Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

tittymcj

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%
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

57md

Pennsylvania

3.91/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Appearance is a somewhat cloudy copper with a hazy straw hue on the edges. There was a relatively thin layer of head that did not retain well, but left nice lacing anyway. I really didn't get rye notes in the nose; rather, mild hops come across. The spice of the rye really comes out front in the flavor profile. Dry bitterness provides a very enjoyable finish.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2013 06:00:41 | More by 57md

SportsandJorts

Michigan

3.61/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Type: on tap 25 oz
Glass: Oversized mug
From: R.U.B. Pub in Ann Arbor
Price: $7

Appearance: a light brown/orange color. perfect clarity. not much foam or retention

Smell: rye and hops all day

Taste: citrus hops and spicy rye. i was hoping for a bit more complexity

Mouthfeel: not quite as sticky and bitter as I would have expected. good slightly fuller character

Overall: this beer is good and well done. i just wanted a bit more complexity out of it

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2013 16:49:31 | More by SportsandJorts

estlinska

Arkansas

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

On Tap 3/11/13 in a tulip.

Poured with 2 fingers of big foamy head full of tiny bubbles. Reddish brown color like a worn out copper pipe mixed with red licorice and lots of tight lacing. The smell was full of citrus and resin and a little bit of sweet fruit on the back end. It smelled a lot like a bowl of hops resting in water; very fresh. The taste was not as sweet; very spicy like a rye beer, but the sweet malt sits there in the front with that spicy rye flavor on top. It was very tasty and had a nice bittering hop flavor. The hops flavor was backseat by far though. it was pretty fizzy overall with a pretty full mouthfeel, approaching the oiliness of a big IPA. Overall, this beer is pretty awesome overall. Well balanced between a classic IPA and a rye beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2013 01:39:35 | More by estlinska

weonfire

Kentucky

4.15/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

I had this on tap at Patrick Osheas in Louisville, KY poured into a Irish Pint Glass.

A - Very frothy tremendous head. Head lasted a full 10-15 minutes which i found to be a negative. Copper color.
S - Smells like a lot of hops Not sure of the IBU but I think it would be high. Very good dose of citrus and pepper.
T - Taste of carmel. I may be off but I don't taste any rye. I may be confusing the bitterness in for some of the rye taste. Again tastes like high IBU.
M - The bitter taste stays with you all the way down your throat and into the proceeding nest few minutes.
O - Descent IPA. I wish I could decipher the rye more- but that might be my own fault. I would order this again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2013 14:54:36 | More by weonfire

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: mashed-potato, shiny, off-white head - clear, iced-tea color - lots o' lace, swirl of bubbles keeps

S: bunch of West Coast hops (pine, orange peel, allspice) - malt underneath that, cakey - fairly potent aromas, however, not the least bit distinct

T: decent balance between fruit and sweet malt - noticeably a rye beer (spice, flavor) - light herbal (thyme) flavor and bitterness - bit of a citrus-pith tang - pine-y aftertaste, slightly menthol - bit of a browned, tough bread crust later

M: bit of a foamy tingle at the start - smooth, medium-bodied - finish is quite dry

O: I feel like this beer is merely a marketing ploy - jumping a bandwagon? - it's a pretty well-balanced rye IPA, but nothing with distinction - couldn't help but think, "Whatever..."

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2013 07:36:24 | More by Bouleboubier

ranger60

New Jersey

3.71/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Had a 5 oz sample on draft at Tap Room in Warren, NJ.

Appearance: crystal clear...dark golden, not quite amber, tight head.

Smell: not strong, but picking up the pepper notes and maybe some citrus?

Taste: the rye comes through, as do the pepper notes.

Mouthfeel: pleasant level of carbonation, and good overall.

Overall: I like it; not having had many rye IPAs, not sure how this stacks up, but it is flavorful and pleasant.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2013 17:36:36 | More by ranger60

jones140

Indiana

3.88/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had the opportunity to try this beer on tap at Catch 22 in Merrillville, IN. Sierra Nevada definitely surprised me with this one. This beer gives good head and it has an "in your face"-smooth flavor with a small craft feel. Keep it up Sierra Nevada!

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2012 02:26:03 | More by jones140

Murrhey

Montana

3.8/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured on-tap into an 11oz glass at Playground in Santa Ana, CA. Reviewed from notes.

A- Finger width fluffy white head, long retention. Pale copper color, very clean and little visible carbonation.

S- Dark hops and rye with toasty malts. Complex smell and a good one. Earthy tones.

T- Rye and hops. Peculiar taste. Starts sweet and candied and finished bitter. Novel taste.

M- Very smooth and little carbonation. Medium mouthfeel and a metallic linger.

O-I enjoyed this beer. Sierra Nevada does alright by me.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2012 20:59:32 | More by Murrhey

HopHead84

California

3.68/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

5/18/2012

Draft at Bj's Escondido.

A: Amber with a finger of beige foam. Lots of lacing is left behind. Nice color.

S: Pronounced rye bread with some biscuit. Hops impart a pleasant blend of pine, grapefruit, and orange with light floral notes. The aroma gives the impression of balance with a strong showing from both the hop and malt sides of the ledger.

