Ruthless Rye IPA
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- Rye Beer
Ranked #31 - ABV:
- 6.6%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #16,724 - Avg:
- 3.89 | pDev: 11.31%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 13, 2022
- Added:
- Dec 29, 2011
- Wants:
- 118
- Gots:
- 839
SCORE
87
Very Good
87
Very Good
Notes:
Rugged and resilient, rye has been a staple grain for ages and its spicy black pepper-like flavor has been prized by distillers and brewers for centuries. Rye thrives in the harshest conditions and comes to life in Ruthless, a rugged IPA with fruity, citrus and herbal hop notes countered by the dry spiciness of the rye. Holding a steadfast balance between contrasting malt and hop character, Ruthless is bold enough to inspire even the most brazen hop head to bear down and embrace the flavor.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.13 by Wxd162 on Jan 13, 2022
3.92/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by ZebulonXZogg from Illinois
Pours a bright, clear copper color, nice white head that fades to small cap and a bit of lacing. Nice spicy start with some citrus and pine. Taste is peppery upfront, nice bitter finish. Medium bodied, nicely carbonated. Its been several years since I've seen it.
Jan 08, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by ZebulonXZogg from Illinois
Pours a bright, clear copper color, nice white head that fades to small cap and a bit of lacing. Nice spicy start with some citrus and pine. Taste is peppery upfront, nice bitter finish. Medium bodied, nicely carbonated. Its been several years since I've seen it.
Jan 08, 2022
3.87 by rpw from New York on Nov 06, 2021
4 by steverx8 from England on Sep 30, 2021
3.66/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Sigmund from Norway
355 ml bottle, vintage 2013, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. BB date 31.05.2014. Amber colour, moderate off-white head. Aroma of fruity and piney hops, rye bread and pepper. Hoppy and peppery flavour, grapefruity notes, but also sufficient malts, again with hints of rye bread. Good now, but probably even better when fresh.
May 10, 2021
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Sigmund from Norway
355 ml bottle, vintage 2013, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. BB date 31.05.2014. Amber colour, moderate off-white head. Aroma of fruity and piney hops, rye bread and pepper. Hoppy and peppery flavour, grapefruity notes, but also sufficient malts, again with hints of rye bread. Good now, but probably even better when fresh.
May 10, 2021
4 by doctorgary from New York on Apr 07, 2021
4.25 by GaryM6 from New York on Jan 28, 2021
3.5 by Urk1127 from New Jersey on Dec 01, 2020
3.66/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by maddogruss from New Jersey
Had this on draft.
A: pours an amber body with small white head with solid retention and lacing
S: spicy, floral, notes with some bitter earthiness
T: a subtle, sweet maltiness with some spicy, rye notes; subtle earthy aftertaste
M: light bodied and pretty smooth; decent overall
D: pretty good mouthfeel and taste combination; mouthfeel could be a little thicker; decent overall
Nov 18, 2020
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by maddogruss from New Jersey
Had this on draft.
A: pours an amber body with small white head with solid retention and lacing
S: spicy, floral, notes with some bitter earthiness
T: a subtle, sweet maltiness with some spicy, rye notes; subtle earthy aftertaste
M: light bodied and pretty smooth; decent overall
D: pretty good mouthfeel and taste combination; mouthfeel could be a little thicker; decent overall
Nov 18, 2020
4/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by davidward from Florida
Absolutely one of my favorite off the cuff brews. Like drinking down a liquid strong rye bread.
Oct 18, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by davidward from Florida
Absolutely one of my favorite off the cuff brews. Like drinking down a liquid strong rye bread.
Oct 18, 2020
4 by eawolff99 from Minnesota on Oct 10, 2020
3.5 by RiceOwls27 from Texas on Jul 16, 2020
3.92 by imnodoctorbut from Texas on Jun 11, 2020
3.81/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
by cratez from Canada (ON)
Rating from notes. Consumed January 2013. "An above average example of the style, with the mild aroma being the only flawed element here."
Jan 25, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
by cratez from Canada (ON)
Rating from notes. Consumed January 2013. "An above average example of the style, with the mild aroma being the only flawed element here."
Jan 25, 2020
4.5/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Maltyhead from Massachusetts
Poured to a 1/2” head and had a deep honey-brown color. Taste was much better than anticipated and enjoyed it very much. I will definitely purchase this beer again.
Dec 15, 2019
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Maltyhead from Massachusetts
Poured to a 1/2” head and had a deep honey-brown color. Taste was much better than anticipated and enjoyed it very much. I will definitely purchase this beer again.
