Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Rosanne

California

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

light smooth, slight hops, sweet linger.

Shared a taster on-tap as part of four flights at the brewery; Sierra Nevada Brewing Co, Chico, USA. Then ordered a half pint later. Yum! As part of a six-week West Coast beer tour. I rate to taste, not to style. See my blog for more details: carbeers.wordpress.com

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2013 07:56:04 | More by Rosanne

wl0307

United Kingdom (England)

4.18/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

(2013 Version) Coming in a 12 FL. OZ. short brown bottle, no freshness info. is printed on the label or bottle, apart from a number 302311159; served faintly chilled (10 centigrade?) in a tall tumbler. Notes: The back label states the beer is “brewed with rustic grains for refined flavors – combining the peppery spice of rye and the bright citrusy flavours of whole-cone hops to create a complex ale for the tumultuous transition to Spring”.

Appearance: pours an almost clear, dark amber or even tawny colour, coming with rather lively fizziness and a thick and tight light beige froth settling slowly to a thin cap to last.
Smell: pungently citrusy and spicy at the same time, on top of mildly caramely/toffee-ish pale malts and bitter oranges; given a good swirl, interestingly, the camouflaged resinous, piney and flowery aroma of hops gets freed up in the air, yet soon suppressed again by the frothy head... Very nice, but not conventional for Sierra Nevada’s beers.
Taste: bitter-sweet orangey-citric and zesty initially, with a touch of overripe fruity esters, then turning peppery and chalky bitter in the middle, as deepening tannic bitterness and a nicely rounded semi-nutty and semi-sprigy elements of malts (and rye?) chimes in; the finish is soothingly warming (for a 6.6%abv. beer?), showing aromatic flowery undertones of hops and a decent level of tangy bitterness, somewhat dry as well.
Mouthfeel & Overall: well-attenuated, dry-ish on the palate, the fizziness is not as sharp in the mouth as it appears in the eyes, medium-bodied, with an usual warming kick for the alc. level, and very very satisfying at the end of each sip; this American IPA, brewed using rye and whole cone hops on top of quality malts, has indeed an "usual" (which I can't explain, maybe just for the sake of saying something...!!) element to it, but not quite in the way as I expected really. Interestingly, the citrusy-peppery hop quality, the juicy crystal malts, and the well-tuned attenuation altogether give me an impression of a stronger type of Kentish Pale Ale brewed with Kentish citrusy hops and spicy Styrian Goldings even! This has to be my very first rye-related beer, and I’d say, well done!

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2013 19:32:04 | More by wl0307

flyingpig

United Kingdom (Scotland)

3.73/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

355ml Bottle from The Cave, Glasgow:
Copper amber colour with some red tinges throughout. The head is a half cm, foamy white one with nice retention.

Caramel malts and an earthy, slightly spicy aroma. There is some citrus hops and a few touches of pine once the beer opens up some. I could also detect some grapefruit and hints of alcohol.

Citrus and a pine hop taste with some grapefruit and a chalky bitterness. There is also a caramel malt taste and some light earthiness. This is followed by some rye, spice and faint hints of wheat plus some light tropical fruits.

Medium with a tangy citrus feel and plenty of pine bitterness around the middle to the end. There is some hints of alcohol and a bubbly, alcohol laced feel to the beer. Carbonation is mild too.

Bitter and tropical fruit laced beer although it's definitely not a classic from Sierra Nevada.It is still a nice beer, just not their best offering.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2013 08:01:30 | More by flyingpig

TastyTaste

Minnesota

4.7/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

I don't review beer all that often anymore, but I have gotten enough enjoyment from this newish offering from Sierra Nevada.

The body is dark copper, the head is pillowy and lively. The smell is all i should be, rye and hops. The rye lends a strong peppery punch, and really is the backbone of this beer. The hops lend a fruit, floral aspect that really play fantastically off the rye. I enjoy everything about this beer, I am sad it is a seasonal. This is probably my new favorite of the rye beers that have come to market lately.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2013 20:01:19 | More by TastyTaste

utopiajane

New York

3.9/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours clear and copper with a half finger head that fell off to to a thin skin on top. Some lacing. Nose is mellow but distinct with rye and while the malt is light on the nose they seem to be put together well. Some floral hops come up lightly like straw. As it warmed there was a little honey quality to the hops. Taste is delectable. Grainy malt, spicy rye, some grapefruit, and piney hops. Everything in balance with a creamy, smooth, sticky, piney, bitter hop finish. This was a substantial rye IPA , easy to drink and a vigorous tonic at that!