T: Rye bread blends with biscuit and a balancing citrus hop presence. Lightly spicy. There's a little orange flesh with stronger grapefruit rind notes. The beer is almost balanced, but the hops have a slight edge, imparting a moderate bitter.

M: Medium body with upper medium carbonation.

Overall: A well crafted rye IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2012 17:17:26 | More by HopHead84

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A pint during happy hour in central Kona.

This beer appears a clear medium bronzed amber hue, with one finger of tightly foamy, somewhat creamy ecru head, which leaves a solid mesh wall of lace as it lolls about before sinking out of sight.

It smells of mild citrus and pine hops, some spicy, grainy malt, and a faint floral fruitiness. The taste is patently bitter citrus rind, pine resin, a bit of lemon/lime fruitiness, and bready (a blend of rye and sourdough) kind of biscuity malt.

The bubbles are fairly zippy, but play along well, the body a tremulous medium weight, and a bit too assaulted to be deemed all that smooth. It finishes still in the edgy, bitter hop universe, the titular malt features rendering much less of an impression.

A good (rye) IPA, but it 'suffers' from that Sierra Nevada affliction - that of characteristically damned (and equally heavenly) hoppy offerings. While it's a shame that it overrides the rye adjunct here, somehow that just doesn't bother me right now.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2012 04:27:29 | More by biboergosum

B33R501

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

good example of trying a beer a second time, i was not impressed with the one bottle i tried when this first came out, its not hop rod or lenny bruce ripa, and my expectations were too high im sure. tasted this friday nite, the hops popped, came back with my 32 oz growler the next day.

pretty dark amber, too clear for me, but ok. nicely bitter hoppy aromas, tastes follows, big blast of bitter citrusy hops. the rye makes an appearance halfway thru, adding a little spicy kick. finishes dry.

good little hop fix for a saturday afternoon. very fresh and drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2012 12:25:27 | More by B33R501

david18

New York

4.15/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I've been drinking a lot of this while it was on tap at my local beer bar. Sierra Nevada has not been known for IPA's, I guess since they're so well known for the pale. Then came the Torpedo, which was good but I think this is one of their best beers.

Appearance was typical of an IPA. Dark pale, good carbonation, very inviting looking.

Aroma was almost perfect. Great hops balanced with the malt and alcohol.

Flavor as well was a great balance of bitterness, hop flavor, malt and alcohol.

Great IPA, that I highly recommend.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2012 19:00:33 | More by david18

BeerRoach

Texas

4.6/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Golden amber, medium head fades into a thin head which sticks around for the long haul.

S: Floral notes combined with grapefruit and citrus make this aroma fresh and inviting!

T: Heavy on the hops, but more tart than bitter. The hops are nicely balanced with citrus flavors which linger in the mouth.

M: Refreshing and easy on the mouth.

O: One of my new favorite brews. The hops take the spotlight, but are perfectly balanced with the citrus flavors. It may be too bitter for some, but for others it will really hit the spot.

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2012 13:31:33 | More by BeerRoach

thain709

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Served with a copper body that had some clarity...a fluffy, white, two finger head formed and stuck around for a while leaving decent lacing

S - Grapefruit and other citrus aromas from the hops...spicy rye balances the sweetness and adds some graininess to the nose

T - All the flavors match the nose pretty close...the citrus flavors are sweet and juicy...the hops are very present in this beer...rye comes in and takes off the sweet edge while adding some body to the beer...there is a spiciness mixed with a grain presence...even a touch of caramel...the hops come back and pair with the spice to leave a spicy-sweet bitterness

M - Medium bodied...creamy and smooth...spicy, sweet, bitter

O - There was a great deal of balance in this beer...the sweetness was kept in check as well as the addition of the rye...a very pleasant offering from the guys at Sierra Nevada

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2012 13:21:16 | More by thain709

iSip

Colorado

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA: This brew was sampled on tap with friends and food. Copper in color, decent hoppy aroma and a thin head that laces well get things going. Smooth malt start and a bright hoppy finish make for a top notch IPA. The rye flavor makes its way into the middle, and works very well. I was skeptical, but give this Sierra Nevada product good marks. They make a high quality suite of IPA’s, the this rye offering is no exception.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2012 15:15:01 | More by iSip

Phelps

Arizona

3.8/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed in a shaker at Tops.

Texas orange, mostly clear. One finger of head is frothy and very sticky, depositing thick walls of lace.

I smell armpit — but in a good way. Some dankness, orange peel, a touch of grass, some caramel and sharp rye spice.

In the flavor: orange peel, a touch of dank and alcohol stickiness, some grass, a very small amount of rye. Some toasted biscuits and crackers also emerge, along with a touch of burnt sugar at the swallow. Super clean, slightly drying finish.

Medium high, pinching carbonation. The body’s a a nice, smooth medium. Soft fizz, no booze. Like I said, clean and snappy.

