Simcoe SamuRYE
Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- American Amber / Red Ale
Ranked #23 - ABV:
- 6%
- Score:
- 88
Ranked #8,896 - Avg:
- 4 | pDev: 7.25%
- Reviews:
- 12
- Ratings:
- From:
- Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing
- Pennsylvania, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating
- Wants
- 5
- Gots
- 11
SCORE
88
Very Good
88
Very Good
Notes:
A spicy rye beer, amber in color and brewed exclusively with simcoe hops.
Reviews: 12
| Ratings: 120
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4.22/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pizza Boy Brewing "Simcoe Samurye"
on tap @ Southwark, Phila., PA on 12/22/16
Look: Deep amber/copper body beneath a creamy head of khaki. The head drops readily (dirty bar glass?) leaving behind only minimal lacing.
Smell: Fruity with apricot and orange over a delicate caramel and toasty malt base. Piney and spicy/earthy as well.
Taste: As indicated by the aroma but with a fuller maltiness that includes spicy and woody rye. The components all balance magnificently, as does the sweetness of the malt against a firm bitterness, leaving it sweetish upfront but then dry in the finish.
Feel: Medium bodied with a moderate, fine-bubbled median carbonation that leaves it crisp and then lightly creamy.
Overall: I've had other very good beers from this brewery but none that have made me want to seek them out - this one changes that. It would have been easy to go overboard with this but they've kept it in check and created a really drinkable, interesting and engaging ale.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pizza Boy Brewing "Simcoe Samurye"
on tap @ Southwark, Phila., PA on 12/22/16
Look: Deep amber/copper body beneath a creamy head of khaki. The head drops readily (dirty bar glass?) leaving behind only minimal lacing.
Smell: Fruity with apricot and orange over a delicate caramel and toasty malt base. Piney and spicy/earthy as well.
Taste: As indicated by the aroma but with a fuller maltiness that includes spicy and woody rye. The components all balance magnificently, as does the sweetness of the malt against a firm bitterness, leaving it sweetish upfront but then dry in the finish.
Feel: Medium bodied with a moderate, fine-bubbled median carbonation that leaves it crisp and then lightly creamy.
Overall: I've had other very good beers from this brewery but none that have made me want to seek them out - this one changes that. It would have been easy to go overboard with this but they've kept it in check and created a really drinkable, interesting and engaging ale.
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3.88/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 22oz bomber into a brandy snifter.
A: Pours a slightly cloudy amber with a nice thick white head that has lots of staying power.
S: caramel, rye, toasted grains, fruity
T: The taste follows the smell. Nice hops presence Good hoppy aftertaste. You can taste the rye.
M: Medium bodied and satisfying.
O: Overall it is a good and tasty beer. I will buy it again.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 22oz bomber into a brandy snifter.
A: Pours a slightly cloudy amber with a nice thick white head that has lots of staying power.
S: caramel, rye, toasted grains, fruity
T: The taste follows the smell. Nice hops presence Good hoppy aftertaste. You can taste the rye.
M: Medium bodied and satisfying.
O: Overall it is a good and tasty beer. I will buy it again.
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4.05/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Bomber > Bowtie Pint
A - Cloudy orange amber with two fingers of a creamy off white head, thick lacing.
S - Sweet caramel, a little toasted grain, pineapple, papaya, pine, grass.
T - Mild sweetness, balanced by the bitterness of hops, mango, pineapple, papaya, some light grassiness to it, dank, bready malt, a little spiciness in the end
M - A little chewy, but incredibly balanced.
O - Very good beer, good mix of flavors.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Bomber > Bowtie Pint
A - Cloudy orange amber with two fingers of a creamy off white head, thick lacing.
S - Sweet caramel, a little toasted grain, pineapple, papaya, pine, grass.
T - Mild sweetness, balanced by the bitterness of hops, mango, pineapple, papaya, some light grassiness to it, dank, bready malt, a little spiciness in the end
M - A little chewy, but incredibly balanced.
O - Very good beer, good mix of flavors.
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4/5 rDev 0%
Pours an amber red in color with a sturdy off-color head of frothy foam.