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2013 17:05:17 | More by utopiajane

jdhowe

California

3.73/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2013 bottle poured into a standard pint glass. I'm not sure of the freshness of this because SN's bottle-labeling is inscrutable. Picked up as a single from a mix-six, so I'm a little wary, but didn't want to commit to 6 bottles of this and have had good luck with this place's singles before.

A: Pours a very deep amber with hints of red, cloudy. 1/2 finger of wheat-colored head quickly dissipates.

S: Earthy, but very malty. Reminds me of the malt bill in Hoptimum, but backed up by an extra grainy and spicy character. Citrus is also showing, but weakly. Hopping is weak.

T: Interesting. Very layered -- I thought quite a few things through that first sip. Starts with a bit of spice before the malt sweetness steps up. Next up is fruitiness and alcohol. The finish shows the rye character and ultimately hop bitterness lingers alongside a slightly roasty flavor... reminds me almost of a coffee, but clearly isn't. Better than I expected from the smell, but a little grainy and not hoppy enough for me.

M: Mouthfeel is pretty good. The carbonation punches hard up front complimenting the spice, but mellows out quickly and keeps the beer very drinkable. Slightly coating where I'd prefer it to be a little crisper, clean, and gone, but otherwise very nice.

O: Torn between a 4 and 3.75 here. I feel like the total here is well balanced and more than a sum of its individual metrics, so I'm going with the 4. A pretty good beer, and one I think I'd enjoy a bit more with a bit more hoppiness. I'm not sure if the problem is age or if it's the beer, but I'm going to assume it's my fault/age. Still very drinkable, well balanced, and flavorful.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2013 07:12:40 | More by jdhowe

Algebrew

Arizona

4.06/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Appearance: A lightly hazy, caramel-orange color with a one finger, fine foam head which left a decent lace webbing.

Smell: The citrus hops come through on a mild note accompanied with a nice, spicy twang. A touch of light fruit, malt, and grain are present as well.

Taste: The beginning comes through with a touch of spicy citrus hops; the middle accentuates the beginning flavors and brings it to a peak; the end rolls out into a spicy, bitter, and soft wheat finish.

Mouthfeel: A bubbly, rugged, bitter IPA. Smooth, yet mildly thick - a bit defensive.

Overall: A strange IPA. It brings a good twist to the style, it carries true to its name with an excellent ruthlessness.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2013 05:58:23 | More by Algebrew

Eramen

Ireland

4.15/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - All orange and copper, nice half-finger but persistent head.

S - Wonderfully aromatic - I make out citrus, pine, woody notes, spices and grain.

T - Much akin to the aromas, the pepper and spice are very pronounced, though not a lot of malt heaviness. It's quite a hop-forward style of beer, with citrus/piney flavors dominating. Bitterness is high and well suited to the grainy malt present.

MF - Decent mild carbonation, yet it manages to be smooth drinking.

O - Lovely brew, something that I'd only have a couple of due to it's peppery, grainy consistency but a fine IPA nonetheless.

2013 Vintage, very fresh.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2013 18:22:07 | More by Eramen

Redrover

Illinois

4.01/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at the Mellow Mushroom is Jacksonville Beach. It was served in a standard pint glass and the beer is brassy dark amber. There is a very sticky beige head.

It has a pleasant aroma of spicy rye, sweet malts and some pine.

The taste leads with a bit of pine resin and subtle peppery rye and caramel malts. Beer is well balanced with a lot of nice facets.

The mouth is semi-thick and a bit oily. It is coating.

This is a nice rye beer. Well done!

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2013 17:19:01 | More by Redrover

watermelonman

California

3.68/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pouring to a deep gold amber, this looks great in glass with moderate head and lace. Mild carbonation keeps up throughout.

Citrus hops and rye dominate the smell, and in taste are joined by barely enough caramel malt to give body and balance. The flavors I want and love in a rye pale are a little flat and flimsy, especially considering the lighter mouthfeel, but in terms of a balanced IPA this is as well done as any. The spicy taste of rye is apparent but I usually want more body to back it. The finish is clean and lightly bitter.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 05:10:20 | More by watermelonman

tittymcj

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Drank at a bar in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Good looking beer. Nice and frothy, lots of head. Solid color and clarity.

