Blue Point Rastafa Rye Ale - Blue Point Brewing Company

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This poured out as a golden color with a creamy tan colored head. The smell of the beer had a good spicy aroma to it and some light citrus in there as well. The taste of the beer was also a bit spicy but I liked it. The mouthfeel of this beer from the cask was a little flat and thin. I'm not sure if a cask was the right move for this brew. Overall I think it'd be better from the bottle but I still found it enjoyable.

Serving type: cask

07-21-2011 22:09:06 | More by Knapp85

PhillyStyle

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On Cask at Pizzeria Paradiso - Old Town, Alexandria, VA (3/2011):

The beer appeared a cloudy darker amber color, maybe more closely resembling a rust color, with a thin off-white, creamy head that was ultimately retained throughout the drink. Some lacing to note.

The beer gave off a lighter than expected, but still good rye aroma with hints of floral hops.

The beer, served warm, had the distinctive rye taste that the beer should have. Also were some light notes of floral and citrus hops, but I felt that the beer was really well balanced.

The beer had a medium feel to it. It was creamy, well-carbonated for a cask beer and very easy to drink. Overall, a good beer and one that I am glad that I had more than one of.

Serving type: cask

03-09-2011 16:28:22 | More by PhillyStyle

drtth

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a nonic glass. Glass of cold water on the side to sip from periodically.

Appearance: As served the beer is a lightly hazed reddish bronze with an almost 1/8" off-white head that recedes slowly. Sipping leaves some scattered speckles of lacing.

Smell: The aroma has light, floral and grassy components mingled in with some rye bread.

Taste: The flavors are a blend of some light caramel sweetness along with some citrus fruit, some rye bread and some gentle hop bitterness. To sum this beer up in one word, think "balance." The rye, the malt, and the hops are all intertwingled in a way that makes each of them seem a natural compliment to the others.

Mouthfeel: The mouth feel is medium bodied with light soft carbonation and has a smooth, slightly creamy feeling. The finish is medium length and slides smoothly into a light touch of bitterness and dryness.

Drinkability: I found this one very drinkable with each sip easily following the last and I'd be happy to have another. This one is now on my shopping list, especially if I can find it on cask again.

Serving type: cask

09-20-2010 17:44:00 | More by drtth

Amalak

New York

3.93/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had at Blind Tiger in New York.
A- It's very cloudy with loads of sediment floating around in there. Great foamy head and lacing.
S- Apple and floral.
T- The rye taste certainly comes through. Bold. It has a hot cereal/oatmeal taste. Bland in a way, but very smooth with a good bite at the end.

Serving type: cask

07-28-2010 16:47:06 | More by Amalak

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-cask at Prime 16 into a shaker pint.

A: Hazy reddish-amber body with a 1/4" head of kaleidoscopic off-white foam (i.e., bubbles of all different sizes). Great retention for a cask beer, and some lacing to boot. Very nice.

S: Fruity hops and mild, earthy spice from the rye. Pretty good, but a little weak.

T: Harmonious blend of mild fruity hops (grapefruit, lemon, pineapple) and smooth, sweet, slightly spicy malt - both rye and caramel are apparent. Tasty.

M: Clean, eminently smooth medium body with light, soft effervescence.

D: Doesn't show its strength at all, and is a beautifully balanced and delicious brew.

Notes: Wow. I remember this being a decidedly "meh" beer on tap (unfortunately I last had it before I started reviewing, so I can't be entirely confident of what I thought of it), but this cask version is damn good. Way to go, Blue Point.

Cheers!

Serving type: cask

03-29-2010 00:18:19 | More by woosterbill

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The nose was at once floral with hops, somewhat grassy, as well as spicy from the rye. Color was a lightly cloudy medium amber. The head was simply wisps, the result of a gravity pour, vice hand pump. Mouthfeel was silky, rubbing gently along the tongue like a cat against one's legs. There was a mild, pleasant bitterness on the tongue, followed by the (now) expected rye bit on the finish. To paraphrase Cab Calloway, It just ain't right if it ain't got that bite. Thx, Sopor!

