Samuel Adams Revolutionary Rye Ale - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

welldigger888

South Carolina

3.15/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from growler in to a sam adams tulip glass, nice cyrstal clear copper hue with an off white head leaving good lace.
Hoppy is what I get here, malt and spicey rye seem in the back drop.
Very approuchable beer with little to be found shocking, unfortunately the rye is weak and a little washed out.
A little thin but yet creamy mouthfeel. Nice easy carbonation.
This, at the right price, could be an all nighter for me. Pretty easy drinker though misses the rye mark I think.

Serving type: growler

02-25-2011 00:42:19 | More by welldigger888

iRoy

New York

3.83/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured straight from my growler, nice thick 2-finger head. Drinking it now actually and it's surprising that the ABV is what it is. It's 5.5% ABV btw. I thought it was a bit higher. Mouth feel is good, very drinkable. It tastes a bit sweet going down but with a slightly bitter aftertaste though. I'm enjoying it, not as much as the Sleigh Ryed (Great South Bay Brewery, NY) I had 2 days ago, which is also a Rye Ale. I think it's just Sam Adams but I do enjoy this one a lot more than other beers I have had by them. I expected a bit sweeter taste this being a Rye Ale but I'm not disappointed. Definitely can't see it being a session beer though might have it again.

Serving type: growler

02-03-2011 05:14:55 | More by iRoy

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.81/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured from bottle into a pint glass

Appearance – The beer is poured from the bottle as a lighter copper color with a two finger thick and creamy white head. The head fades slowly over time to leave a good level of lace on the sides of the glass.

Smell – The aroma is a mix of rye and s bit of almost wheat breadiness. There are some other lighter aromas of a caramel sweetness and some light pine and grassy aromas which produce a rather pleasant and balanced sweetly malty and bready hopped smell.

Taste – The taste begins with a big bready flavor mixed with some strong rye flavors. Upfront there is also a good level of caramel sweetness that fades ever so slightly as the flavor advances to the end. The bready flavor remains ever constant throughout the taste with the rye growing slightly stronger as the taste advances to the end. In the end the malty flavors are met by some hoppy flavors of a pine and citrus nature, producing in the end, a rather smooth rye bread flavor with a light bit of bitterness to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body for an only 5.5 % abv brew was on the thicker and creamier side with a carbonation level that is on the was slightly lower then average. Both did well for the more malty flavors of the brew creating overall a creamy and smooth taste for the beer.

Overall - This is a smooth rye style beer accentuating a malty body instead of more hoppy flavor like many rye brews seem to focus on. While a tiny bit more hop and a bit more rye flavor would have enhanced the flavors a bit, overall it was rather enjoyable to drink and quite tasty.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 01:22:27 | More by Darkmagus82

FlatRabbitRed

Arizona

3.26/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I have yet to come across a rye beer that really does it for me, I have even brewed one myself without luck. Glad Sam Adams took a crack at it, and I am certain there is some universal way rye needs to be brewed ...I just don't think that has been descovered yet.

Dry bitter malt, with a hint of hops in the background, lingering afterbite.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 19:46:42 | More by FlatRabbitRed

navinsula

Indiana

3.2/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

poured into a pint glass somewhat aggressivly and had about a 2 to 3 finger head. color was a nice copper red. head stuck around for a while and left some lacing.

the smell wasnt bad, had some slight hoppy nots with malt coming through very little.

the tast was ok with a hint of rye and bread. the hops were there but not overtaking.

this is definetly not my favorit sam adams beer but it is very drinkable

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 03:12:31 | More by navinsula

CraftBeerTastic

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Look: The beer poured a nice clear medium copper color. 1 finger of whitish-tan head with slow carbonation bubbles floating to the top.

Smell: Bready malts and - of course rye. I noticed some faint hops. This beer is getting close to the drink-by date. I hope that won’t be a factor here.

Taste: It was pleasantly malt-forward with that signature Samuel Adams twang throughout. It could almost remind you of the Boston Ale with way more malt. I also got the rye. I wouldn’t call this a gimmicky beer, but it doesn’t have much standing out in the character. Yeah, the rye is there, but I’ve had other beers brewed with rye that had way more going on in the palate.

