395 Rye
Checkerspot Brewing Company
- From:
- Checkerspot Brewing Company
- Maryland, United States
- Style:
- Rye Beer
Ranked #104 - ABV:
- 5.4%
- Score:
- 85
Ranked #29,990 - Avg:
- 3.63 | pDev: 4.96%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 7
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 20, 2026
- Added:
- Apr 14, 2022
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
SCORE
85
Very Good
85
Very Good
A Maryland style Rye Amber Lager/Ale hybrid celebrating the heritage of MD style rye whiskey ingredients. Local Chesapeake Malting barley with rye for a nice bite and corn to smooth it all out. A refreshing and dry rye finish.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Spankyrightus from Maryland
3.84/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.84/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
On draught, a murky dark Mahogany/Tea color.
A decent head initially, a slight ferrous/metallic flavor on the foam with the first two sips that disappeared thereafter.
Malty nose and palate, the caramel aspect of the toasted Barley and Rye blend meld together well, the Rye dominates.
Enjoyable bitterness and hops profile, similar to a nice ESB or English Bitter.
Balanced finish that fades towards dry.
Feb 20, 2026A decent head initially, a slight ferrous/metallic flavor on the foam with the first two sips that disappeared thereafter.
Malty nose and palate, the caramel aspect of the toasted Barley and Rye blend meld together well, the Rye dominates.
Enjoyable bitterness and hops profile, similar to a nice ESB or English Bitter.
Balanced finish that fades towards dry.
Reviewed by Smakawhat from Maryland
3.61/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.61/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from the can into a nonic(k) pint glass.
Murky and muted brown, almost like a brackish like color with maybe a hint of red. True to body color style but this even looks a hair unappetizing. Two finger light khaki colored head, with leaving a good thin puck top and thick penciled collar. Not the most good looking brew but certainly seen worse and this does look to style somewhat.
Aroma has a spicy dry malt nose, even a touch of peanut butter. Mild hop notes if any with perhaps a little note of pine. Some brown bread touches also. Overall pleasant nose.
Palate seems to be a little wet. Hinting a bit of obvious wet mouthfeel that doesn't quite make the flavors last. Still light touches of sharp rye spice that even gets a little raisin like fruity. Some sweetness on the finish that isn't overbearing in a touch of corn. Light finish even some popcorn like flavor in the aftertaste.
Kind of and odd duck in the rye beer world but the brew comes off somewhat like a novelty unfortunately.
Dec 18, 2025Murky and muted brown, almost like a brackish like color with maybe a hint of red. True to body color style but this even looks a hair unappetizing. Two finger light khaki colored head, with leaving a good thin puck top and thick penciled collar. Not the most good looking brew but certainly seen worse and this does look to style somewhat.
Aroma has a spicy dry malt nose, even a touch of peanut butter. Mild hop notes if any with perhaps a little note of pine. Some brown bread touches also. Overall pleasant nose.
Palate seems to be a little wet. Hinting a bit of obvious wet mouthfeel that doesn't quite make the flavors last. Still light touches of sharp rye spice that even gets a little raisin like fruity. Some sweetness on the finish that isn't overbearing in a touch of corn. Light finish even some popcorn like flavor in the aftertaste.
Kind of and odd duck in the rye beer world but the brew comes off somewhat like a novelty unfortunately.
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho
3.25/5 rDev -10.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.25/5 rDev -10.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
8oz pour at Checkerspot. Cloudy dark amber pour, filmy tan head, ring. Toasty aroma, malty. Taste is toasty, more like a brown ale. Not much noticeable rye presence.
Nov 16, 2023
Reviewed by Ernald_Elbertson from Delaware
3.6/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.6/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
I've had rye IPAs before and Rye aged Stouts, but this is the first beer I've had where Rye is the star ingredient.
Pours a medium copper with a bone-white head, about 3/4 of an inch thick. Head retention is not so great, but lacing is still passable.
