Rye-on-Rye - Boulevard Brewing Co.

sjccmd

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another ridiculously difficult cork to pop...

Slightly murky amber with glimmering ruby hues. Large creamy light tan head. The head recedes slowly leaving lacing all the way down the glass.

The upfront aroma is whiskey, vanilla and oak. Fruity Belgian aromas come out eventually. I get a hint of strawberry and pineapple. Interesting and complex

Wow, really complex flavor. Vanilla and oak initially, followed with tropical fruits, then spices and rye. Finishes with spicy alcohol warmth. I saw some people mention aging which would tone down the alcohol, but I wonder if the bright fruity notes would diminish as well.

Small bubbles of carbonation and slick mouthfeel. Nice and creamy.

The alcohol and sweetness have a pretty big presence, but that should be expected with this kind of beer at 11%.

I'm thinking the rye beer category is pretty open. It seems like most rye beer go the route of rye pale ales, so this is pretty different...but in a good way.

Another excellent offer from Boulevard...maybe I'm biased being from Kansas City, but I'm pretty impressed.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2010 22:47:23 | More by sjccmd

Parrotbeak

Minnesota

4.72/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Cloudy amber with a burgundy hue. Thick, creamy off-white head that thins out but remains full.
Rye, hops, whiskey, and vanilla all come into play on the nose. Dry, pickled aroma is the foundation of the smell--very reminiscent of a Frontenac wine, and it's quite appealing. I became quite fond of Frontenac wines after a visit to Falconer Vineyards in Red Wing, so the smell of this beer is quite welcoming.
Taste is whiskey notes up front, with vanilla and oak accompanying. Malts and grassy hops follow. Pickled vegetables (celery) come in near the finish and carry through.
Mouthfeel is excellent. Medium bodied, with an optimal level of crispness and a slightly dry finish.
Very good on drinkability. The alcohol presence is very well-hidden in both the smell and taste. I have another bottle, and I'd love to open it, but I've designated that one for the "cellar."
This is a superb beer. Perhaps my favorite of the Smokestack Series so far.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2010 01:58:08 | More by Parrotbeak

jrallen34

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

I drank this bottle number 3676 of 12,148, 750 ml bottle, into my Orval glass.

The beer pours an ugly murky brown with a light tan head, rising about a finger falling quickly.

The aroma is medium, mostly lots of alcohol, whiskey, with a slight vanilla finish.

The taste is very intersting, its almost like drinking a Johnny Walker Red soaked in a loaf of bread.

The feel is extremely heavy with lots of warm alcohol feeling.

Overall, its a very tasty interesting beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2010 02:48:15 | More by jrallen34

katan

Colorado

4.18/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750 ml into a goblet. 8262 of 12148 batch 2010-1

A - Pours a hazy deep amber to brown color. Very opaque. Head formation is strong, appearing very carbonated. Grey, mocha in color.

S - A strong whisky note is coming through - edgy and burnt. Very raw. Some yeast and astringent rye is present. As a templeton rye drinker, I certainly get that burnt oaky note.

T - Starts off with some sweetness, 2 row malt, and just a hair of rye bite. Some burnt, whisky barrel oak is present. Very smooth at this point. Gets more sweet, almost orangish in the mid-stream. No hopping. Finishes with an interesting sweet note of almost a wine like sour note. Finishes with a oak barrel aftertaste. The rye is not as dominant as I would like, but certainly very good.

M - Moderate body - at times creamy, at times a little more edgy from the carbonation. A sweet sugary cling hangs on the tongue in the aftertaste.

D - Incredibly hidden ABV. Very smooth and easy drinking. Not filling. This beer would take you out if you weren't careful. Has a belgian like finish, without the burn, the makes it go down very smooth.

