November is a time to enjoy. Most of the leaves have fallen, Halloween is over, and I’m usually sitting by a fire enjoying Bear Republic’s Hop Rod Rye.
Hop Rod Rye is a beer I got hooked on when I first got into good beer. It is a deep amber, even approaching brown, with an off white head that really doesn’t persist. Once you pour the beer, you can smell it from across the room. It has a citrus, lime-y aroma. There is even a hint of mint and onion in those hops.
And that aroma really lingers into the flavor. I got a little bit of freshly cut grass, and there is even some brown sugar in there too. But the thing that makes this beer perfect for November is the touch of rye malt.
Anyone who knows me knows I love RyePAs (or Rye IPAs). The addition of rye malt (18% of the total malt in this beer) provides drinkers with a more viscous mouthfeel. Any homebrewer who has used rye knows that it gums up the mash like nobody’s business. Rye also adds a bit of a spicy character in the flavor of this beer and it melds seamlessly with the pungent American hops. That delicious rye has made it’s impression all over this beer!
Hop Rod Rye is the perfect beer to drink with spicy foods as well. There really is nothing quite like Thai to round out your IPA. And at 8% abv, this is a beer to drink in moderation. I usually limit myself to only one bomber…then again, is there really that much harm in another?
Bear Republic’s Hop Rod Rye is available year round in 22 oz bombers at about $5 each. Pick one up, you won’t be disappointed!