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

IPALOVER

Colorado

4.65/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This brew is a hop lovers delight! I'm all about IPAs and DIPAs, so picked this one up and was anxious to try it.

The beer poured beautifully. I didn't think it was going to foam up at all, but then there it was-- looked like a nitrogen delivered tap beer! The head never totally disappeared, and it left a good amount of lace on the glass as I drank.

Loved, loved, loved the bittersweet taste of the hops combined with rye-- yum! There was absolutely nothing citrusy about this beer at all, as is common with many IPAs. The rye component gave it a malty, smooth quality; the hops were apparent immediately in the sweet yet slightly bitter taste.

I savored this beer and drank it slowly. It's not a session brew in my book, but one I would definitely drink again.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2008 05:22:27 | More by IPALOVER

PerzentRizen

Mississippi

4.65/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

All I have to say is wow! This is the first and only beer I have had from Shmaltz, but it will not be the last. You must take into account that Double American IPA's are my absolute favorite and I am watering at the mouth recounting this beautiful beer.

I poured my Lenny's RIPA into a Tulip glass and at around 50 degrees or so. A nice head formed and then reduced to minor lacing which could be refrothed with a few swirls of the glass.

The Aroma is lightly sweet, hoppy, and a faint hint of the 10%ABV alcohol. I can tell right away that the first 8 ounces of this 22 ounce bomber don't stand a chance. I am luckily at home alone and left to enjoy this beer in the solitude and sanctity of my living room recliner.

The first taste is magical. It is bitter, vivacious and malty. The finish is like a Green Flash DIPA or Stone Ruination only with more hop spiciness. I can't believe the kick of this beer. The hop presence hides the alcohol well, but after 2/3 of the bottle you can definately feel the affects.

I would recommend this beer to anyone with a taste for IPA's. If you liked Stone Ruination, Arrogant Bastard, Green Flash DIPA, or any other heavily hopped beer you will most definately love this one. Enjoy and savor this one.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2008 00:53:30 | More by PerzentRizen

Wackyfoot

Oregon

4.65/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a lovely reddish amber hue with a medium light brown head. Wonderful spicy smell with a hint of citrus as well. The flavor is heavily spiced with a whiskey essence and a nice bit of hoppy goodness. Little bit of alcohol presence as well but not overpowering. I think I just converted.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2008 06:21:07 | More by Wackyfoot

JAA

Florida

4.65/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This is a top-notch brew, no doubt about it. The bottle says an obscene amount of hops and malts were used, and the smell and taste confirm it.

The head that did appear, quickly disappeared. Dark amber body with absolutely no lacing. Not a real appealing appearance.

The smell is all rye and bourbon. A very faint citric hop note peeks through.

At first taste, this doesn't seem like a D.I.P.A. at all. More like a Scottish Ale. Very malty up front, hoppy in the finish. Soon, the taste buds got acclimated to the malt, and the strong, citrusy hops burst through. The bready rye flavor hangs on, always the noticeable backbone to this phenomenal brew.

Mouthfeel is thick and mouth-filling. Slick and sticky.

At ten percent ABV, one bomber is enough for one sitting. I would definitely purchase again. The price wasn't bad, either.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2009 15:40:24 | More by JAA

mooseisloose

Florida

4.65/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

If Schlitz is Schlitz, this is Schmaltz. This is a bomber that appeared albeit at a great price at the local beer supply joint, so I decided to give it a whirl. It is a brew among brews, let me tell you, my friends. The bottle smell is malt and lots of it. This is a brew that for the style - reinvents- Obscene is completely correct. This is a beer for worldwide lovers of beer. This may not be a tripel, its more ,with the hopping its a dirty quadruple! At least he migrated to see the US of A!

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2009 22:58:42 | More by mooseisloose

shaunb81

Florida

4.65/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - Pours a beautiful, copper body with a nice 1", cream head. Heavy lacing throughout the glass.

Smell - Strong spicy hops here, some sweet malts detected, and I also get a little citrus.

Taste - Sweet on the front and super, long-lasting, bitter hops. I really like this beer.

Mouthfeel - Mild carbonation and I LOVE the creamy density of the brew. Perfect IPA for me.

