Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye Ale

Brewed by Bear Republic Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Healdsburg, California USA

Serve in Shaker, Snifter

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Cold bottle. Murky red brown with a short-term head. Taste is pretty watery with some caramel, a little rose water, floral hops with plenty of resin, ryvita in the aftertaste. Refreshing with good balance but nothing too exciting. Alcohol is unbelievably well hidden in the taste - doesn’t taste alcoholic.

Solid micro brew overall. Didn’t notice the alcohol percentage at first... sure packs a wallop! Nice dark orangish color with crap floating in it.

A - Pours a slightly hazy amber brown. The 2 finger tan head stands strong and holds very tight. A good amount of sticky lace. S - Large amounts of resiny and pungent grapefruit with a good dose of fruit bread wrapped in. Very hoppy nose on this brew. T - A fruity toffee malt dominates. Fresh grapefruit, pineapple, and some pine adds lots of flavor with the bitterness sticking to the sides of the tongue. Faint hints of rye but more of a tobacco flavor comes through to add an extra layer of flavor. Great finish. Dry and hoppy. Bitterness lingers. M - Medium to full bodied smoothly floats over the palate. The nose is full of hop aroma and the flavors have serious balance. The rye is there but I probably wouldn’t have picked it out if I didn’t know. Serving type: bottle 02-12-2011

Bottled (from Ales By Mail). Deep amber colour with a mediumsized foamy/creamy white head, that leaves some lace. Aroma is caramel, mild sweet malts along with big time tropical fruits, some grass and floral notes. Flavour is honey, some tropical fruits, grass, floral notes and quite sweet malts as well. Mild spicyness as well. Long fruity and floral bitter aftertaste. Balanced, and very drinkable.

Bottle (12 oz). Clear amber with a small beige head and some lacing. Aroma of resinous hops, malt/caramel, citrus, earthy notes and a nice spicy presence. Taste is moderately sweet with malt/caramel, resinous hops, citrus, slight spices and moderate bitterness. Medium to full body. Slightly dry. One of the best IIPA that I’ve tried. The spicy notes from the rye(?) add to the complexity of the beer and the abv (8%) is not to high for a IIPA. Most IIPA with 10% or more abv that I’ve tried are way too malty to compensate for the alcohol. Around 8% is probably the threshold. This one is drinkable and enjoyable. Very good beer!

Tried in Vermont, thanks to my friend Mart. Pours a hazy deep amber colour with a frothy warm cap that has great retention and even better lace. Big hoppy nose with the grapefruit notes. Then, other fruity malts come out with hints of nuts. Medium-bodied with a mild dry finish. Sweet caramel malt taste with the warming alcohol, citrus and nutty finish. This is a great rye specialty ale with the American bitterness from the hop.

This is quite a sensational offering from Bear. Years ago I got into the Racer 5 and as a result have always considered this a solid brewery. My review is on the last bottle of my four pack. This model is a ruby color, akin to an abbey dubbel, great lace, bit heavy on the mouthfeel, tons of sedimentary particles to admire in the light. I refrain from even sipping this guy until 30-40 minutes out of fridge. This brings the aromas and flavor development to really start striding from the moment I taste. Well balanced, but on the sweeter side - as alluded the palate is a bit on the syrup side so that lines up - at 18% rye content you can detect a bit of that extra kick of (hot) spice, but I’d love to see what a higher percentage might do, being a fan of distilleries like High West and Whistle Pig. For the money these are not to be missed.

I like rye IPA’s and this is a good one. It has those roasted aromas and drinks easily, for those who like a sharper IPA. It is unfiltered so don’t be surprised by stuff floating in your glass. It pours dark with a thick head. I recommend it and others from Bear Republic.

Bottle from Mane Liquor. Pours an amber brown with 1cm of residual head. Very upfront roasted rye aroma dominating the nose. Slight resin hop backing with caramel malt. Taste is moderately bitter with a light sweetness. Pretty dry. Don’t particularly enjoy rye beers but this drop is decent.

On tap @ Chuck’s 85th. Pours bright deep reddish amber with thin off white head. Aroma is fresh cut grass, earthy hops, and oaky rye. Taste is big syrupy sweet caramel malt with a punchy rye undertone. Bitter fresh hops on the finish, notes of pine and grass. Pretty strong, the 8% is quite apparent. An excellent option if you want something just a little different from the regular DIPA. One of my favorite 22s to pick up, now 6 packs are commonly available too.