This was an unexpected challenge tonight, as a result of the wrong bottle being opened for dinner. Ever heard of the happy accident? Yeah, any excuse to drink and review a beer is one of those for me. So, on with the review!
Color: Amber to slightly reddish hues make this look very warm and inviting, even if the title would dictate the natural fear of anything red for most Americans over 50.
Head: This is very common of a rye beer, in that the head looks good at first, but then cannot hang around. Unless the rye is balanced by an extra dose of hops, you will find this happens with anything with rye in it, but that doesn't had to be a bad thing. Since this is a red rye ale, I appreciate that there is a very slight head to this with no retention, because otherwise this would no longer be the red rye it was intended to be.
Aroma: A slight tartness is mixed with a very nice malty sweetness on the nose. The tartness, undoubtedly from the rye, does not appear to be over done but rather balanced in the aroma. This invites the drinker to explore more but gives some suggestions of what to expect, which I do appreciate in any aroma for a good beer.
Taste: A nice sweetness from the malt is really balanced on the palette with the tartness from the rye. I found that there was a body and viscosity to the beer that I simply didn't anticipate, but I certainly enjoyed. This beer finds itself a nice place after the second or third sip, when the flavors have finally hit the mouth and tongue without surprise. There is a lack of bitterness, that understandably was done to avoid conflicts with the tartness from the rye, but I find would have very much helped this beer. The aftertaste was good, even if it leaned toward the tartness a bit more.
Overall: This was a delightful beer to drink from the complexities it presented and the simple flavor I found myself enjoying. I was a little disappointed with the balance of the malt and sweetness not having a bitter component that may have enhanced it and actually highlighted the sweetness of the malt and the tartness of the rye. That being said, this was a very drinkable beer to enjoy once in a while with friends to show them the varieties of adjuncts and their impact on an established style.
Score: 7.0/10
As always, drink well and be merry. Slainte!
Enjoying this beer at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a better tasting mind, but thankfully enjoying a good beer doesn't require one.
I definitely noticed the quick dissipation of the head.
I chose to use my 0.5L plus Paulaner beer (large pint glass?) for this bomber. Almost held all 650 ML.
I think the prominent flavor is a dark sweet caramel taste wild hop back tones. Like I said...my beer tasting chops need honing. The aroma and taste on this brew are superb and I wouldn't mind drinking it again to see how my tasting skills improve. Pick up a bottle, you'll be glad you did.
A tasting mind is not necessary, just more exposure. When you taste a beer, there are levels to it that can alter your impression of it. If you want a simple way to practice it, have someone hand you a few small samples of couple different beers and write down your thoughts about it. The key is not knowing much about the beer beforehand and making a blind taste test. This will allow you to hone your tasting skills. Your detection of the dark caramel is spot on, so don't be afraid to keep challenging your own tastebuds!
DeleteThe glass is a good choice, but it isn't necessary for it to be that big for this beer. Oh, and the glass is designed for weiss (including hefeweissen) or witbier, so the unfiltered yeast can settle to the bottom as you drink it.
I'd say try this beer in a month and challenge yourself to see what all has changed.
Hope the review helped!