Overall - Can't say that I've had a better IPA, but I know I have a lot to go. I recommend this to ANY hop head.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2011 16:58:48 | More by shaunb81

whatthehull

California

4.65/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tulip

A - cloudy burnt sienna, one finger tan head and nice lacing

S - awesome booze, the rye is great, tons of hops, sweet and toasted malts, spice, funk, wet wood, huge yeast note, fruity and more sweet woody booze

T - the rye is fantastic, nice spice, booze, tons of earth, malt bomb backbone. some citrus, slight dried sweet and citrus fruit, island fruits and some sap

M - full body, medium minus acidity, medium balance, fun complexity and long finish

D - for most, this isn't for you. Huge hop, huge malt and very boozy! For all hop/malt heads, BAM! Get a few 4 packs. Great beer

Final thought - never had anything except for jewbelation 14 and 15 from schmaltz that I enjoy, but this, I love! $8.50 a 4 pack and 10%, love it!

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 09:31:00 | More by whatthehull

gustogasmic

Michigan

4.68/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A- Dark, dark, barely clear red. Light yellowy thin head shows up quick and sticks. Oily.

S- Harsh, sweet, dark fruit. cherry. The power of the beer is palpable... the alcohol stings a bit.

T- Sweet hops all over the place, dark fruit, pomegranate, brought home by the overwhelming sweetness. Oh my god i forgot this was a RYE pa. HOW IS IT SO SMOOTH!? OH MY GOD@!!!

M- Velvety, soft, smooth, comforting, light, luscious, soft, so soft

O- How is a rye beer this unabrasive? This is candy, too smooth to be called safe. Earthy candy, strong nectar

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 08:28:29 | More by gustogasmic

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

4.7/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

A: Copper with a very light tan head, great retention, awesome lacing. Seriously impressive for a brew of this strength.

S: Huge nose, grapefruit, nectarine, spicy rye bread, toffee, extremely enticing.

T: Piny, resiny hops complement the spiciness from the rye; bready malt, nectarine, tangine, solid bitterness, alcohol is extremely well-hidden. I know it's bigger, but his one blows the Founder's rye brews away.

M: Moderately full body is well-attenuated and extremely smooth, slight hop acidity, off-dry finish. Extremely well-crafted.

D: I absolutely love it, but it's a big brew.

I don't think I've ever said 'extreme' so many times in a single review, yet this is remarkably well-rounded. Playboy may have described it best "F#cking delicious".

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2009 01:59:38 | More by Derek

MrHassellYaHurd

Louisiana

4.7/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a pint glass. Wasn't expecting this huge head, toppled over the sides of the glass. Beautifully clear copper/orange with a super dense off-white foamy head.

The smell is an intense waft of huge pine and citrusy American hops, as well as a spicy and slightly roasted note.

The taste is a perfect balance between the big bitter hop flavor, the sweet and spicy malt with a tad of roast to it, and the (IMO) perfectly medium/thick body and appropriate carbonation.

The beer is definitely easily drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2010 03:13:10 | More by MrHassellYaHurd

cdizinno

South Carolina

4.7/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: Poured into a pint glass from a 12oz. bottle as pictured.

A: Big tan, two+ finger head. Deep, dark reddish-copper color that is clear with fine carbonation and fluffy, sticky lacing that clings all the way down the glass.

S: Mildly ripe citrus fruit, pine, malts, and hint of spices mixed in.

T&M: Smooth and ultra creamy. Hop oil slickness in a full bodied taste. Very thick with caramel malts, spicy rye, herbs, mild citrus to toasted freshness. The mild, tangy hop bitterness is perfectily balanced with the malt smoothness. The complex flavors are almost unexplainable.

This stuff is SUPERB! Definitely not quite as good as the fresh growler I had several months ago, however, this is still really good! It has a unique taste, so approach this with an open mind. So thick, you can only have one at a time... maybe two. Great DIPA with a rye twist.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2010 21:02:15 | More by cdizinno

TheBear11D

Michigan

4.7/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

1 Pint 6 oz bottle poured into a snifter.

Pours a rusty copper to a deep red color with a thick head that leaves wonderful lacing with each sip.

