Rye Of The Tiger IPA - Great Lakes Brewing Company

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.14/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Thanks to Kegatron for gifting me with a bottle of this. The brew pours a clouded copper color with more than a finger of yellowish stained froth. The cap slowly fades leaving a full wall of webby lace sticking to the glass. Taking a closer look, you can see fine particles of yeast stuck in solution despite a careful pour.

The aroma opens up a little awkward with notes of sulfur and something like cheese. Some dirty footy grain mixes with a mild toasty appeal of rye. As the brew warms up, some hints of grass, herbs and rindy hop quality come through. Some whiffs impart a solid focus of solvent alcohol.

The flavor of this brew has a bit of sulfur aspect, cheese and mild vegetative quality overtop a fresh almost cereal grain sweetness that is toasty. More sips reveal quite a bit of bitterness with almost a dirty melon flavoring that borders on vegetative. The bitterness is pretty aggressive with an oily cling that is mildly catty and pine-like. The alcohol gets more intense with every sip having a sort of neutral solvent aspect.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. Admittedly this was a little rough going down. I typically enjoy rye ipas but there was something strange going on in this one with an awkward dirty melon or vegetative feel that I just didnt really dig. I appreciate the chance to try this Heath, I just dont think i would be quick to buy any more of this.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 01:23:32 | More by stakem

ThickNStout

Georgia

3.33/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

12oz bottle from SeaOfShells (thanks man!). Best by 6/24/13. Served in a Southern Tier snifter.

Pours a bright, clear orangey gold with two full fingers of thick pale head. Head slowly fades to a thin cap that leaves large splotches of lace.

Smells of piney and floral hops with a good bit of rye spice and a tad of biscuit.

Taste is crisp and quite sharp. Bitter pine hops and pronounced rye spice duel it out on my tongue. Flower petals, wet grass, hay, pepper, citrus zest, and earth.

Medium body with moderate carbonation. Long, relentlessly bitter aftertaste.

A pretty good rye IPA. I would have liked a bit more hop flavor to accompany the near harsh bitterness but it was still enjoyable overall.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 23:15:25 | More by ThickNStout

JohnnyMc

Ohio

3.38/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Another new seasonal!!

Pours out a very nice and clear bright, golden orange with 3 fingers of white head.

The aroma is completely dominated by rye with some subtle floral, herbal and grassy hop notes.

The taste has a huge punch of rye spice right away and is followed by some floral, grassy, herbal hop notes. There is some bready malt notes in there, but the rye is the big star in this beer.

The body is full and the mouthfeel is very crisp and clean. The alcohol is completely hidden, with no hint of the 7.5% ABV.

For being an IPA the hops are rather mild and more in the background than I would have expected. The rye is a really nice addition and I really like the spice that it adds, however, I feel like it dominates the beer and really hides the hops. Either more hops or a different variety should have been used because of the intense rye flavor that is present. Definitely not a bad beer, but a weak on the hops for an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 03:56:25 | More by JohnnyMc

sharlie

Michigan

3.49/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

This beer has a orange, caramel colored appearance with little head. The nose is citrus with a slight smell of hops. The taste was enjoyable. Had a strong mouthfeel that coated my tongue but was very unpleasant when done drinking, the aftertaste was bitter and long.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 12:40:41 | More by sharlie

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Beige head. Color is a dark golden orange.

A big juicy fruit profile. Orange and citrus flavors. Tangerines. A lot of rye and bready malt flavors. Way too much. It takes away from the hops. The hops are very floral.

Mouthfeel: Bitter and dry. Medium bodied. Ends sticky.

Overall, I liked the nose much better than the taste because the nose was more fruit and hop forward. I still enjoyed this a bit.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 23:17:03 | More by mothman

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Tap: Poured a clear dark golden color ale with a small foamy head with medium retention and minimal lacing. Aroma of spicy rye notes with some citrus hops notes. Taste is dominated by citrus notes with some spicy rye malt with light bitter finish. Body is a bit light with good carbonation. Not bad just a little bit softer then I was expecting with rye not coming out as much as expected.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 20:17:30 | More by Phyl21ca

n2185

North Carolina

3.51/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a slightly hazy honey color with a finger of off-white head that fades into a frothy ring with decent lacing.

