Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

YardmanFTB

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Ruthless Rye IPA is different than the typical IPA. It still has the all of the alcohol percentage and IBUs of a regular IPA but it finishes extremely dry, in a good way. Many people I've shared this beer with feel that it exudes a strong hint of Marijuana. Marijuana is the cousin of the hop so it is not that crazy of a description.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 03:31:50 | More by YardmanFTB

TheMarkE

California

3.81/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Dark amber with plenty of suds and lots of lacing. Nice.

Smell: Rye, pepper and spices, and earthy hops.

Taste: Rye with a bready malt backbone, spice, and grassy/floral hops.

Mouthfeel: Bitter and medium bodied, with a bitter aftertaste.

The Verdict: Good stuff. It’s far from Sierra Nevada’s best, but it’s still better than the average rye brew. Smooth and complex, it’s hard to complain about, but rye IPAs aren’t for everyone.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 23:59:37 | More by TheMarkE

NiceTaps

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

A- Pours a brown color with red tones, the off-white colored, 1-plus finger head leaves a lot of sticky lacing. Carbonation is evident in this sturdy looking beer.

S- To me, the citrus hop aroma takes a big back seat to the pale and rye malts and the peppery spices. Some breadiness, woodiness, sweet fruit.

T- Big rye and pale malt profile, some caramel sweetness and lots of peppery spice. Citrus hop notes offer balance to the maltiness.

M- An agressive, full body. Good carbonation, some hop zing and a long spicy finish. This is a 'big beer' in flavor and feel.

O- More of a rye pale ale to me than an IPA, but that's no knock on this beer, I like it a lot. The malts and rye and pepper flavors trump the 55 ibus to my taste, the abv is also just right for drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 14:36:47 | More by NiceTaps

purdueracer

Ohio

4.88/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is an incredible beer. It has a unique flavor profile. It hits you hard with the hops and the rye. It finishes with a really nice dry aftertaste. It's a beer that you enjoy for a minute when you're done drinking. It is one of my favorite beers.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 05:35:02 | More by purdueracer

katybee

Oregon

3.76/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

I chose this beer style based on previously trying another brand, Bear Republic's "Hop Rod Rye". I'd have to say I prefered the other version which was a bit more malty and sweet.

But Ruthless was definitely strong and flavorful, with perhaps more of a citrus hop punch, and a kick like Lagunitas' Hop Czar. Peppery, medium-bodied, a little chewy on the palate. It actually seemed a bit stronger than the abv shown here. Plenty to savor through an evening, with much more character than an ordinary Pilsner. Just not the sweetness or maltiness I detected in the other brand.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 04:35:22 | More by katybee

ThomasMetal75

Massachusetts

3.96/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Copper/clear. Pinky's worth of head that sticks around. Nice amount of lacing.

S-Citrus and malts. Smells like a West Coast IPA, with a slight bready note.

T- Citrusy, with that classic Sierra Nevada piney flavor. Spicy hop presence is mistaken here! The rye has this toasted quality to it. Hop bitterness is strong on the initial sip, with a dry aftertaste after a while. I think the finish could be less! That's my main gripe. The flavor are quite good, but they mingle in the mouth for too long.

M- A very easy drinking IPA, although it's not a light mouthfeel. Smooth and clean. Very refreshing. Carbination is on the light side.

*-Overall this is a very good IPA. Is it anywhere near my favorite, no. To me, this would work better as a fall IPA, not spring. I'd like something lighter in body and not quite as hop forward. I don't think this beer has a good malt-hop balance. But still, nice beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 02:53:02 | More by ThomasMetal75

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

Bills453

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Appearance - a beautiful golden orange, mostly orange. Man this looks ryely!

Smell - sweetness (like a sweet bread) and a bit bitter (from the hops I suppose).

Taste - such a delicious blending of sweet and bitter. Starts off with an initial bitter hoppy foretaste, moves splendidly into a sweetness for ever so slight of time. Ends with a hoppy mouth taste.

Mouthfeel - real nice thanks!