Serving type: cask

12-08-2009 10:06:50 | More by woodychandler

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A hoppy fruity peach citrus tasting cask that worked well on cask, which came in at 7.25% a.b.v. Fruity colour, with rye to add complexity. Caramel brings up the mouthfeel. A spot of sour. Drinkabilty is good. Good balance. Nice for the style, seek it out.

Serving type: cask

10-27-2009 02:01:16 | More by northyorksammy

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On cask at Tap and Table in Emmaus, PA, $5 for a pint. Appeared a slightly hazy amber-red with a low head. The aroma was a simple caramel with a hint of oxidation. The flavor, however, takes that same caramel and follows with a good punch of crushed pepper and spice. The rye really kicks in for the aftertaste, very nice. This beer does a great job of the malted rye. Thank you Blue Point.

Serving type: cask

10-02-2009 00:59:49 | More by tempest

aerozeppl

New York

4.2/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Cask at Mahar's

A: Really nice looking clear amber color. The bubbles from the cask pour were nothing short of picturesque. Really tight defined bubbles. The bubbles left really nice looking cask lacing. Perfect.

S: A touch of spice up front. The malt really did balance this out well. If it makes sense the smell was almost bland but it had to do more with the fact that everything was in a nice balance.

T: The rye is there but more a a spice in the finish. Again very well balanced. Would be curious to see if the rye is more up front in the regular version.

M: Very light on the tongue. Great cask carbonation.

D: Had a pint of this but I could go for more. First rye on cask. Really nice beer. Again I am glad that I am able to get Blue Point's beers on cask.

Serving type: cask

06-10-2009 00:49:11 | More by aerozeppl

Nickls

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(From notes)

A - Thin whitish head; darker coppery brown color

S - Malty and just a touch of rye perhaps. Bready, pretty mild hop aromas. Not as aggressive as others in the style

T - Hop bitterness at first that's a touch piney but with more than a solid malt background...not as sweetish which is good for the style given the rye addition. Could have used more depth and rye prominence

M - Medium MF, a bit creamy and oily, coats the palate well.

D - Solid drinkability, quaffable enough because it's fairly interesting and does not cloy. Satisfying

Overall, not the best I've had in the style but more than a respectable take. Not the most aggressive version, but check it out if you like the style.

Serving type: cask

04-09-2009 20:47:10 | More by Nickls

Biggness

New York

4.33/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a very cloudy amber with a 1 fingered white head and tons of lacing. The smell has large notes of hops with a large amount of malt/rye in it as well. A very smoothe tasting brew, very similar to Hop Rod Rye, a large hop flavor balanced beautifully with the rye and barley. A nice and creay mouthfeel with a good carbonation level for a cask. Extremely drinkable and this will be a "everyday" beer for me as long as it is available.

Serving type: cask

01-25-2009 15:38:29 | More by Biggness

Crimsonfloods

Florida

3.41/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

A: deep hazy orange, off white head, thick lacing, looks inviting!
S: light malty aroma with the rye notes there, but not too forward.
T: low on the rye flavor, wish there was more! But a solid malt punch, good.
M/F: medium body, hangs around the mouth for a bit and then falls out, making you go back for more. for 7.5% the alcohol is not there AT ALL and it is quite drinkable.

O: Tasty! Haven't been let down by any Blue Point beers thus far, I was just on Long Island, wish I could have made a trip out the brewery and checked 'em out.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 04:32:38 | More by Crimsonfloods

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.09/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a crystal clear deep copper color with a nice big beige head that persists forever. The aroma is caramel and toffee with an herbal earthy edge and faint traces of yeasty plastic phenols. The flavor holds much of the same attributes from the nose. Caramel toffee and butterscotch mixed with earthy floral hops and a weird herbal almost medicinal flavor. Medium body with moderate level of carbonation and a slick bubbly mouthfeel. I thought this one was ok but nothing special. Its got a weirdness to it that I just couldn't get into.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 00:07:51 | More by johnnnniee

JohnGalt1

Idaho

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got this one in a great trade with Doppelbockulus.. Thanks a ton Charley!!

