Thursday, April 23, 2009

Blue Point Rastafar Rye

Blue Point Rastafar Rye, 7% ABV:

This beer is copper in color. Good malt in the nose . . . heavy bread with subtle hop and rye spice. Nice malt weight up front; creamy mouthfeel, flavors of caramel, the crust of bread, hints of brown sugar, subtle apple brandy, and spice. There are just enough hops present to balance this beer, and let the malt coat and work the inside of the mouth. This ale has a nice, semi-dry, spicy finish. Honestly, I'm not sure that I have had a rye ale that serves up and features the rye the way that this beer does . . . It's all about the rye in this beer. At 7% ABV, this beer comes off malty, and frankly, that's exactly what I like about this beer. It's not overly-hopped and hiding the rye, like many other rye ales that I have tried. Rather, it stages some of the great qualities that rye has to offer; subtle apple brandy notes, and a spicy, dry characteristic to the finish. This beer succeeds in exactly what it sets out to do; take the great qualities of rye addition to the mash, and throw them in your face. You want some rye? I got your rye . . .

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