HeBrew Bittersweet Lennys R.I.P.A (Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged)

Shmaltz Brewing Company
Brewed at Olde Saratoga Brewing (Mendocino Brewing Co.)
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
San Francisco, California USA

Had this in Denver during the GABF at Falling Rock. Nice caramel flavors with some hops and whiskey flovors.

I was hesitant to try this beer because I dont see the point of barrel aging hoppy beers but they were able to pull this off. Its still very hoppy which makes me believe that it is a blend of aged barrel and fresh beer. However, plenty of fruit alcohol coming from the barrel and it does not come off boozy, nicely accents the hops. Has a medium-light body, low on bitterness despite the hops and rye whiskey.
Tap at Blind Tiger, tulip glass.

On tap at Blind Tiger for VSK night. Sweaty, raw, rye and soy sauce in the aroma. Good notes of rye whiskey, sucrose and molasses in the flavor. Light chocolate. Hops have totally died down and made this a very interesting and different beer.

Draft at Falling Rock during GABF. Lots of citrus and green aromas. Nice Rye spiciness in there in the background. Flavor was more hoppiness. Bitter and citrusy. Very good.

DIACETYL and bourbon nose with an almost caramel apple character. Big rye whisky on the palate with that pesky buttered popcorn. Damned diacetyl killed this beer.

Draft at the Bistro’s West Coast BA Fest, 11/10/07;Nose of Butter (diacetyl) with some caramel, no hops; Hazy rust with a small ring of beige bubbles; flavor was bourbon and buttery popcorn; absolutely gross! They did something wrong brewing this batch.

Tap @ Falling Rock. Poured a hazy dark amber-brown color with a thin off-white head. The aroma was brown sugar and hops of pine and earth. The flavor was sweet, malty, and fruity. Apple skins and rye whiskey. The rye grew more and more as the beer warmed. Semi-dry finish with good warmth. Medium to full bodied with a smooth mouthfeel.

Name: Lenny’s R.I.P.A, on Rye
Brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Co
Date: October 12, 2007
Mode: Draft
Source: Falling Rock
Appearance: hazy dark amber, wispy beige head, streaks of drippy lace
Aroma: sweet pine aroma with a light woody character that grows as it warms
Flavor: lots of woody rye flavor with the sweet caramel and pine, the wood blends into a nice long bitter finish

Name: BSP’s BA Lenny’s
Brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Co
Date: October 10, 2009
Mode: Draft
Source: Brick Store Pub
Appearance: muddy burnt orange, creamy beige head, drippy lace
Aroma: big tart oak aroma back by caramel sweetness
Flavor: flavor has a lot of lactic tartness balanced by the caramel sweetness, big oak presence, nice spicyness

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 3.1/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *4

Name: Lenny’s R.I.P.A, on Rye
Brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Co
Date: January 10, 2009
Mode: hand bottle
Source: GMoT Tasting
Vintage: 2007
oak is strong and really nice with lots of woody tannens, long bitter finish, no pine or caramel,

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 8/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 16/20
Rating: 3.8/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: **4