Ry(e)an Ale
Smuttynose Brewing Company

Ry(e)an AleRy(e)an Ale
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From:
Smuttynose Brewing Company
 
New Hampshire, United States
Style:
Rye Beer
ABV:
7.7%
Score:
92
Avg:
4.16 | pDev: 10.34%
Reviews:
126
Ratings:
209
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Apr 05, 2018
Added:
May 17, 2010
Wants:
  80
Gots:
  29
Brewed exclusively for Julio's Liquors. This is an Imperial Red Rye Ale, aged in bourbon barrels hand-selected by Julio's Loch & Key Society.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by jomobono:
Photo of jomobono
Rated by jomobono from Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -9.9%

Apr 16, 2012
More User Ratings:
Photo of hoptheology
Reviewed by hoptheology from California

4.18/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
From connecticutpoet's cellar!

Festive dark brown cinnamon-chocolate pour with a beige-grey head of 1 finger in my mini snifter.

Aroma is chock full of bourbon goodness, with lots of oak and nice rye notes, some chocolate, cinnamon, and vanilla.

Dark burnt toffee flavors with some slight coffee and strong anise notes. Slight tobacco, a bit of a bourbon bump, cinnamon, vanilla.

Feel is nice and thick, very warming, very fuzzy.

Overall, although I'm not a huge fan of Rye ales, this one was exceptionally well done and plays awesomely with the bourbon. Recommended.
Apr 05, 2018
Photo of liquorpig
Rated by liquorpig from Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2011 edition
Dec 09, 2017
 
Rated: 4.09 by wethorseblanket from California

Apr 04, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by hvy1 from Maine

Jun 26, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by megamass from New Jersey

Jun 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by zestar from California

May 31, 2014
Photo of Dope
Reviewed by Dope from Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Re-reviewing an aged 2011 bottle (I mention it in the old review below). I felt that this was really bourbon-heavy when fresh so I figured I'd retry it. This bottle is now close to 2.5 years old.

A: Bottle cap pops off with just the tiniest hiss. Pours a nice mahogany. Small tan head that fades out quickly. Not much carbonation left in this one. Minimal lacing.

S: Sweet raisins and spicy rye. Especially spicy when swirled. Caramel layered over both. Pretty subtle, probably due to the almost still nature of the beer. Pleasant still, however.

T: Huh, not at all like I remember it. Lots of sweet caramel, vanilla and light raisins up front. Spicy rye in the middle turning into some oak in the finish. Lingering rye, light bourbon and oak between sips.

M: Pretty syrupy for only 7% or so. Probably due to the lack of carbonation.

O: It seems the age has done this one a favor. I felt it was pretty barrel-heavy and a bit harsh when I originally had it. This has mellowed out and the flavors are well integrated to boot. Nicely balanced and fairly sweet. The barrel and rye aspects really work together nicely. I have two more bottles of this, will have to try another next year.

Original review from 01-09-2012:

Super fresh 2011 bottle, just released two days ago.

A: A dark, murky rusty brown pour. Decently thick tan head. Retention and lacing are both quite decent. (4)

S: Smells almost like pure bourbon. Lots of toffee, vanilla and caramel notes. There is a spicy rye element that tingles the nose, versus the alcohol that tingles in real bourbon. No noticeable hop aroma. (4)

M: Nice spicy rye up front immediately followed by a heavy, heavy bourbon backbone with again, lots of toffee caramel and vanilla. Lingering rye spiciness in the aftertaste. (4)

T: Surprisingly thick given the medium ABV. Smooth and creamy. (4.5)

O: Definitely a unique beer, not sure I've ever had or even heard of a bourbon barrel rye beer. It has the mouthfeel of a MUCH heavier beer which gains it extra points. It is quite heavy on the bourbon but honestly I'm not surprised given how fresh it is. I bought a couple extra bottles so age might help calm it down a little and let the rye shine more.(4)

Overall 4.05.
Apr 19, 2014
Photo of chefhatt
Reviewed by chefhatt from Pennsylvania

3.97/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I know this beer isn't made anymore, but I had this one for a while.
It pours a deep reddish color body with no head and the carbonation is gone. The smell is straight up bourbon. Taste is the same way all sweet bourbon. mouthfeel is smooth and overall this is a good beer and I would say it aged well.
Mar 31, 2014
Photo of Scotchboy
Reviewed by Scotchboy from Idaho

4/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Awesome bomber from dope, split with my brother into pint glasses.

A: Clear, dark amber body (clear until the yeast/sediment is added from the dregs of the bottle), plenty of khaki lacing and good head.

S&T:: Pretty big toasted caramel and spice...bourbon is definitely prominent...huge bready malt backbone and a moderate fruity/spice essence (I'm thinking its the rye but it could be the yeast?). Lots of sweetness...strong vanilla component, I'm guessing from the bourbon barrel...maybe some butterscotch and toffee as well. The fruitiness does stick out a bit, blending well with the spiciness. There is some nice woody/toasted flavors as well.

MF: Full-bodied, and not overly hot. Velvety smooth mouthfeel.

O: A dandy of a barrel-aged rye beer. Still not my favorite style, though this one had a lot going for it.
Mar 21, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by DersOne from Wisconsin

Feb 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by beerpirates from Belgium

Feb 08, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by BColton1 from Rhode Island

Jan 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by acurtis from New Jersey

Jan 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by djrn2 from New Jersey

Jan 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.6 by tbone1384 from Wyoming

Nov 04, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by DelicateDelirium from Massachusetts

Oct 28, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by jaxon53 from Connecticut

Oct 13, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Kegatron from Pennsylvania

Sep 25, 2013
Photo of UCLABrewN84
Reviewed by UCLABrewN84 from California

3.79/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Bottle pour at mrbubbler's tasting.

Pours a clear copper with a foamy khaki head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, rye, caramel, bourbon, and wood aromas. Taste is much the same with caramel and bourbon flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of woody bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is tasty but the smell is slightly better in my opinion.
Aug 26, 2013
Ry(e)an Ale from Smuttynose Brewing Company
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 209 ratings