Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA | Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Brewed by:
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
California, United States
sierranevada.com
Style: American IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.60%
Availability: Spring
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by kaseydad on 12-29-2011
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Ratings: 5,092 | Reviews: 1,122
Reviews by KingJason:
More User Reviews:
4.22/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Very tasty rye IPA. The best part for me is the mouth feel if I leave it linger for a bit; the time in the mouth gives time for the rye fullness to be noticed.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Very tasty rye IPA. The best part for me is the mouth feel if I leave it linger for a bit; the time in the mouth gives time for the rye fullness to be noticed.
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4.19/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Copper color, maybe reddish copper; head minimal and off white. Nose, a balanced hops blend, calm floral notes over some toasty maltiness. Taste: this is nicely balanced between hops and malts. Grows smoothly; the multiple malts and hops involved are so nicely balanced. Mouthfeel quite creamy for the style, also grows and subsides smoothly. For an IPA with the word "ruthless" in the name, this is so smooth & balanced. The hops are obvious yet somehow are never overwhelming. Given that the rye is significant to the identity of this beer, its unique aspects are nicely blended with the other ingredients & flavors. Well done.
Bottle poured into a nonic glass.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Copper color, maybe reddish copper; head minimal and off white. Nose, a balanced hops blend, calm floral notes over some toasty maltiness. Taste: this is nicely balanced between hops and malts. Grows smoothly; the multiple malts and hops involved are so nicely balanced. Mouthfeel quite creamy for the style, also grows and subsides smoothly. For an IPA with the word "ruthless" in the name, this is so smooth & balanced. The hops are obvious yet somehow are never overwhelming. Given that the rye is significant to the identity of this beer, its unique aspects are nicely blended with the other ingredients & flavors. Well done.
Bottle poured into a nonic glass.
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4.7/5 rDev +19.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Just saw this at the grocery, in between my standby Torpedo IPA and a shelf down from the Ranger.
My. Lord.
I'm a Hophead by definition. My other non-hoppy "go-tos" are Spaten Optimator and Negro Modelo, mainly because it's a long drive to anything better. I used to be DFH all the way, but the price tends to get in the way.
I thought Torpedo was the best thing Sierra Nevada had going (big fan of their Kellerweizen, as well).
This is the IPA I have been searching for. It's just incredible. Great pour into a pilsner glass with a 2" head that slowly dissipated.
Strong hops up front, with a peppery finish on the back end. Doesn't leave you with that bloated feel you get when you've had too many of the Torpedo.
Malts are in the background, where I like them. Haven't had any spicy food with this yet, but I believe this beer can hold its own.
My new "King of the IPAs".
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Just saw this at the grocery, in between my standby Torpedo IPA and a shelf down from the Ranger.
My. Lord.
I'm a Hophead by definition. My other non-hoppy "go-tos" are Spaten Optimator and Negro Modelo, mainly because it's a long drive to anything better. I used to be DFH all the way, but the price tends to get in the way.
I thought Torpedo was the best thing Sierra Nevada had going (big fan of their Kellerweizen, as well).
This is the IPA I have been searching for. It's just incredible. Great pour into a pilsner glass with a 2" head that slowly dissipated.
Strong hops up front, with a peppery finish on the back end. Doesn't leave you with that bloated feel you get when you've had too many of the Torpedo.
Malts are in the background, where I like them. Haven't had any spicy food with this yet, but I believe this beer can hold its own.
My new "King of the IPAs".
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5/5 rDev +27.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Love this beer, the peppery kick from the Rye adds another dimension to the IPA style.
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look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Love this beer, the peppery kick from the Rye adds another dimension to the IPA style.
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4.15/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Nice rye ipa. Sierra doesn't miss too often (if ever) in my book and this one follows that trend. Very drinkable and you really notice the spice of the rye, but its quite well balanced.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Nice rye ipa. Sierra doesn't miss too often (if ever) in my book and this one follows that trend. Very drinkable and you really notice the spice of the rye, but its quite well balanced.
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4.75/5 rDev +21.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
The only reason I don't give this beer a perfect 5 is because I didn't actually see God, and ya gotta leave room for perfect. That said, for those who like a nice full bodied, hop forward, west coast IPA, it's pretty hard to beat this. I feel like it's balanced for it's style in that it has a nice rich mouth feel and full body, yet the flavor is all hops, without getting over the top and into imperial IPA territory. I feel like the rye must contribute more to that body than the flavor, adding a subtle peppery note without the syrupy sweetness often found in more 'balanced' IPAs. Hopefully they keep putting this out. Gets me through the second half of these looong midwest winters.
