Rye Wyne Ale - Brau Brothers Brewing Co. LLC

womencantsail

California

3.68/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The pour is a clear copper color with a small tan head. Light citrus and pine hops on the nose, definitely a lot of rye, bread, and toffee. There's a hint of toast, some whiskey, and a nice bit of vanilla. The flavor is a bit more pine forward than expected and somewhat bitter. Sweet caramel and toffee malts, vanilla, and whiskey to balance that out. Quite a bit of rye malt, light citrus flavor to it as well.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2012 01:09:45 | More by womencantsail

brentk56

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a clear amber color, with two fingers of foam and impressive lace - surprising for a beer at this ABV level

Smell: Rye whiskey barrel, toffee and a vaguely vinous character

Taste: Flavors don't follow the aroma, at all, as there is a strong vinous flavor, with Oude Bruin tartness, in the front end; by mid-palate, the rye whiskey barrel starts to come through, bringing caramel, vanilla and spice to the mix; both strains battle it out in the finish as this beer is going to take some more time in the bottle to settle down

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate carbonation

Overall: One of the more complicated beers I have encountered; with "Wyne" in the name, the complexity of the vinous elements is to be expected, though I am having trouble wrapping my head around how this was achieved in Whiskey barrels; I cannot say I am loving this right now as the flavors have yet to coalesce, but this might well turn out to be extraordinary in a couple of years; time will tell, but as I don't live in the distribution area, I doubt I will find out

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 02:21:33 | More by brentk56

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Brau Brothers 2011 Rye Wyne Ale. Ale Aged in Used Rye Whiskey Barrels. Brau Brothers Brewing Company, Lucan, Minnesota. ABV:???

Dark crimson coloring, a rich ruby, with a narrow layer of foam.

Aroma: Wine hits first. (I know this is not wine-barrel-aged, but that's what I'm getting.) A touch of sour, a twist of tannins, deep and fruity. Then the bourbon slips out from under the covers. Raisins coming through, now, and other dark fruits. Incredible. Gorgeous.

Taste: In the mouth, it's both mighty and mellow. A beautiful blend of barley-wine and bourbon. Some cocoa, plenty of dark fruit, lots of luscious malt.

I'm going to stop thinking about my drinking and read this label. "One of the few small grains still grown in southwestern Minnesota, malted rye is the base for this one of a kind ale brewed and aged in tinny Lucan, Minnesota. Following a long, slow fermentation, the beer is stored away in used rye whiskey barrels brought north from our friends at Templeton, located in the equally tiny town of Templeton, Iowa."

Love it. Boast-less and gobbledygook free. This is utterly fantastic,ale, so flavorful, so rich and robust, clearly the finest beer to come out of Lucan, Minnesota, and I hope I don't stop saying that. Brau Brothers keeps getting better and better and doing more and more. Mmmm. Just plain ol' mmm, mmm, and yum.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 08:28:25 | More by feloniousmonk

thagr81us

South Carolina

4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks goes out to MBrausen who sent me this one for the sole purpose of ticking it! Shared during BRoss242’s send-off party before he moves! Will miss you man! Vintage 2011! Served from bottle into a Mikkeller taster flute. Poured brown with a half finger white head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, rye, spice, wood, sweet alcohol, and vanilla. The flavor was of sweet malt, rye, spice, vanilla, wood, sweet alcohol, and dark fruit. It had a medium feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a good brew. All of the right flavors were going on here with a nice mix of rye with the base style which gave it a nice spiciness. The barrel added a nice touch to this one as well and kept it interesting after each sip. The vanilla added a nice touch and helped to cover up the sweet alcohol aspect going on here. Definitely worth your time.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 10:59:36 | More by thagr81us

alexgash

Connecticut

4.49/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle. 2011.

Dark leather brown. Partly cloudy. Pinkie finger of dense, tight-bubbled, light beige head. Nice lacing up the glass. Woody, with aromas of toffee, bread pudding, oak, vanilla, and toasted marshmallows.

Toasted malts and vinous, woody flavors up front. Gets oaky real quick, with notes of charred wood, vanilla, and toasted marshmallows. Sweet toffee, caramel, and fruits settle in. Warming whiskey and rummy fruit notes into the finish. Some tannic, woody bitterness. Lingering marshmallow and oak. Full-bodied, with a creamy, smooth feel. Very nice!

