 SamGamgee (646), Isla Vista, California, USA
Feb 17, 2008 Updated: Sep 1, 2008
22oz bottle. Dark brown, head laces. Mango, grapefruit, and nice bready malt in the aroma. Lots of bitter hops in the flavor, but there is a really nice, full malt backbone that makes this stand out for me. I can’t really tell if its the rye, but the malt element is superior for an IPA. Medium and smooth body. Great balance and variety of full flavors. (4.2) Rerate: Deep reddish-brown with a massive meringue-like head that leaves dense lace; I really can’t fault anything there. Spiced bread and lots of hops in the nose, with a vivid fruity kick. The flavor has a sweet toasty, spicy and raisiny malt character that it cut by a ton of hop bitterness. The rye seems to add that something extra that sets this apart from your normal IIPA. This has proven itself as one of my favorites of the big, hoppy style.
teamrassas (9), USA
does not count  Nov 30, 2008 Sweet yeasty aroma. Poured with a nice thick creamy head. heavy amber color. Creamy on the palate with a long smooth cleam finish. Nice malted flavor. A very good balance between the malt and the hops. Super drinkablility
Chipper (91), Red Lion, Pennsylvania, USA
Nov 26, 2008 Dark mahogany pour with a big tan head. Hoppy and a little malt aroma. dry fruit and very spicy. Flavor is huge hops and a little tasty malt. Big beer and it’s excellent. Reminds me of Wailing Wench.
mmmbeer (603), Austin, Texas, USA
Nov 18, 2008 (22oz. bottle consumed on Nov. 4 2008) Served in tulip- poured darken tan with heavy brown notes, low-medium carbonation, frothy one finger head laced and went away at a snail’s pace. Aroma of darkened wheat, malt, hops, and a brief note of rye. Hits the mouth with a medium body, malt is there but seems a little restrained- on purpose perhaps? , hops come in the middle and last past the finish. Solid.
dm9831 (706), Monee, USA
Nov 17, 2008 clear tan color, medium tan head, nice lacing. aroma is musty malt, but pretty airy. hoppy bitterness dominates any maltnotes. an earthy grainy taste makes a mild appearance. full bodied, bitter finish. although i like the hoppiness of this beer, there was a cetain funk also apparent, which was slightly off-putting.
elihapa (407), Hawaii, USA
Nov 1, 2008 Bomber, shared with Alex. Pours orange amber, with a large head and some floating yeast. Aroma is flowery and mild, with some malt. My first sensation when I tasted this beer was that it had the character of a Pale Ale, but was heavier in palate. There is citrus, yeast, flowers, and lemon in there. Overall, I was a little underwhelmed after the first sip, but Hop Rod really grew on me. By the end of my pint, I was loving the subtle hops, the spicy rye grain, and the thicker mouthfeel. At $5 a bottle, I’d definitely do this again.
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