Very smooth, if I remember correctly. Not a lot of bite, but not overbearing with the malty flavors. Very well balanced.

I'd recommend for being a good beer, but not particularly impressive on any front.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2013 13:51:53 | More by tittymcj

BeerAficionadoMCMXC

California

4.33/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

This beer always gives me the knarliest farts. They fucking stink too. The beer's good, and the 6.6% always leaves my liver working hard to make me sober enough to work the next morning. I like the fact that I can drink a bunch of it, fart enough to make my domain a gas chamber, then wake up and walk out of the room without noticing the deadly smell that the beer gave me. It leaves a chalky hungover taste in your mouth after you drink 10 and wake up without brushing your teeth, but that's the life of a true alcoholic. An alcoholic's beer if the ABV were a touch higher and the farts were a bit stinkier.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 07:33:05 | More by BeerAficionadoMCMXC

BeerRefugee

Oklahoma

3.44/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Pours a light copper color. Moderate off-white head with good retention and moderate lacing. Medium rye and herbal hops in the aroma. Flavor is mild caramel malt, grassy and piney hops and a moderate dose of rye. The spiciness of the rye and bitterness of the hops predominate--I would have liked a bit more malt for some sweetness and balance. This is a beer that couldn't really decide what it wants to be--it needs more hops and rye to be a really aggressive rye IPA. Or it needs more caramel sweetness to be a more "mainstream" beer. Instead, they split the difference and the result, while good, is not as good as it could have been.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 21:05:43 | More by BeerRefugee

mpedara429

Massachusetts

3.23/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured out a clear, coppery color that appeared a bit burnished. Two fingers of pale yellow head. Good retention and lacing that draped along the sides of the glass.

S: Not overwhelming here. A little bit of floral hops and grapefruit with a predominant lame yeast smell.

T: Flavor is heavy on floral hops and dank pine. A hint of grapefruit and a spicy kick on the finish. The initial taste is on the bitter side, but the malt body shows up just enough to give it some balance.

M: Pretty typical medium body with medium carbonation. A little stickiness.

O: Pretty much what I would expect from a Sierra Nevada beer. It's a middle of the road beer that seems like it is being held back from greatness. Some more hop flavor and aroma would make this beer top notch.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 23:57:06 | More by mpedara429

JG-90

New Jersey

3.66/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75

Bottle poured into glass gives a large, creamy, tan head. Beer is amber/copper with hints of red, gold, and brown. Head settles down to a small, slightly rocky cap, before falling to a film on top with heavy lacing. Smells of peppery rye, licorice, and a touch of light caramel malt, and just a hint of resin. Not getting much IPA/hoppy nose here.

Taste follows the nose, too my slight dissapointment. Getting a good deal of great rye flavors, but missing the hops/citrus expected from a SN IPA. There is a bit of a citrus/resinous finish however. Mouthfeel is just a bit lighter than heavy, with medium/high carbonation, just the right amount of chewiness. In my opinion a very good beer, but not as much flavor as hoped on the IPA side of things.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 23:59:13 | More by JG-90

argock

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz brown bottle into a Samuel Adams Perfect Pint glass. Typical SN obscure dating. 6-pack purchased at Kroger (Charlottesville) for $7.29.

A: Very clear copper with 1-2 fingers of big-bubbled, ivory head with good stickiness and craggy lacing all down the glass.

S: Spicy and slightly dirty rye with citrus and pine hoppiness dominate the aroma

T: The flavor is really interesting and smooth with moderate bitterness. The spicy rye from the aroma slides elegantly into the herbal, honeysuckle character of the hopping, which is moderately floral but also pretty complex with resin, pine, orange and lemon citrus, and earthy components. The maltiness has a slight amount of light-to-medium crystal malt sweetness which works pretty well with the herbal, earthy hops and rye notes.

M: Smooth and moderately carbonated. Body is light-to-medium with a good tacky quality.