Dec 15, 2019
3.75 by MJSFS from Florida on Dec 07, 2019
3.75 by -Andrew- from Michigan on Nov 24, 2019
4/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Peach63 from New York
Pours amber with a 1/4 inch cream colored head. Moderate lacing.
Aroma is spicy, peppery, citrusy, piney.
Tastes of spices, pepper, citrus, pine. Excellent bitterness.
Creamy, medium bodied mouthfeel. Lively carbonation. Dry, tangy finish.
An excellent RPA, very drinkable.
Nov 03, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Peach63 from New York
Pours amber with a 1/4 inch cream colored head. Moderate lacing.
Aroma is spicy, peppery, citrusy, piney.
Tastes of spices, pepper, citrus, pine. Excellent bitterness.
Creamy, medium bodied mouthfeel. Lively carbonation. Dry, tangy finish.
An excellent RPA, very drinkable.
Nov 03, 2019
4/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by SmokySignals from North Carolina
great color
very interesting aroma
intense flavor
crisp medium feel
overall, just a weirdo to fill out the mix pack, though a high quality brew no doubt
Sep 26, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by SmokySignals from North Carolina
great color
very interesting aroma
intense flavor
crisp medium feel
overall, just a weirdo to fill out the mix pack, though a high quality brew no doubt
Sep 26, 2019
3.5 by tgdavis from Tennessee on Sep 25, 2019
4.18 by ben741 from Canada (ON) on Sep 20, 2019
4 by 88caprice from Virginia on Sep 16, 2019
3.87/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by spectru from Florida
Clear dark amber, frothy creamy head, fairly retentive, lacy; Rich inviting aroma; Smooth mouthfeel, moderate carbonation; Rich full-bodied flavor, not bitter, slight sour aftertaste, woody. Not bad.
Sep 05, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by spectru from Florida
Clear dark amber, frothy creamy head, fairly retentive, lacy; Rich inviting aroma; Smooth mouthfeel, moderate carbonation; Rich full-bodied flavor, not bitter, slight sour aftertaste, woody. Not bad.
Sep 05, 2019
3/5 rDev -22.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by GuyFawkes from Illinois
From old, undated notes. Poured from the bottle.
Clear rust color.
Huge white head; spotty lace.
Pine odor.
Thin mouthfeel.
Pine with slight soap accents.
Not great but drinkable.
Sep 03, 2019
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by GuyFawkes from Illinois
From old, undated notes. Poured from the bottle.
Clear rust color.
Huge white head; spotty lace.
Pine odor.
Thin mouthfeel.
Pine with slight soap accents.
Not great but drinkable.
Sep 03, 2019
3 by boszormeny from Canada (ON) on Aug 27, 2019
3.86 by Jcarriglio from Florida on Aug 25, 2019
4.29 by Bigskyjim from South Carolina on Aug 21, 2019
3.64/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by BlamingBuddha from Arizona
Poured from a Sierra Nevada sampler 12-pack glass bottle into a flared-lip tulip/IPA-style custom drinking glass. Very thick white head that stayed resilient for a short while. You can taste the rye backing up the hops with this one. Has a slightly different bitter background other than hops. Finishes less dry than other IPA's. Has a mild sweetness that blends well. The nose is more prominent than other in this sampler pack. Almost rustic; sweet, pleasant and malty. A darker color than usual IPA's, as to be expected with the rye. A brown color, almost like an amber beer was mixed with 1/4th west coast ipa. In the nucleated glass I poured it into, its maintained persistent carbonation bubbles rising to the top. More so than a lot of other IPA's to an extent. Not overly carbonated though. Maintains a thin, but thicker than usual lacing even minutes later. A good amount of carbonation, maybe the slightly higher end but still in a good way, as per usual with most Sierra Nevada beer's I've tried so far.
Overall a tasty beer and a nice experience, coming from someone new to rye beers.
Aug 07, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by BlamingBuddha from Arizona
Poured from a Sierra Nevada sampler 12-pack glass bottle into a flared-lip tulip/IPA-style custom drinking glass. Very thick white head that stayed resilient for a short while. You can taste the rye backing up the hops with this one. Has a slightly different bitter background other than hops. Finishes less dry than other IPA's. Has a mild sweetness that blends well. The nose is more prominent than other in this sampler pack. Almost rustic; sweet, pleasant and malty. A darker color than usual IPA's, as to be expected with the rye. A brown color, almost like an amber beer was mixed with 1/4th west coast ipa. In the nucleated glass I poured it into, its maintained persistent carbonation bubbles rising to the top. More so than a lot of other IPA's to an extent. Not overly carbonated though. Maintains a thin, but thicker than usual lacing even minutes later. A good amount of carbonation, maybe the slightly higher end but still in a good way, as per usual with most Sierra Nevada beer's I've tried so far.