S: Sweeter citrus notes up front followed by dry pine aromas. It's all a bit muted smelling.

T: Grapefruit, citrus rind, and pine flavors with a little spicy rye mixed in. Some caramel malts come through as well. The finish is moderately bitter.

M: Medium body and carbonation, this beer is nicely carbonated and avoids being too watery or oily.

O: An alright beer overall, though nothing special. The nose is a bit muted and the flavor lacks the depth and explosive hop punch that come with the best IPA's.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 11:52:34 | More by n2185

BB1313

Ohio

3.56/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5

Best before 6/24/13. 12oz bottle poured into a tulip. Pours a transparent burnt orange with a fluffy white head that sticks around and leaves great lacing. The aromas are nice, but somewhat subtle. Lots of pine and grass in the mix. Aromas finish with a some fruity bubblegum. I can pick up some lemon zest in the mix as well. I can smell some caramel malts, but I barely taste them. The rye malt come through in the flavors. Flavors are extremely earthy and rustic. The rye malt really shines. This one has a decent bitterness to it. I can pick up some black pepper as well. Spicy beer right here, but it's not overbearing. The simcoe hops are noticeable, but take a backseat. Finishes pretty dry.The mouthfeel is wonderful. This is on the lighter side of full-bodied and is extremely fluffy and creamy. The carbonation is active and makes this very quaffable. The alcohol goes unnoticed and it's easy to drink.

I've had this on-tap numerous times over the years. I think this bottled version matches up with what those who've had it would come to expect. It's a well crafted beer. Great Lakes really nails the rye aspect. Unfortunately, my final verdict is telling me that this isn't the mindblower that I've always thought it was for years.. BUT, it's an enjoyable beer and worth seeking out. I always thought I prefered this over Commodore Perry, but not so much. Commodore Perry and Rye of the Tiger actually have more in common than I thought. I need to try them side by side..

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 21:42:03 | More by BB1313

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.64/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 2.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

On tap in a pint glass at Woodland's on 8/25/12

Pale, hazy, dirty orange hue. Thin head with skimmed retention. Patches of soapy, dissolved foam make for decent lace.

Hoppy aroma of grapefruit, tangerine, orange, peach and hints of pineapple. Juicy tropical goodness. Dry, rye bread backing. Tastes moderately bitter with a rye punch. The hops are not quite as brilliant as in the aroma, but it still tastes good; the tropicalia is dulled a bit. Medium feel with appropriate moderately high carbonation. The finish has residual rye and bitterness.

I hoped this would be good and it is! It's the best "IPA" Great Lakes has done, at least of the ones I have tried. Worth a shot if you see it around town.

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2013 05:19:38 | More by Ryan011235

Goldopelgt

Ohio

3.66/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A: Pours a crisp, golden-amberish color with a two-finger off white head with some decent lacing

S: Bready malts up front, with some rye and a hint of citrusy hops...all in all, pretty decent...

T: Similar to the nose, more rye and bitter hops though, slightly resinous...piney, and malty...good balance going on here, nothing overpowers, a tasty brew...

M: Medium bodied, crisp...well carbonated, with a lingering biscuit taste that coats the palate.

O: A pretty good brew. Maybe not as rye forward or hoppy as I would have liked based on the style (granted a 'rye beer' isn't necessarily a 'rye ipa', but more of a personal preference than a knock to the beer). Another strong seasonal offering from Great Lakes that is definitely worth trying, and probably re-visiting. Cheers...

Serving type: on-tap

04-10-2013 19:21:17 | More by Goldopelgt

SportsandJorts

Michigan

3.68/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: a yellowish orange. a small white head. leaves a slight lacing on the sides. slightly hazy

Smell: hops, citrus and possibly some pine. spicy rye

Taste: has a citrusy aspect right up front quickly followed by spicy rye, if there was any pine in the smell it has been taken over by the spicy rye. lots of bitterness and hop like tastes in this one

Mouthfeel: slightly crisp at first but lingering and dominating bitterness.

