Sweetwater LowRYEder IPA - SweetWater Brewing Company

AmitC

Indiana

4.01/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a snifter.

A nice pale orange color. One finger thick off white colored head with decent retention. Excellent lacing. Hazy appearance. Juicy. one or two bubbles seen going up. Opaque.

Aroma is bursting with some citrus flavors - orange peel and grape fruit. A mix of malts and centennial hops create a nice earthy touch along with creating good aromatics. Strength is good. No booze and nice sessionable touch with a good amount of orange feel. A little hint of rye in middle of all that.

Flavors are equally good. Zesty filled with sap kind of flavor that seeps in slowly giving the taste of dry hopped brew. Orange peel, grapefruit and a complex citrus variety. Upfront is a mix of malty and aromatic flavor with the end as a nice and well balanced rye IPA. Rye bitterness and hop bitterness is well hidden. Finish is a lot pale ale like with very slight bitterness. In fact malt does an extremely good job of not dominating but suppressing all the bitterness.

Mouth feel is medium light bodied. Moderate to low carbonation. Easy to drink and with no astringency.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 01:07:09 | More by AmitC

UnderPressure

South Carolina

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Slightly hazy. golden straw colored. Momentary half inch head melts to a ring.

Mostly malt sweetness in the aroma. The hops have certainly faded, since this beer is not at its peak freshness. But I am picking up some floral hop aroma

More of the same in the flavor, with an added spiciness from the rye malt. Significant bitterness accentuated by the rye. Decent flavor. Nothin special though.

Carbonation feels nice, as well as the body of the beer. The finish is dry, bitter, and a little rough on the tongue for my taste. But not as bad as some other rye beers.

I feel like this beer would be much better fresh, so I won't knock it too much. But, I wasn't very impressed overall.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 12:43:33 | More by UnderPressure

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.04/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Starts with a fluffy, large-bubbled head, settling very slowly. It leaves some chunky lace throughout the tasting. The liquid is dirty gold and hazy.

The dryness of the Rye really shows up in the smell. There's no sweetness to the nose. It seems like this sucks up all of the potential floral hop aroma that might exist. It's pleasant but not IPA-like.

Good dry malt start. Almost lip puckering. The hop is far more pronounced on the tongue, coming across like white pepper. The aftertaste is a continuation of these two elements, providing good lingering flavor. The body is above average in richness. The carbonation is appropriate.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 22:11:17 | More by smcolw

unskinnyhop09

South Carolina

3.78/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

had this offering at taco mac @ philips. have also had some bottles from sweetwater tackle boxes this winter.

best part = smell
least = mouthfeel

this brew looks great - solid craft brew pale ale.

the smell is amazing. the rye and hops really give this brew its aromatic identity.

the taste almost matches the aroma. it is crisp, hoppy, and peppery.

mouthfeel is the only weakness here. after having sn's ruthless, shmaltz's bittersweet lenny's ripa and br's hop rod, lowryeder's mouthfeel just doesn't compete.

overall - if you like hoppy, peppery ipas, then this brew is worth a try. i prefer sweetwater's ipa to this, but it is a pleasant experience.

oddly, i found the bottle better than the tap...could have been my frame of reference. try to drink it after 420.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2013 01:44:27 | More by unskinnyhop09

godlessape

Georgia

4.16/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured this from a bottle into a snifter. The body is clear and brassy, and the half inch creamy head fell to a thin skim and like all good IPA's hung on tenaciously.
The aroma is heavy with pine, like a fresh Christmas tree in a small room. I'm picking up a some grapefruit, orange, and lemon notes as well of course--and all of this is drenched in a subterranean deep rich caramel. Sublime.
The taste doesn't venture too from what your schnoz already told you to expect, thankfully. The spicy peppery rye adds to the whole mix in a winning way and the Mt Hood along with the Centennial hops make for a great combo.
The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy with light to moderate carbonation.
Overall this has to be one of my favorite rye IPA's. Anyone in or around Georgia should pick up a 6-pack or two.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 01:07:13 | More by godlessape

chickenflea

Florida

3.7/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured slightly hazy and golden. A small white head with minimal lacing. Aroma is tangerine and sweet orange on a soda cracker. Flavor does have a touch of spice on the finish with some grain and caramel malt mid palate. This drink works its way from the nose to the front of the tongue and back through the back of your throat in a deliberate and tasty fashion. The rye is unmistakeable and mutes the bitterness, smoothing out the finish as well. A tasty and highly drinkable brew. Medium texture with average carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 00:10:59 | More by chickenflea

Durge

Connecticut

3.95/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Grabbed one on my way through Atlanta Airport at their Draft House at
Terminal B. This IPA shows a clear, deep amber color with a modest white top and
similar lacing. The aroma is very nice with solid citrus and a hint of rye
grain along with a touch of caramel malt. The flavor brings an immediately
satisfying idea of crisp lemon/grapefruit hop, and a notable dry rye wheat
element. Nice graininess while offering lots of hop bite along with some orange,
fruit sweetness. The body is just about medium with a fine but very effective
carbonation that makes for a lively feel that works for this tasty, refreshing
brew.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2013 18:24:17 | More by Durge

fields336

North Carolina

3.6/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

A: cloudy peach, amber colored brew w 1.5 fingers yellowish head. lots of bubbles coming off the bottom of the glass.

