Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

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

RaulMondesi

California

3.66/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Chilling out on a weekday and Raul was simply feeling it. I've never had one, so why not prance on a waiting gazelle? Conclusion: not bad. Not bad at all. It's not like I was expecting the prom queen after a few wine coolers, but it was tasty enough.

Raul digs it. Raul digs it enough to dig for another.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 09:41:52 | More by RaulMondesi

scot_chale

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

A- Beautiful copper/amber/orange body with 2 fingers of heavy white foam and very active carbonation flying around. Lacing is solid and the head hangs out.

S- the peppery, spicy, bready character comes out with some citrusy hop notes and some yeast but it's faint. the overall aroma is pungent and inviting.

T- total herbal hops. it's floral yet spicy and mean. it's very cool. challenging, in a good way. you get a bit of that rye malt when the hop bomb fades.

M- very hard carbonation bite on the tongue. it's dry, medium bodied, and clean.

O- holy cow. this is ruthless rye 2013. it's spicy, hoppy, bitter, complex, and everything that makes the american IPA a neverending adventure in beer. I'll keep this around for brewing sessions. Skol.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 04:06:03 | More by scot_chale

DeltaGolfSierra

Tennessee

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

Dark amber to copper color with a moderate white head and moderate lacing. Scents are grapefruit with some mild malt in the background. Taste is a nice balance of sharp pine with sweet malt, with a touch of spicy rye and pepper. Nothing spectacular, just a tasty and all-around good beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 00:38:26 | More by DeltaGolfSierra

tronester

Oklahoma

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

Pours a clear reddish amber with a huge light tan head that sticks to the glass impressively. Aromas of fresh pine cones, and a hint of pepper. Taste begins with some tart grain, followed by a smooth hint of vanilla, then some fresh bread. After that is a smooth resinous pinecone flavor that washes over. A quite clean finish. Mouthfeel is good. Overall an excellent IPA. Not especially bitter, but with plenty of hop flavor.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 00:41:22 | More by tronester

barnzy78

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2013 - 12oz bottle, pours light copper and is topped with a fluffy, ivory head that holds excellent retention & leaves chunky lacing down the glass. Aromas are earthy rye coupled with citric, grapefruity hops, and mild pine. It smells a bit light struck, as did the previous three from this 6-pack, but I've had this before and I'll just ignore it as artifact so to speak. Tastes are spicy rye, earth, biscuit, dank resious, grapefruity hop, pine; astringent on the finish. Thinner body, moderate carbonation, oily hop resins stick and linger on the palate while finishing dry. Overall, very good, but I remember enjoying it more last year.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 23:15:22 | More by barnzy78

thegodfather1076

Ohio

4.11/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Presentation: Awesome label with great graphics and color scheme. Neck label states 2013 and gives a small description of the beer. Back label gives a small description of the beer, ABV info, and web info.

Appearance: I poured this from its 12oz bottle into a 13oz tulip glass. Pours out a clear copper orange color with a 1½ finger golden cream foam head of medium density. Head retention was 2min 37sec before fading into a frothy coating. Excellent lacing.

Smell/Aroma: Smells of grapefruit and floral hops. Also has a spiciness in the nose and has hints of sweet malts. Very interesting.

Flavor/Taste: Has a large rye spiciness on the front end with a good deal of biscuit-like malt flavors. This is followed by a bitter fruity citrus hop bite that turns a bit sweet before fading to a back end dominated by toasted malts. Excellent.

MouthFeel/Drinkability: Medium bodied and slightly creamy with an above average carbonation. Very drinkable.

Overall/Comments: Extremely tasty brew that any hop head will love! I really like the spice character the rye imparts on this IPA. Excellent!! Classified as an American IPA at 6.6%. Consumed 2-16-13.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 10:30:38 | More by thegodfather1076

Hoptometrist

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served from the bottle into a nonic glass

A- Poured a clear, rich, dark amber color with big soapy off-white head with big bubbles that left glass coating and dense lace. Lots of visible carbonations. Sierra Nevada makes the most incredible looking IPAs.

