Ruthless Rye IPA
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Rye Beer
Ranked #41 - ABV:
- 6.6%
- Score:
- 88
Ranked #11,371 - Avg:
- 3.91 | pDev: 11.25%
- Reviews:
- 1,169
- Ratings:
- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Avail:
- Spring
- Wants
- 112
- Gots
- 840
SCORE
88
Very Good
88
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.
Reviews: 1,169
| Ratings: 5,243
4/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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
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3.87/5 rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
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.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
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.
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3/5 rDev -23.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
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.
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
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.
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3.64/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
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.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
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.
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4.19/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
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.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
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.
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3.77/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
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!
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
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!
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3.6/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
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.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
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.
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3.99/5 rDev +2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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.
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3.93/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from 12oz bottle into standard pint glass.
L: Very pretty Amber color, two finger light beige head has very very good retention.
S: Very malty aroma, with a slight grassy note.
T: Again some good malt flavor, spicy rye shows through well. As well as a slight orange peel note and some grassiness.
F: Light, crisp, lingering spice.
O: An absolutely wonderful Rye IPA.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from 12oz bottle into standard pint glass.
L: Very pretty Amber color, two finger light beige head has very very good retention.
S: Very malty aroma, with a slight grassy note.
T: Again some good malt flavor, spicy rye shows through well. As well as a slight orange peel note and some grassiness.
F: Light, crisp, lingering spice.
O: An absolutely wonderful Rye IPA.
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3.93/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
Look: Reddish-brown, clear with a healthy cream-tan head.
Smell: Sweet caramel malts, some nutty/chocolatey aromas. A bit of rye spiciness. Medium amount of pine and citrus hop aroma.
Taste: Lemon and grapefruit citrus, malt sweetness, and hints of spicy rye and black peppercorns. Aftertaste is citrus hop bitterness and biscuity malt sweetness.
Feel: Medium-bodied, very creamy, good carbonation.
Overall: This is a nice beer, and the style is a welcome change of pace from more standard IPAs. Very drinkable with a great mouthfeel.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
Look: Reddish-brown, clear with a healthy cream-tan head.
Smell: Sweet caramel malts, some nutty/chocolatey aromas. A bit of rye spiciness. Medium amount of pine and citrus hop aroma.
Taste: Lemon and grapefruit citrus, malt sweetness, and hints of spicy rye and black peppercorns. Aftertaste is citrus hop bitterness and biscuity malt sweetness.
Feel: Medium-bodied, very creamy, good carbonation.
Overall: This is a nice beer, and the style is a welcome change of pace from more standard IPAs. Very drinkable with a great mouthfeel.
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3.94/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a very deep amber with a well retained half inch tan head that left spotty lacing, Smells of rye toast, pepper and malt. Tastes follows the nose with rye, rye toast, pepper, sweet malt, pine and a mild grapefruit finish. On the full side of medium bodied, medium carbonation, mild to medium bitterness.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a very deep amber with a well retained half inch tan head that left spotty lacing, Smells of rye toast, pepper and malt. Tastes follows the nose with rye, rye toast, pepper, sweet malt, pine and a mild grapefruit finish. On the full side of medium bodied, medium carbonation, mild to medium bitterness.
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3.97/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a clear dark copper brown with a thick light tan head, nice retention, nice lacing. Aroma is a blend of bready malt, spicy rye and bold hops. Some citrus joins these in the flavor. Feel is on the light side of medium bodied. Well carbonated. Overall a very enjoyable beer.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a clear dark copper brown with a thick light tan head, nice retention, nice lacing. Aroma is a blend of bready malt, spicy rye and bold hops. Some citrus joins these in the flavor. Feel is on the light side of medium bodied. Well carbonated. Overall a very enjoyable beer.
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4.79/5 rDev +22.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
This is my favorite beer of all time. I love SN beers and this is incredible and has been since they first brewed it. The 2018 Celebration was completely amazing as well but Ruthless Rye is just it.
