Schell's Emerald Rye - August Schell Brewing Company

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.85/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Schell's Emerald Rye Lager, August Schell Brewing Company, New Ulm, Minnesota. Best by January 3, 2013. Beyond that, no other information. Gratefully, too, no gobbledgook.

So, then, let's crack 'er open. And see what we find.

First off, what's "emerald" about it? This is no green beer. It's poetic license, the green standing for hops, maybe? It's a clear, rich, amber brew, close to crimson. Sizeable, cream-toned head sits atop, leaving lace.

Aroma: Hops are here, and grow louder with time. Grassy, grapefruity, lime and lemon, …lovely, lovely stuff.

Taste: Spicy rye malt greets the tongue first, tasting like liquid pumpernickel. Which hops are hanging on top? Can't tell, don't know, but it's keeping things tasty. Some caramel malt flavors shine through, a trickle of cocoa, traces of toffee.
Medium-bodied, but fully flavored. Sturdy mouthfeel. Solid. Absolutely solid. Soft, malty finish, hops hang in there through it all, without sticking out or making a scene.

This one's a unique effort from August Schell. It fits no particular style, and doesn't try to …there's nothing to say but, "it is how it is." And it's sessional and delicious. That fits into their wheelhouse, as people like to say these days.

Mmmm, mmm, good beer and you can drink it.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2012 07:37:53 | More by feloniousmonk

Ragnarok88

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +2.6%

06-19-2013 15:26:34 | More by Ragnarok88

heytomcat

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%

06-18-2013 22:25:41 | More by heytomcat

capuchinpilates

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%

06-10-2013 00:35:25 | More by capuchinpilates

DrZeus10

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +2.6%

06-07-2013 01:13:32 | More by DrZeus10

jkroese

Iowa

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%

06-01-2013 03:12:00 | More by jkroese

four91

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%

05-30-2013 17:56:22 | More by four91

kguyty

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +9%

05-28-2013 19:48:36 | More by kguyty

harrymel

Washington

3.51/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Best by 16SEP13

Amber lager with a sheet of creamy foam atop a brilliantly clarified beer. Smells primarily of malt, then some corn and flour tortilla and a touch of fruity hops. Flavor is all malt, some grass, some hay, some tea. The flavor profile seems really german in the hop character, with a hint of spice and raw grassiness. Medium on full for the style with a moderate carb and a wet finish. Nice beer, I am seriously on the fence for this one. On the one hand I feel like: "well, I would drink this." on the other I say, "I can't quite get my finger on this, so I'm uncertain of my feelings on this..."

Hmmm, totally torn on this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 07:49:38 | More by harrymel

elec

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +2.6%

05-13-2013 02:44:03 | More by elec

barongearmu

Minnesota

3/5  rDev -23.1%

05-10-2013 01:28:27 | More by barongearmu

wagenvolks

Texas

2.25/5  rDev -42.3%

05-09-2013 04:23:38 | More by wagenvolks

SaxmanRick

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%

05-06-2013 18:49:39 | More by SaxmanRick

jimmah120

Minnesota

3.96/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle with no date into mason jar

look is a dark amber-brown, with a white sudsy head. smell is light grain, woodsy hops, and some pepper. taste is bitter and piney at first, with a lot of peppery rye at the end. heavy emphasis on the rye. medium feel is perfect.

great addition to the year-round lineup.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 09:00:08 | More by jimmah120

j-rod18

North Dakota

2.5/5  rDev -35.9%

04-12-2013 21:17:45 | More by j-rod18

KWMiles

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +2.6%

04-03-2013 14:50:04 | More by KWMiles

Seefeldt

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +15.4%

04-01-2013 22:58:15 | More by Seefeldt

Pacioli1445

South Dakota

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%

03-28-2013 00:11:26 | More by Pacioli1445

dhannes

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from bottle into a Sam Adams' Perfect Pint.

A=Darker reddish amber; head was bright white (almost too white)...appealing.

S=Caramel and molasses with hops.

T=Complex...this is the first I've had of the style...this is the 5th bottle that I've had of the 6-pack--much more sour now than what I remember, as well as a sharp tang...sweetness present.

M=A bit watery, but probably necessary due to the sour presence.

O=I don't think I will buy this again, simply because there are more beers out there that I like better. Still, if you like rye beers, this may be one worth trying IF you like sour and hoppy beers.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 21:37:25 | More by dhannes

pweis909

Wisconsin

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Amazing red color, crystal clear, with thin head.
Slight metallic aroma; no strong beer smells.
Bitter taste, something different noticed. Rye? Light sweetness balance. With slight grapefruit bitterness in the finish. For not smelling like much, there are some interesting things going on in this beer.
Mouth feel has slick character, but not overly so. Light carbonation prickles the mouth to give a crisp finish.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 02:58:11 | More by pweis909

blakelive784

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to maximum12 for this extra!

12 fl oz brown glass bottle served in a pint glass, reviewed live:

A - Pours a semi-translucent dark red/amber color with two and a half fingers of soapy, light khaki head. Retention's average. Lively carbonation. Appealing, but unremarkable.

S - Heavy spicy and toasted rye. The spiciness of the rye works nicely alongside sweet crystal malts and nutty/toasty notes. Buried floral hops notes. Subtle and well balanced. Looking forward to it.

T - The rye character is prominent, but far from overpowering. Toasted malts comprise the body. Pepper. Burnt caramel and light bittering hops. Clean lager yeast are unassuming, but present throughout. Well balanced.

M - Well carbonated. Medium bodied and slick.

D - Sessionable as hell, especially at over 6%. It lacks a bit of depth and complexity. Not a huge fan of the style, but I'd definitely have it again. I look forward to trying more from the brewery.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 01:26:54 | More by blakelive784

richkrull

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +2.6%

03-11-2013 23:21:14 | More by richkrull

Ish1

Minnesota

3.25/5  rDev -16.7%

03-07-2013 02:46:53 | More by Ish1

Chucker17

South Dakota

4/5  rDev +2.6%

03-04-2013 03:33:05 | More by Chucker17

sacrelicio

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +9%

02-26-2013 07:21:18 | More by sacrelicio