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Rick Franckhauser's picture

Radical Rye IPA

July, 2017
Judges Rating: 
87
Aroma: 
20 / 24
Appearance: 
6 / 6
Flavor: 
35 / 40
Mouthfeel: 
9 / 10
Overall Impression: 
17 / 20

Oranges and an impression of sweet grapefruit are followed by a hint of pine resin and faint pineapple. Some spicy aspects also come through but I suspect they are from the hops rather than rye malt. The malt is nondescript but the source of the sweet aspect in the aroma. Clean fermentation. Nothing harsh, grassy or off. Hazy golden color with a creamy white head that dropped to a lingering ring. The hop flavor leans more into the pine resin rather than the citrus character but it’s not harsh. There is an earthiness that comes from the rye malt which provides some counter to the hops. The balance is toward the hop bitterness and smooth but not as pronounced as the style calls for. The finish is dry with a residual lingering pine stickiness and a slight alcohol warmth. The aroma promised more than the flavor delivered but overall a very enjoyable IPA.