Family India Pale Ale
Country USA (CA) ABV 8.0%
Producer Bear Republic
Price $$$$ Packaging 12oz/355ml, 22oz/650ml bottle
Characteristics Bitter, hoppy, unusual

Overview Rye as a brewing ingredient suffered a major setback in 1516, when a municipality in Bavaria passed the first version of the Reinheitsgebot, which prevented brewers from competing with bakers to buy wheat and rye. But it’s making a gradual comeback, and brewers like Bear Republic have created a new niche for rye in hoppy, IPA-styled beers like this.

Flavors and aromas It would be natural to think that big flavors and subtle complexity are an either/or proposition, but Hop Rod Rye puts the lie to that. Yes, this is a big, citrusy hop bomb, no doubt. But it has layers of intriguing spices—tasters noted allspice, gingerbread, and other herbs—tied together in a beautiful package with a big, firm head. This was one of our very favorites.