Terrapin Rye Pale Ale - Terrapin Beer Company

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap at Barcade in Jersey City, NJ

A: Pours a clear medium golden yellow in color with some light orange highlights and minimal amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a quarter finger tall creamy light beige head that reduces to thick film covering the entire surface of the beer with a couple of small thicker patches of large bubbles and a thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of pale and caramel malts with some rye spiciness. There is a light presence of orange/citrus hops with a lighter presence of pine/resin hops.

T: Very similar to the smell with an initial taste of pale and caramel malts with light sweetness. That is followed by some rye spiciness and finishes with an orange/citrus and pine/resin hops that contribute some light bitterness.

M: On the lighter side of medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.

O: An easy to drink American Pale Ale with the nice addition of rye giving it some light amount of spiciness. Enjoyable and definitely one to try if you get the chance.

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2012 16:46:36 | More by dbrauneis

metter98

New York

3.98/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear yellowish amber in color and has no visible carbonation. It poured with a ¼-finger high head that died down but left lots of lacing running down the sides of the glass and on the surface.
S: There are aromas of citrusy hops in the nose along with notes of pale malts and hints of spices.
T: The taste is very similar to the smell and has hints of spices from the rye and a slight amount of bitterness.
M: It feels a tad shy of medium-bodied on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The beer is very easy to drink and the rye spices up an ordinary pale ale.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2011 04:34:52 | More by metter98

Spider889

Ohio

3.65/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at The Distillery.

A - Very bright golden/brass color with a foamy white head. Leaves good lacing, and has excellent clarity.

S - Very hoppy up front with strong citrus notes along with spicy pine and nettles.

T - Lots of citrussy lemon and fresh pine bough. Doughy malt underlies everything, but the rye creates a warm spiciness but not much else. Tastes like a really hoppy pale ale, but nothing outstanding.

M/O - Crisp and clean. The bitterness is a bit much for a pale ale. Worth a shot if you like hoppy rye beers.

Serving type: on-tap

12-26-2011 07:48:50 | More by Spider889

kylehay2004

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed while at the brewery in Athens, ga. single finger rapidly dissipating head. Clear amber and golden mix. Lots of lacing. Very aromatous. One of the most aromatic rye ales I have had. Also some pine and citrus mixed in. Some hops as well. Nice hop character. The rye is actually well represented which is not often the case with this genre. Medium body and moderate carbonation. Drinkable for a rye and actually one of the better tasting.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2011 22:41:50 | More by kylehay2004

david18

New York

3.5/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had a draft of this at World of Beers in Orlando where I was thrilled to see numerous beers I can't get in New York, including Terrapin. I was not as impressed with this beer as I had hoped but I did enjoy it.

Appearance was a light copper, hazy with a good amount of carbonation.

Aroma was spicy, like Rye, but not as hoppy as I had hoped. Some light bready, biscuity aroma as well. Not bad but I was hoping for more.

Flavor was similar to the aroma. Spicy rye but not enough hops and a little thin on all accounts.

Overall a decent beer, I'm glad I tried it but it was not one of my favorites.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2011 20:26:15 | More by david18

Jerone

Florida

3.78/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - amber color with a one finger head that leaves decent lacing and some tiny bubbles coming up.

S - Spiciness from the rye and hops with some sweet malt backbone in there too.

T - The spice of the rye and sweet malt play very well together but the hops don't quite match, still good, but not a perfect marriage. Slight bitterness in the end.

M - Medium body with medium carbonation.

O - A good beer but needs a bit of refining.

Serving type: on-tap

11-01-2011 00:56:40 | More by Jerone

zaphodchak

Virginia

3.4/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Finger of white head, golden clearish body.

Hop-rye nose, mild.

Rye on the taste, heavy body, some hops. Unassuming, not bad.

Mouthfeel is standard-- nothing special..

Overall decent. Rye-pale ale without much hops-- nicely drinkable, sessionable.