S- Big peppery, floral, and earthy hop aroma. Definitely get the rye character more than other RyePA's I have had, some citrus hops as well.

T- Big spicy and peppery character from the rye, lots of floral and earthy hop flavor, some citrus hop character, quite a bit of graininess and caramel malt. Pretty high bitterness, especially on the finish

M- Very dry, prickly carbonation, smooth, medium body. Very effervescent and quite refreshing.

O- A really nice RyePA with tons of that spicy rye character and nice floral hop character.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 04:16:31 | More by Hoptometrist

Samuel906

California

3.35/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

My favorite thing about this is how it looks. The color is simply gorgeous, a deep reddish amber, but perfectly transparent. Thick head and sticky lacing top it off. Some very fine particles of sediment can be seen suspended in the brew, likely the rye. Smell is mostly of the resinous hops, but has more bread and grain and less citrus and fruit than most IPAs. Taste is fairly standard for an IPA up front leaving behind some bread and malt on the back of the palate along with some mild rye flavor. As a fan of big bold flavor, my biggest qualm is that there is not enough rye flavor. Caraway seed are one of my favorite spice flavors, and I was really wishing this beer would host some of that flavor. Overall, a good beer, but since the rye is a bit of a letdown, I don't think I would ever choose Ruthless over Sierra's standard IPA, Torpedo.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 04:10:04 | More by Samuel906

Jacurdy60

Alabama

4.08/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Pours a deep golden brown color with a thin head and poor retention. Minimal lacing.

S-Very earthy hops. Unforgivingly yeasty. I'm also picking up on some notes of peppery basil leaves and citrusy, tangy fruits.

T- Yeasty bread, peppered mandarin oranges

MF-Surprisingly smooth for an IPA. Very good balance between smoothness and crispness

O-One of the better IPA's I've had. It is not too abrasive, which seems to be the problem with most IPA's in my opinion. This one is very subtle and forgiving and has no notes that kick you in the teeth.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 01:21:03 | More by Jacurdy60

mfnmbvp

Illinois

3.08/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle, with no apparent bottled on date present except a code and 2013 printed on the top label.

Poured into a Firestone Walker pint glass.

A - Pours a semi-clear dark copper color with one finger of doughy white head with extremely nice retention. Some nice sheets of lacing clinging to the glass.

S - Skunky, orange citrus hops, and of course rye and spices. A boring, unimpressive nose, in all honesty.

T - Grainy and spicy. Heavy taste of rye and cracked peppercorns. Hoppy bitterness with maybe a bit of blood orange in the end, but not very much citrus or floral aspects to it. Decent body, okay carbonation, I just feel that something is missing somewhere. Slight touch of sugary sweetness coming out in the end.

M - Bitter and dry feel. Smooth and clean. Some hop resins hanging onto the tongue along with that touch of sweetness.

Overall, Sierra Nevada has failed to impress me once again. It is by no means a bad beer, just fairly bland and simple in it's approach. I was unimpressed with the Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA also, and I'd probably wager that their Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was the best I've had from them so far. I need to try another Sierra Nevada Hoptimum Imperial IPA and see how far that one gets me. A drinkable beer with a decent body and a decent 6.60% abv, but there are far better rye IPA's to be had.

Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA ---3.5/5

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 23:26:11 | More by mfnmbvp

Steven91

Arizona

2.23/5  rDev -43%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.75

A - First pour was awasome finger head with big bubbles that recess to little ones
S - You really smell the rye for sure but than goes to a bitter hop smell with some pine not a whole lot of smell going on
T - Bitterness is first with a slow rye taste after followed by some nectar taste
M - This feels lighter than normal light for an ipa
O - Not impressed by this beer it's worth trying but not my number one

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 03:48:08 | More by Steven91

MRAnderson

Indiana

3.69/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This was an "OK" beer from the Titan out west which didn't really surprise me. I found this beer to be very mild with taste and the Rye really doesn't shine through on this beer at all. IT was not a bad beer but it was not memorable either, the beer is worth giving a try though. They could have hopped this beer out a tad more and they should have added more rye especially since the Title of the beer states this beer is all about rye...???