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 02:25:19 | More by alexgash

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured at a good temperature with a fine, thick, foamy, cream-colored head that slowly settled and lots of glass coating lace. Color is a dark, clear brown amber. Aroma is very mild, hop, whiskey, malt. Flavor's like nose, sweet and carbonic tang up front with bitter right behind along with the rye whiskey flavors, malt. Body is great, ditto carbonation. Finish is very long, like flavor, and boozy.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 01:48:40 | More by drpimento

maximum12

Minnesota

3.2/5  rDev -23.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Big 750 ML bottle. Big $15 price. My two favorite things: rye beer & rye barrels. Married up like fourteen year olds in the Ozarks. Or Lucan. Whatever. Split with my wife.

Pour is a dark ruby red, with plenty of pizzaz for a big beer. Smell is right-hand-tug of promising, huge sweet/fruity notes mingled up with a bit of rye spiciness. Nice.

Rye Wine isn't...ryeght. Rye + rye whiskey should be spicy & shiny & bouncy & happy. This is weird & tart, almost vaguely sour on the end. Gonna let it warm a bit. OK. The rye spiciness is there but much more muted than I'd think a rye beer should be; & the barrel is so faint I'd be hard-pressed to ID it if I didn't know it was there. Fruity tartness, on the other hand, is all over the DNA of this brew. It does have winey notes: cherryish, black cherry.

What the fuck? After one more beer like this, I hate to say it: Brau Brothers, while they might be fine people, make shitty beer, & I was very hesitant to shell our $15 for a bomber. But for my favorite style, aged in my favorite barrels, I was willing to take a shot. This isn't terrible, but it's bizarre & not at all what's advertised. Sorry homers, this is mediocre by way of the Oort cloud.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 04:03:37 | More by maximum12

superspak

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle into snifter, bottled in spring 2012. Pours fairly clear red copper amber color with a nice 1 finger dense light khaki head with great retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of big caramel, raisin, toffee, vanilla, coconut, toast, molasses, bourbon, oak, and rye spiciness. Incredible aromas with great balance and complexity of the barrel/malt character. Taste of big caramel, raisin, apple, toast, toffee, molasses, coconut, oak, vanilla, bourbon, earth, floral, and rye spiciness. Slight bitterness with a lightly tart fruitiness on the finish; with lingering notes of caramel, raisin, apple, toast, toffee, coconut, molasses, oak, vanilla, bourbon, and light rye spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Fantastic balance and complexity of malty flavors; with a great balance of malt/barrel flavors; and zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Light-medium carbonation and fairly full bodied; with a very creamy and slick mouthfeel that is very nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an outstanding barrel aged rye barleywine! Huge balance and complexity of flavors; and extremely smooth to sip on. An extremely enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 05:02:54 | More by superspak

DavoleBomb

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a snifter. 2011 vintage.

4.0 A: Clear deep amber brown color. Two fingers of frothy beige head. Retention is very good given the ABV and a good bit of lacing is left.

4.5 S: Awesome nose on this. Rye whiskey is the most prominent aroma and offers a spicy earthiness, leather, melon, apple, oak, and plenty of vanilla. Booze is well hidden. The base follows suite with the rye as well as lots of caramel, toffee, plum, raisin, and dates.

4.0 T: The base comes out more in the taste. Raisin leads the force, followed by tobacco, and leather. Plum, dates, caramel, and spicy earthy rye next. The whiskey is surprisingly complementary here, but it works really well. Oak, melon, apple, and vanilla follow. Again the booze is well hidden. Quite tasty.

4.0 M: Heavier medium body. Good moderate carbonation. Good creaminess. The only thing I don't like is that it's a bit too chewy and causes some amylase clumping in the back of my mouth.

4.5 D: The taste was borderline 4.5, so a bonus here. Really tasty beer. I wish more breweries would make rye wines or imperial ryes or whatever you want to call them.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2012 01:05:52 | More by DavoleBomb

morimech

Minnesota

3.8/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Clear crimson color with a nice two finger head that had excellant retention before settling to a thick cap. Heavy lacing is left down the glass.

The first impression I got after popping the cap was the smell of rye whiskey. But there is definately more than whiskey. I also detect a rye sourness and a vinous quality. Complex and unique.

The flavor was not as impressive however. A little too whiskey dominant with a lack of rye malt charactor. The barrel did not really add anything besides the whiskey flavor. I also get a heavy vinous quality with just the slightest sour rye finish. Alcohol is well masked but there is a definate warmth.

The body feels a little light for such a big beer. But the carbonation is very good. The end result is a smooth texture.

If the rye malt came out more in the flavor, this would be a truely great beer. But as it is now, it is a whiskey flavored barleywine.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 18:58:56 | More by morimech

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2011 Vintage poured in to oversized CBS snifter.