Overall it’s another pleasant brew from Boston Beer Company. I know most people in the craft beer community seem to knock Sam Adams, but I end up having some type of Sam Adams in my beer fridge year-round. Regardless of the stigmatism that has slowly evolved, I have found most Sam Adams offerings to be extremely drinkable, and still maintain the general characteristics of whatever style they were shooting for. This was an OK beer. I will certainly pick it up again.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2011 18:18:12 | More by CraftBeerTastic

claytong

Vermont

3.1/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - light red orange. small head disappears quick

Smell - bread and rye, a bit weird

Taste - okay this isnt bad, bread and rye, dark fruits, a bit creamy from sugar i suppose

Mouthfeel - decent body, nicely carbonated

one of my favorites from sam adams regular lineup. got their triple bock and excited to open that.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2011 15:53:14 | More by claytong

IronCitySteve

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a light reddish orange color with a small off-white foam head that quickly dissipates to a film. There is some moderate lacing as well.

S: There is some mild toast, bread and rye flavors with a slight undrtone of of spice. Nothing overpowering but pleasing.

T: Starts off with the rye flavor hitting the palate first. There is also some nice bready undertone as well. In the middle the earthy hops come through and balance the rye and malt. Finishes with a nice gritty rye flavor with a nice undertone of earthy hops.

M: This is a medium bodied beer that leaves a dry taste on the palate.

O: Not my favorite rye beer, but not one I would turn down either. Nice and dry with a nice balance of rye, malt and hops.

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2011 23:17:11 | More by IronCitySteve

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

First had: on tap at Gullifty's, Wayne, PA

Poured a walnut brown with a thin white head. Bready aroma, with scents of caramel and light spice. Toasty malts in the taste, bready, light sensation of dried fruits, and a touch of spice. Bitter hops follow, for a fairly dry finish, and a bitter aftertaste. Medium mouthfeel, and fairly drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2011 20:56:36 | More by Rifugium

Bfarr

Washington

3.43/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Clear red amber with tan frothy head and good retention. Caramel spicy aroma. Balanced caramel and roasted malts, Sweet and spicy with hints of earthy pine. Smooth with light stickiness and slightly dry finish.

Reminds me of the Boston lager formula with a slight tweaking. Similar feel but it really has a nice flavor
although it’s pretty subtle which makes it an easy drinking an accessible beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2011 01:55:47 | More by Bfarr

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I kinda like this beer, it is a good transitionary winter to spring beer...as the lable boasts. I like the red/amber start followed by a subtle (very subtle) piney finish. The beer poured into the glass quite nice, nice amber/red color with foamy white head. Nice carbonation as well. I did not smell to much, so rated it low in that category. The taste is what was described above andit is very easy on the pallete. Another strong beer from Sammy A!

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2011 02:37:49 | More by WoodBrew

beagle75

Iowa

3.28/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a becker glass.

A: Clear, medium amber color with over one finger of off-white foam head. Moderate lacing remains on the glass and an occasional bubble lifts lazily off the bottom of the glass.

S: Dry and toasty, with a sharpness that could be attributed to rye grain and/or carbonic acid. Fruit and herbaceous spice are fairly passive, but their brightness is accentuated by the other smells.

T: Begins barely off-dry, with refined crystal malt, faint grassy hops, and fairly mild acidity. Grain qualities become hollow in the middle, but mild black tea and spice are also detected. This beer finishes as close to dry as it began, with lingering herbaceous spice but nearly insignificant bitterness.

M: Thin to medium viscosity, wet on the palate and fairly smooth, with moderate carbonation.

D/O: This pale ale is not the most representative of rye-inclusive beers, but it drinks easily enough. It has some appealing herbaceous qualities, but one has to wonder if those were the features really intended to stand out. In the end it is unremarkable but inoffensive.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2011 18:41:36 | More by beagle75

Dodo2step

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

P- Thanks to Justin for the brew

A- amber and mahogany color with a thick 2 and half finger head. Fluffy and a decent stick to the mug.