Serving type: on-tap

08-08-2011 01:27:29 | More by zaphodchak

BLove

South Carolina

3.23/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Served in a traditional pint glass

A: Clear orange hue, small head lasting for a few sips
S: grapefruit/citrus, spice, caramel
T: caramel, rye spiceyness, moderate high hop citrus & bitterness from start to finish
M: pretty thin, medium carbonation
O: Eh, I usually enjoy rye beers, but this one leaves me a little disappointed.

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2011 22:33:55 | More by BLove

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.68/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a pint glass at Brixx in Charlottesville. From notes. Reviewed 27 June 2011.

A: Very little head. Pale, clear, coppery.

S: Grapefruit, light and tart. A bit flat?

T: Refreshing and tasty. Surprisingly sweet malts before a strong (presumably rye) dryness. Minimal to moderate bitterness.

M: Pleasantly carbonated and smoothly malty.

O: Not great, but very much what I wanted in this summer moment -- light, drying, and very enjoyable. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

07-07-2011 20:31:19 | More by AgentMunky

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

poured into a mug by bartender.

Appearance: Yellow beer with a small white head. Not much lacing to speack of.

Smell: citris and pine.

Taste: Light malt that is biscuity. Mild hop bitterness composed of mostly citris and some pine. Citrus includes lemon, mandrin orange and orange peels.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied beer with medium carbonation. Refreshing on this really hot day in florida that I am drinking it. Could drink lots of these beers on a hot day.

Overall: Still loving all the beers I have tried from Terrapin Beer CO. Great summer session beer!

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2011 20:29:49 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

ExtraStout

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap. Pours a slightly cloudy, but bright, amber, topped with a decent 2 finger thick foamy head that settles to a respectable clinging lace.

Touch of sweetness in the nose, with a lightly sour/rye character, and floral pith. Soft mouthfeel, light-bodied, with a touch malt body. Gentle sweetness, light hoppiness and phenols from the rye. Pithy, with a tea and bready linger.

Flavor becomes quite malty and even sweeter as the beer warms. Grainy tannins in the finish, not overly pleasant ones. Balanced, but not overly impressive.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2011 02:31:47 | More by ExtraStout

schoolboy

Ohio

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

The must unique thing about this beer is that it says rye yet it is smooth. On tap, this is a very civilized beer. Well balanced yet correct for the style.

I would go out and seek it again. Coming off the cruise ship, this was a great alternative to bud light by three pl in a key west bar.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2011 16:35:02 | More by schoolboy

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.53/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured on-tap at the Mellow Mushroom in Jacksonville, FL. The beer was served in a pint glass, and serves a hazy orange-copper color with a thin, dense white foamy head. There is a slight hint of grain and hops on the nose, but very subtle. The flavor is grainy, but with a heavy dose of hops. Very well balanced flavors, tasting almost like a hopped amber. Smooth and light in mouth, with a crispness from the carbonation. The finish is quick, with a little hop residue in mouth, and a sweet and hoppy afteratste. Tasty!

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2011 07:53:49 | More by GarthDanielson

PDXHops

South Carolina

3.68/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap in a shaker pint. Very slight haze to the golden orange body. Initial head size is small, but retention is pretty good and several rings of lacing are left behind.

Rye is something of an afterthought in the citrusy and toasty nose, but it's a surprisingly assertive yet complementary flavor. Crisp and toasty with a refreshing and juicy jolt of citrus. The rye gains steam as it warms, but never approaches dominance. A nice take on the APA, crisp and refreshing, but with a challenging element Easy recommendation.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2011 00:26:32 | More by PDXHops

FanofHefe

Illinois

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

Served on-tap in a pint glass. Clear dark yellow/orange body with a very small white head. Minimal lacing.

Nice aroma up front. The hops and rye jump out first. They are closely followed by some sweet malty and bready notes.

Solid APA flavor with some citrusy hops up front and an excellent spicy rye flavor. The malt balance is not too sweet.

Solid brew. Great spin on an APA with some nice rye mixed in. Could definitely have a few more of these.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2011 00:16:02 | More by FanofHefe

masstransplant

South Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Winters in South Carolina are short, but that first 65 degree February day is still very welcome...time to finish up the porters and stouts and move on to the crisp, hoppy beers that complement our long, hot summers.

