Founders Reds Rye P.A.

On tap at Founders. A great red colour with a lasting off-white head. Strong rye kick with bitter hoppy followup. A great beer.

Pours clear dark red with a fizzy light brown. Aroma is lightly malty, heavily hoppy of grass, pine and lemons, yeasty of leather, apples and toffee. Flavor has great balance, hoppy grapefruit in flavor dominates with rye in background, finish is hoppy. Medium bodied creamy and softly carbonated.

THOUGHTS: Way better than I was expecting. I’ve had a few rye beers and this is one of the best. It was right up there with Bear Republic’s Hop-Rod Rye. Like that beer the rye is not overpowering, but adds just the right piece to complete a great beer. The rye just seems to make it smoother. Hid alcohol fairly well. TECHNICAL: Bottle. Poured a medium to dark orangey red with a small to average, off-white head that mostly diminished and left fair lacing. The aroma was light to moderate malt, moderate to heavy citrus (sort of like ruby red grapefruit and orange rind) hops and some rye. The initial flavor was light to moderately sweet, lightly acidic and moderately bitter; while the finish was moderately sweet, heavily bitter and a little sour with and average to long duration. There was some rye throughout and started with malt sweetness melding into citrus hops with just a touch of sour rye in the finial with a little metallic hops. Nice balance and great transition. The medium body was dry with tingly carbonation and a light metallic finish, but overall it sort of just goes down easy.

Red orange amber with good head. Well balanced between malt and hops and not overdone. Mainly caramel malt and citrus hops. But blended fruity, floral, and rye, notes separate it from average Rye/IPA. Deftly avoids being resiny, overly bitter, or too sweet.

#1000. Bottle. Reddish body, tan head, fruity, spicy nose. Fruity, spicy, quaffable. very nice.

RateBeer Rating, Style and Glass: 97, specialty grain, pilsener or shaker ABV, Volume & Calories: 6.8% in 12 fl oz. estimated at 170 C Purchased at: circle liquors Super Saver, Pennington, NJ for $2.50 Aroma: siren like, sugary, pine, cascade hops, grapefruit. 10 out of 10. Visuals: clear, deep brilliant, red, off white head, persistent, beautiful, strong lace. 5 out of 5. Taste: rye bread, pumpernickel, caraway seed, strong, bitter, hops, powerful, expertly crafted. 10 out of 10. Palate: crisp, exciting, dry, sandy, long bitter finish. 5 out of 5. Overall: Simply amazing - the mix of rye and hops is one of my favorites. I’d have it again in a split second. An instant favorite. Beautifully crafted. 20 out of 20.

Pours light amber with a beige-ish head that lasts for a while on top. Tons of juicy, fruity hop smells up front with spicy rye and caramel malt dominating after a bit. Taste is similar to the smell with a hit of fruity hops and spicy rye. Smooth, medium mouthfeel, easy to drink. Probably my favorite rye pale ale I’ve tried to date.

Agressive from the start, much like their Pale Ale, but completely darker in color. Complex taste with a smooth finish that grew on me the more I sampled.