Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye

Those effing 15th century farmers in Germany. They effed up the rye harvest a few years in a row, and forever changed the face of beer brewing. Since then, barley malt has been the dominant malt in beer.

Fortunately, that seems to be ending in the 21st Century, thanks to such bottles as Bear Republic’s Hop Rod Rye. American craft beers rarely embrace a single style, and this is no different. Hop Rod Rye is a rye beer brewed as if it was an  imperial IPA.

The spicy/sour of  the rye mash  marries perfectly with the floral/citrus of the cascade hops. In the mid-palate,  a rich cream and  caramel takes control, but the beer never becomes sweet or cloying:  the bitterness of rosemary and citrus oil reigns it in. In the finish, the hops take control, with notes of  flowers, resin, and grapefruit. Kudos, a trailblazing brew.