Rock Bottom La Jolla Catcher in the Rye P A

Brewed by Rock Bottom La Jolla
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
La Jolla, California USA

Draft. Copper beer with an off-white head. Grapefruit aroma. Caramel flavor with grapefruit and some pine. Medium body. Light bitterness for an IPA. Light grapefruit lingers with some caramel malt.

ON tap at RB La Jolla. Color was auburn or a dark amber with a small head. Aroma of rye bread, caramel and flowers. Flavor had a lot of rye and earthy flavors. A bit watery overall. Floral finish. It was a bit harsh on the palate occasionally, but nothing too detracting. Not the best IPA I have had from them, but I really like this location. Not resting on any laurels.

An amazing IPA at Rock Bottom. Initially smells only of the strong bitter hops, but after drinking off the top layer (and probably desensitizing to the hops) it smells and tastes like liquid rye bread, including the cumin twang every now and then. Deep amber color adds to the fun.

On tap @ at La Jolla location - Pours a cloudy amber color with a thin off white head. Nice lacing. Has a floral and citrus hop aroma. Flavor is citrus hops and rye malt. Has a lingering rye aftertaste. Medium body. A good beer.

Pint glass in at Warrenville, IL location. Thick amber in color, more opaque than anything. Thick head. Blent of bready (rye) and mildly hoppy in mouth, but weak for a "pale."

4 oz sample at the Warrenville, IL location. This selection is not listed on the Warrenville list, but it has the same name as this, will have to do. Medium amber color, slightly hazy with a thick white head. Nose is slightly citrus and piney with a hint of maltiness underneath. Not hoppy enough. Medium bodied with a dry finish. Pretty good, but like all of the Rock Bottom beers I have tasted, it is too soft.

Draft at the brewery. Lots of citrus hops and some pine coming off this golden orange brew. Decent head that lasted for a while. Flavors were more citrus and pine. Nice malt balance too. Not bad.