Overall a tasty beer and a nice experience, coming from someone new to rye beers.
Aug 07, 2019
4.26 by Connybumbum from Colorado on Aug 03, 2019
4.19/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by sjrider from California
Poured from a bottle , almost clear amber/copper color with bubbly off white head leaving substantial thick bubbly lacing. Nose is spicy and malty with hints of piney hops. Taste follows with a touch more peppery spice, nice rye overtones. This is quite flavorful and a fine IPA.
Jul 22, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by sjrider from California
Poured from a bottle , almost clear amber/copper color with bubbly off white head leaving substantial thick bubbly lacing. Nose is spicy and malty with hints of piney hops. Taste follows with a touch more peppery spice, nice rye overtones. This is quite flavorful and a fine IPA.
Jul 22, 2019
3.84 by Mcb99d from Massachusetts on Jul 21, 2019
3.77/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by HardCider from Pennsylvania
Poured a clear burnt orange color. A moderate head with good retention. A sweet citrusy and maltyaroma. The taste is dry, spicy, and quite bitter. A bitter, but pleasant aftertaste. More carbonated than most. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Jul 11, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by HardCider from Pennsylvania
Poured a clear burnt orange color. A moderate head with good retention. A sweet citrusy and maltyaroma. The taste is dry, spicy, and quite bitter. A bitter, but pleasant aftertaste. More carbonated than most. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Jul 11, 2019
3.5 by C_Adams from Ohio on Jul 01, 2019
3.6/5 rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by Mindcrime1000 from South Dakota
Pours a clear copper/amber with average head but excellent lacing.
Aromas of bready malt, toasted rye, and hints of citrus.
The flavor carries a wide variety of notes. Bready malt, toasted rye, floral, and citrus all show up until the finish, where the piney hops arrive.
The mouthfeel is down the middle medium, and rather slick, with carbonation lacking.
This is an interesting rye brew but not top flight.
Jun 29, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by Mindcrime1000 from South Dakota
Pours a clear copper/amber with average head but excellent lacing.
Aromas of bready malt, toasted rye, and hints of citrus.
The flavor carries a wide variety of notes. Bready malt, toasted rye, floral, and citrus all show up until the finish, where the piney hops arrive.
The mouthfeel is down the middle medium, and rather slick, with carbonation lacking.
This is an interesting rye brew but not top flight.
Jun 29, 2019
4.25 by T66tah from Pennsylvania on Jun 26, 2019
3.99/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by VoxRationis from New York
Decanted from a 12 oz (355 ml) bottle into a custom taster pint; bottled on 3/18/19.
A: Pours a basically clear (precipitation on the glass made this a tough call), dark amber, really more copper color with one finger, off white head, solid retention, much more than a cap, and lacing.
S: Aromas of mocha, caramel, cocoa, molasses, and light pine.
T: Semisweet. The palate certainly follow the nose, but the caramel/molasses maltiness and piney core is now front and center. Solid bitterness.
M: Medium bodied with excellent carbonation and a full, creamy presence.
O: A top shelf Rye IPA. Really a treat.
Jun 26, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by VoxRationis from New York
Decanted from a 12 oz (355 ml) bottle into a custom taster pint; bottled on 3/18/19.
A: Pours a basically clear (precipitation on the glass made this a tough call), dark amber, really more copper color with one finger, off white head, solid retention, much more than a cap, and lacing.
S: Aromas of mocha, caramel, cocoa, molasses, and light pine.
T: Semisweet. The palate certainly follow the nose, but the caramel/molasses maltiness and piney core is now front and center. Solid bitterness.
M: Medium bodied with excellent carbonation and a full, creamy presence.
O: A top shelf Rye IPA. Really a treat.
Jun 26, 2019
4.2 by Jussei from Ohio on Jun 22, 2019
3.81/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Pearlyp from Vermont
Pours on the dark side but still a little light. I guess I expected more from a beer named ruthless
Jun 19, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Pearlyp from Vermont
Pours on the dark side but still a little light. I guess I expected more from a beer named ruthless
Jun 19, 2019
3.72 by bpkrippner from Missouri on Jun 16, 2019
3.75 by Mickt465 from New Hampshire on Jun 16, 2019
Ruthless Rye IPA from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
5259 ratings