S: sweet, pear, peach, spicey rye, sweet caramel malts

T: peach, pear, mango, spicey rye, bready malt, sweet caramel, toffee, could be more bitter

M: light-med bodied, dry finish nice

O: Nice rye IPA, I think i like Ruthless better though

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 02:25:29 | More by fields336

TheMarkE

California

3.69/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Different. The peppery rye and floral hops are well balanced, as are the sweetness and bitterness. Not one of their best, but it continues to grow on me the more I drink it. The 6.2% ABV probably helps.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 01:05:12 | More by TheMarkE

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.79/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

On tap at the Sweetwater location in the Atlanta airport. Pours a golden color. Fairly bitter with some rye spice and a touch of residual bready malt. Pretty drinkable, especially during a layover.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2013 03:26:43 | More by Thorpe429

avalon07

South Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a yellowish color and a clear consistency. There was a half inch of foamy head that dissipated after a fair amount of time. Pretty good lacing.

S: A sweet, enticing aroma of hops and light fruit.

T: Tasted of hops (an average amount), some light malt, and a good deal of fruit (seemed like a citrus element). The advertised rye was present, but not overwhelmingly so. A sweet, light, easy to like flavor.

M: A highly carbonated beer with a smooth finish. Light-bodied.

O: This is a solid beer that's very focused and really drinkable. A session beer if there ever was one.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 00:39:12 | More by avalon07

ExtraStout

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Part of their 12 pack combo. Pours an okay size head. Color is a kind of a darker yellow, what I would expect when I think of rye. I smell a combo of rye, hops and malts. The tasted is rye up front with hops coming quickly and hanging behind with a touch of malts. The mouthfeel is decent. Overall I like this offering and think its the best of their 12 pack combo. One can taste the Sweetwater IPA backbone and because I like rye I'm really diggin this.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 22:14:46 | More by ExtraStout

cherotr

3.05/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

poured a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass:

appearance: good 1" head, disappeared quickly.

smell: pine, grapefruit,... black tea?

taste: rye bitterness, peppery, not overly malty or hoppy, well-balanced. bitter aftertaste.

mouth: very smooth, light carbonation, foamy feel.

overall: not bad, might just have another...

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 06:08:34 | More by cherotr

oberon

North Carolina

3.9/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a nonic a chill hazed burnt orange with a frothy halfinger white head that left some broken lace as it settled.Aromas are pleasant enough but a little subdued,I pick up some orange and lemon notes along with some caramel/toffee.Bright and fresh citric hops on the palate over top of a sweet toffee that really stands out in the finish,the rye provides a litle sharpness but doesn't seem to play a huge role.A pretty good rye ipa it's got a real fresh citrusy flavor profile wich I liked.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 21:33:56 | More by oberon

mntlover

Tennessee

3.73/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a orange yellow with a thumb sized cream colored head that falls slow and laces well.

Aroma is nice malt, spicy rye notes, good citrus hit orange and lemon light minty hints.

Taste is like the nose malt backbone with good spicy rye notes that blend well with the citrus hops. Orange tangerine with hints of mint and lemon that linger into finish with minty/rye notes kind of take over.

Mouthfeel around medium with medium level of carbonation.

Overall pretty decent as I find rye goes well with hops. Not the best rye out there but certainly drinkable and enjoyable. Would say overall I would pick this one up again for a change.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 23:53:37 | More by mntlover

Mojo

Alabama

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass.

This beer pours up a deep hazy amber with a small creamy head, very nice retention, and plenty of lacing. The smell is about what you would expect, biscuit, grasses, some pine, and malt. Taste is kind of mild for an IPA (or maybe I just prefer hop bombs).There is some rye taste and a nice mild hop finish. Carbonation is nice and there isn't much of an aftertaste. This is an easy drinking IPA and might be a good starter for someone not used to massive hop bombs.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 05:16:07 | More by Mojo

tdm168

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - bright orange with a soft, white head that fades to a thin lacing

S - grapefruit, pineapple, bread, very faint cake batter

T - rye, pepper, spicy earthy hops, citrusy finish

M - medium bodied, smooth, well carbonated

This is a nice, easy to drink rye IPA. The rye is noticeable and adds a nice peppery spice to the beer. The hops are complimentary adding their own spicyness to the flavor. The citrusy finish rounds out the flavor and makes clean finish so the rye isn't overwhelming. This is definitely an enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 10:10:26 | More by tdm168

maximum12

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to ATLCarl for stuffing a brown box with goodies; this one unrequested but very welcome, since it has rye in it somewhere. 12 oz. bottle.

Pour is yellow-orange with haze. Aroma is strong & fruity. Citrus, grapefruit, tropical-ness, dose of sweetness clears out the sinuses. No bitterness or rye, but hey, good nonetheless.

