Redhook Sunrye

Brewed by Redhook Brewery
Style: Golden Ale/Blond Ale
Woodinville, Washington USA

Bottled May 25th, 2005. For only two whole months of sitting on the shelf this beer has started to fall apart very fast. Little amount of head created during the pour and a thick haze of dust is seen in equilibirum all through out the glass. I don’t know, but was this beer supposed to be unfiltered? Aroma has a classic summer ale nose of sour grass, malt and pinch of lemon. The flavor is heavily watered down with a small sign of cheap malt and puni hops being used. Also, i found a small sign of rye, that isn’t much of the biscuit/bready feature that i had looked forward to. What a big dissapointment in this summer seasonal from Redhook.

Bottle: Pours a nice light thin golden color. Some head to it, but not much. No carbonation seems to appear dispite it being prevelant in the mouthfeel. Aroma is very much carbs, some ceral, bread, yeast, tortilla chips, although strongest scent is grass, I think its the rye. Light mouthfeel with lots of carbonation, but not a ton in terms of flavor. A little bit of lemon and bread in the flavors but nothing jumps out at you.

Bottle purchases at brewery in WA. Saturated gold color, completely opaque with floaties. Disappointing head. Aromas of chamomille or goldenrod, whaetberries, sumac sap, citrus zest, and a touch of swamp. Tart flavor with lemon, toasted bread, cardboard, and inklings of skim milk and fresh (not dried) bay leaf. Mouthfeel is crisp when it hits the tongue, then becomes full and waxy. Aftertaste of wet grain, black pepper, and rubber (autolysized yeast?) In general, resembles an okay American-style wheat beer gone stale. This is one that would taste better if you don’t think too much about it.

On tap in NYC. Another nice summer ale, even more watery than the others I’ve had. THe aroma had a hint of skunk and is easily the worst summer ale I’ve had. It’s probably a good beer to drink if you haven’t drank anything but Bud or Corona.

I am not a big fan of this brewer though I have had this beer a time or two over the years. Sampled from a 12 oz brown bottle this beer poured a slightly hazy medium yellow color with a very small white head that fades quickly. The aroma is a tangy dry grainy scent. The flavor is dry sour malts, light tangy grains and a mild rye flavor.

Light, sweet malty aroma. Rye is not too evident (mercifully). Clean white-glove finish. Utterly innocuous and perfect for this hot-as-hell summer evening. This alcoholic Gatorade would suffer immensely if rated in the dead of winter.

Very light. Golden color. Lots of sediment, more than most heffeweizens. Earthy a bit caramel/malt. Enough hops to give it a little crispness. Alright for a hot summer day.

Cloudy yellow with lots of suspended particles and a small white head. Light grain and lemon in the nose. Flavor has notes of grain, citrus/lemon, some grass and perhaps a tiny hint of caramel. I didn’t pick up any rye though. Kind of sweet, not much bitterness. Leaves no aftertaste. Light body with very fizzy carbonation. No lacing or head retention. Not offensive but very boring.