Bear Republic Brewery brings something a little different to the table today with Bear Republic Hop Rod Specialty Ale.
Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye Specialty Ale poured a hazy mahogany into the glass with medium carbonation and a sudsy, sticky head. The nose was mostly pine and thyme with subtle rye bread notes and barely detectable notes of raisin.
Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye Specialty Ale opened with a hop front shaped by some floral quality a noticeable (buts somewhat weak) rye background fading into a sweet middle with a dry rye edge to it and more notes of raisin bread. None of the spiciness I associate with rye ales made an appearance.
Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye is a good IPA with a rye twist (even at 8% abv I don’t think this could be considered a double or imperial), but it falls a little short on the promise of peppery, spicy rye.