Plus, you gotta dig that label art.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
The only reason I don't give this beer a perfect 5 is because I didn't actually see God, and ya gotta leave room for perfect. That said, for those who like a nice full bodied, hop forward, west coast IPA, it's pretty hard to beat this. I feel like it's balanced for it's style in that it has a nice rich mouth feel and full body, yet the flavor is all hops, without getting over the top and into imperial IPA territory. I feel like the rye must contribute more to that body than the flavor, adding a subtle peppery note without the syrupy sweetness often found in more 'balanced' IPAs. Hopefully they keep putting this out. Gets me through the second half of these looong midwest winters.
Plus, you gotta dig that label art.
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4.63/5 rDev +18.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Sierra Nevada leads the craft brew industry, not because of popularity ...because of they're delivery! This is the best rye beer I have ever had, I find rye beers to be an acquired taste, they have a funky bite to them, and until now I did not see how they could be balanced well enough to be properly enjoyed.
Great bronze color, nice rye taste ....(more like a pumpernickel taste ) roasted caramel tones, and what you would expect from Sierra Nevada hop profile ....bold but well balanced.
This is a must try beer if you have not done so.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Sierra Nevada leads the craft brew industry, not because of popularity ...because of they're delivery! This is the best rye beer I have ever had, I find rye beers to be an acquired taste, they have a funky bite to them, and until now I did not see how they could be balanced well enough to be properly enjoyed.
Great bronze color, nice rye taste ....(more like a pumpernickel taste ) roasted caramel tones, and what you would expect from Sierra Nevada hop profile ....bold but well balanced.
This is a must try beer if you have not done so.
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4.7/5 rDev +19.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
poured from the 12 oz bottle into my new belgium goblet:
A: dark oragnish hue - maxi head with sticky generous lacing. head settles to a thick tocky layer:
S: pure HOPS. very nice indeed.
T: malt takes a backseat to the piney hopiness. LOVE this
M good body, generous ABV well hidden. medium carbonation
D: low score here, this rich and thick brew is NOT to be guzzled. but it's GREAT!!!
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
poured from the 12 oz bottle into my new belgium goblet:
A: dark oragnish hue - maxi head with sticky generous lacing. head settles to a thick tocky layer:
S: pure HOPS. very nice indeed.
T: malt takes a backseat to the piney hopiness. LOVE this
M good body, generous ABV well hidden. medium carbonation
D: low score here, this rich and thick brew is NOT to be guzzled. but it's GREAT!!!
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4.1/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
12 ounce bottle into signature pint glass, bottled on 12/4/2014. Pours lightly hazy/cloudy deep orange/copper color with a 2 finger dense and rocky off white head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings down the glass, with a moderate amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big grapefruit, tangerine, lemon zest, orange peel, pine, floral, grass, spicy rye, light caramel, toasted bread, and floral/grassy earthiness. Very nice aromas with good balance and complexity of citrus/pine hops and moderate rye/bready malt notes; with good strength. Taste of big grapefruit, tangerine, lemon zest, orange peel, pine, floral, grass, spicy rye, light caramel, toasted bread, and floral/grassy earthiness. Good amount of pine/grassy bitterness and rye spiciness on the finish; with lingering notes of grapefruit, tangerine, lemon/orange zest, pine, spicy rye, toasted bread, and floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice balance, robustness, and complexity of citrus/pine hops and moderate rye/bready malt flavors; with a great malt/bitterness balance and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, fairly crisp/sticky, and lightly creamy/bready mouthfeel that is great. Alcohol is very well hidden with minimal warming present after the finish. Overall this is an excellent rye IPA style. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/pine hops and moderate rye/bready malt flavors; and very smooth and crisp to drink. A very enjoyable offering.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
12 ounce bottle into signature pint glass, bottled on 12/4/2014. Pours lightly hazy/cloudy deep orange/copper color with a 2 finger dense and rocky off white head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings down the glass, with a moderate amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big grapefruit, tangerine, lemon zest, orange peel, pine, floral, grass, spicy rye, light caramel, toasted bread, and floral/grassy earthiness. Very nice aromas with good balance and complexity of citrus/pine hops and moderate rye/bready malt notes; with good strength. Taste of big grapefruit, tangerine, lemon zest, orange peel, pine, floral, grass, spicy rye, light caramel, toasted bread, and floral/grassy earthiness. Good amount of pine/grassy bitterness and rye spiciness on the finish; with lingering notes of grapefruit, tangerine, lemon/orange zest, pine, spicy rye, toasted bread, and floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice balance, robustness, and complexity of citrus/pine hops and moderate rye/bready malt flavors; with a great malt/bitterness balance and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, fairly crisp/sticky, and lightly creamy/bready mouthfeel that is great. Alcohol is very well hidden with minimal warming present after the finish. Overall this is an excellent rye IPA style. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/pine hops and moderate rye/bready malt flavors; and very smooth and crisp to drink. A very enjoyable offering.
