Terrapin Rye Pale Ale

Brewed by Terrapin Beer Company
Style: American Pale Ale
Athens, Georgia USA

Great smooth beer, smells nice, tastes great, clean palate. One of my favorite of this kind, give it a try, its a southern treat.

Bottle @ chriso’s Pre-GBBF Shindig 2008. Pours a clear golden color wit ha small off-white head. Has a malty hoppy aroma with some hints of rye. Sweetish rye malty hoppy flavor. Has a sweetish malty hoppy finish.

Bottle. Hazy gold with a firm white head. Not as much Rye aroma as the squared, lots of grapefruit. Nicely floral and bitter, rye and caraway.

VERY strong hop flavor... very aromatic. Reminds me of a bathroom cleaner. Very strong. If you like hops maybe... not for me. If you like the smooth rye whisky... rye beer is no where near.

Bottle: Pours an amber-ish brown with little to no lacing. Smells of citrus and hops. Tastes of malts and breads, very little hops included. Leaves the palate bland and weak. Very discouraged.

1/01/2007: Sean (illinismitty) knows I really like the Terrapin Rye2, so he threw in a few bottles of the regular Terrapin Rye on our last trade for me to try. Thanks Sean! I also got a bottle or two from jimobowood through a trade. Thanks Jimbo! -- Terrapin Rye Pale Ale is a hazy golden color with a small small light ivory head. There is a flurry of visible carbonation, but this beer is not fizzy or over carbonated on the palate; it’s just right. There is some light grapefruit, peach, rye, and yeasty malt in the aroma. The flavor is truly unique. It is moderately sweet at first with some honey malt and mango flavor. Then a wonderful mango and peach twist in flavor accompanies the mild bitterness. The unique mango characteristics can probably be attributed to the nicely done use of Amarillo hops. The hop bitterness is farily modest and balances the malt sweetness well. Neither are overdone. There is also a pleasing rye dryness in the finish. The beer is of average body and palate. Overall this is another unique Terrapin brew and a wonderful rye beer creation. It isn’t as good as the Terrapin Rye2, but it is not too far behind! Good thing this beer isn’t readily available in my area as I could easily OD on it!

12 oz bottle (Best if enjoyed by 08007FX). "Brewed to the exact specifications of Terrapin Beer Company’s Brewmaster by Frederick Brewing Co., Frederick, MD." Rating: 8 3 8 3 15 = 3.7.


2006 Vintage

11/17/2008: This bottle of Terrapin Ryle Pale Ale is still going strong! It has a cloudy light honey color with a lasting, foamy, off-white head. It appears that there is more carbonation than before, but that is to be expected after sitting for nearly 2 years now and it doesn’t affect the mouthfeel. The aroma has a nice honey quality and sweetness as does the flavor. In addition, the flavor has some light caramel and butter toffee maltiness and a dry, slightly spicy finish. The hoppy flavor has gone out slightly (candied citrus remains), but the bitterness level isn’t that high which is just fine for a Pale Ale. However, it does escalate just a little bit with each passing drink! One thing that I really like about this beer is how well the rye really comes through without being too aggressive. It is a really nice blend of flavors and characteristics! The 2007 is definitely more dry and spicy than the more malty and sweeter 2006. Medium-bodied and smooth on the palate, this is such a great Rye Pale Ale in all regards! I could sit and drink this for day, weeks, even months on end. That’s exactly why I have going to have another bottle (2007 Vintage) as soon as I finish this one!

12 fl. oz. bottle (Best if enjoyed before 080607FX). Rating: 7 4 8 3 16 = 3.8.


2007 Vintage

11/17/2008: This bottle/vintage of Terrapin Ryle Pale Ale has a hazy golden color with a large flurry of carbonation supporting a pillow of off-white foam. The aroma is more dry and grainy with a touch of honey and toffee malt sweetness. Overall the flavor seems less malty and more spicy, especially in the finish. The fruity and spicy rye is arguably more evident and quite welcomed! The hops are also still a bit more alive and some of the citrusy, peach, and floral hop flavors come through in the middle of this beer. This one is also has a medium body and feels like and airy on the palate. Great lacing too! I really can’t say it enough. This is a fantastic Rye Pale Ale. If only it were available in Ohio; I would drink this more than any other beverage available to me, including water!

12 fl. oz. bottle (Best if enjoyed before 09/03/07). Rating: 7 4 8 3 16 = 3.8.

Bottle: Good citrus flavor and grassy tones. Rye was noticable and good carbination as well. Good beer

Tap at Mellow Mushroom. Poured an orangish color. Nice smell of the hops and rye. Citrusy hop flavor with some sweet caramel in there. Really tasty. Nice carbonation. SOLID