The rye gives it a warming spice aroma that doesn't overwhelm as so many rye beers do. The spice sticks around throughout, but tropical and citrusy hops cut through with a juicy and stickiness that appeals.
The hop profile is that of pine, passionfruit, and a faint hint of orange rinds. The rye is ever present, but provides each quaff with a familiar but rather subtle spiciness.
Mouthfeel is medium-bodied with a sticky resinous beginning and a dry spiced end.
Overall, a very tasty rye red ale, a favorite to date!
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Pours an amber red in color with a sturdy off-color head of frothy foam.
The rye gives it a warming spice aroma that doesn't overwhelm as so many rye beers do. The spice sticks around throughout, but tropical and citrusy hops cut through with a juicy and stickiness that appeals.
The hop profile is that of pine, passionfruit, and a faint hint of orange rinds. The rye is ever present, but provides each quaff with a familiar but rather subtle spiciness.
Mouthfeel is medium-bodied with a sticky resinous beginning and a dry spiced end.
Overall, a very tasty rye red ale, a favorite to date!
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4.27/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a Dogfish Spiegelau glass. Label says 2014.
A- Pours a dark amber color with a 1/2 inch light tan head that retains well before becoming a thick ring around the edge of the glass and a full sheet of surface foam. Semi-resilient lacing leaves behind large clots.
S- Tons of pineapple in the nose. Seriously smells like straight pineapple juice. Also some orange and grapefruit.
T- Flavor has more rye character going on with the citrusy hops playing well off the malt. Medium-high bitterness rounds things out nicely.
M- Sharp and a bit oily with medium carbonation and a body leaning toward the fuller side.
O- Awesome representation of a RIPA with the resinous hops playing off the spicy rye in a delightful way.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a Dogfish Spiegelau glass. Label says 2014.
A- Pours a dark amber color with a 1/2 inch light tan head that retains well before becoming a thick ring around the edge of the glass and a full sheet of surface foam. Semi-resilient lacing leaves behind large clots.
S- Tons of pineapple in the nose. Seriously smells like straight pineapple juice. Also some orange and grapefruit.
T- Flavor has more rye character going on with the citrusy hops playing well off the malt. Medium-high bitterness rounds things out nicely.
M- Sharp and a bit oily with medium carbonation and a body leaning toward the fuller side.
O- Awesome representation of a RIPA with the resinous hops playing off the spicy rye in a delightful way.
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4.5/5 rDev +12.5%
Poured from a bomber into a DFH glass. Thank you @gengle for this one
A: A deep amber with a fluffy two finger head. Plenty of lacing as It drinks.
S: Pine, Citrus, a little apple
T: First thing one tastes is the pine with some tropical fruit. There is a second of flavor that tastes like candied grapefruit and a hint of apple. Very little rye backbone (but that is not a complaint)
M: Mouthfeel is great, carbonation is just right and the flavors are distinguishable.
O: Excellent beer. I could drink this regularly and be very very happy.
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Poured from a bomber into a DFH glass. Thank you @gengle for this one
A: A deep amber with a fluffy two finger head. Plenty of lacing as It drinks.
S: Pine, Citrus, a little apple
T: First thing one tastes is the pine with some tropical fruit. There is a second of flavor that tastes like candied grapefruit and a hint of apple. Very little rye backbone (but that is not a complaint)
M: Mouthfeel is great, carbonation is just right and the flavors are distinguishable.
O: Excellent beer. I could drink this regularly and be very very happy.
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3.65/5 rDev -8.8%
22 oz bottle poured into a pub-style pint glass.
Appearance
Hazy reddish-amber with 1 finger of off-white head. Light carbonation.
Nose
Pine sap, mango, tangerine, caramel, and wintergreen.
Taste
Big pine sap, green floral, and wintergreen flavors. Lesser notes of tangerine, mango, and grapefruit. Firm caramel backing with rye on the finish.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus bodied, silky, and semi-dry with a medium-light bitterness.
Overall
Simcoe hop flavors, caramel, and rye are even distributed throughout the flavor profile. It's good but I'm not entirely sure if the $11 price tag is justified.
598 characters
22 oz bottle poured into a pub-style pint glass.
