HeBrew Bittersweet Lennys R.I.P.A

Shmaltz Brewing Company
Brewed at Olde Saratoga Brewing (Mendocino Brewing Co.)
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
San Francisco, California USA

Holy crapballs. Any time i can get my hands on this i have. Its full-bodied and pissed, just like i like it. I’ve introduced many friends to the glory that is this beer, and have only heard good things from all of them. I wish it wasn’t limited edition.

Beer poured with a massive 5” cap that was a tan in color, body was dark brown to a ruby red when held up to the light, the retention of this cap lasted for hours, it’s so thick and creamy also its shaped like a nipple, this beer looks almost perfect. Aroma unsurprisingly was dominated by hops but they didn’t overpower you they were just there, the hops was at the front but a very rich dark malt presence was rounding out the aroma, there are some noticeable spice notes but nothing to aggressive. The first thing I noticed when I took a sip was how sweet this brew was but it’s not sickly sweet, the bitter hops are melting my face off in a good way, and the addition of rye to this beer is making this stand out as the best IIPA I’ve ever had to date. The bitter hops is being well balanced by a sweet malt character, the beer feels so soft, full and creamy in my mouth, so very good. Dam the 10% alcohol can’t be detected one bit, I could get trashed off this beer and not even notice. This beer is dam good I’m so very impressed a billion times bitter then I was expecting, this is worth the horrible price I paid for it and I will pay it again for another. How ironic I reviewed a beer that is blessed by a rabbi making it cossure and I did it while watching Borat."

Pours into snifter.....Weedking4 below sums up my thoughts. I would like to stress how tasty this stuff really is....for the hop head like myself they are there for sure but what great balance this has!!!!! May very well be a new favorite!!! Can you tell i like it???

Thanks to Ramenen. Bottle: Strong flavour with a complex flavour profile; very nice alcohol balance. A very recommendable He Brew.

At Toronado on Haight and Fillmore - This stuff is excellent, I have no Idea how strong it is, especially considering it is 12pm! I’d guess that it’s in Barley wine teritory, but the Rye and the light body keep this in the IPA range, er DIPA. The Rye is an interesting addition, a nutty wholefoods taste.

This offering from He’Brew pours a dark plum delicious and tasty that leaves a thick tan head. The aroma is fantastic rye, caramel, pitted fruit, this is a very complex and enjoyable nose. The taste starts malty upfront, caramel, maybe brown sugar, it then moves to a spicy bitter grapefruit feel on the palate finishing with a plum, date, sweetness rounded out with a bready, nutty feel that I love, the alcohal being at 10% is warming and not overwhelming. This is a great brew and although Mendocino brews their beers great job Shmaltz and keep them coming!

22 oz bomber. This beer is an interesting Imperial IPA in the fact that it is brewed with three different rye malts, and wheat thrown in for good measure. Pours to a garnet color, with a tight, white head that fades, and a soft carbonation. The nose on this beer is excellent, with lots of good spicy rye aroma, paired with piney and citrus hop aromas. The palate is slick and oily on the tongue, with tons of flavor. Lots of good spicy rye malt flavor, paired with flavors of caramel malt, and toffee. This beer finishes with more good rye flavor, and then ends with some really good piney hop bitterness, and some peppery alcohol that lingers. You can really smell and taste the rye in this beer, making it unique and delicious. Very interesting, very flavorful, wonderful sipping brew. At 10% abv, a great beer to slowly work on and enjoy. If you can find this one, I suggest you pick some up. Shmaltz Brewing has really impressed me with their specialty beers. Great beer, and nice tribute to the legendary Lenny Bruce.

Bottle. Poured a slightly hazy copper color with a thick almond head. Strong lacing. Aroma is malty, caramel, and hoppy. Amazing full mouthfeel. Flavor is a nice hoppy taste, with grapefruit, rye, and pine hints to it. Ranks right up there with Bear Republic’s Hop Rod Rye as the best rye beers that I’ve had.