A - Dark brown with a faint amber glow around the edges. Half a finger of tan coloured head that reduced to a thin layer.

S - A big oak aroma up front is complimented by sweet caramel, toffee and brown sugar notes from the base beer.

T - Oak is dominant without drowning out the base beer. A big overall sweetness full of caramel, toffee, brown sugar and spice compliment the barrel qualities and a touch of funk is present as well. Other flavours develop as I continue to drink - raisin, maple and fig.

M - Medium body. Creamy and smooth. Light carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 01:39:47 | More by TheSevenDuffs

sweemzander

Illinois

4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750mL waxed and capped bottle poured into a snifter.

(A)- Pours a really deep and dark brown murky color with white froth.

(S)- Lots of dry raisin and prune meets a subtle oaky bourbon spice note.

(T)- Lots and lots of dry leathery oak with raisin and prune. Ever so slightly fig-like fruity sweetness.

(M)- A mellow carbonation level with lovely barrel characters with lots of dry yet dark fruits. It is quite sweet, but the barrel notes counterbalances that well.

(O)- Great barrel characters meet some dry yet chewy dark fruits. Definitely a nice twist for a rye ale with the obvious use of Templeton Rye barrels.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 17:05:10 | More by sweemzander

jera1350

Minnesota

4.23/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ale aged in used Tempeleton Rye whiskey barrels.

Amber color with a ring of tan foam around the glass. Some sticky lacing clinging to the glass.

Overall, the nose presents whiskey and rye galore. Some spices coming out from the rye.

Spicy rye with whiskey barrel flavors. Spicy with some light sourness from the rye with light sweetness. Spiced rum on the end and into the aftertaste. Really shines as it warms. Nicely flavored barrel aged beer.

Medium feel and quite dry from the barrel aging. The finish leaves an extremely dry palate.

Great job done with this brew. Drinks nicely now and doesn't need much, if any aging as it lacks the heavy hotness that some barrel aged beers present off the bat. Will have more of this one again.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 01:04:12 | More by jera1350

brewcrew76

Wisconsin

4.33/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a muddy deep amber, brown. Took a vigorous pour to create a finger or two of head. Leaves a lot of streaky lacing and a things layer of foam behind.

S - Big aroma of spicy rye whiskey. Vanilla, oak, caramel, toffee, coconut, cherries, orange zest and port.

T - Vanilla and spicy rye mixed with oak and whiskey. Tobacco, cherries, butterscotch, caramel, dark fruits, coconut and raisin.

M - Medium body and slightly slick with lower carbonation. Touch of alcohol but smooth for 11%.

D - The barrel aroma/flavor is strong but it is still complex. Very tasty. I need to grab another one of these.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 23:26:08 | More by brewcrew76

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

4.18/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip glass from a 750ml bottle.
2011

Pours a nice hazy and muddy dark amber color with some light caramel hues. There is a huge 1.5 inch light tan head that is very dense. There are some more chunky bubbles intermingled but mostly it is very creamy dense bubbles. Nice sticky head with great retention that leaves some great lacing as the head recedes.

Starts of with rye whiskey barrel sweetness and booze. Nice vanilla hints start things off with some molasses. Some nice raisin notes and caramel mix in with some rye spice and some nice boozy heat. The rye spice notes and dark fruit aromas work very well together.

Flavor similar to the nose starts off with some barrel notes. Great sweetness with some caramel and molasses that isn't too intense or too sweet. There is some nice rye spice notes mixed in with the sweetness of the barrel notes. There is also some woody notes and definitely some slight heat. Not too bad though. As the beer warms the malt rye spice notes continue to play very well with the barrel notes. The brew is nice and complex with great flavor profiles that seem to change after every sip. Mouthfeel is nice, silky with good carbonation.

Overall this beer is very good. There are some great barrel notes and nice grainy rye spice that blend very well with the barrel sweetness and a nice hot finish.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 01:08:15 | More by JoEBoBpr

augustgarage

California

4.05/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2011 vintage. Poured from a waxed-and-capped 750mL bottle into my Harriet tulip.

Burnished amaranth liquid with a lasting beige collar and slick. Sticky lacing, viscous tears, good retention.

Rich aromatics suggest grapes, tobacco, port, orange zest, and hibiscus. Caramel malt pokes through. Barrel aged to perfection.

Coconut and vanilla are drawn out of the barrel in addition to the tobacco notes on the palate. Rum and peppery malt come out as well. Very sweet caramel flavors with hints of butterscotch as well. Faint diacetyl perhaps, but free of oxidation despite the barrel notes. Fruity, warming finish (though the ABV is rather disguised), with a kiss of rye.

