Archive for the 'Rye' category
Great Divide Hoss
This beer won a bronze in the rye beer category at the 2009 Great American Beer Festival (GABF), and when I was compiling the post of reviewed winners, I was surprised to learn this beer had not been reviewed. I could have sworn Ben had drunk this. Knowing that the beer was still on tap at a local bar, I decided to check it out. Also, the beer is based on the Marzen style, so it kind of / sort of fits in with the Oktoberfest 2009 reviews.
Poured into a pint glass the beer provided a thick, off-white head and an amber hued body. Attacking my nose were unmistakable scents of rye. Joining the aroma melee were cereal grains and dark fruit. Unsurprisingly rye was a very predominant taste. Big, hearty, rye. Surprisingly the beer went less cereal grain and more bready when it ran through my mouth. Clean through the mouth the beer ended with a large rye bread taste that went a bit spicey and smokey, like the crust of the bread got slightly burnt.
Certainly a beer that sticks out in the taste department, and one I found quite drinkable. Not sure how it stands up to other rye beers because I am not a big rye beer drinker (I do not remember the last rye beer I had). The bronze at GABF is a pretty good sign of the beer’s quality though. If you could not ascertain from the review, if you do not like rye, you are best to let this beer lie. (Wow that was a pretty awful ending.)