If the breweries of Belgium made a high point rye beer, this would be it.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2010 02:44:00 | More by katan

lightindarkness

Indiana

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

bottle number 8576 of 12148, for whatever that's worth, which probably isn't much, except to note the limited and relatively small batch produced. Among barrel aged beers, there's some controversy over what's appropriate for flavor, some being too boozy, others too weak, some too strong on barrel, and others too much of whiskey. This has a lot of both, and while the alcohol is plenty evident and the beer plenty bold, it's also subtle and rather interestingly put together against many of its kind. Well worth the try. These are my first impressions:

Pours beautifully. A deep dense coppery caramel color, though rather clear and clean (less so later in the bottle). Fantastic head rises with a frothy fullness that presents great longevity, leaving generous lace all over. Nice full and fluffy.

Nose is rich and round. Lots of grain, including a notable rye aroma, and plenty of whisky. A little spicy and nicely smelling of old oak. I think I've had a beer like this before, and whenever that was, it must have been good from the nostalgic flashback this beer induces in aroma.

Taste is wonderfully not overdone. By that, I mean that what could have been a thick chewy mess is actually strong and forward without being overburdened by fullness and a flavor so dense you can't chew through it. Oaky up front, then round, with lots of caramel without being too sweet, rye grainy spice seems to phase in and stick around enough to cut through the building whiskey flavors. Most of the taste peaks at the finish and lingers through the aftertaste, including a generous helping of whiskey-weathered oak, old vanilla, soft caramel, and some more rye grain. Spiciness gives way to a mild sour bitterness enforced in part by the alcohol sharpness. All in all, quite well balanced and strong without being overwhelming, at least as goes with the potential for a beer of this dimension.

Feel is medium, maybe full but definitely posing as lighter, with alcohol helping, really seeming to cut through. Astringent in the finish, with a lingering airy slick coarse feeling. Almost numbing to the tongue, almost rough, yet fading just quickly enough to invite more.

Leaves a stinging bitter residue on the lips, surprising and rather nice in its uniqueness. Alcohol prohibits drinking as much as I'd want to by taste, which is nicely reminded against by a fullness in the stomach that hints at consequences. Sips fantastically and is quite worth the try.

edit: I can't seem to get enough of this beer. it's become one I develop a taste for frequently and am not disappointed in.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2010 21:18:53 | More by lightindarkness

BradLikesBrew

Missouri

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

No. 13 in the Boulevard Smokestack Series

Pours a muddy brown/apricot color with a white head that's still hangin' on 30 minutes later.

Fruity, spicy, rye whiskey goodness on the aroma. On the palate too. Caramel, cola, hard to identify fruit flavors, prune, oak, orange peel, toast, some barleywine-esque malt sweetness, with gobs of rye whiskey on the finish. Needless to say, a lot there...

The fruit, spice, cola, and whiskey flavors make for a sipper you will savor.

Though it is impressively balanced, this is definitely a Whiskey drinkers beer. A real Rye showcase without allowing the whiskey to overwhelm the more delicate flavors.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2010 01:37:11 | More by BradLikesBrew

rudylaw

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours out a reddish brown with a fluffy head.

Smells of cotton candy, caramel, vanilla and sweet, sweet rye. Picking up some citrusy hops as well.

Those hops are at the front of this beer... then, that rye kicks in! Man is this good! There is a terrific balance of hops and rye. This is rather sweet. Sugars, caramel and even some apple.

Very creamy mouthfeel. 11% hinders the drinkability a bit, but it is rather well-hidden all things considered.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2010 16:25:24 | More by rudylaw

RedBrewer83

Oregon

4.2/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into goblet...

A: Pours a golden amber body with a huge four finger creamy head that is very sticky...

S: Huge aroma of tart fruit, grapefruit and green apple come to mind, the rye comes through nicely along with some yeast and a little booze as well. Some wood and bourbon are also hugely present, but not domineering.

T: While it is a little hot right now, I know this beer will mellow with some age and become very well balanced, but right now this is fantastic. Follows the nose with some added bourbon and fruit, very delicious and surprisingly balanced.

M: Medium body with nice carbonation and slightly oily. The booze is a little hot but not terrible. Overall, the mouthfeel will get better with time but its a little harsh right now.