The aroma is well balanced with caramel and rye on the malt side and lights berries and citrus on the hop side.

The flavor follows suit. The ABV is well hidden in the strong flavors presented in the malts and hops. The more this warms the beer shines. There really is nothing to be disappointed about in this beer. The malts greet the tongue and the hops crash the party while both blend well into the aftertaste.

The body is medium to full with great carbonation. This is thicker than anticipated given the high ABV.

Overall this is a wonderful IPA. For some reason the liquor store near me was selling this at a discounted price. Something I was not displeased about. I will certainly pay for another one of these and recommend you give this a try as well even if a DIPA is not one of your favorites.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 23:20:37 | More by TheBear11D

Rippeddisc

Hawaii

4.7/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Short review.

Incredibly well balanced dipa. Appearance is standard IPA amber...thick head...not too much lacing on my sample. Biscuity with plenty of grapefruit, raisin bread, and hop kick. Big malty start with tremendous hop finish. Great mouthfeel...thick and lingering. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 07:55:01 | More by Rippeddisc

gpogo

California

4.72/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

A- Dark amber with reddish tint. Off-white head

A- Lots of malt, Lots of hop. How did all this aroma land in one beer?

T- The rye can really surprise someone not used to rye in beer. The hop bitterness keeps the heavy amount of malt in check. Leaves a bitter alcohol aftertaste.

M- Decent carbonation. Very thick body.

D- A very interesting take on the DIPA. As it is so rich and heavy I'd probably only want to have one or two of these at a time. I highly recommend this as rye leads to an interesting character in a beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2008 17:14:18 | More by gpogo

airheadmtrcycle

Georgia

4.72/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I don't know why it took me so long to get around to this highly rated beer, and company for that matter. Anyway, being a big DIPA fan and one with true respect and admiration for Lenny Bruce I'm really excited about trying it. Plus, it's exciting to have so many great beers left to try. And as fate would have it, this is a great beer.

The appearance is really interesting. It's a darker, and deeper orange than some of the DIPAs I've been drinking lately. The head is almost tan, just shy of the tan a porter or stout might have. The head was not huge, but attractive and it leaves lacing all the way down. A sexy looking brew, for sure.

The aroma is harder to describe. The rye is there, but so is a bread dough-like aroma that gets the salivary glands excited immediately. I smell hops, slightly on the pine-y side, but perhaps some lighter citrus notes as well. Not a hop bomb, but more an exquisitely balanced and refined brew.

The taste delivers on all the sexy looks and complex aromas. About half way down I think to myself, this is why I should never get stuck drinking 2 or 3 beers and stop taking chances with my hard-to-come-by expendable income. Sure I've had some big disappointments, but then you try something like this all the waste falls away. This is a special beer! I think it qualifies as a big beer, one that I'm glad I have 3 more left to drink and explore more deeply.

Each sip delivers something new - rye, hops, bread-y malts, spicy alcohol - and it all comes together so perfectly. Perhaps a myopic hop-head might find fault in its lack of huge bitterness, but that's missing the point, I think.

Lenny's RIPA is big, yet subtle, with a medium mouth feel and is quite drinkable despite the high ABV.

Perhaps I'm over-reacting, but I can only think of 2 beers I liked this much on my first try.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2011 05:20:37 | More by airheadmtrcycle

jondeelee

Massachusetts

4.72/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A.--a double IPA with rye malt--has many of the markings of a good double IPA: grapefruit aroma, mixed with hints of pine resin; citrus notes, including orange, lychee nut, and berry; and a good malt backing to help balance the bitterness. In this case, the malt is part rye, and the result is a malt aroma that is part confectioner's sugar, part marble rye bread, part toast, and absolutely enticing.

On the tongue, the brew is immediately sugary (fruit esters including fig, pear, apricot) and full of rye flavor, which brings a spicy earthiness--lemon pepper, rye bread, burnt toast crust--to the brew. The hops--which have to be present in great quantities, since the beer was brewed with seven varieties, and then dry-hopped with three more--actually take a back seat to the rye flavors for the first part of the mouthful. It isn't until late, when the sugars die off, that a good hop base finally comes through, and when it does, it revels in grapefruit and pine flavors, and is superbly nuanced and finely balanced. Just at the end, a hint of burnt toast edges back through. The aftertaste is mainly hops, with a hint of rye, and lingers for a good while. Mouthfeel is medium, and carbonation is medium.