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 01:15:35 | More by MRAnderson

lph0911

Illinois

4.58/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

I will keep this one simple

it has a good aftertaste almost spicy cause of the rye but it is really drinkable for being an ipa in my standards. Not saying ipa is not drinkable beer but this one sticks with me as a really drinkable one. I would drink it if offered anytime.
love it

cheers

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 17:24:02 | More by lph0911

Omnium

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

12oz into a standard pint glass

A - Pours a darker hazy amber with less than a finger head of a light caramel color that fades fast
S - You really smell the rye and hops in this, darker floral and pine notes and a mild malt
T - Bitterness ahoy! The rye and hops come at you fast, then you taste the biscuit malt and the rye hangs on a bit. The aftertaste resembles a dark or black lager with the rye dominating the hops.
M - This feels lighter than it looks, and honestly just feels like a "beer" beer.
O - While nothing about this is worth really shouting over, its still a good refreshing take on a rye IPA. I would have rather had one of these on a nice summer evening trying to cool down.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 19:22:35 | More by Omnium

sethcroisant

Nebraska

3.66/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

A- not much head, but what's there provides great lacing.

S- heavy on west coast hops and rye. hints of caramel

M- odd texture. a little too carbonated, but it is somewhat dense and chewy.

T- very spicy right away with plenty of rye malt and cascade hops. the alcohol sneaks in during the initial bitter bite. ends a little on the sweeter side with some caramel malt. hops oil lingers on the back of the tongue in the end, and some biscuit malts get mixed in as well.

O- no risks seem to have been taken, but it's still a good offering.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 04:26:57 | More by sethcroisant

Groomsy

Kentucky

3.9/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle poured into a nonic. Bottled on January 9, 2013. Supah-fresh!

SN's Ruthless Rye has a body that is just a shade or two darker than a regular IPA; burnt orange/rust is probably an accurate description. Some nice carbonation jets up from the bottom of the glass, and the beer is topped by a sturdy, rocky head of off-white bubbles that leave dense rings of lacing down the glass. A very good looking beer.

This is the first beer I've had that has been brewed with rye, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Since this is technically an IPA, all of the trademark West Coast characteristics are there: Grapefruit, rich citrus, and some pine astringency hanging in the balance. There is a backing of some clean and slightly toasty malt scents hanging around as well. What really contributes interesting scents is the rye, however - there is a peppery, herbal, earthy scent that balances the brightness of the citrusy hops and provides a rustic scent. Very interesting, though mild.

The mild nose is more than compensated for in the taste, though. On the front of the tongue is very similar to SN's own pale ale or Torpedo with big, juicy grapefruit, orange rind, and some piney bitterness. The malt flashes through in the middle to help cut the bitterness, but then the rye really kicks in on the finish and coats the mouth with an herbal, earthy, spicy flavor that lingers long into the finish. I like that the rye actually seems to sweeten the hop bitterness - the grapefruit flavors almost become sugary when balanced by the rye.

Ruthless Rye has a dry and crisp body. The carbonation really helps to enhance the interaction of the rye and the hop profile on this beer, and the medium body is just what fits for coming out of winter beers and into spring beers.

