He'Brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A. - Shmaltz Brewing Company

Todd

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

"I don't know about you but I enjoy the way our tax money is being spent to arrest, indict, convict, imprison, parole, and re-imprison (marijuana smokers). I'd just piss it away on beer, anyway."

– Lenny Bruce

Out of the bottle (22oz bomber) and into the glass, the beer pours a very rich, vibrant, copper-colored brew with a seemingly thick consistency, shown by the sluggish carbonation bubbles rising to the top. Topped with a very healthy, thick, slightly off-white foam head, the beer’s lacing is tight, creamy, sticking to the glass, and retaining very well. Complex piney and resiny hop nose with gentle floral notes and bit of a peppery and spicy rye edge tucked within. Aroma suggests something sweet, with malty caramel upfront, loads of enticing ripe fruits, then alcohol. Oh, sweet alcohol.

The first sip introduces something smooth and creamy to the palate, but beneath lies something very powerful. Mouthfeel is dense, chewy, syrupy, and slick with candied-fruits and a massive malty backbone with caramel, toffee, and toasted bread. The heat (perceived alcohol) on this one is quite high, with a big 10 percent alcohol spice that melds well with rye bread crust flavors, rounded with berry-like fruity esters that make your heart skip a beat. The palate is then subjected to a salty, sticky hop resin with a sharp citric edge that smacks of half a pink grapefruit with ten sugar packets on it—prepared like your grandma would have. Hops character is actually quite complex, continuing with some dry aspirin. Rye and bready flavors become more pronounced in the linger, as the beer dries and sheds a near carob character across the palate. Alcohol gets a bit fumy and warming. Finish is oily, resinous, herbal, raw, and wanting of more.

This is an "Extreme Beer" and a Double IPA that dances on American-style Barleywine borders, with its aggressive hops and strength. It might be a bit too much for many to handle, and the fact that it’s packaged in a 22oz bomber bottle means that you’ll want to share it with friends. Keep chilled, serve cool in snifters, sip, and enjoy as the beer unfolds in your warm hands. Available for around $6 a bottle, which makes it affordable enough to try.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2006 04:06:24 | More by Todd

johntfox

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-21-2013 18:29:24 | More by johntfox

kingmaker

Louisiana

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-21-2013 00:47:51 | More by kingmaker

Kmat10

Alberta (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-20-2013 05:08:57 | More by Kmat10

rturn2

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

05-20-2013 00:43:41 | More by rturn2

phillybeerdude

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

05-19-2013 22:37:51 | More by phillybeerdude

Mark4prez20

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

05-18-2013 22:17:54 | More by Mark4prez20

BrySoChi

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-18-2013 21:25:49 | More by BrySoChi

random846

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-18-2013 05:05:22 | More by random846

RoryOMoore

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +17%

05-18-2013 03:47:58 | More by RoryOMoore

jroberts8811

Missouri

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-17-2013 19:22:03 | More by jroberts8811

HarmonMW

Michigan

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-15-2013 19:41:38 | More by HarmonMW

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

05-15-2013 18:39:19 | More by twenty5

lucasj82

Indiana

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-15-2013 00:21:23 | More by lucasj82

drummermattie02

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%

05-14-2013 18:12:07 | More by drummermattie02

DIPAFAN

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

05-12-2013 00:00:00 | More by DIPAFAN

DmouthCaliBrewz

New Hampshire

4.75/5  rDev +17%

05-11-2013 23:21:43 | More by DmouthCaliBrewz

freemanj

Missouri

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-10-2013 23:47:44 | More by freemanj

CTJman

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-10-2013 19:22:16 | More by CTJman

jmccullough108

Missouri

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-10-2013 02:17:08 | More by jmccullough108

Jameswoody

Montana

4.75/5  rDev +17%

05-08-2013 06:54:15 | More by Jameswoody

midnitesun11

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-08-2013 02:36:17 | More by midnitesun11

blknikon

Massachusetts

2.25/5  rDev -44.6%

05-07-2013 22:33:16 | More by blknikon

Herky21

Iowa

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

05-07-2013 11:26:42 | More by Herky21

bostonryan

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-06-2013 22:33:13 | More by bostonryan