Terrapin Rye Pale Ale - Terrapin Beer Company

Duff27

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Nice dull orange color body with a small but adequate white head. Spider lacing with above average head retention.

Don't get a lot of the rye in the nose, rather some citrus notes.

Ah there it is. The the aspect lends a small spicyness to the citrus (orange) hop profile. Malt backbone stands tall against the hops.

Medium-thin mouthfeel, good carbonation.

Very nicely balanced and drinkable. Packs a decent amount of flavor into a relatively small ABV. Rye adds a subtle twist on a classic American style.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 02:30:38 | More by Duff27

neenerzig

Ohio

3.7/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Got a 12 oz bottle of this at a Publix in Sarasota, FL on my vacation that I am still currently on there. I have never seen this beer in Cleveland, OH where I am from. I like rye beers so I decided to pick this one up upon seeing it. Poured into a pint glass, this beer is a clear dark gold color with an amberish hue. The white head was about 2/3 inch thick when poured before settling to, well pretty much nothing. Just an extremely white ring lining the inside of the glass and practically zero lacing. Aromas of earthy spice and some citrus hops along with some caramel malt sweetness and just a hint of rye. Tastewise it has a nice caramel malt sweetness upfront that is well balanced with a good citrus hop flavor and hints of rye. Has a crisp and smooth, thin to medium bodied mouthfeel with light to moderate carbonation. A bit too thin bodied for me and not enough rye for my taste. I expected more. Not a bad beer all around, but I was expecting more. Worth a try I suppose but not worth going out of your way for either.

Eric

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 03:32:57 | More by neenerzig

Mojo

Alabama

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

This beer is very uncomplicated. Not bad, but the taste is kind of one dimensional. Very rye tasting from start to finish. It smells very rye and pours up a beautiful golden amber with a one finger head and decent lacing. Mouthfeel is kind of thin.

This is my first sampling of Terrapin's offerings. I am pretty eager to try some more of their beers. Even with what I consider to be an uncomplicated taste, it would be a good starter beer for someone wanting to expand their taste.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 02:57:19 | More by Mojo

WankelEngine

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass

A: Pours a clear golden color. There is a small white head which fades to a small ring of foam. Minimal spotty lacing.

S: An interesting mix of tropical fruits, mango, pineapple and citrus, combined with a mild rye spice and some pine.

T: Even less rye in the flavor then the aroma, but it still imparts a bit of its characteristic spice. Overall fairly sweet, with some caramel malt coming through in the middle of the sip. Finish is fairly short but exhibits some mild pine bitterness and complementary rye spice.

M: Medium bodied with some effervescent carbonation.

O: Like this bottle says, this is a pale ale at heart. The rye gives it a little bit of interesting spice, but it retains it's drinkability and fruitiness. One of the few rye beers I've had that would be good for drinking on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 22:22:48 | More by WankelEngine

vfgccp

New York

3.25/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Pale orange gold. White head has low retention and ok lace.

S - Sweet malt, touch of booze. Ok rye note, but there's really not much going on in the nose.

T - Nice profile. Spicy rye, honey, and sweet malt with a light woody bitterness throughout.

M - Medium/light body, medium/light carbonation.

O - Nice drinkability and balance.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 17:20:28 | More by vfgccp

DovaliHops

California

3.08/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to ediaz for this extra! Says best enjoyed by the first week of May...so I'm assuming the hops have faded and it isn't going to be as good as it would be fresh. Pours an almost-clear golden color with a large white head that takes some time to go down. Scent is rye spiciness at first with some grain. Not much hoppiness. A touch of caramel malt. Taste is initially bread-like malt with some slightly spicy rye. There is a hoppy presence, but nothing bittering whatsoever. The rye characteristics are lovely though.Mouthfeel is light bodied, but nicely carbonated. Drinkability is fairly high. Overall, it is an okay APA. The rye definitely helps. If it wasn't for the rye characteristics, this APA would be below average. Like I said before, this is an old bottle, so I'm sure it tastes better fresh.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2012 05:53:20 | More by DovaliHops

Kromes

Georgia

3.93/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: A hazy orange with a thin white head.