Ruthless Rye is tasty, but far from the unmerciful hop and rye bomb the name implies. In fact, it could use a little more of both.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2012 03:53:25 | More by Phelps

hopfacebrew

Colorado

4.43/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a sixtel at Lukas after hearing good things. I've had about the half the keg and feel comfortable reviewing now. Poured from my system to a pint glass the beer pours a perfectly clear dark copper color with a 2 finger white/cream colored head with excellent retention with lots of lacing remaining. The aroma is big with a lot of peppery spice, rye, citrus, and piney hop character. I enjoy the blend of spice from the rye and west coast hop tones. The flavor starts with the same intense rye pepper spice on the tongue. The hop character found in the nose comes through and again melds well with the spice. A foundation of caramel malt. Medium bitterness. Finishes crisp and clean with a lingering pepper hop on the tongue. Upper end of medium bodied and well carbonated. Overall, this is a really good representation of a Rye IPA. I'm enjoying it very much and would easily recommend.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2012 14:32:23 | More by hopfacebrew

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.03/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap 2/17/2012 at Shannon View Inn in Warwick, RI served in a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a coppery red color with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a very thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains floral hops, caramelized malts and citrus.

T: The taste starts out bready with flavors of grain and rye spiciness. Then a nice hops bitterness quickly follows. The malt character is hearty and creates a decent balance. The after-taste is slightly bitter.

M: Very crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is dry.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, good representation of style, this beer seems to be just like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale with the extra rye IPA bitter bite to it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2012 06:29:35 | More by TheManiacalOne

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap in Ithaca, NY. A brightly coloured orange amber without any sign of head. Surprisingly the mouthfeel is still pleasant, as the hop bitterness must be making up for the lack of carbonation.

Aroma is hop-forward with a surprising honey element, along with the caramelized rye malts. The flavour is well balanced with a pleasantly bitter finish. The rye elements aren't overwhelming, which is ideal for my own personal preference, if not necessarily for the style...

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2012 00:38:43 | More by hopsolutely

Bung

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tap at Macs Steel Creek. Light orangey/amber pour. Sticky white bubbles.

Aroma, I'm not getting that much to be honest. Maybe some pine and grainy spice.

Taste, great mix if the malt, spicey rye, mostly piney hops.

Love how the rye adds a creaminess too it. To the right of light, a nice carbonation, drinks fairly smoothly.

Almost like a hoppy amber, but the best rye pale U think I've had. Score one for the old guys. Very balanced, so many will not like, but I did.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2012 03:46:47 | More by Bung

champ103

Texas

3.05/5  rDev -22%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I love Rye beers, just add rye to anything and I typically love it. I had this on tap at Hay Merchant in Houston, TX.

A: Pours a dark reddish color. A two finger beige head forms with good retention. Light lace is left behind.
S: Resinous, piny, soapy, and oily hops. A strong lingering bitterness. That is it.
T: Follows the nose. Strong on t he pine and resin. Syrupy, oily, and slick. Lingering bitterness. No balance and no rye to speak of.
M/D: A medium body. Syrupy, slick, and oily. To much bitterness, and no balance for me to enjoy this.

I was looking forward to this because I think rye is such a great compliment to many styles. Though there is none here. Just over barring bitterness. Good for the hop heads, but to me it feels a bit empty.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2012 02:37:56 | More by champ103

merc7186

New York

4.03/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this beer on tap at Ulrichs in Buffalo NY, poured into a pint glass.

A: Deep Amber Hue, Passes Some Light, Nice White Head, Great Lacing

S: Rye, Floral, Bready Malts

T: Rye, Bready, Mild Bitter Hops

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium to Full Bodied, Clean, Mildly Bitter

Overall, a great Rye PA that isnt overly powerful, a great semi drinkable beer. Good for one or two but more will fill you up.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2012 04:18:47 | More by merc7186

Gatch

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Taste of Tops in Tempe, AZ.

A: Beautiful light amber with a lumpy, off-white head that settles into a good lace but little head retention.

S: Malt and rye with a bit of hops. Nothing crazy.

T: Awesome. The spicy rye is a perfect complement to the amount of hops in this brew. Fantastic pairing with the Thai green curry I was enjoying. Malt presence is great and makes this beer very balanced.

M: Creamy, balanced goodness. Incredibly drinkable. Light carbonation.

O: SN hit the nail on the head. Amazing beer. What the style should be.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2012 03:59:51 | More by Gatch

FosterJM

California

3.33/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

1102nd Review on BA
Draft to Guinness Pint

On tap @Chaparral300 Chino Hills, CA

App- A good and deep amber with some lighter golden highlights on the bottom. A very panacake on the griddle looking 1/2 in head that feel to a ton of cling and lace.

Smell- It had a nice opening hop bitter note with a fair amount of flaky rye behind it. Smelled a fair thick and malty. Was okay aromatically but not out the world.

Drink- I was fairly let down by this one. The rye seemed to fade off of the nose and was just a fairly malty beer with only a small amount of bitter behind it. Not very layered or balanced IMO.

Mouth- A nice medium body with a good medium low carbonation. A bit creamy and full. Residual rye and bitter were remaining.

Drink- It's a fair offering. A bit thicker than most and a little one sided but it's a valid option for an intro Rye beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2012 16:22:22 | More by FosterJM