S- pine and citrus dominate the nose but then there is a dark candied fruit like smell as well. sweet malts as well.

T- biscuit and pine/rye flavor. Caramel malts and light citrus.

M- hoppy and dry. A light bodied beer thats heavy on hops.

O- Tasty and somewhat smooth. A good sam adams beer and a good rye ale. A nice summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2011 18:30:12 | More by Dodo2step

PDXHops

South Carolina

2.68/5  rDev -24.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

12 ounce bottle poured into a shaker pint. See-thru amber with a short but dense cap of white foam. Good retention and a fair amount of sticky lacing.

The nose features rye and sweet malt in roughly equal strength. Toasty, too. Pleasant but mild. Surprising amount of bitterness given the relative lack of hop flavor; the rye kind of fills in the gaps here. Moderately sweet malts. Bitterness, rye, and that's about it, not too interesting.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2011 02:48:42 | More by PDXHops

tigg924

Massachusetts

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

Appearance: 1 inch head, orange-brown in color, clear, moderate carbonation

Smell: big rye hops, floral hops, and small caramel

Taste: big rye, floral hops and light caramel malt

Mouthfeel: medium bodied, moderately bitter, high carbonation

Overall: This strikes me as the Boston Lager with a touch of rye. I like BL and could have several cause of this. That said, this is a typical Sam Adams beer with a small twist--of adding the rye. Drink up if you want a different take on you SABL.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2011 14:43:36 | More by tigg924

Duff27

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- One fingered fizzy head atop an amber/red beer. A couple dozen streams of carbonation float within. Average head retention and lacing.

S- Bready/malt sweetness.

T- Sweet rye...citrus-like but not in an overpowering way. Caramel, biscuits.

M- Is it possible for most (all?) Sam Adams beers to have the same mouthfeel? Medium, crisp with nice carbonation.

D/O- I must say, the ABV to flavor ratio is wonderful. The result is great drinkability. The bready/grainy qualities mixed with said flavor would bring a BMC drinker to his or her knees. Best of the BBC Spring sampler pack, keep it around Jim!

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2011 02:10:36 | More by Duff27

JerseyKirk

New Jersey

4.08/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Creamy yellowish head. Excellent head retention. Deep amber color. Lots of carbonation.

S: Malty, bready with an extremely subtle citrus note.

T: Malty and bready. Delicious. I love rye's breadiness.

M: Full.

D: Hell yea. It's great for a sessionable beer but it's not my favorite one.

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2011 19:44:28 | More by JerseyKirk

Treebs

Illinois

3.08/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Had on-tap at Palmer Place in LaGrange

A: dark amber color with a slight filmy head on top, off white in color.

S: A little spicy with big rye and little malt. Seems dry from the smell.

T: Rye is pronounced as with the smell with some slight dry malt and a little back spice.

M: Crisp and light with little body. Doesn't coat the palette and goes down smooth.

O: It's alright. Seems like a decent fall beer, a little too dry for the Summer season

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2011 16:32:01 | More by Treebs

colts9016

Idaho

3.05/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I poured the beer into a pint glass at 45 degrees.

Appearance: A two finger head that is ivory in color and a foamy and creamy head; furthermore, the head has good retention and left some lacing on the glass. The color of the beer is a reddish mahogany with orange copper hues. The clarity of the beer is clear with no visible carbonation bubbles. The head did left a scant amount of lacing on the glass.

Nose: A mild rye aroma with some good malty notes, the notes is caramel, bread, and biscuit. The other aromas are a fruity ester, a banana note, and an orange note.

Taste: Mild rye flavors with some malty notes, the notes are caramel, biscuit, and bready. The other flavor is orange, fruity esters, and orange.

