Best Rye beers

The Red's Rye seasonality is definitely a contributor -- I just finished the last one in my inventory this week, and while it was still excellent, it wasn't as good as it usually is (but was bottled in late 2013). I tend to agree on the 2xRye

 

Love GLBC's Rye of the Tiger and Jakie O's Hop Ryot. I've been hearing a lot of good things about Road Warrior. Haven't tried it yet, but I think I'll correct that soon.

 

I didn't read the comments. I'd be upset if no one mentioned Wookey Jack though. That's an awesome rye beer.

 

I understand this thread was started in May - but aren't most rye beers in the spring seasonal category?

I've only had two - Summit Frost Line Rye, and SN Ruthless - really liked them both, quite a bit.

 

Agree. Tried this for the first time yesterday... would love to have it year-round.

 

Sly Rye Porter from Yazoo. I could drink this one all day.

 

Was released before the first of the year. Not exactly a fresh batch.

 

Cane and Ebel from Two Brothers

 

I dont want to be a dick, but the honest answer is my rye saison homebrew... it is inexplicably good. This is coming from someone that normally hates on his own stuff.


I do really want to try road warrior though...

 

Fulton Expat Rye Saison. Sadly only available on tap in the Twin Cities and seasonal.

 

Boulevard Rye-on-Rye ... for a heavy hitter &
Great Divide Hoss Rye Lager ... for daily drinking, what a great beer!

 

Hands down Terrapin-Mosaic, actually I can't believe no one has mentioned that. Love that hop, love that malt profile.

Also I will echo others: Alpine-Nelson, and Wookey Jack are both fantastic. Everytime one of these threads comes up I read all the responses and start salivating.

 

Mike Hess makes a phenomenal Imperial Stout brewed with Rye! Wish they would bottle this stuff. Everytime I go to San Diego I make sure to seek this out at one of their locations.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/23347/64119/

 

Looks like Rye of the Tiger is dry-hopped with Simcoe and Columbus. I don't know of any other commercial examples that use solely that combo, so you might have to brew your own Cheers

 

Green Flash Road Warrior is fantastic.

 

Real Ale Full Moon Pale Rye Ale, a really tasty APA with clean rye spiciness. One of my earliest favorite from RABC.

 

Haven't had too many, but I like Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye and Founder's Red's Rye. Southern Tier 2XRye is notable.

 

I don't even like Sierra Nevada that much but Ruthless is very solid and available.

Boulevard's Rye-on-Rye is the best IMO. I worship the Smokestack Series anyway and that's one of the best entries. 3F Hank on Rye was amazing at the brewpub, and I adored Stone's Sprocketbier, admittedly not your usual rye beer. Rye has become a favorite beer "style" of mine lately, I can't wait to try more. Especially Against the Grain's Kentucky Ryed Chiquen.

I had Road Warrior on tap and was severely underwhelmed. Only the third Green Flash brew I've had and easily my least favorite.

 

Another vote for Boulevard's Rye On Rye. Great pairing of the base rye beer with the Templeton Rye barrels. Templeton Rye barrels produce some really good BA beers. Brau Brothers Rye Wyne Ale used Templeton barrels but sadly isn't being brewed anymore I see as it was an equal to Rye On Rye.

 

Alpine Nelson is just about the best example of a rye Pale Ale in which rye is a necessary but subtle addition to the malt bill. Like most of you, I don't detect the rye in Sucks, I have a feeling it's put in there to build a touch of body. Without it, Sucks would be pretty boring on the palate. I'm not a huge Sucks fan, mostly because my beer palate grew up while drinking a ton of Nelson

In Nelson, the rye works together with the malt bill & the hops (especially the hops) to create a well-rounded, light-bodied Pale Ale that just kicks ass.

I agree that if you are looking for the true "rye IPA" experience, Rye of the Tiger, Ruthless Rye, and Wookey Jack are great examples. If you want a less rye experience, Bell's Smitten (when fresh) is a nice, light Pale Ale with detectable rye presence. Not a "great" beer, but worth tasting for the rye.

On the other end of the spectrum, Brau Bros. Ryewyne was a delicious Ryewine aged in Templeton barrels. Only saw one release 2-3 years ago in the Midwest. If you find a bottle, pick it up. Leinie's Big Eddy Ryewine is also good, a touch on the sweet side.