Smell is fairly complex, the immediate notes are extremely bready, pumpernickel and rye bread, but also brown bread. Hop aroma very low. Alcohol notes are slightly present, and it mixes nicely with the rye flavors, almost like whiskey. Almost meaty in a way.
Taste is not as strong as the nose would lead you to believe. The initial thought was "Marzen," and the fact that it is part lager, a similar SRM, and highly malty explains this. Very toasty, sweet and slightly alcoholic. It is distinguished by its smaller tasting notes, the spicy rye (the aftertaste is really just like rye bread) and corn sweetness. Bizarre, but the meatiness comes through, almost like chicken lo mein? I'm sure that sounds unappealing but it actually works with the slightly sweet/savory/umami experience. But unique qualities aside, it's safe to say, if you like Marzen you will like this beer.
Mouthfeel is a little to be desired. Too light on carbonation, especially for a lager. Feels more like a British ale. Other than that, it's quite smooth, but also like most Marzens, annoyingly sticky. I feel like I just ate pancakes and syrup. There is a vague dryness which most Marzens lack, so it is a bit more refreshing.
Overall an interesting offshoot of an amber lager or Marzen. Probably wouldn't rush to get it again, but it's not bad.
Note: I've had a Kolsch from this brewery that, while delicious, had a similar carbonation problem. I wonder if this is a recurring issue?
Aug 10, 2023Pours a medium copper with a bone-white head, about 3/4 of an inch thick. Head retention is not so great, but lacing is still passable.
Smell is fairly complex, the immediate notes are extremely bready, pumpernickel and rye bread, but also brown bread. Hop aroma very low. Alcohol notes are slightly present, and it mixes nicely with the rye flavors, almost like whiskey. Almost meaty in a way.
Taste is not as strong as the nose would lead you to believe. The initial thought was "Marzen," and the fact that it is part lager, a similar SRM, and highly malty explains this. Very toasty, sweet and slightly alcoholic. It is distinguished by its smaller tasting notes, the spicy rye (the aftertaste is really just like rye bread) and corn sweetness. Bizarre, but the meatiness comes through, almost like chicken lo mein? I'm sure that sounds unappealing but it actually works with the slightly sweet/savory/umami experience. But unique qualities aside, it's safe to say, if you like Marzen you will like this beer.
Mouthfeel is a little to be desired. Too light on carbonation, especially for a lager. Feels more like a British ale. Other than that, it's quite smooth, but also like most Marzens, annoyingly sticky. I feel like I just ate pancakes and syrup. There is a vague dryness which most Marzens lack, so it is a bit more refreshing.
Overall an interesting offshoot of an amber lager or Marzen. Probably wouldn't rush to get it again, but it's not bad.
Note: I've had a Kolsch from this brewery that, while delicious, had a similar carbonation problem. I wonder if this is a recurring issue?
Reviewed by BeerAndGasMasks from Virginia
3.65/5 rDev +0.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.65/5 rDev +0.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From the pint can, it pours a clear chestnut color with a small off-white head that slowly reduces. The nose gets some sweetish malt scent with some spice. The mouth gets a pleasant ever so slightly sweet bite of the rye finishing smoothly with a mild aftertaste.
Jul 25, 2023
Reviewed by MrOH from Virginia
3.59/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.59/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Clear chestnut brown with a khaki head, ok retention, spotty lace
Earthy, almost pumpernickel bread aroma
Very kvass-like flavor, minus the sweet and sour aspect.
Medium bodied, could use more carbonation
Fun to try, wouldn't get again
Apr 16, 2023Earthy, almost pumpernickel bread aroma
Very kvass-like flavor, minus the sweet and sour aspect.
Medium bodied, could use more carbonation
Fun to try, wouldn't get again
Reviewed by Lucular from Maryland
3.83/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.83/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Had on tap at the brewery. Pours a dark amber, almost shading towards brown, with a large sudsy head. Aroma and flavor feature a nice rye bite to go along with bready malt, some caramel, and earthy/spicy/floral hops. I haven't had a ton of rye beers but this makes me want to seek them out a bit...or at least to drink them when I have the chance.
Apr 14, 2022
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