Founders Reds Rye P.A.

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

Pours a slightly hazed amber topped by a smallish beige head, no lacing. Aroma is smack you in the face pine, pineapple, caramel and light rye. Flavor is moderately sweet but has a nice bitterness to counteract. Mostly pineapple, grapefruit, caramel, some rye and light lemon. Medium body with a sticky texture. Medium carbonation.

This was a very well balanced beer and the addition of rye in the beer makes for an interesting note. I would drink this often.

Man, I wish I had a camera to take a picture of this head. Huge and rocky, like something out of a Coors commercial only thankfully not topping anything close to as lowly as Coors. The color is not so brilliant but is an altogether attractive hazy orange.

Really, I think it’s about time we admit that an IPA made w/ rye is an IPA rather than this "American Strong Ale" gibberish. The nose on this thing is huge, likely due to dry hopping but damned if I know their techniques--nice and citric but w/ sort of an earthy or green vegetal twinge. Still, very nice. The flavor is more of the same. That nice rye spiciness does come through in both the aroma and the flavor but, as is often the case in commercial rye beers, is overshadowed by the hop attack. Medium bodied w/ gentle but spunky carbonation. The green, earthy element comes out again in the finish. Overall, a very tasty IPA w/ a nice rye character as well.

Pours copper with off white head. Good aroma of citrus and rye. Rye sweetness balances the juicy citrus hop flavor. Enjoyable and very easy to drink.

Bottle. Pours ruby red with a small head. Aroma is very floral, with sharp citrus and grapefruit. Flavor starts with spicy rye and caramel amber, with perfect amount of hopping. Just a well constructed offering from Founders. Finish is long, hoppy, and spicy. This has got to be my favorite rye pa to date.

Hoppy nose, mainly pine needles, perhaps marigold, but generous amounts of grapefruit and honey are also there. Hazy ochre, with a medium yellow head, decent lacing. Bitter and tart to begin, pine needles throughout, but finishes less bitter and heartier with lightly toasted malt. There is a light woodiness that teases the palate. Quite bitter. Decidedly not sweet, which was a most welcome change for me. An ESB-ish IPA, and very delicious.

Bottle: Pours a shimmering amber- red hazy ale in the glass...1finger beige cap lasts and laces. Nose is spicy (from the rye and hops) over some toffee tones...very interesting. Spicey-bready tones, some sweetness, fruit notes, ...finishes up drt and very spicy-hoppy. Great unique beer....first class!

Bottle. Clear ruby/copper color with a medium head. Low retention. Aroma is pine and citrus hops with balancing caramel. Taste was spicy and flowery, raspberry cobbler, caramel and biscuit sweetness. Crisp with a dry finish. A great beer.