Poured into my HotD goblet... the brew is clear orange... 1" white head with good retention and lacing.

Nose is toasty malts with a good rye snap to it... hops are on the floral side of things.

Flavor mirrors the nose... just enough hop bitterness to balance the interesting maltiness but never overpowers things... again, the toasty malts shine but I am having a harder time pulling the rye on the palate.. floral hoppiness begins up front and makes it all the way to the finish.

Body a light/medium.. good carbonation with a sorta slick/oiliness on the palate.

Yummy... I would buy this one if I had the chance. Thanks again Charley!!

All 4's.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 05:28:16 | More by JohnGalt1

GPHarris

Alabama

3.98/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

a - poured a one finger thick light tan head into a snifter that had good lacing throughout. the body was a bright copper color.
s - malt caramel sweetness with a hint of floral hops.
t - piney hops with some nice rye spice.
m - medium thickness with crisp and bubbly carbonation.
o - solid rye pale ale. i'm not familiar with this brewery at all but this was a pleasant surprise.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 15:42:56 | More by GPHarris

SportsandJorts

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Type: On-tap
Glass: Pint
From: Ashley's in Ann Arbor
Price $6.50 a pint

Appearance: orangish red color. no head or lacing by time i got it.

Smell: a touch of rye along with spicy hops and sweet malts.

Taste. Spicy hops followed by some sweet malts and rye. very good balancing

Mouthfeel: pretty light and crisp. pretty refreshing beer.

Overall: pretty good beer, certainly drinkable and something i would drink again if given the chance.

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2013 07:58:50 | More by SportsandJorts

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.48/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Aroma is not strong, but definitely has notes of rye and hops and a fruity, slightly yeasty underpinning. Pours a clear, bubbly copper with a thick, fluffy, rather persistent pale wheat head. Rye dominates the flavor, which has fruity, malty and hoppy hints. Smooth texture has good body and fizz. An interesting, if not superb, beer - give it a try.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 23:14:24 | More by Cyberkedi

Huffs

New York

3.45/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass which developed a nice head which lasted and laced through the dring. Aroma was mildly sweet, malty. Mouthfeel was medium to light with good carbonation. Taste was of a mild malty nature and nutty with hints of caramel. Aftertaste was mild and sweet.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 04:15:22 | More by Huffs

papat444

Quebec (Canada)

3.3/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bomber with no freshness info. Split with the wife.

Appearance: A pure honey colored body, creamy head (good 3 fingers) that leaves nice rings.

Smell: Toasted malt is the first aroma i pick out followed by some spiciness, caramel and vienna malt. Not much rye to speak of but still pleasant.

Taste: Let down for me. Spiciness that could be rye but wouldn't have called it that if it wasn't on the bottle. Lots of vienna malt again and a bit of a vegetal finish. Not offensive but doesn't win me over.

Mouthfeel: Average body, nice carbonation and a clean finish.

Overall: Avearge taste brings this one down. Ok but lackluster.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 12:12:10 | More by papat444

superdedooperboy

Georgia

3.83/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22-ounce brown glass bottle poured into a Duvel tulip glass. Served at approximately 45 degrees F.

Pours a clear, deep golden hue, topped with a full two fingers of off-white froth that slowly recedes, clinging to the walls of the glass and leaving behind fat rings of lace as the glass drains.

Balance seems to be the name of the game in the nose. Grapefruity and spicy hop notes peek through the folds, while a deep whiff of caramel and toffeeish character underlies the hoppy front. Overall the nose is pleasant, if a bit subdued.

Medium-bodied and with a fairly light mouthfeel helped, in part, by a mild level of carbonation. On the palate, things are a bit more hop-forward than the nose, though things still remain fairly balanced. Up front, grapefruit rind takes center stage and soon combines with a spicy hit of rye malt and a prominent bitterness that quickly dries things significantly. A bit of caramel-like malt shows up near the rear, but the bitter, spicy dryness surrounds the palate and carries forward into the finish, which is bone-dry, spicy, a touch citrusy and resinous, and seemingly everlasting.