D: At 11% this is crazy smooth and drinkable. Although the booze is present it doesn't detract too much. Great beer!

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2010 07:44:22 | More by RedBrewer83

jsh420

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

bottle #10618 of 12148
batch 2010-1 1/13

broke out my blvd smokestack glass for this one

pours copper bronze with a big 2+ finger head that had good retention and covered the glass with lacing

smells of belgian yeast and tangy rye malt

taste - rye on rye is a good name for this one - but the charred oak barells are so much that the flavor they give off is of baking soda which makes me give it lower marks

mouthfeel - is medium body with good carbonation that works well

drinkability is ok even @ 11%abv - my only true beef with this beer is the baking soda flavors

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2010 05:05:42 | More by jsh420

wagenvolks

Texas

4.18/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Excited by the prospect of Boulevard's Rye-on-rye making it to Texas, I was disappointed to hear that its first-release distribution would be more limited. Especially since it's an 11.00% Rye beer aged on rye whiskey barrels. Thankfully, jconrick1 hooked me up with a great trade!

Into a Foothills pint glass, the 750 ml corked & caged bottle (Batch 1) pours a brilliant burnt orange that fades to a deep caramel at the edges. Superbly retained head, 1" in height and the color of manila-khaki paint. Paint is the operative word, here, as the lacing coats the glass with a thick layer of bubbles, while the 11% ABV makes it all the more impressive. Aroma jumps out of the glass with a juicy fruitiness that suggests grapefruit and sour apple. The rye-barrel aging adds a tangy booziness to the ethanol note that packs a healthy dose of spice behind it.

Lots of rye whiskey on the tongue; this beer is still a bit green. But even in its early stage, the alcohol isn't overly hot or taxing on the tastebuds. Chewy caramel and toffee malts add a sticky, brown-sugary base that is balanced well by a crisp, piny hop profile and lots of rye spices. I can't wait to see how this beer matures in a year. Mouthfeel is a little thick and syrupy, and the rye whiskey weighs heavily on the palate. But still, this is an excellent beer, and I can't wait for another taste. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2010 02:18:59 | More by wagenvolks

acelin

Kansas

3.68/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a smokestack bottle into a pint glass. Poured a deep burgundy-ruddy brown color with a large cream-tan head that was filled with may large bubbles. A very carbonated beer, especially being so fresh from conditioning.

Smell is of belgian yeast? with dried figs and raisins, with a slight hoppy woody character.

Taste is dominantly raisins. Nothing else particularly, with the small hint of bitter citrus hop and aged wood. Must try again when this has aged longer.

Mouthfeel is good, drinkability is ok.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2010 20:27:57 | More by acelin

hckyfn9999

Missouri

4.45/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Pours a reddish brown with thick cream colored head that has great retention. Aroma is of caramel, cittrus, candied sugar, vanilla, charred oak, and some spicy rye.

Initial taste is of citrusy and slightly fruitty hops. This gives way to loads of spicy rye with some oak and vanilla, along with some more citrus on the finish. There is also plenty of balancing sweetness from the malt. The rye flvors seem to linger on the palate. Mouthfeel is thick and creamy. Alcohol is very well hidden.

This a very unique and delicious beer from Boulevard. Another Smokestack success here.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2010 03:55:47 | More by hckyfn9999

ArrogantB

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle $13. Nice dark, tawny color. It smells like strong rye whiskey but is oddly pleasant and I do not like whiskey at all. i could not stop sniffing away at this and the more I drank the more the whiskey faded into something sweet. The flavor was very similar to the smell, rye whiskey with sweet notes, barley, maltiness, just a really nice tasting beer. Overall, this is a perfect beer to share or sip with a friend. Once again Boulevard has impressed me.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2010 01:30:35 | More by ArrogantB

JohnGalt1

Idaho

4.58/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

The wife picked this up for me today at the COOP... Thanks Babe. Shared the first pours with my carpool buddy.. Later, it was poured into my Delerium goblet...