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3.69/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4 way IPA pack. I like the malt profile of this brew. Rye has slight spiciness and drying effect. Hops are more balanced. Ordinary brew from an
extraordinary brewery
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4 way IPA pack. I like the malt profile of this brew. Rye has slight spiciness and drying effect. Hops are more balanced. Ordinary brew from an
extraordinary brewery
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4.63/5 rDev +18.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Bought a single bottle from Total Wine in DE. Had this on tap a few weeks ago and really dug it. Wanted to try it again in the comfort of my home.
A: Pours a clear dark copper with nice frothy head that's long lasting.
S: Spicy, peppery, citrus & pine hops. Has that signature Sierra hop character with a spice-like quality I'm assuming is coming from the rye malt.
T: Quite a wallop at first with the spice & pepper notes! A nice burst of hop character. Some caramel sweetness that helps round out the aggressive hop flavor.
M: Strikingly bitter at first that softens into a mellower malt flavor. Feels medium to medium-full with the sticky hop residue seemingly weighing it down.
O: I think SN hit another home run with this one. The rye character lends an interesting note. This is easily now one of my favorite SN beers. I would place this one next to Celebration, Pale Ale, and Bigfoot. Great effort - I dig this one a lot!
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look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Bought a single bottle from Total Wine in DE. Had this on tap a few weeks ago and really dug it. Wanted to try it again in the comfort of my home.
A: Pours a clear dark copper with nice frothy head that's long lasting.
S: Spicy, peppery, citrus & pine hops. Has that signature Sierra hop character with a spice-like quality I'm assuming is coming from the rye malt.
T: Quite a wallop at first with the spice & pepper notes! A nice burst of hop character. Some caramel sweetness that helps round out the aggressive hop flavor.
M: Strikingly bitter at first that softens into a mellower malt flavor. Feels medium to medium-full with the sticky hop residue seemingly weighing it down.
O: I think SN hit another home run with this one. The rye character lends an interesting note. This is easily now one of my favorite SN beers. I would place this one next to Celebration, Pale Ale, and Bigfoot. Great effort - I dig this one a lot!
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3.86/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured into a tulip, copper, dark amber color. Fluffy cream head.
Taste is mildly to medium centennial, citrus hops notes. They use whole cone hops so on some sips it does have some bite but mostly mild. Bold and spicy rye flavor with a boost of hops and dry finish.
It's a perfect beer for the month of November, March, and April during a thunderstorm or bitter cold day, thus ruthless rye drink it when there's a storm.
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look: 5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured into a tulip, copper, dark amber color. Fluffy cream head.
Taste is mildly to medium centennial, citrus hops notes. They use whole cone hops so on some sips it does have some bite but mostly mild. Bold and spicy rye flavor with a boost of hops and dry finish.
It's a perfect beer for the month of November, March, and April during a thunderstorm or bitter cold day, thus ruthless rye drink it when there's a storm.
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4.11/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a nonic a clear rich copper/bronze with a large blooming head that left a few broken rings of lace behind as it settled slowly.Not as assertive in the nose as I expected,it does have a decent shot of grapefruit-like hop aromas with some mild rye spice.Much fuller flavors with a nice mix of nutty malt mixed with spicy rye and a healthy dose of citric hops,well rounded.A very solid rye offering from SN wich frakly I expected,I could drink this all day.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a nonic a clear rich copper/bronze with a large blooming head that left a few broken rings of lace behind as it settled slowly.Not as assertive in the nose as I expected,it does have a decent shot of grapefruit-like hop aromas with some mild rye spice.Much fuller flavors with a nice mix of nutty malt mixed with spicy rye and a healthy dose of citric hops,well rounded.A very solid rye offering from SN wich frakly I expected,I could drink this all day.
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4.43/5 rDev +13%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
3.98/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a deep copper color, red and orange tones here and there. Nice clarity all around; very small bits of sediment hang in suspension throughout the brew. Creamy, off-white head settles to a quarter-inch quickly and leaves some nice lacing on the glass. Aroma is deep and heavy pine and hop oils, super wet, dark, and dank weed. Citrus notes bring up the rear end; tangerine, grapefruit. A little bit of dryness from the rye but not much in the aroma. The taste, however, is plentiful with rye - the large rye under body is the canvas upon which the rest of the beer lies. Hops go wild but don't overpower nor combat the rye for dominance; oily and resinous pines engulf, along with a slight white pepper spiciness. Some earthy herbal flavors pull through more and more; faint musty dirt, but not in a bad way. The citrus is a little more subdued on the palate than it was in the nose, and it takes on more of a light lemon zest flavor than the nose would lead to believe. Even in the finish, the rye is still popping and meshes with a nice yeast flavor in the aftertaste, along with some fading, dry bitterness. Medium bodied, although the mouth is somewhat thinner than expected and just a touch watery at times. Decent amount of carbonation.
