Bear Republic Hot Rod Rye

Reviewed By: Herr Rick
Style: American IPA - with Rye
State/Country: California
ABV: 7.5%
Serving Type: 22 oz Bottle

Look: 10
Dark amber, clear, big fluffy head with staying power, and excellent lacing (the camera made it look brown, but it's not)

Smell: 9.5
Huge hop aroma! Mostly pine with some citrus, and bready malt

Taste: 9
Up Front: Pine, orange rind, sweet malty goodness
Finish: Pepper (from the rye), lingering malt, and hop bitterness

Mouthfeel: 9
Medium body, creamy with medium carbonation

Drinkability: 7.5
Resinous astringency character in the finish.

Overall Score: 9

Value: 7.5
Cost/12 oz serving: $3.20

Overall Impression:
Rye just ain't my thing. Luckily this is way more like an IPA than a Rye beer, and I love IPA's. At 8% ABV this one is close to being a Double IPA, which is one of my favorite styles. This one is just a little too astringent and bitter in the finish for my palate, but overall it was outstanding!