Evil Giant - Rye IPA - Barrier Brewing Company

CHickman

New York

3.65/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had it last night on tap at Croxley's Ale House Smithtown: pours hazy copper amber color with a 1 finger foamy white head that faded slowly and left very good spotty lacing.

Smells of grapefruit, lemon zest, citrus hops, lightly toasted grains, caramel, malt, floral hops and herbs; this is a very basic nose, but all of the notes are potent and quite enjoyable with very nice balance for an IPA.

Tastes like it smells, with grapefruit, lemon zest, citrus hops, orange peel, lightly toasted grains, caramel, malt, floral hops, grass, flowers, piney hops, mild spices like pepper and herbs like tea leaf; mild hops for an IPA, but still full of flavor with all the right elements and pretty tasty.

Mouthfeel is light and crisp, smooth even, a light body, light carbonation, and an almost clean finish with a nice citrus bitterness.

Overall refreshing and enjoyable, this was a good IPA that wasn't a hop bomb and lacked some real juicy hop punch, but made up for it in the drinkability. After going to the Barrier website I discovered that this was a Rye IPA, which explains it not having the huge hop presence since it was likely tamed by the rye. A solid beer overall.

Serving type: on-tap

10-18-2012 03:28:51 | More by CHickman

Tschnab

New York

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-12-2013 01:38:04 | More by Tschnab

rolltide8425

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%

05-10-2013 11:46:20 | More by rolltide8425

dextermcgurk

New York

4/5  rDev -0.7%

04-21-2013 22:10:02 | More by dextermcgurk

Pahn

New York

4/5  rDev -0.7%

03-11-2013 20:11:20 | More by Pahn

mfrogs

New York

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

03-09-2013 19:41:39 | More by mfrogs

Billolick

New York

4.15/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

32 ounce growler filled at DeCicco's in Ardsley, NY

Pours clear lighter almond amber, light tan head, looser and puffy, leaves respectable spots and bits of lacing.

Nose is loaded with grapefruit, spicy mint and some soapyness.

Hop bomb, loaded with grapefruit and more grapefruit. Fruity and flavorful. Not super bitter, citric goodness is whats goin on here.

Carbonation is slightly on the low side.

Enjoyable and bold all American style IPA. Well worth seeking out this quality brew from "the Island"

Serving type: growler

03-01-2013 02:24:28 | More by Billolick

morningthief

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -0.7%

02-19-2013 17:50:16 | More by morningthief

VonZipper

New York

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

01-18-2013 23:50:34 | More by VonZipper

gshackles

New York

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

12-16-2012 01:05:21 | More by gshackles

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A-Dark amber. Big head leaves light lacing. Head retains pretty damn well. Mostly clear in the body.

S-Interesting. I initially got a full-on whiff of dirt. Legitimate soil. I thought that was pretty neat. I even get a soft chocolate note. Rye tickles my scent glands. Concentrated grapefruit. Piney too. Balanced with caramel malt.

T-I still get a bit of dirt and chocolate. Then comes bitter pine and flower petals. Unripe grapefruit flesh. Spicy rye comes and goes. Thick caramel. Hops also tend to be quite herbal at certain points. Definitely interesting.

M-While the flavor was unusual and amusing, the drinkability was not very high. I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe it was that dirty flavor, or maybe it was the bitterness. It took me quite a while to finish it. Very dry and bitter. A touch of booze too.

O/D-Tried this one on a whim without any information about the brewery or the beer. I ended up enjoying it. It did take a while to drink, but it was a cool take on a sometimes-worn out style. Would probably try more beers from Barrier now.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2012 15:46:56 | More by VelvetExtract

plaid75

New York

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

Poured a medium copper hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a full piney hop and a lesser grapefruit aroma.

The taste consisted of a balmy and lingering pine and citrus spice. Grainy malts and tea leaves detected as well.

The mouthfeel was typical of the style with a lingering spice.

Overall a very tasty hop forward ale.

Serving type: growler

10-24-2012 03:38:33 | More by plaid75