A very enjoyable beer. The assertive rye presence is what helps to set this apart from so many other American IPAs. Easy to drink, refreshing, and original. Definitely worth checking out.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 01:00:12 | More by Groomsy

Braz

Washington

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

Smells of resin and some citrus. A little zest as well. Body is a clear ruby bronze, thick fluffy white cloud like head. Sustains well. Just the right amount of malt sweetness. Clean bitterness with a touch of citrus making for a fresh taste. Body is well carbonated and velvety. Good overall IPA. Not a hop showoff by any means, just a well done enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 03:26:27 | More by Braz

msondel

Massachusetts

4.16/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I'm a big fan of Sierra Nevada and haven't tasted one I wouldn't buy again. I don't taste much of the pepper they describe in this one or know why this would be considered a "transition to Spring" as it says on the bottle. It tastes similar to their normal IPA, but with a little less flavor. Still a great beer (great head, color, smell), but wouldn't put it in front of their other IPAs because it doesn't have the same level of taste.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 23:46:19 | More by msondel

renegadeburger

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

ooooh i love this time of the year because i get to try the ruthless rye from snbc

ok here it goes picked up a fresh 6pack from my local deli on way back home from work

pours deep red color and nice white head aroma is a bit faint but getting some figs in there allong with some of the great juicy hops you would expect from sierra but also i get some spice in there kind o like nutmeg maybe its the rye?

and here we go with the taste very smooth i would say drinkable like a rye ipa but having more complexity and depth

the mouthfeel was the winner here it definitely popped out at you like a big explosion of depth but not too cloying

overall i like it and will seek it out again next year

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 12:49:27 | More by renegadeburger

M_C_Hampton

Georgia

3.06/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3

A: poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, very dark amber colored almost brown with a large tan head that lingers leaving some lacing, clear

S: piney hops, caramel malt, a bready quality, not much else

T: very bitter and unbalanced, a one dimentional piney bitter hop tongue bashing, a hot black pepper finish, I don't like this

M: nice mouth coating with good carbonation

O: I don't care for the taste of this beer. The hop flavors are one dimentional and very pine resin laden. There is no substantial malt middle quallity to support this hop flavor, leaving the beer an unbalanced mess. No element of citrus flavors. The bottle has no date, so I don't know if it is just old or truly bad. There is a heavy element of spicy black pepper on the aftertaste that doesn't match well with the hop flavors presented. I've had much better rye based IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 01:39:30 | More by M_C_Hampton

matjack85

Illinois

4.16/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

I picked this up at Trader Joe's cause they let you buy one bottle at a time instead of the whole 6 pack. $1.50 for a 12oz brown bottle with no freshness date, but the neck label says 2013 Ruthless Rye and this is only February of '13 so it can't be more than 2 months old.

The beer poured a clear copper color with a half finger of white head. The head lasted a little over a minute, but even after it receded it left a thin layer of foam on top. Lots of slippery lacing that slid down the glass with each sip, but nothing that would cling to the glass.

Very mild smell. Some earthy hops, light malt, and a touch of spicy rye.

Thankfully, the flavor is a little more robust. Nice, but not overpowering grapefruit/pine hop flavor balanced with a good dose of caramel malt. Bitterness is low for an IPA at just 55 IBU's, but the rye gives it a nice spicy finish. Very tasty.

Creamy smooth mouthfeel with medium body and medium carbonation.

I like this one enough to go back and get the other 5 bottles.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 12:23:57 | More by matjack85

mpyle

Maryland

3.6/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

App - pale amber color, very clear. Poured a large white head, very creamy and with good retention.

Aroma - Some malt sweetness tinged with an earthy/pine aroma. Not sure if the earthy/pine character is hops, rye, or both.

Taste - Spicy and hoppy from the beginning. An earthy/pine hop flavor dominates, with a little extra tang from the rye? Quite bitter in the finish.

MF - Medium body and carbonation, hop bitterness is harsh on the tongue and slightly astringent. Subtle alcohol warming.

Overall - The hop/rye character makes it a bit one-dimensional. Would like to see more malt character up front to balance the bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 21:44:04 | More by mpyle

VinoGuy

Maryland

4.28/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Great amber color and beautiful floral hoppy nose. Spicy blend of hops well balanced and full bodied. Great lingering finish and clean. The rye adds a great addition to the flavor profile and a nice change from a wide range of IPA's available in the market. This is a great win from the folks at Sierra Nevada.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 00:38:11 | More by VinoGuy