Overal: To me Great Lakes never disappoints, but at the same time I always expect a lot from their beers. this one was another good price, good beer, but it didn't blow me away.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 02:37:41 | More by SportsandJorts

gabrielsyme

Virginia

3.68/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

12oz glass in a nonic pint glass. Pleasant dark honey gold color with white foam lacing on the glass. Smell is spicy. Taste is bitter hops without much sweetness, not very complex. Dry finish. Could stand to be slightly more carbonated. Does not drink like a 7.5% beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 01:49:14 | More by gabrielsyme

Catherine8189

Michigan

3.68/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Appearance- dark orange caramel colored hue with minimal head. I enjoyed this beer poured into a clean glass from a bottle.

Smell- bright citrusy notes within the midst of great hoppiness. The smell of a fruity pine cone comes through.

Taste- This was a first time tasting for me and I definitely enjoyed this IPA. It has a very full mouthfeel, thats coats your tongue, but it leaves a lasting bitterness that may be unpleasant to some. The lingering of the taste can be harsh.

Overall- A very strong flavorful, grass tastes comes through

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 23:02:43 | More by Catherine8189

MarriedAtGI

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a 14 oz snifter. Best before 06/24/13

A: Amber color fairly close to the orange hair of the tiger on the label. Mostly clear but not quite fully transparent. Small head dissipates very quickly - seems common to Great Lakes beers.

S: tropical fruit, something like passion fruit, slight spiciness from the rye

T: Rye stands out in the taste after being subdued in the smell. Any tropical fruit flavors from the hops are masked by the rye. Astringent, dried out aftertaste.

M: I think the carbonation and the rye spiciness a

O: A very good beer, but not quite a match for my tastes

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 00:54:55 | More by MarriedAtGI

arlingtonjoe

Illinois

3.69/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

a: nice amber color with a 3 figer off white head, nice lacing

s: light citrus with a spice note

t: creamy with a rye bite, resinous pine, malts and bready finish

m: slightly bitter, medium carbonation and lasting dry finish

o: a nice contribution by great lakes to the rye-pa market and will enjoy it again in the future

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 05:34:59 | More by arlingtonjoe

Omnium

Pennsylvania

3.71/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Bottle > Alpine Spring glass
A - Pours a nice gold with about two fingers of head, off white in color. Nice lacing going on here too.
S - Big time bready and biscuit malt, some earthy hop scents, and a weird skunky aroma that is partly of rye and dark grains.
T - Decently potent citrus flavor, that follows with a huge aggressive rye bite, earthy pine hop traits that follows with that odd flavor that I smelled.
M - Bitter and lingering.
O - This is one of the more aggressive rye IPA's I've had, a little lacking on the good hops that are barely there, but if you're looking to assault your palate with rye, this is probably for you.
I'll stick with Alchemy Hour and Lake Erie Monster instead.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 01:43:25 | More by Omnium

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12oz bottle poured into a shaker.

Appearance
Golden amber with 1 finger of off-white head. Good clarity with low carbonation and good retention.

Nose
Mild rye with fresh citrus and caramel. Touches of tropical fruits.

Taste
Maltier than the nose lets on. The rye is kept fairly mild but is obviously there. Caramel malts with a fair amount of toffee. Light notes of candied orange and lemon. A touch of papaya and pineapple. The rye picks up in the finish along with notes of dry pine.

Mouthfeel
Medium-full bodied, silky, oily, crisp and dry.

Overall
Nicely balanced and not overly bitter. Easy drinking. Good show for a Rye IPA.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 13:03:08 | More by justintcoons

inlimbo77

Delaware

3.74/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

64oz growler filled 4/18/13, drank 4/25/13
DFH IPA glass

A: Clear pale orange color. Full two fingers of fluffy bright white head. Leaves lots of sticky lacing. Good carbonation still. Pretty filtered brew here.

S: Spicy notes. Earthy and piney hops. Actually pulling a good amount of grainy malts in there there. I was hoping for more hop aromas.

