Hop Rod Rye - Bear Republic Brewing Co.

Schwarzbart

Pennsylvania

4.9/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I think the first think to note is that the bottle is really cool. The color when poured is really good also and gets a big wow factor with a dark mahogony brown color. The head is a 2 finger, off-white, creamy and rocky one. Quite a bit of sediment can be seen when held up to the light. The lacing is spectacular after the first sip until the end with a creamy draping.

The nose is a hop load, smelling of grapefruit, spruce, citrus and lime.

The rye is quite detectable, which I expected, since the bottle noted that it was 18% rye. It adds some spice to the hops and even some more bitterness. The sweet malts are there and try to balance out the hops and rye and doesn't do a bad job at all. Hops are sprucey, grassy, piney and spicy, so they bite just like I'd expect. Caramel, bready malts come out more with warming.

Creamy and chewy mouthfeel with a medium full body. Well balanced with high hop bitterness just like it should be for a beer of this style. Overall, I really enjoyed this beer and will definitely buy again.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2011 18:53:26 | More by Schwarzbart

lpayette

Vermont

3.75/5  rDev -12.2%

05-25-2013 22:06:46 | More by lpayette

yancot

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-25-2013 14:25:04 | More by yancot

Segelstrom

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -12.2%

05-25-2013 00:32:59 | More by Segelstrom

TwoForty

Florida

5/5  rDev +17.1%

05-24-2013 23:32:22 | More by TwoForty

jonathaniler

Florida

5/5  rDev +17.1%

05-24-2013 23:30:02 | More by jonathaniler

mcaulifww

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -12.2%

05-24-2013 13:06:13 | More by mcaulifww

DRTBrewster

Arizona

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%

05-23-2013 21:39:56 | More by DRTBrewster

Absolut

California

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-23-2013 19:23:31 | More by Absolut

visionaries

California

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-23-2013 17:38:36 | More by visionaries

SaxmanRick

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-23-2013 04:32:10 | More by SaxmanRick

Skunkyluvmuffin

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-23-2013 04:30:53 | More by Skunkyluvmuffin

Sarmartay

California

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-23-2013 04:00:45 | More by Sarmartay

Cdunk11

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-22-2013 23:08:11 | More by Cdunk11

assman79

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

05-22-2013 21:48:47 | More by assman79

DeekNayvuz

Montana

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%

05-22-2013 19:29:56 | More by DeekNayvuz

davesway10

Iowa

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-22-2013 18:26:11 | More by davesway10

Gregvg

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%

05-22-2013 17:24:34 | More by Gregvg

Busker

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%

05-21-2013 18:07:20 | More by Busker

seplo

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-21-2013 01:38:26 | More by seplo

joejost

New York

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

05-21-2013 01:35:36 | More by joejost

LambicPentameter

Kansas

4.06/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured out of a 12 oz bottle into a 16 oz nonic glass.

Appearance - Body is mostly dark brown with edges of maple syrup that makes it look like iced tea color. Foam is almost a full finger, barely-toasted marshmallow color. Head dissipates after a minute or two, lacing is pretty spotty, almost nonexistent.

Smell - Aroma is a mix of bready richness from the rye, with notes of caramel and malt. There is just a hint of hoppiness. Very promising.

Taste - Rye bread with a kick from the hops, and well balanced with malty semi-sweetness. Finish is pleasant with some lingering bitterness. I would like a little more bite, but I do like the fact that you can really taste the rye base.

Mouthfeel - Medium-bodied with a nice amount of carbonation to support the chewiness of the beer.

Overall - A tasty beer, but there are other rye beers and other IPAs that I'd pick off the shelf before this one. Very drinkable for the slightly higher ABV.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 01:05:06 | More by LambicPentameter

Shogun730

California

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%

05-20-2013 23:02:44 | More by Shogun730

JamesStreet

Louisiana

3.75/5  rDev -12.2%

05-20-2013 17:57:51 | More by JamesStreet

jjd315

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-20-2013 13:01:51 | More by jjd315