O: A really nice beer from SN (again). While it isn't a beer of the year candidate, it is very good and has plenty of complexity and subtlety built into the the hopping to keep it interesting. SN is masterful at providing a balanced yet interesting brew. This fits that bill very well.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 04:34:30 | More by argock

Noxious26

Saskatchewan (Canada)

4.09/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

12 oz bottle poured in a pint glass. Got this one in Hawaii in Feb but just getting around to reviewing.

Big beige 1 inch head on the pour with lots of sticky lacing. Nice copper orange amber colour and a little hazy.

Aroma is nicely balanced between hops and malt. Citrusy, sweet, a little flowery and some caramel,

Well balanced flavour of malt with caramel and citrusy hops with a bit of spicy rye bite. Really enjoyable.

Medium bodied and smooth but the rye gets to me after a while. Reallly enjoyed these on a nice warm evening on oahu in february.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 00:25:05 | More by Noxious26

GossageBrewery

Missouri

3.51/5  rDev -10%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Poured this American IPA from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Poured a clear copper color, produced a very nice off white head, great retention and it left a very nice amount of lacing on the glass. The aroma consisted of spicy rye and piney hops. Medium in body, the foundation of this ale consisted of spicy rye and a decent amount of earthy hops. Overall the balance is a bit off, more spicy rye then bitter hops but a decent example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 21:33:55 | More by GossageBrewery

tjsdomer2

Illinois

3.56/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Ruby red with excellent foam and lacing.

Smell: Rye and black pepper. It could have been a bit stronger for me.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Rye and a hint of licorice. Thick mouthfeel that falls flat. Very syrupy.

Overall Drinkability: Not my favoriate rye, nor my favorite Sierra Nevada.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 02:39:16 | More by tjsdomer2

MisSigsFan

California

4.09/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours a golden/dark orange color with a frothy white head. Leaves a ton of lacing. Smells of citrus, a lot of lemon in there, and grain. Mouthfeel is similar, but the rye is very pronounced. A bit of spiciness in the finish. Overall, a pretty good IPA, but not even near the best out there.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 22:56:20 | More by MisSigsFan

CookstLiquor

British Columbia (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 355ml bottle. Pours a brownish orange colour. (Tasting notes aside, this has a really striking label.) The nose is an interesting mix of bright citrus fruits like tangerine and lemon and grain. The rye really comes through on the palate. There's a strong dark rye bread flavour with some citrus notes and a spicy,hoppy finish. Good carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 20:38:51 | More by CookstLiquor

rgs0204

Texas

3.58/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Appearance - Clear, dark orange body that sparkles like champagne with a fizzy white head that disappears quickly.

Smell - hops and more hops, light malt, citrus, and a touch of pepper.

Taste - Initial taste is lightly acidic with a light sweetness, but the finish is long and heavy, with a bearable bitter flavor reminding you that this is an IPA not a pale ale.

Mouthfeel - Fully body, smooth with a dry light fizz. The finish is chalky making the bitter finish sort of sit in the back of your throat.

Overall - This is a nice IPA to welcome the transition from Winter to Spring. There is little to no floral hints and the bitterness that is expected with big IPAs is hidden in the finish...but it is there. This is a very drinkable IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 02:49:32 | More by rgs0204

HerculesRM

South Carolina

3.79/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Smells clean, subtle fresh cut pine. The tastes up front are nice piney bitters. The secondary flavours are booze, passion fruit and red currants. Beautiful red/copper colour with a thin white head. Refreshing and interesting. Well done, Mr. Grossman!

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 23:17:57 | More by HerculesRM

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Beer is amber with a bit of an orange tinge. Moderately-sized beige head. Pretty good retention.

Nose contains rye, caramel and citrus hops. Nice but a bit faint.

Taste contains caramel. spicy rye, pepper, fruit hops. Some grapefruit and orange.

Medium bodied, highly carbonated. Too carbonated for my tastes, but a good body. Chewy.

Overall, pretty good. I like the rye but the hops could be a bit more flavourful.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 01:28:59 | More by jrenihan

Steamer

Missouri

3.81/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Very nice light amber color with a full-on cream colored head. Full hops and rye aroma with pine and lime overtones. The potency of the hops flavor is a tamer than some other IPAs, more citrusy, but still very good. Medium carbonation and mouthfeel. Overall: a good, not so complex IPA that would be a great option for someone getting their taste buds acquainted with hops forward brews at the next step up from a strong amber ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 02:17:45 | More by Steamer