Hop Rod Rye - Bear Republic Brewing Co.

studentofbeer

California

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

dark, rich brown color with orange highlights. prettier at the top of my nonic, where it is a full woody brown but it looks like a nice piece of oak throughout. excellent dart-cork colored head, thick and and fluffy, with awesome lacing, and a nice cap that doesn't go away.

amazing bouquet of hops--super ripe and juicy grapefruit, tangerine smell. though it's hard to get past the hops, they are so full, there's a creamy, milky sweetness in the malt and some raw grain aroma. As it warms some spicy plum and nutmeg become apparent. very rich, with both dark and bright flavors mingling.

the taste is a full on assault of goodness--a boatload of hops truck through the mouth, but the ale is so creamy and the malt so smooth, sweet and spicy, you're getting a little of everything. i pick up dried fruit, obviously tons of citrus, milk and milk chocolate, peach, some sour rye (like rye whisky) and a touch of pepper. the hops come barreling back in the finish, leaving a happy aftertaste of bitter citrus rind and nuts. in many ways the best part is the odd milky/chocolate sweet characteristic in the malt that must develop because of the rye--it, the spiciness of the rye and the hops do great things together.

for a powerful beer full of hop madness, this one is quite drinkable... and balanced, even though it is extreme.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2005 00:27:13 | More by studentofbeer

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

3.75/5  rDev -12.2%

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

NJB145

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-20-2013 01:01:38 | More by NJB145

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-19-2013 13:36:22 | More by Photekut

bambam2517

Arizona

4.36/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

22 oz. bomber poured into an Imperial pint glass, served at 50F.

A - Caramel brown body, no head but a really strong lace ring that is extremely long-lived. The carbonation in this one is a little more present than in other AIPAs I've had, I'm liking it.

S - Fresh malt with a rye sourness on top and an undercurrent of sweetness.

T - Surprised me, its a hop hammer at first! Puckering hops lead into the rye and malt character, and it does have some sweetness balancing it out as well. Some honey, also juniper. A lot to take in.

M - A real wild ride, high level of complexity in the mouthfeel. Starts off fresh and wet, then picks up with bitterness and just as it peaks it slides off with a sweet counterpoint. Finishes with a slightly herbal aftertaste, and it really sneaks that 8% ABV past you.

O - Hell of a fun beer! I like an occasional rye-heavy offering, and this one is near the top of the ryes for me.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 04:39:20 | More by bambam2517

alanv

California

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-18-2013 21:32:29 | More by alanv

GinsuDave

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -12.2%

05-18-2013 01:14:12 | More by GinsuDave

anteater

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-17-2013 17:54:58 | More by anteater

Glider

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

05-17-2013 13:42:40 | More by Glider

JothHu

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-17-2013 00:03:56 | More by JothHu

Blashawright

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-16-2013 22:35:22 | More by Blashawright