LowRYEder IPA makes me think Sweetwater should stick to light, easy-drinking brews. Lovely mix of the earthy, spicy rye with a dash of bitter, citrusy hopping. Bitterness builds with each sip. The balance is excellent, & it's great to sip.

Tastes great, goes down easy, simple, straightforward. Just a very good beer that's only a thin mint away from excellent.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 02:32:46 | More by maximum12

n2185

North Carolina

3.48/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a clear golden yellow with a finger of white head that recedes to a thin ring with no lacing.

S: Citrus and grapefruit aromas up front with clean, earthy pine aromas bringing up the finish.

T: Grapefruit and citrus rind at first followed by earthy pine flavors. The finish is a little resinous and lightly bitter, but not lingering.

M: Body is on the lighter side of medium with medium carbonation, this beer has just enough carbonation to avoid feeling watery.

O: A decent IPA, overall. Not terribly complex, but far from bad.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 05:05:07 | More by n2185

wedge

North Carolina

3.85/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Best if Enjoyed By: 01/07/13

Pure gold covered with a bubbly, milky looking head. Orange and grapefruit hops comprise most of the aroma along with some earthy spice and floral notes. The flavor is more of the same, but with a stronger earthy component. Tangerine, fresh floral hops, light lemon zest, subtle cereal grain, some pine sap in the end...nothing explicitly rye-like. Medium bodied and decently crisp with some texture in the mouthfeel. Pleasant all-around, though I can't imagine ever reaching over their standard IPA for this.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 22:54:04 | More by wedge

daliandragon

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is one of my favorite non NC southern breweries, and I was all over this RyePA . Pours a light bronze with blonde highlights and impressive head and lace. Nose is herbal and citrus with caramel and biscuit in the back seat.

Nice puckering hop combination that runs the gamut from pine and lemon peel down to herbal and mint. Strong malt balance, although it never really stops or contains the hop oil. There is rye in combination with the citrus and pine and its spicy tone colors the aftertaste. definitely a solid attempt for easy drinking on a warm day.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 03:51:45 | More by daliandragon

mattsdenney

Tennessee

3.38/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Got as part of a Tackle Box variety pack. Poured 12 oz. bottle into a NB globe glass.

A: Pours clear with little head and no lacing. Light orange in color.

S: Nose is a little stuffy at the moment but here goes. Orange peel, citrus, and grassy hops. Some toasty malt in there as well.

T: A well balanced blend of hop bitterness, peppery rye essence, and malty backbone. Finishes with lingering grassy flavor. It's good, very similar to their IPA but with a little more spice and less grapefruit flavor.

M: Light bodied, carbonated, and frothy.

O: Overall an enjoyable IPA. Well balanced with great hop flavor and rye. Nicely done.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 03:05:40 | More by mattsdenney

Jason

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz brown bottle with a freshness date.

LOOK: Orange amber, some particulate, perfect lacing

SMELL: Fresh orange zest, spicy, slightly estery, faint caramel, juicy, grainy

TASTE: Crisp & smooth, medium bodied, floral, spicy rye, hop bitterness, orange peel, dried grass, grainy, faint broth, minty, drying grainy hoppy finish

Tasty all around, good for one but I'd not sure if I could go for a second right away though that does not mean I would not want to go back to the brew. Good use of rye and the hoppiness is pretty wild.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 01:13:37 | More by Jason

superdedooperboy

Georgia

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

12-ounce brown glass bottle poured into a Duvel tulip glass. Served at approximately 45 degrees F.

Pours a beautiful clear, deep golden hue with a slight tinge of copper peeking through. A thick head of froth rises forth and reaches its plateau at a finger-and-a-half, slowly falling away to leave a fat crown. The foam clings mightily to the walls of the glass as it recedes, leaving behind a gorgeous patchy latticework.

The bouquet is, somewhat surprisingly, not as strong as the brewery's standard rye-less offering, but is still rich with citrusy notes of grapefruit, grapefruit peel, and tangerine.

Smooth on the palate with a moderately light level of carbonation. A touch of malt sweetness opens up in the front, a touch honey-like and sliding into a bit of a biscuity character. The sweetish malt notes are quickly overthrown mid-palate by a combination of bitter, citrusy hop notes and a spicy, grainy character from the hefty dose of rye. Hints of orange zest and grapefruit surround the edges of the tongue and mingle with toasty rye bread. The beer finishes very dry, with a lingering essence of grapefruit rind.

It's difficult to discern whether there is more or less complexity here relative to this brew's bigger, barley-only brother, but it is safe to say that the combination of spicy rye with citrusy hops and a super-dry finish leave this one super-drinkable beer, and the half-percent less alcohol content means more drinkability as well. Certainly an excellent new year-round offering, and one that easily blows another Georgia brewery's big rye offering out of the water.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 03:42:27 | More by superdedooperboy

babaracas

Florida

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy light amber with one finger white head, a couple of thin rings of lace are left behind. Smell: floral, spicy, lightly grainy and sweet, grapefruit. Taste: grapefruit, spicy, biscuit, caramel. Medium bodied, creamy carbonation. Not usually a rye fan, but this is good. Best by 12/19/12.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 05:57:51 | More by babaracas