Overall - man what a fantastic and great priced brew. Recommended to several friends and my brother.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 21:55:39 | More by Bills453

Ale-ienation

California

3.94/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a transparent red amber into a pint glass. Finger of white head that dissipated quickly with little to no lacing.

S: Citrus hops accompanied by a slight rye spiciness. Very subtle notes of apple and strawberry esters.

T: Spicy rye up front with classic pale malts and beautifully integrated esters; similar to the nose. Clean, bitter finish.

M: Medium to full bodied with present carbonation.

O: Beautiful spicy rye IPA that is true to west coast traditions but nicely balanced as well.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 17:54:11 | More by Ale-ienation

MidwestMaverick

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

The only reason I don't give this beer a perfect 5 is because I didn't actually see God, and ya gotta leave room for perfect. That said, for those who like a nice full bodied, hop forward, west coast IPA, it's pretty hard to beat this. I feel like it's balanced for it's style in that it has a nice rich mouth feel and full body, yet the flavor is all hops, without getting over the top and into imperial IPA territory. I feel like the rye must contribute more to that body than the flavor, adding a subtle peppery note without the syrupy sweetness often found in more 'balanced' IPAs. Hopefully they keep putting this out. Gets me through the second half of these looong midwest winters.

Plus, you gotta dig that label art.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 03:05:46 | More by MidwestMaverick

orcsinspace

Virginia

4.36/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottle poured into glass. Another awesome beer from Sierra Nevada. This is a super earthy IPA made from rye. The appearance is amazing, with a really crisp dark color to it. It is a brownish amber that pours a decent head.

The taste is amazing, but a little mellow for an IPA. The rye really makes this beer have a rustic flavor, and although the taste of hops are present, they do not linger at all. The taste is not malty either, but a clean, heavy taste that is extremely drinkable for such a beer.

The final verdict is that this beer is incredible. I feel that Sierra Nevada makes really great beers that are accessible enough for novice beer drinkers, yet will please basically anyone that enjoys an amazing beer. Defiantly check this out if you haven't yet.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 00:44:07 | More by orcsinspace

MickeyD

Kansas

3.34/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

I poured this from a 12oz bottle into a clean pint glass.

Appearance: Nice and golden brown with a nice head however it dissipates quickly, good carbonation.

Smell: Perfume with floral and pine. Not much malt that I can smell. I am really looking for the rye in this one and am not finding it.

Taste: definite pine from the hops, a crisp bite from hops and carbonation.

Mouth feel: Slight bite more spice and floral hops, a slight malt taste is detected once swirled around the mouth.

Overall: I have had one other rye/IPA and I must tell you that that one was much better balanced. This seems to be an IPA ONLY with very little to no rye. Good beer however and I would buy it again but not often. If I want an IPA I would buy one! I wanted that balance with the rye.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 20:56:33 | More by MickeyD

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

TastyAdventure

Kentucky

3.23/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

Appearance - light copper color, fulll 2 finger frothy head.

Smell - hops, bitter, and a touch of soapiness

Taste - mild malty sweet, maybe a pinch of bread, followed immediately by pine.

Mild hops start in the middle and linger after swallowed. Not nearly the Hops profile i was expecting considering 1) the smell, and 2) it's called an IPA. I don't know much about Rye Beers but I think the only thing Rye added to this was color.
...15 minutes later, near the bottom of the glass as the beer warms, you get a earthy spice flavor, and after that, the alcohol become more predominant. + for the spice, - for the alcohol, and the taste rating is back to where it was.

Feel - Thick, full bodied, like a dark beer. the head is creamy and really add the experience.

