Plain Bavarian rye lacks resolve. First reaction to tart, phenol-infested, sourdough-breaded German was it tastes like conflicted Weiss Beer, though not as foamy, yellow-fruited, or wine-y, nor as flavorful. Wispy plum-wined cinnamon apple midst coarsened by astringent rye finish, sealing its unfortunate fate.
Tag Archives: rye ale
BISON REUNION ’08 ORGANIC RED RYE ALE
Busy embossed label of hazy copper amber ale (brewed with caraway seeds) promotes myeloma and cancer research. Bettering blander organic beers that seem more interested in staying natural and earthy than delivering flavor, its glutinous hop-spiced flaked rye inertia picks up pumpernickel, macadamia, raisin, and fig illusions. Brown sugared chocolate-caramel-cocoa malting sweetens enigmatic orange-red fruited backdrop. Dryly vegetal fennel-gourd recess provides added dimension. Barleywine hints come and go.
(ITHACA) OLD HABIT STRONG RYE ALE
Impeccable limited edition brew is truly complex. Fermented in Tennessee whiskey barrels, its toasted rye theme leads the way, informing vanilla bean, black cherry, and oaken bourbon illusions. Brown chocolate-sweetened Black Forest cake midst absorbs pureed cherry jubilee nuance contrasting bitter tobacco chew. Grainy hazelnut-cashew tease and spicy anise tinge heighten pumpernickel bread motif.
LANCASTER RARE ROOSTER RYE ALE
O’HANLON’S RYE BEER
Dry prune overtones ripen above middling rye influence and herbal hop persistence, fading quickly to grassy-hopped mineral grain earthiness. Mild lemon pucker and nutty bitterness counter tertiary honeyed malt sweetness, but mild acidity and watery consistency obstruct sinewy yeast effervescence indicative of thick rust turbidity and copper penny hue.