Rye Lager
Kalispell Brewing Co.

part of their all montana series using only ingredients from the state, a flavorful rye lager with a little bit of european character to it, specifically in the yeast, which seems bready and german and old worldy to me, i like how it goes with the rye in here, which is pale and earthy and robust in the grain mix, simple but well executed, rustic but nicely refined, malt forward but easy drinking. a little caramel color to this but great clarity under an inch of thin and slowly fading white head. it smells spicy and a touch sweet, the rye is obvious as is the lager yeast, some kilned sort of nuttiness to it, but also a cooked sweetness is present. the flavor has nice balance, a peppery complexion from the rye, some minerals from the water used, and less sweet than it smells but a honey note in the mix, even quenching in the finish, aided there by high carbonation. there is definitely some terroir in this beer, like the rye is distinctive in it, maybe slightly more toasted or something than the standard bulk pale rye malt, or well supplemented by some light crystal malt in this, but the flavor is particular and i like it a lot. a nicely executed lager with a ton of flavor, different from the norm, very nice.