Rye't Off
Taxman Brewing Co.

 

 

 

A - Dark copper-bronze color, largely clear but dark enough so it is not easy to see through. Head is short, white, with not much lacing.

S - Big front of banana yeast notes, sugar and caramel, a touch of dough. Yum.

T - The fruit, banana and kiwi, opens, the middle comes with a touch of lime and minerality, a hint of spice particularly with the beer is cool, and a mildly bitter close suggesting darkly brewed black tea.

M - A bit sticky, a ghost of drying with the tea aspect of the close.

O - A lot of great Belgian yeast flavors, a hit of spice and tea, all mingled. It works, but is not much like most Biere de Garde I've had.

 

 

12 oz. can into a tulip glass

A - Heavy pour produces a head that is 1 finger in height, light froth in appearance, and is orangish khaki in color. The head dissipates rather slowly. The beer itself is a dark amber in color and cloudy with high carbonation visible in the form of small bubbles that rise very quickly towards the surface. 4/5

S - The aroma is very sweet and consists of a very fruity character. Orange juice along with tangerine, papaya, mango, pineapple, and strawberry all come through very strongly. Almost cloyingly sweet with a bit of caramel and candy sugar. A bit spicy with coriander and white pepper present with just a bit of bubblegum. Very complex and sweet aroma. As the beer warms the sweet and fruity character of the aroma lessens and a more earthy tone comes through. 4/5

T - Not as sweet as expected based on the aroma. Musty hay, peat moss, and a light bit of caramel open the tasting profile. Papaya and mango come through just a hair but the flavor remains very earthy throughout. Honey and a rye bread spiciness along with a bit of white pepper and coriander play a part in the middle with earthy hops coming through on the back end. Not very bitter at all and no lingering bitterness. 3.5/5

M - Light carbonation tickle on the front end leads into a smooth but light middle before disappearing from the palate. No drying character and no lingering mouthfeel. 3.75/5

O - Not my favorite beer by Taxman. The aroma leads you to think and expect one thing and the actual flavor that is imparted on the tongue is another. Very earthy, almost like Scotch Whiskey. Aroma is very sweet and appealing but the flavor just doesn't live up to that hype. 3.5/5

 

 

 

 

 

Farmhouse ale and American hops have natural affinities for one another, yet brewers are only now venturing into their combined uses. But the classic grapefruit, orange and pine that layers across the French farmhouse fare is truly unique, rustic and advanced.

Casting a slight haze, the eye is caught with fluid white froth and trailing lace. Piquant aromas of grapefruit, perfume and rye offer both a zesty scent that's coupled with rugged character and is only supressed as bready, biscuity malt sweetness coats the tongue with honey and dough.

Floral turns fruity and spices evolve, propped up with the underpinnings of toast and husken rye. Remaining juicy with malt, its honey and biscuit qualities relax and allow the hop flavors of grapefruit, orange and pine to command the show. Growing bitterness and bite reminds the palate of the beer's rustic roots.

Continued dryness eventually takes the medium-bodied beer into much lighter territory as the tandem of rye, alcohol, bitterness and grain work to ensure a crisp and bubbly finish.

Grapefruit and bubblegum, with floral hop aroma. There's a bit of clove.

Flavor is lightly resiny, but more grapefruit and muddled citrus, than anything. Rye is subtle, in comparison. Bubblegum sweetness lingers in the aftertaste. It's a bit hot, but fairly complex.