Roggenbier
Christian Moerlein Brewing Company

Single can from Jungle Jim's.
Really nice fluffy head and a deep copper color.
Malt forward with caramel notes.
Slight sweetness in the finish.
Really enjoyed this one.

Look - great amber haze with a nice white head
Smell - toasted caramelized gain with a floral hop, slight chemical scent
Taste - about the same as the scent along with some rye, grass and pepper
Feel - light body and carb
Overall - interesting easy going beer

There was once a time when its was shunned to use rye in any beverage and rendered its use inferior. Well, that time has passed and now Christian Moerlein celebrates the persnickety grain in their version of German roggenbier.

So simply named Roggenbier, theirs kicks off with a deep golden, winter's honey amber appearance laced with a fine mesh haze and a sturdy, slightly tarnished froth. As the scent of toasted grain, caramelized sweetness, bread and floral hop features emit from the glass, the first sip leads to a medium sweet, malty upstart decorated with sorghum, light molasses and caramelized popcorn.

As the beer splashes the middle palate, the tastebuds are awash in rye, coating the tongue with moderate sweetness and the unique spice and husken grit that the grain provides. A turn from floral hops to a spicier balance aids in the beer's balance and gives the finish a peppery, grassy and somewhat minty hop bite.

Medium bodied and a smoother counterpart to today's amber ale, this more classic roggenbier is a testament of what rye can do in beer, finishing with a malt-leading impression with an a peppery-sweet aftertaste.

07/20/24 draft @ Moerlein Lager House