Single Rye IPA (Eureka)
Ritual Brewing Co.

 

 

Pours a hazy orange with a foamy beige head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. Thick rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of citrus zest, grapefruit juice, pine needle, and herbal hop aromas. Taste is much the same with earth, pine needle, and dank weed flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and smooth mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that has an unmistakeable weed flavor that is dominant in the taste.

Serving type: bottle.

Orangey amber with a decent foam and lacing in the Duvel tulip. Sharp with hop acids and it seems to emphasize the alcohol heat. Aroma is a hot melon with the wind through the pines, and quite strong.

I love this series for showing what different hops can do with a rye-tinged brew. The Eureka hop is a new development and the word "pungent" fits it well. The initial taste is a little harsh. Then it seems to taste more fruity as it warms. Some pineapple and a resiny aftertaste. I wonder if this would be the right hop, with a much lower dose, to wake up a simple Pale Ale.

The PIlsener malt is light and bright with a little malty sweetness and a touch of honey. Overall this is a rather sharp but interesting hoppy brew. Bitterness is distinct, but somewhat less than a whole lot of IPAs.