Bottle #4566/12148

Very nice lite tan foamy head sticks around and leaves nice sheets of lace... The brew is very clear and deep orange/red.

Nose begins with a pleasant fruitiness that I'm having a hard time describing... like a mash-up of American hops with a fruity English yeast.. spiciness screams rye, but there is another layer that is befuddling me... cinnamon (alcohol)?? ... some apple or pear juice shows with significant warmth..

Definitely a big boned rye out of the gate.... the flavors are more mild than I was expecting.. a bit of pithy citrus hops.. lite toasty malt and some background caramel essence.. rye barrel is there, but adds just a nice overlay... really pretty dry throughout (and I like it).. vanilla and the dry rye whiskey shows more with warmth...

Medium body and good carbonation....

Edit: This and all other Ryewines need their own category or should be in the American BW slot... This is a great beer that is going to get better with some age.. Fresh, this still is American... "Rye beer" does no justice.

My above notes are in line with wheatwines too... I just don't get "wheatwines" or "ryewines" that are basically ramped up Big German Hefe's or roggenbiers. These need balance and BIG presence.

4/4.5/4.5/4.5/5

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2010 09:20:18 | More by JohnGalt1

turamarth

Missouri

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance- A dark ruby/amber color that glows nicely when put under a light. As it sits in the Chimay goblet,
one could almost use this beer as a scrying pool. The body of this beer looks haunting. There was about 3 fingers
of an off white creme colored head, that disapated faster than other Smokestack Series beers that I've had.
But the head while it lasted, was fluffy and had a very nice sheen to it. Now as it sits, with the head disappated into
a film of creme bubbles, I take a nose dive. 4.5

Nose- If I could swim in this nose I would probably drown. It's deep. Up front there is a punch of spirits,
to be expected since this is 2/3 blend of wiskey barrel aged ale. The malt character is very, very interesting.
Lots of caramel and toffey dark tones, mixed with some lighter pear and apple notes. Seems there are some hidden berries
buried under the toffey. White grapes, maybe some cherries. Then there is the spice. I personally love spice in malty
ales. There is a really nice cinnimon note here. Love the nose of this beer. 5

Taste- The alcohol in this beer really comes out on the tongue. Very bold flavor. A lot of the darker fruit tones pop
on the tongue. There is a nice toffey/caramel after taste. Then you can really taste the rye malt on the back of the tongue,
which adds a nice bitterness to the overall picture. As the flavor rests a little more in your mouth some of the apple/pears
start to stand out. Pretty tasty. 4

Mouthfeel- The carbonation allows for this to be pretty smooth. Has a nice balance of thickness and not allowing it to coat
your tongue. Pretty nice. 4

Drink- This is a pretty nice beer. The boozyness makes this a total sipper. But, still a delicious drink. 4.5

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2010 06:58:05 | More by turamarth

homebrewhawk

Kansas

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml corked and caged bottle. Cork was a bitch to get out. Served in the original Blvd. chalice. Poured a slightly hazy reddish light brown with about a finger of off white head. Seemed very carbonated. Whiskey hits you right off in the aroma as expected. Oak, vanilla and also some hops. More of the same in the flavor. Nice spicy bite from the rye in the beer and the barrel. Fair amount of hop bitterness in the finish. Also a long lingering taste of vanilla. Medium bodied.

I would love to taste the original beer without the barrel. If you like rye whiskey (and I do), you need to try this beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2010 13:58:00 | More by homebrewhawk

Mongo62

Missouri

4.13/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter. Nice carbonation, esp. for a 11% beer.

Sweet aroma with hints of vanilla and rye whiskey.

Tawny copper-bronze color, with a nice 2 finger off white head that lasted almost throughout with nice lacing.

Up front, malty rye notes, with vanilla slightly coming through. The finish was a little boozy for my taste, but still a well ballanced beer.

This one will be great with some aging, or pair nicely with a cigar as is.