Terrapin Rye is a staple in my fridge. Pours a pale orange with a thin head that laces nicely. Smells of rye, hops, apricots and orange peel. Just a fantastic rye taste that doesn't thin-out or dissipate as so many others do....the rye lingers on the palate and is a delight on a hot day. Carbonation is notably more pronounced than the winter brews I've been enjoying, and I'm glad for it...goes well with a sunny day. I usually have a one beer limit, but this stuff always tempts me to drink another. Well-balanced and very nice indeed!

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2011 03:30:14 | More by masstransplant

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A i- pours a nice clar light amber color with a thin quarter of an inch head that is white and slightly sticky.

S - Aroma starts of bready and malt foreward with some nice malt grain mixed in with a ton of great rye spice. There is some nice slight piney notes from the hops that work well with the grain notes.

T & M - Flavors start off with the malt and rye backbone. Grainy bready and slightly sweet with some nice spice. The hop profile is grassy and pine with some slight citrus burn. It comes up quick after the malt profile. Overall this has the favor of a good pale ale such as sierra nevada or great lakes burning iver but with a spicier feel and taste. It was quite light and refreshing with good full carbonation.

D - good bre with interesting and delicious flavors that are well represented.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2011 20:09:38 | More by JoEBoBpr

bucklemyshoe

Georgia

4.13/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A pint on-tap at Mellow Mushroom.

A: This pours a hazy red-orange color with a finger of thick white head that has good retention and lacing.

S: Pleasant floral hops, grapefruit, pine, and spicy rye aromas.

T: Complex hop notes, juicy citrus flavors, rye, honey, and a sweet caramel finish.

M: It has a medium body with perfect carbonation levels, and a thirst-quenching feel to it.

D: This is a solid go-to; it's flavorful, widely available, and reasonably priced.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2011 03:45:24 | More by bucklemyshoe

Jadjunk

Georgia

3.58/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

#19. This was on tap at a local Athens restaurant popular for its' universally low prices and being open until 4am. My other options were two light macro brews... ugh. This was a no brainer, and at a surprising $3 a pint, I found it a steal.

From tap into a frosted pint glass (No boos...you should know that it was not per my request, but I was thirsty and did not feel like bickering with the server about BA's recommendations and policies for beer reviewing).

(Appearance) Arrives with a 1-finger depth head that is super foamy and retains well. Beer is a deep gold/copper hue with lively carbonation. It looks quite nice. 4

(Smell) Light hops gives this beer a nice piney and fruity smell. the fruits smell subtle but pleasant. I draw grapefruit as the most dominant one here. It is a great beginning and very inviting. 4

(Taste) I get mostly hops in the taste that mask the fruity tones, but they're in the background and harder to detect. The hops taste fresh, and I gather a mostly piney taste from them. Malts are subtle but slightly higher than the other Pale Ales that I have had, making this a touch sweeter overall. This beer tastes very clean. Taste is not bad, but the finish seems to be missing something big, otherwise I get a bready toasted flavor. This might be where the Rye comes in the mix. 3.5

(Mouthfeel) Smooth, dry finish. Carbonation doesnt play a major role here, but this beer is alright on the palate. Light and somewhat watery. No aftertaste. The thumbs down part of this beer. 3

(Drinkability) Easy drinking and hops aren't overly intrusive. If the price is right ($3.00), I'd get more than one. 3.5

Verdict: a little hoppy but not too much so. The subtle fruity flavor is easy to pick out but there's not much beyond these flavors. I found this beer a steal for $3, but otherwise, I'd try something else. Pale Ale fans may enjoy this beer, as it is a really good Terrapin brew, my favorite thus far.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2010 21:25:06 | More by Jadjunk

jsprain1

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A- Pours a slightly hazed copper with a frothy white head that disappates to a quarter finger and leaves hints of lacing on the glass.
S- Smell is hoppy (earthy and citrus), with just a faint hint of rye.
T- the rye shows up here a bit more, as i was afraid from the aroma there wouldnt be enough rye to make a difference. Earthy and zesty flavors from the hops with that spicy rye finish.
M- I found the body to be medium, maybe a tad full bodied for apa, but the carbonation was significantly lacking on this one.
D- I like the idea of this beer. I think a bit more rye presence and more carbonation would have moved this beer up quite a bit for me. This being said, the strong hop character may be the reason that the rye didn't show through.

