Upstream IPA
French Broad River Brewing

Poured a copper-brown body with minimal head and lace down glass. The aroma is grassy and herbal with hints of malts. Smooth drinking beer, real easy to drink, still get a good grassy hop bite so not watery and the finish is crisp and clean. Not most flavorful IPA but one worth trying especially if you want something lighter and even sessionable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22 oz bottle, no date

dark amber in color, slightly hazy. nice off-white layer of head. good lacing. earthy aroma, a bit of hop flavor. taste has a slight spicy bite, balanced by some malt sweetness. medium bodied, mouthfeel is a little sticky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

French Broad Rye Hopper has a thin, off-white head, a brilliant orange, bubbly, mostly opaque appearance with some noticeable sediment chunks roiling about and a bit of a lacing sheen left behind on the glass. The aroma is odd- sharp, intense, acidic citrus and even an almost turned orange juice smell. Hop resin, sweetness, pepper, and bread are also detected. Taste is unusual, too- sharp, sweet, acidic citrus, peppery rye, white bread, and a bitterness that grows as one drinks through the bomber bottle. Mouthfeel is medium, and French Broad Rye Hopper finishes dry and tart.

RJT

 

 

 

 

 

When the mere bit of hops isn't enough.... enter: rye grain! The French Broad brewers execute a snappy and emboldened taste that each ingredient could not simply muster on their own.

Rye hopper kicks off with a glowing bronze color, just off of pale and eludes to to the rustic taste within. With American pale ale threads weaving the aromas and flavors together, its the taste of hops that stand tall above a steely caramel sweetness. Citrus and tropical fruit align on the front of the tongue in both dry and juicy portrayal.

Drying considerably over the middle, its the taste of true pumpernickel, equipped with peppery caraway, husk and its own earthy bite. The caramel fades and allows the hops to bloom- pink grapefruit, vibrant orange and tropical pineapple and mango all share the stage with that peppery rye character tethering through.

Its quick and bone dry finish is given a compelling creamy dryness that keeps the ale supported even in its fleeting moments. Hop bitterness seems exacerbated by the bite of rye grain, elevating both to utmost proportions. An aftertaste of dried citrus and peppercorn linger on.

 

 

Clean clear copper color, the head is very thin and fizzy. Rye malt nose, rye malt flavor this a properly called a Rye Ale. The feel is incredibly thin, almost watery. Nothing particularly remarkable about it but it certainly presents itself as what it is...a Rye Ale.