Appearance
Hazy reddish-amber with 1 finger of off-white head. Light carbonation.
Nose
Pine sap, mango, tangerine, caramel, and wintergreen.
Taste
Big pine sap, green floral, and wintergreen flavors. Lesser notes of tangerine, mango, and grapefruit. Firm caramel backing with rye on the finish.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus bodied, silky, and semi-dry with a medium-light bitterness.
Overall
Simcoe hop flavors, caramel, and rye are even distributed throughout the flavor profile. It's good but I'm not entirely sure if the $11 price tag is justified.
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4.04/5 rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pours a reddish-copper color with golden edges. There was a thin layer of head that dissipated rather quickly. The nose had notes of both hops and rye spice. The body is quite “chewy.” The flavor profile was very well balanced and followed the nose to a T.
This offering paired well with my bacon cheeseburger hoagie.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pours a reddish-copper color with golden edges. There was a thin layer of head that dissipated rather quickly. The nose had notes of both hops and rye spice. The body is quite “chewy.” The flavor profile was very well balanced and followed the nose to a T.
This offering paired well with my bacon cheeseburger hoagie.
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4.26/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Firkin - Simcoe wet hopped...
A - Two fingers worth of airy fluffy big bubbled khaki colored carbonation... The color was a deep yet vibrant and glowing garnet red... Fairly still with only a couple of stray carbonation bubbles... Some rings of lacing cling to the glass...
S - A modest yet effective punch of simcoe hops to start... A slightly spicy rye component emerges next... Grassy... Lots of bready malts...
T - The simcoe hops shine at the forefront and throughout - they're even and consistent... A deep malt base lies beneath the surface... The spicy rye component is rather muted but still slightly noticeable...
M -On the lighter side of medium bodied... Silky smooth... Slightly lush... Very light carbonation...
D - This one was gone before I knew it... Fantastic offering... Perhaps my favorite from Pizza Boy to date... I would (will) drink this one with regularity... If this was bottled, I would always have this one present... Wonderful hop flavor and balance from my favorite hop varietal in a striking 6% ABV package... A job very well done...
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look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Firkin - Simcoe wet hopped...
A - Two fingers worth of airy fluffy big bubbled khaki colored carbonation... The color was a deep yet vibrant and glowing garnet red... Fairly still with only a couple of stray carbonation bubbles... Some rings of lacing cling to the glass...
S - A modest yet effective punch of simcoe hops to start... A slightly spicy rye component emerges next... Grassy... Lots of bready malts...
T - The simcoe hops shine at the forefront and throughout - they're even and consistent... A deep malt base lies beneath the surface... The spicy rye component is rather muted but still slightly noticeable...
M -On the lighter side of medium bodied... Silky smooth... Slightly lush... Very light carbonation...
D - This one was gone before I knew it... Fantastic offering... Perhaps my favorite from Pizza Boy to date... I would (will) drink this one with regularity... If this was bottled, I would always have this one present... Wonderful hop flavor and balance from my favorite hop varietal in a striking 6% ABV package... A job very well done...
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4/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served on-tap at Al's of Hampden.
A - Pours clear amber orange with a nice one and a half finger tall white head leaving small trails of lace down parts of the glass.
S - Smells of citric and grassy simcoe hops with some spicy rye helping to keep them in check. Some caramel and light fruitiness offers some additional flavors but this one is all about the simcoe and rye.
T - Starts off with a quick hit of spicy / chewy rye quickly being enveloped by the strong citric hop bite from the simcoe hops. Hints of fresh cut grass, caramel sweetness and dulled tropical fruit help round things out. Finish is chewy with plenty of lingering hop bitterness.
M - Medium body with moderate carbonation. Bitter, chewy feel from start to finish. Some light sweetness and booze creep in toward the end of the glass.
O - Even with all of the assertive flavors this one remains easy to drink. If you have a chance to try this one I suggest you do, it is one of Pizza Boys better beers to date.
985 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served on-tap at Al's of Hampden.
A - Pours clear amber orange with a nice one and a half finger tall white head leaving small trails of lace down parts of the glass.
S - Smells of citric and grassy simcoe hops with some spicy rye helping to keep them in check. Some caramel and light fruitiness offers some additional flavors but this one is all about the simcoe and rye.