T: Nice bitterness up front, just a touch. Then you get some spice from the rye malts that really settle in mid palate. Close is dry and lingering piney/spice flavors.

M: Light medium bodied.

Serving type: growler

04-26-2013 13:31:18 | More by inlimbo77

ZAP

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A-Copper colored...light off white head that rims the glass....hazy

S-Spicy rye and unsweetened citrus...

T-Sharp citrus....unsweetened grapefruit, along with a spicy rye biscuity dimension...

M-Good body on this...finishes very dry...

O-Quality beer. but leans a bit too much on the unsweetened sharp citrus for my liking. Of course if you like that type of flavor this would be for you. The rye is used nicely.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 04:15:46 | More by ZAP

oberon

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Gr4eat to see this beer down here in NC.Poured into a standard pint glass a clear medium golden with a nicely formed half finger white head that clung to the glass it settled.Aromas are on the lighter side with grapefruit rind and mild rye sharpness detected.Flavors of leafy hops with a tinge of grapfruit rind although not in your face,the rye gives off some sharpness,there is a firm biscuit maltiness that plays a role as well.A solid beer to be expected from GLB but not great.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 21:10:27 | More by oberon

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy cloudy copper orange with a creamy off white head, decent lace and some larger bubbles on top. The nose has some light caramel malt foundation, very faint note of bready rye, citrusy and oily hop with notes of peppery spice. The taste is more spicy and less hoppy, a bit soft up front. Caramel malt, a fair bit of rye and some peppery spice, citrus hops, oily and piney. The feel is a bit thin up front but an assertive carb and light driness in the back add to the soft palate.

Serving type: growler

07-20-2011 02:13:12 | More by cpetrone84

Jason

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12oz brown bottle with a freshness date.

Hazed peachy amber, two fingers of head holds strong. Aromas of mint, hemp seed, grapefruit rind, pine sap, fresh grass, toasted grain, mild spice, yeast and some tropical fruity esters. Big on smoothness, subtle crispness, medium bodied. Warming alcohol, spicy, biscuity, semi-agressive hop bitterness, nutty yeast, pithy, cactus fruit, bready undertone. Bitter semi-dry finish.

Pretty complex, a whole lot for the palate to take on but I certainly can handle it. Very much an IPA and the rye element works.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 01:33:29 | More by Jason

kawilliams81

Illinois

3.79/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Half Acre tulip.

A- pours a light golden with a 2 finger off-white head. Big wall and trails of lacing.

S- light honey, toast, citrus, spice and pine.

T- caramel, toasted malts, citrus (mainly lemon, some orange), spicy rye, pine.

M- medium body and carbonation. Light syrupy fell with crisp, semi dry finish.

O- good beer, not the best rye I have had but very solid. Some sweetness, light rye spice and citrus and pine bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 01:01:12 | More by kawilliams81

brentk56

North Carolina

3.79/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Pours a hazy goldenrod with a meringue-like head that sticks and shards

Smell: Biscuity malt with a hint of caramel buttressed by piney hops; the spicy rye twist completes the profile

Taste: Malt forward, up front, with the biscuit and slight caramel tones arriving; though the hint of caramel persists from start to finish, the middle is dominated by the piney hops and spicy rye; somewhat dry, after the swallow, despite the caramel

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Overall: An interesting twist on the IPA concept though I would prefer the beer to be dryer and crisper

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 23:08:19 | More by brentk56

barczar

Kentucky

3.8/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours a clear copper color with dense one inch cream head that leaves sheets of lacing.

Aroma is heavily caramel malt, rye, and floral hops. Undertones of grapefruit pith, pineapple, resin, and pine add complexity.

Flavor is resiny throughout, fairly bitter, with grapefruit, mango, and mandarin orange undertones. Bready malt ties together the hop flavor, but adds little character. Rye is present, but not overwhelming.

Body is moderate, with fairly high carbonation and a bit of astringency. The finish is somewhat warm.

Rye beers are not my fave, but there's enough hop complexity to keep me interested.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2012 01:29:48 | More by barczar