Overall, this is excellent beer, especially given the price (my bomber wasn't even $7) and the 10% ABV. The beer's only fault is a slight alcohol/vodka tinge around the edges, this thanks to the high ABV. But even that isn't enough to spoil what is otherwise superb fare. Well worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2011 17:07:48 | More by jondeelee

brewmyster

Oregon

4.72/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

In tulip glass with Saint Agur blue cheese

A-dark amber thin head which disappear to a ring

S-carmel,toffee, fig?

T-malt,carmel,butter,sweet malt (rye malt?, wow,really whatever I love it),slight alcohol but nothing like you would expect at the ABV,hop bitterness at the end

M-syrupy texture,stays on the tongue almost oily

O-this is one of my new favorites, this went AWESOME with blue cheese

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 02:08:03 | More by brewmyster

geexploitation

Indiana

4.75/5  rDev +17%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark amber, deep mahogany in the middle and bright cherrywood on the outer rim, with a big, whipped-cream head that sticks very well to the sides of the glass. Wonderful nose, full of fruity, doughy goodness (must be the rye) alongside fruity and metallic hops. Very enticing. On the palate, this beer is hugely smooth without having a dextrine feel. Metallic hops, rich caramel hops and yeasty, doughy fruits vye for your attention at the mid-palate. Hop bitterness is big but not acrid or overly acidic; maltiness is substantial but not sweet. Balance is the watchword here, a rare thing in a double IPA. Overall, this beer is great, exactly what a double IPA should be. The rye adds a certain depth to the beer, and every flavor element harmonizes with the others. Excellent.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2006 04:52:09 | More by geexploitation

Thiestru

Georgia

4.75/5  rDev +17%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12-oz. bottle into my Terrapin pint glass.

Appearance: Rich, hazy copper color with a three-finger brownish-white head. (The bottle had gotten a little shaken up the night before opening, which I think accounts for that insanely thick head, at least partially.) The color and head are good enough, but the haziness pushes it right up there to 'exceptional'. Not to mention the generous lacing.

Smell: Rye and hops. I can't wait to try it!

Taste: Wow! This is the best IPA I've had in quite some time, and I've had some good ones in the last few months. Whoever first thought of mixing rye and hops was a hero to the human race, and it seems that Schmaltz Brewing Company agrees, because they've taken that idea and made a masterpiece of it. Seriously. This tastes a lot like a Terrapin Rye Pale Ale, but stronger, and just... bigger. And better. And I love Terrapin Rye Pale Ale, too. First you get those rye malts on the front of the tongue, then it gradually gives way to bitter hops as it goes back. I'm having a hard time describing this because it's so overwhelmingly great.

Mouthfeel: Rather full-bodied and creamy, actually. Very, very good.

Drinkability: I could drink these all day! Enough said.

Get this.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2010 21:37:36 | More by Thiestru

HeightsEats

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a nice golden hue, malty aroma with faint hop floral elements. The taste and drinkability are surprising for a 10% ABV beer. Very good balance between sweet and bitter with a full-bodied (but not cloying) mouthfeel and an excellent roasted / rye complexity in both flavor and aftertaste. I only bought one of these, but wished I'd had another after finishing it.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2010 21:31:05 | More by HeightsEats

froggyfrog

Pennsylvania

4.78/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

One tall bomber-sized brown glass bottle wrapped in an event of a label sits proudly on a coaster on my desk, half of its guts splashed in the bowl of my crystal snifter.

In the glass this untamed liquid is aglow with beautiful rich warm ruby tones. Hypnotic carbonation bubbles steadily stream up the sides of the bowl like an army of zombified ants whose only urge is an undeniable compulsion to reach the surface and contribute to the dense ring of sallow foam clinging to the glass left by others before them. This is one of those beers that is almost too visually engaging to drink for fear of ruining the spectacle.

The aromas given off by this beer warrant another five-point rating. There is some subtle spiciness, likely a factor of the rye malt in the grain bill. I'm getting some underplayed West Coast American citrus/grapefruit hop scents and an underlying sweetness.

