Blue Sky Rye
Free State Brewing Co.
- From:
- Free State Brewing Co.
- Kansas, United States
- Style:
- Rye Beer
- ABV:
- 6.8%
- Score:
- +1 rating needed
- Avg:
- 3.66 | pDev: 14.21%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 4
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 01, 2026
- Added:
- Dec 16, 2005
- Wants:
- 1
- Gots:
- 1
NO SCORE
-
-
A smooth amber ale with a rich, full body and ample rye flavor. Two types of rye are combined with English pale ale malt and dark crystal malt to give this deep copper ale a pleasant malty flavor. Modest additions of Styrian Golding and Crystal hops complement the flavor of the rye and balance the sweetness of the malts. (O.G. - 14.7P/1059. Hops - 28 IBUs)
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by blueshawk69 from Kansas
4/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
(review from May 2017)Very complex, spicy, peppery, well-balanced rye with flavor galore. Hefty enough for maltheads but with a just right bite of hops.
Jan 01, 2026
Reviewed by Boto from Connecticut
3.92/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.92/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Draught @ Brewpub: This one pours a dark, hazy amber color. There was a thin off-white head that leaves some lacing. It has a nice nose. Rye, peppery and some spiciness. The taste is very good. Rye, spicy, peppery. It was somewhat dry and a touch bitter. Nice!
Mar 22, 2015
Reviewed by BuckeyeNation from Iowa
3.8/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.8/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Orangish bronze with bright maraschino highlights that were due to the colored lighting inside the brewpub. I couldn't use sunshine without turning completely around and looking like a fool. Besides, it was cloudy today in Lawrence. The thin, khaki colored cap didn't last, although it did leave thin rings of lace indicating each mouthful.
The nose didn't tell me much. General impressions were a moderate amount of toasted grain and an English hoppiness that was probably the Styrian Goldings. Unfortunately, rye wasn't appreciated in the aroma. For what it's worth, the menu lists Saaz hops as well as the ones listed above. I didn't appreciate those in the nose *or* on the buds.
I liked Blue Sky Rye for several reasons. First, because toasted rye was a major part of the flavor profile; which is never a given in a rye beer. Its distinctive, earthy spiciness was present from start to finish. Especially finish. The other reason was that I love the tropical fruity, pink grapefruit flavor of Crystal hops. The Styrian Goldings didn't contribute much on the palate, which was fine with me.
The brewers think of BSR as an amber ale made with rye. I thought it was more like an ESB due to an abundance of hop flavor and a surprising amount of bitterness (in spite of only 28 IBUs). There must not have been a ton of malt present, as was obvious from the surgically clean, snappy finish and the less than robust mouthfeel.
I thought the beer was a fraction too thin and was slightly too carbonated. Both improved as it warmed, but not enough to earn the next highest score. In addition, it was served too cold by about ten degrees.
Blue Sky Rye is good craft beer that counts an interesting flavor profile, deliciousness and drinkability among its strong suits. However, it needs more malt (more rye would be great), a slightly bigger body and a softer mouthfeel to reach the next level. I wouldn't argue with more hops too, as long as I'm working on a wish list.
Nov 15, 2007The nose didn't tell me much. General impressions were a moderate amount of toasted grain and an English hoppiness that was probably the Styrian Goldings. Unfortunately, rye wasn't appreciated in the aroma. For what it's worth, the menu lists Saaz hops as well as the ones listed above. I didn't appreciate those in the nose *or* on the buds.
I liked Blue Sky Rye for several reasons. First, because toasted rye was a major part of the flavor profile; which is never a given in a rye beer. Its distinctive, earthy spiciness was present from start to finish. Especially finish. The other reason was that I love the tropical fruity, pink grapefruit flavor of Crystal hops. The Styrian Goldings didn't contribute much on the palate, which was fine with me.
The brewers think of BSR as an amber ale made with rye. I thought it was more like an ESB due to an abundance of hop flavor and a surprising amount of bitterness (in spite of only 28 IBUs). There must not have been a ton of malt present, as was obvious from the surgically clean, snappy finish and the less than robust mouthfeel.
I thought the beer was a fraction too thin and was slightly too carbonated. Both improved as it warmed, but not enough to earn the next highest score. In addition, it was served too cold by about ten degrees.
Blue Sky Rye is good craft beer that counts an interesting flavor profile, deliciousness and drinkability among its strong suits. However, it needs more malt (more rye would be great), a slightly bigger body and a softer mouthfeel to reach the next level. I wouldn't argue with more hops too, as long as I'm working on a wish list.
Reviewed by Mebuzzard from Colorado
4.1/5 rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.1/5 rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Surprisingly I had 3 of these in a blink.
Brown/yellowish color with tints of red
Semi strong alcohol aroma, grass, hops and lemon
The bitterness wasn't too strong, definitely taste the rye, and wheat. I usually go with the John Brown, but I stuck with this one until closing time
Jan 30, 2006Brown/yellowish color with tints of red
Semi strong alcohol aroma, grass, hops and lemon
The bitterness wasn't too strong, definitely taste the rye, and wheat. I usually go with the John Brown, but I stuck with this one until closing time
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