Chazz Cat Rye
Southern Sun Pub and Brewery

I've visited Mountain Sun and it's less hippy (and far more enjoyable) reincarnation Southern Sun a handful of times over the last few years. With the exception of the more experimental brews I had at February's Stout Month, I'm not a huge fan of their beers. It's that lackluster history that made Chazz Cat Rye that much more enjoyable.

This is one of the easiest drinking, softest and most refreshing rye beers I've ever tasted--they've hit gold with this one. It's an orange-ish amber with a creamy head that laces the glass well. The bouquet is bready and wet though not overwhelmed by the pepperiness and light sour notes that the rye provides. In fact, it's more like liquid sourdough than liquid rye bread, but that's a unique trait that I see as a plus.

The beer has a soft and creamy mouthfeel matched by a near-perfect balance of sweet tea and light peppery (there's the rye) flavors. It has the overall feel of a cream ale with more complex textures. The drying, bitter aftertaste adds even more depth and complexity.

To the brewers at Southern Sun: I beg you...make this a year-round release! It's just too good to have to catch in fits and spurts.

Highly, highly recommended.