Look is beautiful copper. Really long lacing in the glass. Nose is reisenous Rye and pine with hint of sweet malt. Taste follows perfectly and why this beer is my number 1. Everyone has a different palate and this just works in every way for me. Mouthfeel is perfect. So smooth with perfect carbination. All hail Ken Grossman, Sierra Nevada and Ruthless Rye. So glad it’s year round now in the Sampler Pack.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
This is my favorite beer of all time. I love SN beers and this is incredible and has been since they first brewed it. The 2018 Celebration was completely amazing as well but Ruthless Rye is just it.
Look is beautiful copper. Really long lacing in the glass. Nose is reisenous Rye and pine with hint of sweet malt. Taste follows perfectly and why this beer is my number 1. Everyone has a different palate and this just works in every way for me. Mouthfeel is perfect. So smooth with perfect carbination. All hail Ken Grossman, Sierra Nevada and Ruthless Rye. So glad it’s year round now in the Sampler Pack.
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3.86/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a Shaker pint glass, "PKGD" date 03/06/19.
Pours a clear, dark, brown color with one-finger tan head and excellent retention, the head persisted until a tan cap remained, medium carbonation, moderate lacing on the glass.
SMELL: burnt toast, pepper and earthy.
TASTE: the taste follows the nose, initially burnt toast and pepper then an earthy hop note and some citrus on the finish.
PALATE: medium carbonation and full body.
OVERALL: this is a fine beer but it's not a style that I would ever seek out.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a Shaker pint glass, "PKGD" date 03/06/19.
Pours a clear, dark, brown color with one-finger tan head and excellent retention, the head persisted until a tan cap remained, medium carbonation, moderate lacing on the glass.
SMELL: burnt toast, pepper and earthy.
TASTE: the taste follows the nose, initially burnt toast and pepper then an earthy hop note and some citrus on the finish.
PALATE: medium carbonation and full body.
OVERALL: this is a fine beer but it's not a style that I would ever seek out.
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4.22/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a muddled copper color. Has just kind of a thin look to it.
Piney hop hits the nose with some underlying malt.
Tastes of spicy rye, which works well with the hop flavor which brings to mind a picturesque west coast forest.
Mouthfeel is perfectly Carbonated
Rye is a very under utilized component of beer making. Ruthless rye is fantastic.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a muddled copper color. Has just kind of a thin look to it.
Piney hop hits the nose with some underlying malt.
Tastes of spicy rye, which works well with the hop flavor which brings to mind a picturesque west coast forest.
Mouthfeel is perfectly Carbonated
Rye is a very under utilized component of beer making. Ruthless rye is fantastic.
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3.89/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Quite the beer... really nice flavor my favorite part was probably the smell. Got it in a Sierra Nevada sampler pack and it was one of my favorites out of it for sure.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Quite the beer... really nice flavor my favorite part was probably the smell. Got it in a Sierra Nevada sampler pack and it was one of my favorites out of it for sure.
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3.75/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
L: Hazy amber with a finger-thick, foamy white head
S: Mostly peppery with pine notes and a touch of citrus
T: Flavor follows the nose for the most part, with pine and grapefruit taking center stage. Sweet in the front of the palate with a dry finish
F: Medium mouthfeel
O: Nice peppery IPA. Has a rather straightforward flavor profile - not too complex, but still well-balanced
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
L: Hazy amber with a finger-thick, foamy white head
S: Mostly peppery with pine notes and a touch of citrus
T: Flavor follows the nose for the most part, with pine and grapefruit taking center stage. Sweet in the front of the palate with a dry finish
F: Medium mouthfeel
O: Nice peppery IPA. Has a rather straightforward flavor profile - not too complex, but still well-balanced
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3.88/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
From the mix pack, dated 12/12/18. Wish the date was on the OUTSIDE of the box. (Hint : SN ;) )
(As expected) Amber, with a finger of off-white head.
Smell is spicy (also as expected) , with some vague fruitiness.
Taste is spicy (coriander & black pepper?) , (rye) bread crust , slightly nutty, pleasantly old-school bitter, with some pine & grapefruit pith. Slight tang , as with rye or sourdough bread crust.