Nothing too special here. I want to rate this beer higher, but I have to start setting my standards higher.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 21:45:22 | More by TastyAdventure

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

3.68/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Consumed 3/13/13

Appearance: Deep amber in color when viewed from a distance, more of a reddish, copper orange in the light - mostly clear, with some chill haze - larger than average, off-white head - keeps a nearly solid cap, leaves a wall of spotty lacing - very pretty

Smell: Bright, citrusy hops and a ton of spicy rye - grassy, spicy, bready rye, apparently "ruthless" wasn't just thrown in the name for alliteration - orange and grapefruit flesh, with some rind and some pith - bready caramel and amber malts in the background

Taste: Rye and citrus, both in abundance - fleshy, pithy, lightly oily grapefruit - bitterness is moderate, seems amplified by the rye - there is a lot of spicy, grassy rye the flavor profile, perhaps a bit too much, honestly, reduces drinkability - very earthy overall - grainy, bready caramel and pale malts

Mouthfeel: Medium body, smooth, nicely carbonated, very dry finish

Overall: This is indeed devoid of ruth

Ruthless Rye is decidedly flavorful and interesting, but the rye gets rapidly tiring. I've previously had it on a few occasions, and I've never been convinced that buying a sixer is a good idea. I'm finally reviewing it because I found a single. And while I do like this beer, I'm not in a rush to have another.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 05:43:46 | More by angrybabboon

andrewjraab

Michigan

3.86/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A - Copper brown with three fingers of white head that leaves a ring around the glass with every sip.

S - Hops present, citrus, pepper, resinous

T - Nice bitter rye like, resiny hop punch, fresh wet hops, citrus, pepper.

O - Seems like I can't find a SN brew that I don't love. Well done. Easy drinking RyePA that blends similar hop profile and drinkability that the standard SN Pale ale with a bit of a twist. A definite try.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 02:24:10 | More by andrewjraab

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

FlatRabbitRed

Arizona

4.61/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Sierra Nevada leads the craft brew industry, not because of popularity ...because of they're delivery! This is the best rye beer I have ever had, I find rye beers to be an acquired taste, they have a funky bite to them, and until now I did not see how they could be balanced well enough to be properly enjoyed.

Great bronze color, nice rye taste ....(more like a pumpernickel taste ) roasted caramel tones, and what you would expect from Sierra Nevada hop profile ....bold but well balanced.

This is a must try beer if you have not done so.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 13:51:55 | More by FlatRabbitRed

Lognar

Illinois

4.09/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pour - Pours a reddish amber/copper with a finger and a half of beige head.

Nose - Peppery spice and grain along with some maltyness - like fresh rye bread. Not much hops though. The nose is on the weaker side.

Taste - Lots of peppery spice and bready malt on the front. The rye is definitely out in front. Next comes the expected piney hop bitterness balanced nicely with the dry bready malt. The piney hops and the spice carry the finish.

Mouthfeel - Chewy, but that might be because this brew makes me want bread. Feels a bit more full bodied than other IPAs.

Overall - The peppery spice of the rye really works well with bitter hop qualities of an IPA. This one really makes me want some bread. It's an interesting style, but comes across more harshly due to the peppery spice from the rye.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 00:59:21 | More by Lognar

JamesMN

Minnesota

4.05/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Deep amber/mahogany hue with decent clarity. Thin soapy off-white head with some nice lacing.

Aroma: Biscuit, grassy hops, and just a hint of white pepper from the rye. Not sure of the age of the bottle but it's not all that aromatic.

Taste: A pleasant flavor at first sip that gets slightly more intense as I get further into the glass. Starts with the classic Pale Ale malt bill with the addition of rye that gives the bready flavor a nice peppery note without being overdone. The hops character and bitterness build together from right before midway until long after the finish. The hop flavor here is grassy and earthy with a hint of grapefruit buried deep below everything else. I'd estimate the bitterness is about 50-60 IBUs. Lots of good flavor at only 6.6% ABV. About a third of the way through the glass the flavor does intensify as the combination of rye and hop character saturate the palate but it never gets extreme and always stays balanced between the grains and hops. If I had one complaint it would be that I'd classify the flavor as more of a Pale Ale style than an IPA based on the biscuit malt taste that persists throughout.

Mouthfeel: A tad below medium in body with a pretty smooth feel despite the combination of bitter flavors. Above average drinkability.