I always buy at least 2 of Boulevard's Smokestack Series, so I'll try it again in a year or so-but may take my own suggestion and grab another bottle to have with a cigar.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2010 02:21:35 | More by Mongo62

hwwty4

Missouri

4.6/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle # 3222. Poured a corked and caged 750 into my Boulevard Smokestack goblet. I love the historical aspect of aging this beer in Templeton Rye barrels. Templeton Rye was a very easily accessible spirit in KC during Prohibition.

This beer pours a dark, caramelized brown sugar with a massive 4 inch beige-cream head that leaves a surprisingly large amount of lacing down the sides of the glass. This could very be the best head retention on any barrel-aged beer I've ever had. An inch of frothy head always is sitting squarely on top of the beer when I go to take a sip. At first whiff, caramel and toffee from a malt centric beer. As the aroma develops the rye really lends a spicy freshly ground black peper to the aroma. Also vanilla and charred oak from the Templeton barrels. This really has an extremely developed aroma. The flavor is just as complex as the aroma. Rye really develops up front lending a spicy black pepper harshness that's rounded out by caramel and toffee, toasted bread and vanilla. The only fruit note I get from the flavor profile is a slight green apple flavor on my lips that really works well. Also just a slight bit of oak on the very tail of the profile. As this beer warms, the 11% really starts showing. The mouthfeel is nice and creamy and leaves a vanilla booziness on the palate. My one knock on it, as Rye-on-Rye warms it starts becoming pretty boozy. In my opinion, this could well be the best barrel aged beer that Boulevard has put out to date.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2010 02:27:18 | More by hwwty4

brownbeer

Missouri

4.03/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Deep reddish color with a dirty white head that sticks around.

Big aromas of toasty oak, whiskey, naturally accompanied by alcohol, sweet vanilla, and brown sugar. Clean, but lacks some of the complexity that could really take it to the next level for me. I'm thinking age could definately help this out.

Some rich toffee sweetness on the front of the tongue, lively carbonation leads to a distinct whiskey taste, ending with a spicy burn that reminds you this is a sipper. The warm whiskey fade goes on and on, in a good way, it just limits quantity. I wouldn't open one of these by myself, whew!

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2010 02:42:12 | More by brownbeer

bort11

Missouri

4.35/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml corked and caged bottle, number 1229 of 12148. Poured into a Smokestack tulip. Huge three fingers width of head jumps to the rim. Even from a pretty soft pour, I had to go down on that head like a cheerleader on prom night to keep it from spilling. The foam has an egg cream tint, and is very slow to recede. Garlands of lace circle the glass. The body color is a dark burnt orange, which has a surprising clarity revealed only when held to the light.

Smell is very pronounced from the pop of the cork. Very tart, with an orange zest and a dark toasted rye. Taste is never overly "whiskey". I get more of the barrel. It is a spicy raw oak wood blended with the sharp bite of the rye. There is a mild vanilla finish with burnt orange bitterness.

Mouthfeel is a little lighter than I expected, plus the carbonation is very aggressive. It smooths itself out in the end. Not a flaw but more of a surprise. This is a great sipper and demands some summer sausage.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2010 03:45:51 | More by bort11

genefruit

Illinois

4.72/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I picked this bottle up from Friar Tuck in Savoy, IL (thanks Blaine). Number 10605 of 12148. Uncorked with a strong pop. Carbonation was a little more than I expected from an 11% beer. Two finger head retained a nice lacing throughout. Color was similar to a Belgian Dark Strong.

Smells sweet with overtones vanilla and caramel due to the Templeton Rye barrel aging. The rye barreling is very balanced, neither dominating nor hidden. The use of rye grains is most notable in the mouthfeel - a very smooth beer.

Drinkability is limited to your means and ability to acquire this limited edition from Boulevard. I've consumed all of the Boulevard Smokestack series and I would consider this one, along with the Saison with Bret as the best.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2010 22:02:11 | More by genefruit