Feel is medium with medium-sharp carbonation.
Overall, pretty good for what it is . Imagine Torpedo with maybe something a bit more citrusy mixed in, then add rye bread, pepper & coriander. Its got that old-school West Coast IPA bite, with a little extra. A good compliment to my roast beef sandwich(with stuff ;) ) . Made the right choice. I had one another time that was about a month old. This seems as though it might have lost a little fruitiness, but is otherwise the same. Worth a try if you want a break from THE JUICE, or don't like NEIPAs.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
From the mix pack, dated 12/12/18. Wish the date was on the OUTSIDE of the box. (Hint : SN ;) )
(As expected) Amber, with a finger of off-white head.
Smell is spicy (also as expected) , with some vague fruitiness.
Taste is spicy (coriander & black pepper?) , (rye) bread crust , slightly nutty, pleasantly old-school bitter, with some pine & grapefruit pith. Slight tang , as with rye or sourdough bread crust.
Feel is medium with medium-sharp carbonation.
Overall, pretty good for what it is . Imagine Torpedo with maybe something a bit more citrusy mixed in, then add rye bread, pepper & coriander. Its got that old-school West Coast IPA bite, with a little extra. A good compliment to my roast beef sandwich(with stuff ;) ) . Made the right choice. I had one another time that was about a month old. This seems as though it might have lost a little fruitiness, but is otherwise the same. Worth a try if you want a break from THE JUICE, or don't like NEIPAs.
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3.15/5 rDev -19.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Part of a variety 12-pack $13.88 Safeway
Amber color
Medium mouthfeel
Medium-high carbonation
Rye, burnt malt flavors
Overall not for me. Not sure if its the style or this particular one.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Part of a variety 12-pack $13.88 Safeway
Amber color
Medium mouthfeel
Medium-high carbonation
Rye, burnt malt flavors
Overall not for me. Not sure if its the style or this particular one.
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3.93/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
It’s got a lot of similarities to Sierra Nevada torpedo except with a cleaner finish. Overall this is a decent beer. I think a little more hop variety would bring this one up a notch but it’s a good addition to the sampler pack.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
It’s got a lot of similarities to Sierra Nevada torpedo except with a cleaner finish. Overall this is a decent beer. I think a little more hop variety would bring this one up a notch but it’s a good addition to the sampler pack.
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4.19/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a light amber in color with an abundant off white sticky head that has excellent retention and leaves copious amounts of side glass lace.
AROMA: Leads with some spicy Rye hops. Bread malts still very evident.
TASTE: Again spicy Rye, some grapefruit hops enter. Bread malts still there.
Liked this offering alot.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a light amber in color with an abundant off white sticky head that has excellent retention and leaves copious amounts of side glass lace.
AROMA: Leads with some spicy Rye hops. Bread malts still very evident.
TASTE: Again spicy Rye, some grapefruit hops enter. Bread malts still there.
Liked this offering alot.
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4/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very nice beer. Creamy head and somewhat complex. Taste? How about "tangy"! Has some snap to it and you do get a little bit of the rye flavors. A nice beer to pair with a sipper of bourbon.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very nice beer. Creamy head and somewhat complex. Taste? How about "tangy"! Has some snap to it and you do get a little bit of the rye flavors. A nice beer to pair with a sipper of bourbon.
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3.01/5 rDev -23%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
If you're into bitter IPAs, this version of a rye IPA is up your alley...
...but for me, not so much. Though the look is complex - dark colors including crimson, brown, and rusty copper, the head it forms is thick and there is a good amount of lacing down the glass. That's about it for this one for me. The smell is uninspired with a mouthfeel that was carbonated and astringent. The taste was mostly bitter, I couldn't pull anything out of it, though I still rated it good given the fact that this was a different rye IPA from others I have tried. Not great for my taste, but I'm sure there are others that will love this.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
If you're into bitter IPAs, this version of a rye IPA is up your alley...
