Founders Reds Rye P.A.

Brewed by Founders Brewing Company
Style: Specialty Grain
Grand Rapids, Michigan USA

Hazed, reddish amber appearance with a large beige head and very good lacing. Early on, the aroma is grainy, moderately sweet malts, but wait a whiff and you run into flowery and resinous hops. Flavors also bounce back and forth, with the earthy rye in sync with the spicy, citrusy hops. Spicy hops dominate the lingering finish as well. Just wish I had easy access to this brewer in general and this beer specifically.

From 12oz Bottle. Pours the color of red cedar bark with a thin layer of off-white head. Pleasant aroma - not overpowering, it gets its elegance from the subtle balance between its character traits. Definitely some notes of toasted rye seed going on, but also some floral honeysuckle, brown sugary maple syrup, and a red pine sap hoppiness. Medium bodied, somewhat creamy texture that delivers the promised bushels of rye to the tongue. The flavor is quite tasty, but considerably more bitter hop biased than the sweet and spicy aroma suggests. Final smack of bitter white grapefruit rind. Overall, a very tasty beer that expertly delivers everything the name promises. Thanks, Tom!

Luminous (fantomeish?) ruddy amber. Sharp spicy sweet hoppy aroma. Grassy grapefruit and other exotic fruity hop aroma. Medium bodied, moderate clean bitterness with sweet malts, carmelly, yet with a tangy spicy (rye) finish. Late grapefruit rind and orange peel hops take the tandem malty sweet/tangy spice finish.

Cloudy light brown color, red hues, big creamy tan head. Floral and hoppy aroma. Well balanced smooth taste. Creamy head gives way to a nice maltiness and finishes with a bitter tasty hop bite. A bit sweet and now the caramel comes out the second time around. Other than the hops this reminds me a lot of a double.

12oz - Aroma is strong hops and subtle malt. Pours a deep red with a small head and decent lacing. Flavor is hoppy, yet subduded by rye and malt. A sweet finish of cherry and lemon. Palate is smooth and creamy, not as tart as the flavor and aroma predict. I like rye brews and will have to buy more of this.

Okay I’m missing it again folks, this stuff tastes, looks, smells like Bear Republic’s Hop Rye, but it doesn’t get near the accolades. Ruby red color, moderate off white head. Aroma is very piny and moderately citrus. This is very much an IPA flavor and a good one at that, just like Hop Rye. Flavor is bitter and piney. Slight dry finisih. If you like an IPA, try this beer and you will not be disappointed. Like an amber ale, ryes can have a big variety in flavor and this one is very IPA’ish.

Easy to like. Rich clear deep reddish gold with a small head, leaves good lacing. Taste of sweet malts, sour mash, floral hops, American PAcific North West pine and citrus hops, caramel, and a nice hoppy bitter finish. Balanced and easy to drink.

Maybe they should call this an American red. It’s like an IPA meets a red. Good hops. Nice finish.