Overall, a fairly well-balanced IPA and definitely drinkable. The relatively high 7.5% ABV is definitely well-hidden; this is definitely a nice showcase of rye’s unique qualities, which combine with the bitter, resinous west coast hop notes to keep the drinker reaching for another swill. With the proceeds going toward a good cause, this one seems to be right out of SweetWater’s books

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 16:31:37 | More by superdedooperboy

rajendra82

Georgia

3.63/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Clear, golden amber colored body, and a two finger thick head were pleasing to look at. The smell was mild, and sweetish, with honey, and cinnamon notes. The taste was not as sweet as I was anticipating. I got a clean crisp taste like a an APA, with minimal fruity and spicy notes that are typical in a Rye beer. The hops were not all that aggressively showcased either, with only a faint bitterness and some spice in the finish. This was pretty good in the mouthfeel department, with a smooth body that glided across the tongue. Pretty basic.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 03:29:38 | More by rajendra82

godlessape

Georgia

4.28/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured this into my newly acquired Samuel Smith pint glass. The body has a brassy golden hue showing vigorous carbonation and just a small but workable head that leaves a respectable amount of lacing.
As far as smell goes It was so subtle at first that I had to slosh down a third of the pint just to get some nose, which comes off sweet and somewhat fruity up front then it's all caramel with a faint breeze of West Coast hops. Very nice. Once I got down to the bottom of the glass I found the aroma mouthwatering.
What you taste with this is the sweet malt backbone bowled over with spicy rye notes that sizzle on the tongue along with a bit more hop bitterness than the nose let on about. And this all balances out just right.
The mouthfeel is medium bodied and overall this is a fantastic beer, a perfect example of the style. I tip my glass to the brew wizards at Blue Point.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 23:12:31 | More by godlessape

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a nonic tumbler- pours a clear copper/mahogany color with two fingers of white head, modest retention, some nice lacing.

Definitely some rye in the nose along with a nice dose of resinous west coast hops, well balanced by caramel malt notes.

Taste is very nice- up front is the caramel malt and a little bit of the rye sharpness, then taken over by the hops (tastes kinda like simcoe), then the rye comes back in more pronounced, and it finishes kinda dry but floral.

Mouthfeel is also very nice- medium body, moderate carbonation, a little bit of resin. This is an excellent rye beer- everything is well balanced and the flavors are nice. My only real desire is for the nose to be bolder. Maybe have a little bit darker head but that's an aesthetic thing...

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 21:35:31 | More by Hopdaemon39

elgiacomo

Georgia

3.7/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

16oz Growler from Beverage World. Served at around 40-45F.

Pours lightly cloudy orange amber with a three finger off-white head that leaves some rings of drippy lacing and holds a small cap.

Aroma is apricot, mango, rye, bread, some caramel. Good to very good strength.

Flavor generally mirrors the aroma with a fruity start with some apricot and mango, a bit of citrus, moving toward the rye and some caramel malt and bread, mild sweetness, moderate bitterness, some alcohol on the finish.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, pretty oily, good carbonation.

Good rye beer. Not to the level of say a Red’s Rye, but tasty in its own right. More fruity than I expected, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing...

Serving type: growler

09-13-2012 02:50:43 | More by elgiacomo

Kromes

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear gold with a thick off-white head that leaves rings of lacing down the glass. A very nice floral hop and peppery, toasted malt aroma. I love smell of rye beers. The flavor is a little bit different than the aroma. At first you get a nice toasted malt and peppery rye flavor, but then it fades into a rather sweet floral hop flavor. Not getting the bitterness that I had expected. It's there, but more sweet than bitter. Feel is medium body and a bit syrupy. My favorite beer style; And although it is tasty, the bit of syrupy sweetness does just knock it down a notch. But you might expect that with the higher gravity. Still a solid rye beer though.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 00:21:50 | More by Kromes