S: A rye grain aroma with some citrus notes.

T: A nice rye flavor with some citrus fruit hop. The finish is more rye grain with a lingering bitter citrus.

M: Lower carbonation and smooth feel. Very drinkable.

O: I'm a big fan of rye beers. This one is definitely near the top. Easy drinking and a nice refreshing citrus quality to it. Very solid. You can't go wrong ordering this beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 22:40:00 | More by Kromes

macrosmatic

Florida

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

Reviewed from notes. Poured from 12 oz. bottle into pint glass.

A: Pours a clear, copper color with a 1/2 inch head. Not much in the way of visible carbonation present.

S: Nose is a grainy, wheat (or rye, I suppose) aroma with the citrusy hop aroma in the background.

T: Taste follows the nose nicely, with a bit of hoppy dry finish.

M: Medium mouthfeel and carbonation for the style.

O: This is OK. Nothing special but nothing off-putting. There are certainly other rye ales, APAs & Terrapin offerings that I would drink again before this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2012 21:48:16 | More by macrosmatic

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.95/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I'm kind of surprised I haven't reviewed this yet, a couple made it back from Florida with me so here goes. Pours a slightly hazy deep golden color with a smallish foamy white head that persists a bit. Earthy spicy and citrusy on the nose with a bit of sweet toffee and caramel to back it up. Taste follows the aroma very well but intensifies the spicy earthy component and lessens the citrus. Medium to thin body with a crisp level of carbonation and a sweet bubbly mouthfeel. This is a great easy drinking summer beer for me, I wish I could get this one locally.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2012 00:11:53 | More by johnnnniee

Arborescence

Finland

3.83/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Yellow, slightly hazy, not much of a head.

Aroma: Mildly hoppy, some honey-like sweetness.

Taste: Refreshing hops and citrus, not too overwhelming.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied.

Overall: Decent pale ale with a bit of a twist. Very fitting for a sunny day!

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2012 14:08:48 | More by Arborescence

BrownNut

Florida

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

12-oz to nonic. Three months before drink-by.

A - Gold. Decent bright white head.

S - Oddly, green apple, at least while the head is still effervescing, but later faint, overlapping a wet grain smell. A little caramel malt.

T - Not sure I'm getting much rye here. I feel like I've been able to detect the rye in past tastings. Just a little bit of hop presence. There was a time in my hopvolution when this beer marked the limit of hops I could tolerate. Now it doesn't seem particularly hoppy except in the aftertaste, where a mild bitterness lingers. I feel like this is slightly watery and could use a more concentrated flavor.

M - nothing of note aside from a slight feeling of hop dryness left behind.

O - A good beer. Sessionable but not bland. I feel like it was more flavorful when I tried it in the past, but that was on tap. I'll want to try it again and see if today was an oddity.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 23:15:32 | More by BrownNut

SLeffler27

New York

3.63/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Builds a two inch frothy white head that slowly drops leaving huge patches of lace over a dark gold beer with a light haze and occasional carbonation.

An equal mix of orange and pine are followed by grapefruit and caramel with a background mustiness that draws away from its freshness.

The flavor is grainy with hay and a light bitterness on opening. Bitterness builds with time on the tongue and warmth. Grapefruit builds with warmth and the finish, while quick, is moderately bitter.

A light to medium body with a watery texture, fizzy carbonation, mild astringency, and light alcohol.

This beer goes well with football, wings and nachos.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 22:00:55 | More by SLeffler27

sommersb

Tennessee

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

Tasted On: 04-10-2012
Freshness: Best by 08-2012
Packaging: 12 oz. brown bottle
Glassware: Schooner glass
Purchased: Single from Midtown, Nashville

Clear beer, with a dark golden, or honey, color. Head is a finger high and white, with low retention and good lacing.

Aromas are mainly of hops, piney and floral, with some additional notes of spices and citrus.

