Shotgun Shack Black Rye Ale
Intuition Ale Works

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A: half finger head. Little lace. Black, no light getting through.

S: roast, mildly smokey.

T: more roast, toasty and mild smokey taste. Coffee notes. The rye didn't come through for me very much.

M: medium to full body but not as thick as I was expecting. Moderate carbonation.

Overall: The mouthfeel surprised me. The taste and aroma were right on. This is actually very drinkable for what it is.

Served on-tap at the brewery in Jacksonville. NOTE: the Asst. Brewmaster reports that the formulation of this beer has changed from the initial production; it now has far more (4X) rye. IBU = 42

Not quite black, this beer is a very dark brown with mahogany highlights and a tan head that quickly reduces to a ring.

Aroma - Rich dark roasted grains; dark roasted coffee beans.

Rich, complex and robust malt/rye flavor. Malt has a very dark roasted flavor that approaches, but doesn't quite taste burnt. Smokey, earthy and more bitter than sweet. Fine, lingering, roasted grain aftertaste.

Full body with light/medium carbonation.

Poured on-tap at the brewery in JAX, the beer was served in a pint glass. The beer is a very dark brown, with ruby highlights and a thin, chocolate colored film of head. Aromas of over-roasted coffee, like the kind that is on too long at McDonald's, only in a good way in this situation. Round and robust bodied with great lacing along the glass. The flavor is heavy coffee, with hints of chocolate throughout. Smooth, roasted bitter aftertaste, with a smokey and roasted finish. Interesting blend of flavors and body.

appearance: deep dark brown, nice head retention

smell: pine coffee, great

taste: Coffee, some pine but hop flavor drops off, love the uncomfortable rye finish, wakes your throat up, love it.

mouthfeel: medium bodied

drinkability: I've heard this beer has gone through chnages. It's drinking great now. possibly their best beer.

A - Pours with two fingers of medium tan foam on top of a dark brown body with amber highlights and perfect clarity. The head settles down slowly and leaves nice, sticky lace on the glass.

S - A lightly roasted coffee note with some nutty malt and just a hint of pine hops.

T - Some toasty, brown malt flavors up front with a little bit of molasses. More molasses in the middle along with pine hop flavor and the beginning of a coffee flavor. The beer finishes with spicy, chicory like coffee and moderate pine bitterness.

M - Medium-thick body, moderate carbonation, and a slightly sweet and somewhat slick, oily finish.

D - It seemed a bit harsh and perhaps even tannic at first, but became much more drinkable as it went along. The mouthfeel really stands out on this one in that it doesn't seem overly thick as you are drinking it, but an oily slickness lingers on the palate after the beer is gone and this really helps to lend the beer some balance. It isn't overly complicated, and I think it could be better with a little bit more hop flavor and aroma that could push it more towards black IPA/cda territory. It is, nevertheless, pretty drinkable and it is one of the few rye beers I can think of that has a really noticeable contribution from the rye.

I'm not sure how to start this review. I am disappointed. Appearance is the best attribute of this beer. Pours a nice brown color with a nice tan head that hangs around. However the beer almost completely lacks aroma. The taste follows suite with the aroma. I taste no rye at all. This beer drinks like a weak, thin porter. It's drinkable because it lacks a lot of profile. Try if you like but don't have high expectations.