What hasn't been said about Sierra Nevada already? Everything they put out it delicious. Ruthless Rye is a nice "Rye-PA" with a significant amount of rye and a nice hop profile to go along with it. Delicious stuff, here.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a deep copper color, red and orange tones here and there. Nice clarity all around; very small bits of sediment hang in suspension throughout the brew. Creamy, off-white head settles to a quarter-inch quickly and leaves some nice lacing on the glass. Aroma is deep and heavy pine and hop oils, super wet, dark, and dank weed. Citrus notes bring up the rear end; tangerine, grapefruit. A little bit of dryness from the rye but not much in the aroma. The taste, however, is plentiful with rye - the large rye under body is the canvas upon which the rest of the beer lies. Hops go wild but don't overpower nor combat the rye for dominance; oily and resinous pines engulf, along with a slight white pepper spiciness. Some earthy herbal flavors pull through more and more; faint musty dirt, but not in a bad way. The citrus is a little more subdued on the palate than it was in the nose, and it takes on more of a light lemon zest flavor than the nose would lead to believe. Even in the finish, the rye is still popping and meshes with a nice yeast flavor in the aftertaste, along with some fading, dry bitterness. Medium bodied, although the mouth is somewhat thinner than expected and just a touch watery at times. Decent amount of carbonation.
What hasn't been said about Sierra Nevada already? Everything they put out it delicious. Ruthless Rye is a nice "Rye-PA" with a significant amount of rye and a nice hop profile to go along with it. Delicious stuff, here.
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4.48/5 rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Ruthless Rye certainly has the look down; a body that mixes brown, orange and red is crowned with a towering head of light tan foam that has ridiculous retention and leaves behind some great lacing.
The aroma has a big dose of citrus, is a little bit spicy and has notes of caramel as well. Ruthless Rye is bright and citrus-flavored immediately, bringing the hop profile that I have come to expect from Sierra Nevada. Grapefruit, orange, hints of resin and just a touch of pine combine with considerable bitterness. The spicy, almost peppery rye flavors are noticeable without being overwhelming, with a little bit of caramel and even some powdery cocoa to back it up.
Slightly oily on the tongue with a fairly full body for an IPA. Ample carbonation gives a smooth and creamy feel.Ruthless Rye is a hoppy beer with rye in the background. If you like Sierra Nevada's other hoppy beers, then you will dig this one if you like rye.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Ruthless Rye certainly has the look down; a body that mixes brown, orange and red is crowned with a towering head of light tan foam that has ridiculous retention and leaves behind some great lacing.
The aroma has a big dose of citrus, is a little bit spicy and has notes of caramel as well. Ruthless Rye is bright and citrus-flavored immediately, bringing the hop profile that I have come to expect from Sierra Nevada. Grapefruit, orange, hints of resin and just a touch of pine combine with considerable bitterness. The spicy, almost peppery rye flavors are noticeable without being overwhelming, with a little bit of caramel and even some powdery cocoa to back it up.
Slightly oily on the tongue with a fairly full body for an IPA. Ample carbonation gives a smooth and creamy feel.Ruthless Rye is a hoppy beer with rye in the background. If you like Sierra Nevada's other hoppy beers, then you will dig this one if you like rye.
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4.3/5 rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
aroma: pine and citrus with a hint of pineapple and tropical type aromas. There is some grassy notes with a light malt sweetness. There is moderate rye spiciness to the aroma.
appearance: golden orange and clear with an ivory head that forms a half inch of rocky, longlatsting head.
taste: a good deal of citrus with a lot of that spicy pepper/rye character. There is some mango towards the back mixed in with some pineapple. There is a assertive hops bitterness with just enough malt for support. The balance is very bitter. The finish is dry with a linger hop bitterness aftertaste.
mouthfeel: dry, medium full bodied with a medium high carbonation
drinkability: A very good IPA with a great rye flavor.
Serving type: bottle
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
aroma: pine and citrus with a hint of pineapple and tropical type aromas. There is some grassy notes with a light malt sweetness. There is moderate rye spiciness to the aroma.
appearance: golden orange and clear with an ivory head that forms a half inch of rocky, longlatsting head.
taste: a good deal of citrus with a lot of that spicy pepper/rye character. There is some mango towards the back mixed in with some pineapple. There is a assertive hops bitterness with just enough malt for support. The balance is very bitter. The finish is dry with a linger hop bitterness aftertaste.
mouthfeel: dry, medium full bodied with a medium high carbonation
drinkability: A very good IPA with a great rye flavor.
Serving type: bottle
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3.95/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
3.92
out of 5
based on 5,092 ratings.
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
the list is bold but basically this beer is so great only Kal-El would drink it. Where Kal-El is from is another story like the story of rye being infused into the malt of this singing brewed IPA, the Winston racer at the finish line, is that Messi with his fly eyes? I mean, this beer.
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