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2010 03:29:27 | More by jsprain1

CheckmateBrew

Georgia

4.18/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is a very good beer.

I was expecting a larger head, but this one was under one finger and dissipated very quickly. I am taking off for that... Nice amber to color and very clear.

Smell was better than the look with lots of hops, above average.

The taste was exceptional. lots of well balanced malt, rye and hops. This is a very good beer.

The mouth feel was good, lots of carbonation, more that you would expect in a typical IPA.

This is a very drinkable beer. I do hope that they keep it on tap for a while.

Overall, the best local (Atlanta) beer that I have had, and I will get some more to continue taste testing....

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2010 17:27:16 | More by CheckmateBrew

atlanta

Georgia

4.33/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

My first review (let's drink to that!) I picked this because it is the best of the Georgia brews.There was an issue with the bottled beer but that appears to have been fixed, I heard they weren't bottling it themselves when it was bad.
I disagree that you can taste or smell the rye, I think people use their imagination too much, the rye just adds other sensations to the dryness and mouthfeel.
It is their use of hops that makes this so good. It is well balanced and drinkable, more-ish. The alcohol level is not out of drinkability range either, it just qualifies for session status.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2010 12:21:55 | More by atlanta

Stigs

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

16oz pour, standard pint glass

A - thin film of loose white foam, floats on top of a pale golden, clear beer. faint spotty lacing.

S - faint grassy hops with some pale malt...very faint rye bread attempts to creep in near the end.

T - following the nose...leaning towards the malty side, lightly toasted nuttiness and slightly spicy rye. grassy hops add some bitterness at the back of the mouth.

M - very light body, with moderate carbonation. finishes mostly clean and a touch dry.

D - eh, basically a standard (albeit slightly bland) APA with a kiss of rye. light bodied to the point of almost being a chore after a full glass.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2010 16:11:00 | More by Stigs

ncfranklin

Alabama

3.45/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at The Stem & Stein into a pint glass.

A : Transluscent honey color, finger thick frothy white head. Considerable lacing.

S : Notes of biscuity malt, some grassy traits, pine note.

T : Follows the nose well. Smooth malty up front, bitter earthy grass in a crisp finish

M : Smooth, soft and very quenching.

D : This is a very solid pale, but not alot of risks. I would have preferred just a bit more body.

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2010 01:53:40 | More by ncfranklin

Reaper16

Alabama

4.38/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

served on-tap at Mellow Mushroom, Tuscaloosa, AL, into a pint glass

Pours a even-bodied orange/amber color. Like tangerine but darker, I suppose. The 1.5 finger sized head seemed fairly well-composed and almost like a nitro-tap head in terms of small-bubbled consistency. Adequate lacing. Looks good.

Hops come first and foremost. Not quite abrasive in their bitter aroma but strong nonetheless. Orange and pine and... hemp, I believe, make for a sticky smell. Some doughy, bready malt surfaces of course. Not complex but everything works together and smells bright & fresh.

This is a fucking awesome APA. This glass at this bar on this night, anyway. Like a less pungent version of Founders Red's Rye, this beer brings the hemp/weed taste along with bright citrus fruit and rye spicy sweetness and bitter evergreen. All that hop flavor is grounded in breadcrusts and caramel malt. The balance lies in favor of the hops but this is a pale ale that I think most beer drinkers, even the hop-averse, can appreciate.

Rye Pale Ale has the kind of mouthfeel I perhaps most appreciate - the one you don't ever think about. Great carbonation level, great smoothness. I could put back a few of these in one night and enjoy every second of it. (And the only reason I didn't put back a few was because this same bar had Bigfoot on-tap still !)

If you see this on-tap, buy it. What a perfect college football session choice this would be.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2010 03:39:04 | More by Reaper16