This brew demonstrates a quiet smoothness throughout that is impressive to say the least. That quality is showcased in the taste and mouthfeel as a light, creamy weightlessness and a flavor that deftly combines such components as cracked peppercorns with light liquid whipping cream and squeezed oranges.

The bitterness and alcohol that earn this beer the name double IPA are in residence, but wrapped up so cozily in the overall "delicacy" of the drink as to be totally approachable even by those who have no sadistic twist of psyche causing them to enjoy alpha-acidic tongue scorchings.

Fantastic.

Lenny Bruce was not afraid!

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2006 04:41:32 | More by froggyfrog

merlin48

Kentucky

4.78/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

22 oz bottle pours a radiant copper body with excellent clarity. Generous beige head has suburb retention and laces profusely.

Aroma is luscious, boasting tons of malt, hops, and spicy rye. Orange and tangerine esters dance around with pink grapefruit,spicy pumpernickel and toffee and caramel.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, slightly chewy, with an ideal carbonation that rounds out the malt and hops very well.

Taste has lots of citrusy hops, mostly orange, that balance well with the toffee maltiness. A nice presence of grapefruit hops bitterness is noticed from start to finish and melds sublimely with the spiciness from the rye malt. Some welcome caramel sweetness pokes through from time to time, adding to the tasty complexity. No hint of the 10% abv.

An excellent DIPA with a spicy rye edge. Well balanced, very tasty, and dangerously drinkable. Lenny's is a real winner!

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2006 14:52:31 | More by merlin48

velosuds

Oregon

4.78/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22oz bomber into a clear pint glass. No freshness date. Purchased at Cost Plus World Market for $5.49.

A-Pours a medium to deep amber-reddish brown color with a two finger, creamy tan head with good retention and ample, pasty lacing. Beautiful appearance.

S-Caramel and spicy rye malts. Hops too. Citrusy and sweet. I love this beer. Very interesting for a DIPA, but I'm not sure that is the proper style. Not that it really matters. I love this beer.

T-God, I love this beer. Very well balanced, yet complex. Hops are aggressive without overpowering the taste buds. Nice rye malt backbone in finish is profoundly sweet. Very distinctive, even surprising. A real treat. No bitter after taste and alcohol content is hardly noticeable, even at 10% ABV. Extremely well constructed.

M-Very smooth and extremely well balanced. Carbonation is perfect.

D-Dangerously smooth given ABV. I prefer to sip this one, especially since the taste and drinkability improve as it warms.

This is among my favorite beers and would rate higher if it were more affordable. Sorry, but as a value conscious CPA the price paid is important to my overall enjoyment of beer. Thankfully, there are many great values and a plethora of choices available.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2009 02:42:16 | More by velosuds

berpwillie

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a brown amber color, slightly cloudy with large white head and lacing. lively carbonation, medium body, and long flavor duration. taste of bread like malts and harsh piney hops.smooth creamy texture. probably one of the smoothest beers i've ever had. if you haven't had this beer before you are really missing out. different from most ipa's i've had, this beer is exceptional!!!!

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2010 18:39:43 | More by berpwillie

Duhast500

Massachusetts

4.83/5  rDev +19%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

For my Dad. July 27, 2009

Poured from a bomber into a steamed tasting glass.

The color is a deep maroon/red with some gold or orange tint to it when help to the light. Two fingers of head with some nice retention.

The smell is a big heavy on the alcohol at first some nice hops with a malty sweetness. Some subtle wheat or rye flavoring in the background

The taste is a bit sweet at first but some strong hop flavor makes it's mark on your tongue and stays there some a time. As I write this review it is still lingering on my taste buds reminding me I am tasting a big beer. With each sip the malt pronouces itself then leaves the major character to this beer to be the nice hop bitterness. Always a great taste to a hop fan.

The beer is not light but is a bit medium in body and feels good drinking it on a hot night in July. Does have a bit of a slight sting with each sip to remind you of the 10.% ABV but it warms your mouth just a little but never over does it.

I picked this beer up because of the name but ended up being very pleased with the results. A great Double IPA that has it's own character.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2009 03:51:01 | More by Duhast500