T - Starts off with a quick hit of spicy / chewy rye quickly being enveloped by the strong citric hop bite from the simcoe hops. Hints of fresh cut grass, caramel sweetness and dulled tropical fruit help round things out. Finish is chewy with plenty of lingering hop bitterness.
M - Medium body with moderate carbonation. Bitter, chewy feel from start to finish. Some light sweetness and booze creep in toward the end of the glass.
O - Even with all of the assertive flavors this one remains easy to drink. If you have a chance to try this one I suggest you do, it is one of Pizza Boys better beers to date.
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4.2/5 rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Draft offering at Als. The brew appears a clear amber color with a yellowish tan frothy head that displays solid retention. A light swirl effortlessly revives the cap back to a finger's strength.
This brew has a citrus nose with an herbal element and toasty biscuit-like grain inclusion. Some dark fruit almost like current emerges as it warms up. It displays a nice balance of character between hops, grain an alcohol.
The taste has a solid rye presence that is mildly fruity before going to more of a flavor like toast or biscuits. A solid herbal hop feel lingers with a rindy bitter element. Nothing about this brew is out of place or dominates in character. It is well blended and enjoyable.
This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. It is smooth and easy drinking with a nice balance of character. Of all the pizza boy brews, this one is the most well balanced of his ipas (in my opinion) really a treat to reink. The rye isnt hiding and the hops are bold enough to let you know whats up. No problems drinking a few of these. Very well done.
1,073 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Draft offering at Als. The brew appears a clear amber color with a yellowish tan frothy head that displays solid retention. A light swirl effortlessly revives the cap back to a finger's strength.
This brew has a citrus nose with an herbal element and toasty biscuit-like grain inclusion. Some dark fruit almost like current emerges as it warms up. It displays a nice balance of character between hops, grain an alcohol.
The taste has a solid rye presence that is mildly fruity before going to more of a flavor like toast or biscuits. A solid herbal hop feel lingers with a rindy bitter element. Nothing about this brew is out of place or dominates in character. It is well blended and enjoyable.
This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. It is smooth and easy drinking with a nice balance of character. Of all the pizza boy brews, this one is the most well balanced of his ipas (in my opinion) really a treat to reink. The rye isnt hiding and the hops are bold enough to let you know whats up. No problems drinking a few of these. Very well done.
1,073 characters
4.24/5 rDev +6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I had this on tap at Al's of Hampden
The color is dull copper with mild haze and thin head of tan with tight bead no lace or retention to speak of. The aroma is nicely hop oriented with strong grass and pine aroma as you might expect from a Simcoe ale with some fruity esters augmenting the hops.
The feel is good with med high body with moderately high carbonation and light bitterness up front with subtle sweetness and semi-dry feel throughout with good balance of malt and hops with almost no alcohol influence on the palate. There is a very low astringency in the feel.
The flavor is great with mild rye up front and light herbal hop taste verging on piney with slight toasted grain and a generic citrus tinge in the back with nice rye augmenting the simoce flavor. Overall I think the best thing about this beer is how drinkable it is. I was pleased with the malt and the rye is there but the simcoe is in perfect balance making this amber a good candidate for multiples.
989 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I had this on tap at Al's of Hampden
The color is dull copper with mild haze and thin head of tan with tight bead no lace or retention to speak of. The aroma is nicely hop oriented with strong grass and pine aroma as you might expect from a Simcoe ale with some fruity esters augmenting the hops.
The feel is good with med high body with moderately high carbonation and light bitterness up front with subtle sweetness and semi-dry feel throughout with good balance of malt and hops with almost no alcohol influence on the palate. There is a very low astringency in the feel.
The flavor is great with mild rye up front and light herbal hop taste verging on piney with slight toasted grain and a generic citrus tinge in the back with nice rye augmenting the simoce flavor. Overall I think the best thing about this beer is how drinkable it is. I was pleased with the malt and the rye is there but the simcoe is in perfect balance making this amber a good candidate for multiples.
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Simcoe SamuRYE from Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing
Beer rating:
88 out of
100 with
120 ratings
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