Overall: The mouth feel of the beer is oily slick coating, which is subtlety sweet. The body of the beer is medium and the finish is medium as well. This beer is okay, the rye flavor is slightly muted. To me this beer is just put more beer out in the name of Samuel Adams.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2011 01:34:46 | More by colts9016

Arithmeticus

Maryland

3/5  rDev -15%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured chilled in ale glass

A: light brown; not much head, but decent carb action
S: malty, very slight pine tones
T: OK, not my style of beer; the rye comes through pretty nicely, but don't expect much in the way of hops or malt (I suppose I expect one or the other); OTOH, it does have some interesting spices, mostly on the savory side
M: thick, rich, but not a great buzz

It's ok, but don't go out of your way for this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2011 00:48:51 | More by Arithmeticus

therica

Maryland

3.73/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A= rich amber, modest head when poured into a pint glass, ongoing rimming, one tiny singular stream of slow carbonation rising.

S= very nice burnt toffee, roasted malts and some hints of hops florals. But then that all seems to disappear quickly after it sets for a few minutes, fading to light rusty malts and light sweetness.

T= very nice and crisp dry rye for starters, rusty toffee malts, adequate bitterness, then fading to a more weaker beer with some still enjoyable thick malts and light cherry notes. Possibly the lack of carbonation is hiding the flavor after a brief while.

M= moderately dry, moderately malty, moderate hops bitters, the rye is nicely obvious though. Slightly grassy. Light cherry sweetness.

O= decent, I wish they'd sell beers like this in their seasonal 6-pack versions rather than just "the usuals" like Summer Ale. I bought another seasonal 12-pack just to get 2 more of these but it's getting ridiculous since I give away most of the other beers.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2011 00:42:55 | More by therica

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer has a nice dark amber body with a light fizzy 2 finger heat that lays down quickly to a nice sticky lace. The smell is very sweet and malty. The taste is sweet to start off but it finishes with a hop flavor (almost like a strong ipa flavor). The mouth feel is a little thick but smooth. Overall i think it is a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2011 01:14:27 | More by chefhatt

MaltsOfGlory

Oregon

3.3/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a big two finger head, slightly off white and pretty foamy, it's sticking around very well, but I don't know what kind of lacing I'll get out of it. The body is a dark amber color and has medium-large amounts of carbonation, the body is slightly see through, but for the most part it's too dark to see through. Overall it looks very nice, the head has stuck around for quite a while and is giving good lacing. This beer smells like a scotch ale to me, it's got a big malt flavor to it and a very sweet, molasses/maple syrup smell to it. Not much hop aroma at all on the smell. Overall it smells ok, but frankly I think it will be way too sweet. The taste is very interesting, pretty unique. First thing I taste is that molasses/maple syrup taste, and it's not nearly as overpowering as I thought it would be. There is then a taste that I can't quite identify, it might be the rye, but I've had rye beers before and I usually don't get a taste like this, it's kind of like an alcohol-y, plant like taste, it's really weird. Is it a terrible taste? No, but it's very strange. In the finish you get a little bit of a metallicy taste, which is strange because this is out of a bottle. Overall the taste is a little watered down and in the flavors that I do get it's only ok. Part of me wants to give this beer a 3.5 on taste because it's not a bad taste and it's yummy in some areas, but what it comes down to is that it doesn't have enough flavor and it's not too amazing of a flavor, it really wouldn't be fare to all the good beers I've given 3.5. The drinkability is ok, not amazing, but decent. The mouthfeel is pretty good, it's got decent carbonation and it's big enough for the style. Overall it's an ok beer, a little complex, but it lacks the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2011 05:32:28 | More by MaltsOfGlory

jsulko

Illinois

2.65/5  rDev -24.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Bottle poured into a tulip glass

Pours reddish brown with slightly off white head.

Smell was a sweetness with some maltyness.

Flavor was bland with little or no hops flavor with the finish smacking of the rye in a bittler way

Not worth buying a mix pack just to get it. Not something I would seek out.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2011 02:59:10 | More by jsulko

gskitt

New York

3.33/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a bright reddish hue, clear, with a thin head, some lacing. Smell is very impressive, sweet honey, whole grain, earthy scent. Taste is not as impressive as scent. Hops is there, rye? Not so much. Has some nice nice qualities but has a bad aftertaste. Mouthfeel is thin, even a bit watery. Overall, not my favorite.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2011 23:21:23 | More by gskitt