Left Hand Rye Bock

Deep amber/brown in color with a small tan head. Aroma: caramel/molasses with light touches of fruit and floral hops. Taste: sweet, smooth caramel with a nice floral hop presence, bittering is perfect, this was very balanced. Some light rye in the finish. Medium to full body. very nice.

I didn’t know what to expect of this when I opened it, but this brew turned out to be a real treat. The pour is a dark reddish-brown color with a dense, foamy, white head. Sudsy lacing mostly rejoins the body, with just a few dots straggling behind. The aroma is a symphony of unique malts, ranging from nougat and caramel to chocolate, figs, raisons, and vodka soaked dark fruits. Vanilla makes an appearance as well, rounding out what is a fantastic scent profile. The flavor follows suit, dropping off a bit, but remaining impressive nonetheless. The complexity of all the different malt flavors is incredible, with just enough earthy hops to add balance and further depth. Medium-full bodied, smooth and slick. I expected some annoying cloyingness, but alas none was found. Solid brew, and a very interesting take on this style. Seek this one out if you’re up for something different.

750ml bottle. Pours a dark orange/clear light brown color. Nice white head. Aroma is dark fruit, some toffee, and toasted malts and a touch of grain. Flavor was a little sweet, but most of that was balanced by the toasted elements. I wouldn’t say this one stood out, but I may have to pick this one up again as I was impressed enough by it’s taste.

Bottle... Dark, burnt orange lager with a small, creamy, white head. Good retention. Caramel, toffee and grapefruit aroma with hints of light molasses and ginger. The flavor is malty sweet and breadsy with notes of toffee and caramel. I’m not picking up much of the rye... a shame. Medium-bodied with a dry, almost caustic mouthfeel and champagne-like carbonation. Sahara-dry finish. The rye only makes its appearance known in the mouthfeel and finish. Rye’s probably my second favorite grain and I would have enjoyed more of it.

(Bottle) Pours a dark brown color with large white head. Aroma of dark fruit, dark grains, and light malts. High carbonation. Taste includes a nice rye backbone and a light toffee character. Light hops towards the end. Seemed a little sweet, but the high carbonation kept it in check for the most part until the end. Spicy and slightly alcoholic as it warms. Enjoyable!

Pours a deep ruby amber with a large bubbly/foamy off white lacing head. Aroma of mixed citrus, toasted malts, sweet malts, cereal grains, some dark fruits and toffee. Flavors of toffee, mixed nuts, some citrus notes, cereal grains, bready, sweet toasted malts and a touch of rye and spicy notes.

Bottle: 2007. Pours almost coca-cola color, huge creamy, very persistent head. Aromas of fruit and wine. Very fruity, followed by some rye bread hints, and closing with the bitterness of hops. Nice, real nice.

Great, big, off-white head over a dark, copper body. Aroma is filled with citrus and hops. Nicely balanced overall and also quite tasty. Medium sweetness balances the hoppy bitterness. Chewy mouthfeel.