated 94)

This IPA pours a hazy, golden, orange. Great aroma of citrus fruits and sweet pine. Taste is a complex mix of citrus hop bitterness, malty caramel sweetness, and floral notes. Flavors explode in your mouth going from bitter to sweet to bitter with a clean finish. Excellent IPA!

The Crisp

The Crisp, Sixpoint Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
(Bohemian Pilsener) 

Hazy, orange pour with a small, white head. Aroma is a little grainy, bread, and some spice. Flavor is grainy, sweet bread, with an herbal bitterness. "The Crisp" is a perfect description of this beer. Probably one of my least favorite styles of beer, but if I'm going to reach for a pilsener, I'm reaching for The Crisp.

Righteous Ale

Righteous Ale, Sixpoint Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
(Specialty Grain, Rated 94)

Dark hazy, brown pour with a nice little off-white head. Aroma of malts, caramel, sweet bread. Tasty is malty with rye, and a nice slight hop tingle that lasts but doesn't overpower. The rye is apparent throughout. Just a touch of sweetness at the finish.

Brownstone

Brownstone, Sixpoint Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
(Brown Ale, Rated 90)

Pours brown with a medium head. Pleasant malty aroma with nuts, sweetness of caramel, and an earthy hop character. Taste is malty, nutty, with a bit of a bitterness at the end. Has a nice fizzy, carbonated finish. Nicely balanced brown ale.

Diesel

Diesel, Sixpoint Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
(Stout, Rated 92)

I remember sitting down with the WI Sixpoint rep and some others at Sugar Maple last Fall. I had asked him when Sixpoint was going to come out with a stout. He told me that something was in the works. Low and behold, Sixpoint presents Diesel. Its a dark, nearly pitch black pour with a good off-white head. Good roasted aroma of chocolate and malts with a faint hop presence. Taste is roasted coffee up front with some sweet chocolate and a light hop finish. Very smooth! Very drinkable!

Sweet Mullets Brewing Company

Sweet Mullets Brewing Company, Oconomowoc, WI

I finally made it to Sweet Mullets Brewing Company and sampled their nine current beers on tap. I was optimistic going and left a little unsatisfied. I will say that all of their beer was different, using different ingredients and different brewing methods. I just found that many of the beers seemed flat and watered down. I didn't find any one beer that stood out above all the others, thought the 505 Export Stout might have been my top choice with Toil 'N Trouble being the most bizarre.

501 American Red Ale (Amber Ale)

Nice red amber pour. Mild floral and citrus hop and sweet malt aroma. Malty taste with a bit of caramel.

505 Export Stout (Foreign Stout)

Pours black with a tan head. Nice buttery, caramel aroma. Flavor is strong espresso with chocolate hints on the back end.

Autumn Leaf (Specialty Grain)

Hazy yellow pour. Very grainy and Earthy. Smelled like fresh cut, wet grass. Earthy taste. Strange.

Eleven (IPA)

Advertised as a Belgian IPA. Poured hazy golden color. Smelled of fruity hops and Belgian yeast. Had that expected citrus aroma. Taste is spicy with a sweet finish and mildly hoppy. 

M.E.C.O. (German Hefeweizen)

Clear yellow pour. Sweet grainy aroma with some fruit. Taste was mildly spicy with characteristic banana notes. 

Rye Bob (Specialty Grain)

Hazy amber pour. Grainy, rye aroma. Taste is sweet malts and mild hops with citrus undertones.

Steinbier (Vienna)

Brown-amber pour. Sweet, dried fruit aroma with some caramel. Sweet caramel and toasted malt flavor.

The Captain Pre-Pro American Pilsner (Pilsner)

Pale yellow in color. Sweet aroma. Bland and watery taste. Not a fan of pilsners.

Toil 'N Trouble (Sour Ale/Wild Ale)

This one was the most interesting of the nine. Pale yellow pour with a white head. The aroma was sweet, but different. One of those odd smells that isn't bad, but different enough that you want to keep smelling it. Taste was opposite of the aroma...sour up front with a residual fruity sweetness at the end. 

Righteous Ale

Righteous Ale, Sixpoint Brewery, Brooklyn, NY

(Specialty Grain, Rated 94)

Sixpoint has quickly become one of my favorite breweries and all of their beer comes in cans too. Spicy rye and piney aroma. Roasted rye and citrus hop flavor with some sweet malt. The hops seem so fresh. Great beer!

Manoomator

Capital Square Series Manoomator, Capital Brewery, Middleton, WI

This dopplebock is part of Capital's special series, but I didn't find it that special. Has a nice rich malty flavor and is drinkable.