...but for me, not so much. Though the look is complex - dark colors including crimson, brown, and rusty copper, the head it forms is thick and there is a good amount of lacing down the glass. That's about it for this one for me. The smell is uninspired with a mouthfeel that was carbonated and astringent. The taste was mostly bitter, I couldn't pull anything out of it, though I still rated it good given the fact that this was a different rye IPA from others I have tried. Not great for my taste, but I'm sure there are others that will love this.
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3.85/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a deep amber or pale brown producing a nice, 2.5 finger, tan, frothy head that leaves nice clumpy, sticky lacing. Aroma is a biting, spicy, high octane rye, bready malt, floral & piney hops backed by citrus. Taste is bitter across the tongue, front to back with a grapefruit, piney resin & peppery start mixing with the spicy rye, bready, caramel malt sweetness develops immediately behind this & expands deeply into a clean, grapefruit & pepper finish. Mouthfeel is medium-heavy bodied with moderate carbonation, smooth & slightly slick; dry with astringency on the back of the tongue. As expected bitterness lingers long in the dry aftertaste. Nice flavors, decidedly bitter, a solid BIG rye brew with IPA character.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a deep amber or pale brown producing a nice, 2.5 finger, tan, frothy head that leaves nice clumpy, sticky lacing. Aroma is a biting, spicy, high octane rye, bready malt, floral & piney hops backed by citrus. Taste is bitter across the tongue, front to back with a grapefruit, piney resin & peppery start mixing with the spicy rye, bready, caramel malt sweetness develops immediately behind this & expands deeply into a clean, grapefruit & pepper finish. Mouthfeel is medium-heavy bodied with moderate carbonation, smooth & slightly slick; dry with astringency on the back of the tongue. As expected bitterness lingers long in the dry aftertaste. Nice flavors, decidedly bitter, a solid BIG rye brew with IPA character.
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3.42/5 rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Look - very nice bronze color and very clear. Not much carbonation on this one but some activity continued on after the initial head receded.
Smell - not very aromatic - some citrus and tropical fruit from the hops, but not much else. A touch of Rye comes through - slight herbal/peppery hint in there
Taste - decent hop bitterness here. Comes in with some sweeter malt / caramelly flavors. Quickly turns to spice and some herbal notes. There are some off flavors that appear randomly - some cattiness maybe that clashes with the other flavors. This trails off and then you get some smokey flavors - like some charred wood from the campfire (which is totally fine with me - I'm a fan of smoked beers and general smokiness). Dries out and is almost tart towards the end
Feel - medium bodied - but pretty oily and slick - maybe pretty close to the full-bodied level
Overall - This is an ok beer. I can't see myself grabbing this one again. Maybe they did this one because a lot of other breweries are going the Rye IPA (RIPA) route. It is ok, but seems a bit off at times and just not very pleasing to the taste buds. It is worth a try to see if you like it. Maybe I am just not a fan of Rye in a beer other than a darker beer / black ipas.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Look - very nice bronze color and very clear. Not much carbonation on this one but some activity continued on after the initial head receded.
Smell - not very aromatic - some citrus and tropical fruit from the hops, but not much else. A touch of Rye comes through - slight herbal/peppery hint in there
Taste - decent hop bitterness here. Comes in with some sweeter malt / caramelly flavors. Quickly turns to spice and some herbal notes. There are some off flavors that appear randomly - some cattiness maybe that clashes with the other flavors. This trails off and then you get some smokey flavors - like some charred wood from the campfire (which is totally fine with me - I'm a fan of smoked beers and general smokiness). Dries out and is almost tart towards the end
Feel - medium bodied - but pretty oily and slick - maybe pretty close to the full-bodied level
Overall - This is an ok beer. I can't see myself grabbing this one again. Maybe they did this one because a lot of other breweries are going the Rye IPA (RIPA) route. It is ok, but seems a bit off at times and just not very pleasing to the taste buds. It is worth a try to see if you like it. Maybe I am just not a fan of Rye in a beer other than a darker beer / black ipas.
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Ruthless Rye IPA from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
88 out of
100 with
5243 ratings
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