Taste is moderately bitter in this hop-forward ale, with also an earthiness and rye spiciness. Other flavors are of peppers and fruits.

Mouthfeel is crisp, with medium levels of carbonation and body. The finish is clean and bitter with some lingering spices.

Overall a very good beer. The rye adds a nice spice component to this pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2012 00:51:22 | More by sommersb

ohnoitsthefuzz

New Jersey

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

Poured into my Dogfishhead ale glass from fridge with thin head that dissipated quickly.

A: Golden honey color with a slight haze. The beer appeared to have a column of darker maple color in the middle with lighter near the edges, a neat little visual effect of the glass and the beer.

S: Nose is mild, with a dried fruit component. There was also an unusual aroma that was part musty, part metallic, which wasn't particularly pleasant, but not so pronounced as to ruin the experience.

T: Splash of bitter hops, quickly giving way to a bready then caramel-pineapple/fruit malty sweetness. Aftertaste was pleasantly sweet, with a lingering bitterness from the hops. Rye as I think of it (rye bread) was not in the spotlight, but likely contributed to the overall flavor profile. I'd be interested in trying this beer with rye as a greater % of the grain bill.

M: Bottle conditioned with perfect fine carbonation. This combined with the balanced flavor makes this a refreshing, drinkable session beer.

O: I'd buy it again, and I'm interested in trying more offerings from Terrapin. Thanks for reading!

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2012 01:29:08 | More by ohnoitsthefuzz

FosterJM

California

3.6/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

1150th Review on BA
Bottle to Pint
12 oz

Purchased from Whole Foods Tampa for $1.99

App- A semi orange with some highlighted yellow and gold look. A small impish 1/2 finger head presented and faded quickly. Not much cling or lace either.

Smell- A good smelling pale ale with good amounts of hop bitter, rye was there and even some citrus notes presented itself.

Taste- I was a little let down with this one. I wasn't sure about the Rye but if it was only 10% I get why it was so light but more pale with some citrus and some malt behind it. A small tad bit of bitter but note much.

Mouth- A small medium body with a medium carbonation level. A nice bit of malty rye. A little underwhelming but still okay.

Drink- A nice beer, but with the Rye on the label I expected so much more. It's become a favorite style for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 20:39:32 | More by FosterJM

UDbeernut

New York

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

bottle aquired in trade with Dsho, best before Jan 2012.

Golden amber elixer with small white lacing cap. The lacing does ring the glass as this one is consumed. moderate visiblt carbonation. Nose features caramel, rye, and a quick slap of pine. Taste has spicy rye upfront with undertones of light caramel, pine, and a light does of citrus. This one trends toward the sweet side of the palate. Mouth is medium, but has an element of wateriness. Good.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 16:46:12 | More by UDbeernut

sidetracked

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear light gold with a bubbly off-white head. Some lacing.

Smell is grassy hops, sweet pine, and fruit mixed with a light caramel, rye malt. Some tea-like, herbal qualities.

Upfront taste is bitter grassy hops. Rye, bready malt middle with a little caramel/toffee sweetness. Hoppy bitter finish--grassy and citrusy. Some caramel and pine sweetness remains through the finish.

Light to medium body with medium carbonation. Crisp, clean finish.

Very drinkable pale ale. Light, but packed full of flavor. Rye adds some uniqueness to the malt profile. Just as good as I remember it from when I first started drinking craft beer.

11/25/2011

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 01:15:26 | More by sidetracked

rangerred

Tennessee

3.6/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

Appearance is a clear medium gold with a one finger head that fades to a thin layer. Good lacing.

Smells very citrusy; quite lemony actually. A little bit of spice from the rye is also detectable.

Taste is citrusy hops up front followed by a slight caramel note then some mild rye spicyness. Bitterness is moderate throughout with the beer finishing rather crisp and dry. Mouthfeel is light all around and even a bit watery.