Final Thoughts: Ruthless Rye IPA would make a great aperitif. It really wakes up the taste buds and does a good job of providing a flavor that is as-advertised. Fans of rye beers should check this one out. Would I drink it again? Yes, but I would not seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 19:16:09 | More by JamesMN

McStagger

California

4.29/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Re review for the 2013 batch.

A: Pours a beautiful brick/garnet with excellent clarity. Two fingers cappuccino foam head. Moderate carbonation, with small bubbles rising lazily to the surface. Excellent retention with excellent lacing as well.

S: Lot of the standard west coast IPA notes. Citrus, spiciness, lot of milled grain with a bit of that rye edge. Bready and yeasty notes with a bit of soapiness.

T: Malt is immediately present, but this quickly transitions into black pepper, citrus, with a bit of bitter, bruised mint. The rye is definitely present in the taste, and lends a spiciness and a certain rustic quality. Alcohol warmth in the finish. Finishes dry, with the grapefruit finally making an appearance among the other flavors.

M: A bit heavier than medium bodied but not quite full bodied. The subtle carbonation and full malt bill give this beer a slightly creamy edge. Borderline slick, but the carbonation keeps things balanced.

O: One of those beers that's greater than the sum of its parts. Stylistically, Sierra Nevada absolutely nailed this one. From the killer bottle art all the way to the rough, unpolished taste profile, Sierra Nevada did an excellent job in highlighting the rustic aspect of this oft derailed grain. Cheers to them.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 09:07:55 | More by McStagger

ktblue22

Vermont

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

I really enjoyed this beer - in my opinion, a very straightforward Rye IPA but Sierra hit the nail on the head.

A - dark orange copper, frothy head of over half inch
S - crisp and hoppy - not getting a lot of smell but it could be that I don't have the right glass for this beer (just a standard pint glass - our craft beer glass is in the dishwasher....)
T- earthy, gritty, subtle hops with a great showcasing of rye. Perfectly carbonated with a danky moss aftertaste
M- medium body but the carbonation makes it feel lighter, grittiness that is appealing and also adds to the rye flavor.

Overall very drinkable and exceptional to pair with a hunstman cheese

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 23:41:29 | More by ktblue22

PaleZombie

Arizona

3.94/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

A- A wonderful amber color with a decent amount of carbonation bubbles.

S- Strong smell of rye, hops, some malt, and some caramel like hints.

T- Strong hop presence here you get the rye more in the finish with a decent amount of bitterness.

M- I love the feel on this one, just the perfect amount of carbonation and slightly more than medium body.

O- This is a good one and worth a try, it took me a couple to get a feel for it but I find I like it more as I drink more of them.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 07:43:56 | More by PaleZombie

lsummers

California

4.96/5  rDev +26.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Had this on tap and in a bottle for this review. Pours an amber honey orange. The attenuation is high on this one, as is the lacing. A nice offwhite two finger head lingers for a minute.

Smells of spicy pine with some barnyard and lemon/orange. Touch of herbal nature. Touch of pineapple/grapefruit.

Taste is so very well balanced. Piney hops and spicy rye hits with a bitter note upfront. Slight cereal note with a touch citrus pineapple. Very clean herbal peppery notes from the rye.

Mouthfeel is clean with some fizz bouncing off the tongue and smooth.

Overall, this is a definite go to for me. It's perfectly balanced yet diverse enough to still be interesting. I will continually seek out this rye ipa.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 06:43:48 | More by lsummers

OBeerMeGreatOne

California

4.24/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Sam Smith pint glass.
Pours out a translucent copper, plenty of carbonation creates a solid 3/4 inch head with decent retention.

Rye, minerals, grass and a hint of citrus make up most of the smell.

Rye and pale malts combine with a bit of pine, grass and lemon rind to start this off. Slight hint of sweet malts and more rye spice at the finish. The mouth isn't as heavy on the carbonation as I expected. Nice, smooth, moderate body.

One awesome rye IPA! Thanks Sierra Nevada, this is an excellent seasonal offering.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 01:06:51 | More by OBeerMeGreatOne