Schmaltz Brewing He’Brew Rejewvenator Half Doppelbock, Half Dubbel

Schmaltz Brewing’s He’Brew  line is always a go-to for interesting, slightly left of the middle beers, so let’s see what Schmaltz Brewing He’Brew Rejewvenation has to offer.

Schmaltz Brewing He’Brew Rejewvenation poured a hazy hay color into the glass with a muddled tan head.  The nose was strong, with caramel, dates, and a dry white wine aroma.

Schmaltz Brewing He’Brew Rejewvenation opened with a big, sweet bread malty start, caramel and dried, pitted fruits standing out.  Cloves and sugar started to take hold as a jammy, thick fruit center established itself.  As the ale began to fade, a dry, dusty white wine grape taste mellowed out the thickness and balance the sweetness in the long finish. 

Schmaltz Brewing He’Brew Rejewvenation is an interesting attempt, a rudely American fruit bomb take on a hybrid of Belgian styles.  It is unique enough to recommend to anyone looking to push their horizons, but would be unlikely to make anyone’s must have list.

He’Brew Lenny’s R.I.P.A. Rye Double IPA

He’Brew Lenny’s R.I.P.A. Rye Double IPA, a Schmaltz/He’brew offering, poured a crimson clover honey into the glass with no observable carbonation and a big, sticky, sudsy, tan head.  Dark roasted sugar and stewed stone fruits led the nose, with some heat detectable. 

He’Brew Lenny’s RIPA opened with a bright, burnt sugar start that took on bitterness as it settled along with a continued darkening of the sweetness until brown sugar seemed to lead.  The ale continued to sweeten in the fade, and the bitterness went away.

He’Brew Lenny’s RIPA is awfully sweet and syrupy for a double IPA, and the alcohol was very present (although it should be, at 10% abv).  I was disappointed in the lack of rye, and on the whole found it to be a novelty worth trying but falling short of the potential.