This is a nice drinkable APA that is made a little more interesting by adding the rye. Decent and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 20:10:27 | More by rangerred

Neorebel

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a golden brown color with a small head. The beer is not very carbonated, so the head diminishes quickly. I love the smell of this beer - honey, caramel, and malty. The taste is bready and malty, with the rye is very much 'up front.' A slight tangy hint of hops in the finish. Very light mouth feel. Good beer, but not overly interesting - can not compete with the other rye beers I've reviewed.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 06:58:34 | More by Neorebel

B967ierhunter177

Pennsylvania

1.55/5  rDev -59.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

This beer pours a clear, copper color with no head or lace. The aroma is of bread crust, honey, and pine. The flavor is very piney with some lemon. There is a bitter, envelope glue-like aftertaste. The mouthfeel is light-medium and sticky. Terrapin Rye Pale Ale is an ok beer, light, dry, and fairly bland. Slightly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 00:17:13 | More by B967ierhunter177

Mississipping

Mississippi

3.28/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a slightly hazy copper color with a two-finger white head that doesn't last long. Moderate lacing left behind.

S: Citrusy, grassy, and somewhat spicy. A pretty good malty backbone holding everything together. Nice aroma, but somewhat bland.

T: Starts out a little sweet and then transitions to an ample spiciness with some rye and pine. Maltiness is less subdued in the taste than in the aroma. Oddly earthy at the end, kinda tastes like dirt.

M: Lighter side of medium bodied with a pretty good bit of carbonation. Again, starts out a little sweet and then transitions to spicy with a pretty good bitterness at the end, that isn't completely pleasant.

D/O: Pretty average overall, with some typical pale ale characteristics, an added bit of spice, and something that doesn't sit well with me at the end. However, it went down pretty easily. Not bad, but didn't stand out.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2012 22:31:19 | More by Mississipping

keanex

New Jersey

2.88/5  rDev -25%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

From a bottle with a enjoy before date of 8/21/2011, today is 1/4/2011 so a little old. Poured into a shaker glass.

A: Slightly hazy amber with sediment suspended in the body. Thin white head which dissipates rather quickly.

S: The best way I can describe this is a light sweet tea. It's sweet with a slight fruity scent to it with slight hops, but they're all mixing together and remind me of iced tea.

T: A bit bitter throughout, but in a slightly off way. There's some rye notes through it, but this is rather watery. I would like to try this fresh, but it definitely doesn't hold up much past the date.

M: Watery and thin with weak carbonation, it has a slight edge to it, but it fizzes up mostly and makes the beer feel creamy.

O: I applaud Terrapin for putting a best before date because at least I know this was past the date and I know it deserves a re-rate. I know it's a bit old, but unfortunately the consumer is left with a sub-par beer due to age. It makes me wonder how many "bad" beers I've had were simply bad due to age. I'll revisit this fresh.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2012 05:11:01 | More by keanex

Chriscrundwell12

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle poured into a "Surly Power of the Pint" pint glass.

A- Pours a 1 ½ finger white head that dissipates to a nice bubbly layer on top of the glass, splotchy lacing, brown yellow color well carbonated, slight haziness to it.
S- The aroma is very mellow, some citrus, some grapefruit, big malt aromas, bready notes, nutty notes, not much going on in the aroma.
T- Not the greatest tasting Pale Ale, slight citrus, some spice, malt backbone, really mellow beer, not much going on.
M- Medium mouth feel, well carbonated, crisp/clean finish.
O- Decent beer, nothing really special or unique going on, easy drinkability, would drink again if there was no other option.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2012 08:05:08 | More by Chriscrundwell12

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

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.85/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Another goodie thanks to rhong187.

12oz bottle poured into a Pint glass.

A - Pours a cloudy, medium orange with a thin light tan head that is gone almost instantly. Good lacing left on the glass.

S - Defintely some rye, and some carmel sweetness.

T - Light carmel, rye, wheat. Very balanced.

D - Lower carbonation, average body.

O - A unique take and solid. Glad to have tried it.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 04:29:33 | More by HuskyinPDX