Mouth-feel is unctuous like melted butter with a hint of sherry.

Closer to a barrel aged barley-wine in flavor than a wheat-wine; a bit sweet and lacking in hops, but an elegant dessert beer for sure.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2012 19:39:15 | More by augustgarage

hardy008

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear dark brown with a two finger beige head with good retention and sheets of lacing. The aroma is sweet and has rye, whiskey, caramel, toffee, and oak.

The taste has rye, caramel, toffee, oak, vanilla, spice and especially whiskey. This beer has a lot of alcohol heat, but it has a delicious flavor to it. If laid down for one year or more, the heat should subside, and this should become smooth and easy to drink. There is a nice pleasant sweetness, balanced by the natural sourness of the rye.

Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Finishes dry, and the aftertaste is whiskey. The whiskey overpowers the taste of the rye. I think in time, the other bottle I have will become smoother, and easier to drink. I may decide to pick up another bottle, to see how this ages in one year, versus a longer period of time. Well made.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 21:04:33 | More by hardy008

jjanega08

Minnesota

3.73/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2011 Vintage.

A= Pours a little brownish out of the glass with a blackish color in the glass and a finger of off white head on the top with good lacing and a nice amount of retention.

S= A little rye character to it with bit of oak and bourbon. A snag of vanilla in it but a little muted on the flavor.

T= A nice barrel flavor and a tad of rye. Really not too much going on here. A barrel taste of rye and tastyness. There is a bit of caramel malt and maybe a little vanilla in the taste from the barrel.

M= A nice amount of carbonation in it that keeps the tongue fresh.

O= A quality brew but not what I imagine what it would have been. A little lacking on the rye and a little small on the flavor. Not a bad brew but not great.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2012 04:38:47 | More by jjanega08

DovaliHops

California

4.31/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

2011 vintage. Pours murky, brownish-red color with a small off-white color with a hint of tan. Scent is WOW...amazing nose on this one. Smells like blackberry jam with some heavy raisin and fig aromas. Lovely oak and whiskey aromas as well. The whiskey is not "in-you-face", very subtle and tame. Tons of rye and spiciness to the aroma as well. The nose of this beer actually has a rye bread aroma. More sweet whiskey and dark fruit aromas. Taste is just as delightful as the nose. Whiskey, however, is far less tame in the flavor. It lets you know it is there from the moment it touches your lips. Not harsh, but definitely present. Dark fruits and spicy rye flavors seem to take over in the middle of the tongue. The back has a bit of booziness with oak and vanilla flavors...also subtle hop bitterness. This beer has some complexity, for sure. As the beer warms, the sweet whiskey and rye come through more. Some toffee and light citrus flavors come through as well. The citrus was not present when this beer was cold. Mouthfeel is just as this beer should be. Full bodied and ready to sip. Drinkability is fairly high for this big, rich beer. Overall, this is one of the better wheatwine/rye beers...whatever you want to call it. I think this is the only beer I have had from this brewery. I really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 06:00:49 | More by DovaliHops

gatornation

Minnesota

4.23/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

from wax-dipped 750ml bottle into goblet

A- pours a slightly hazes garnet,ruby color with a nice khaki/tan head it left a nice amount of lacing

S- was warm fresh bourbon with spice and rye a hint of white/sour wine

T- smooth bourbon with rye and malt, a sour funk mixed with chardonnay MMM, this is good

M- so smooth with bourbon it does not overpower just complements the brew, spices and funk finish wash over the palate

O- did not know what to expect from this but really liked it

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2012 21:46:23 | More by gatornation

Duff27

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Short lives white head leaving a collar. Some alcohol legs. Decent head retention, minimal lacing.

Nice and sweet, slight spicy rye aroma.

Tasty and mouth watering sweetness/spice. Omnom. Notice the whiskey impression at the tail end of each sip. Not overpowering heat, wonderful.

Smooth, creamy mouthfeel. Adequate carbonation.

Hate to say it because I love Boulevard but I think this is better. Wow, unexpected new favorite in the Rye Beer style. Will be seeking out more. Thanks for the share egrace84!

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 01:35:47 | More by Duff27

jmarsh123

Indiana

4.43/5  rDev +6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours dark brown with a red hue. A small creamy off-white head that sticks around with a complete coat of lacing down the glass.

Lots of caramel aroma up front. A few hops and a slightly spicy rye whisky character. Also brown sugar a bit as it warms.

Tastes like a big barleywine up front. Lots of caramel toffee balanced out well by a bit of oak and some earthy bitterness. Just as the brown sugar/toffee mixture starts to get sweet, out comes the whisky. Not overpowering as all, but just enough to tilt the beer to a great balance. As it warms, a bit more of the rye spiciness comes out along with some raisin and fig.

Medium bodied with an excellent creamy texture. Carbonation on the low side of medium.

Admittedly BA barleywines are probably my favorite style, but this one stands above most. Very complex and I love beers like this that change as they warm up, but are always delicious. The rye adds a good subtle component without overpowering the beer. Will definitely be seeking this one out again.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 21:44:00 | More by jmarsh123

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2011 vintage. Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a 8 oz snifter.

A- pours a dark amber with a 1 finger tan head. Huge leopard spotting and trails of lacing cover the glass.

S- sweet toffee, tobacco, brown sugar, whiskey, some spices.

T- big amber malts with toffee, whiskey, vanilla, spicy rye with some bitterness and booze at finish.

M- medium body and carbonation. Some booziness comes in the middle with slight effervescence as well.

O- very enjoyable BA Barleywine with a twist from the rye used. Nice spicy sweet going on but could beef up the body just a bit.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 03:58:09 | More by kawilliams81

TheBrewo

Michigan

4.3/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

We cut the wax on a bottle of the 2011 vintage, pouring a heavy brew of ruddy chestnut coloring. It puts up almost no head, but a hearty swirl brings up a half finger tall head of tiny, yellowish bubbles, then showing decent retention into a starry film across the top of the liquid. Cords of lacing are left all around the glass. A thick haze cuts through the clarity, with no sediment noted. Carbonation appears to be on the active side. The aroma initially smells just like straight Jack Daniel’s, but with warmth, the grain really fills in, with biting rye grit, hugely fusel booze, lactic sourness, light bubblegum esters, and mild woody dryness. With warmth comes robust tininess, soft floral hoppiness, biting plastics, chemically medicinals, and airy vanilla sweetness. Our first impression is that beer is much sweeter than the nose might suggest, with excellently integrated whisky flavoring into the strong, malty, rye base. As we sip, the taste begins with authentic clove spiciness, smooth whiskey, juicy ale yeastiness, biting and drying rye graininess, soft and sweeter wheat, and soft buttery diacetyls. Pushing to the peak is gritty sandiness, continued clove, gravel, dried grassiness, deep syrupy black cherry and raisin somewhere on the far back, with more washing authentic whiskey booziness. Melted brown sugar and spicy woodiness blend to pull us to the finish, where the rye really picks up in bitterness, with light caramel malts, juicy and metallic yeastiness, bright toffee sweetness, molasses, and vegemite. The aftertaste breathes heavily of whisky and woody barreling, syrupy plum, further spice of clove independent from any suggestions of phenols, very dark rye graininess, mineral, basement muskiness, and residual dextrin malty sugar. The body is full, and the carbonation is medium. There is thick and sticky smack, sip, slurp, and pop, with the lips left heavy with sugars. Froth and creaminess remain decent throughout. The mouth is equally as coated, with eventual grainy, sandy, gritty dryness all the way to the tonsils. The abv is hearty but appropriate, and the beer sips easily.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this beer was its flavoring. Everything about this beer is just so authentic. From the spicy inclusions, to the genuine grain, to the whiskey, each component gives its unadulterated self to the final blend. While each component is uniquely bold and considerably independent, they each come together in the end, affording wonderfully simple smoothness. The first sip conjures thoughts of what a Bourbon County rye beer would be like (unfortunately we couldn’t land a bottle of the Bramble Rye, so the comparison is all but lost) due to the depth of malts, big booziness, smooth diacetyls, and sweet drinkability. This is a great beer, and the age on it has surely cut much of its initial hotness, helping to keep things sipping all day long.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 23:15:27 | More by TheBrewo

Treebs

Illinois

3.99/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Thanks to supercolter for the brew. 750 ml waxed bottle served in a Southern Tier tulip. 2011 vintage.

A: Pours a murky brown color with some ruby highlights. A whitish head forms on the pour and recedes to a thin ring. Some splotchy lace is left down the glass.

S: Plum sweetness with some raisins. Definitive rye spice with a big whiskey backing. Roasted malts with underlying barrel sweetness.

T: Rye spice with the whiskey notes is large up front. Pretty hot as well still. Notes of oak, smooth caramel and some figs. Booze soaked raisins as well.

M: Medium bodied with a slightly higher than anticipated carbonation. Whiskey finish.

O: Surprisingly still a little hot, and I would have liked a little more chewiness on the texture and a little less carbonation. Overall it was still a nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 15:13:35 | More by Treebs