Terrapin Rye Squared DIPA

Beer: Terrapin Rye Squared DIPA
Brewery Location: Athens, GA
Beer Style: DIPA
ABV: 8.5%



I wasn't all that impressed with my last selection from Terrapin, but I have high hopes for this beer. I've enjoyed their special series of beers that they have done seasonally, and I only have one more to try out of the four they do. Their Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal stout has been my favorite thus far. For this beer they took their regular rye pale ale and doubled up all of the ingredients.

This beer pours a nice golden orange color with a small off-white head on it. This beer left a thin blanket of head for most of the beer, and didn't really leave much lacing to speak of. The nose starts out fairly pungent with aromas of the rye malt being quite dominant with the floral/citrus scents of the hops coming in nicely after the initial rush of the malt scent. The flavor profile is quite unique and complex. I initially got mostly malt sweetness upfront, but the rye spice and bitter hops came in about mid-drink. I never got the heavy malt sweetness again though during the beer. There is a good deal of pine and grapefruit in the hop bitterness here, but the spicy rye also helps to keep things in check a little bit. This is quite interesting to say the least. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, but there is a good amount of alcohol kick in the finish as well. The drinkability is good even with the little shot of alcohol in finish.

I enjoyed this seasonal offering from Terrapin, but I still have to say that the Wake-n-Bake is still my personal favorite thus far. I don't know how long this will be on the shelves in the south, but if you can get any I would recommend it.

Cheers!
Matt

Two Brother's Cane and Ebel

Beer: Two Brother's Cane and Ebel
Brewery Location: Warrenville, Ill
Beer Style: Rye Beer
Serving Style: Bottle/Bomber
ABV: 7.0%


This is my second review of a Two Brother's beer. This one is a little special though. It's a limited series and what is out on the shelf's right now is all, so if you see it grab one. I enjoyed this before the Purdue game on Saturday night. I enjoyed this one with my great friend and beer drinking buddy Kevin.

It pours a very dark ruddy/reddish hue with a very small off white head that dissipated very quickly with decent lacing down the pint glass. The smell isn't as pronounced as other rye beers I've sampled. I get minimal grapefruit smell with sweet sugar and a small dose of rye. The taste is very bold and well balanced with bready maltiness huge hop pine/grapefruit flavor and leaves a sweet sugar flavor at the back of my palate. This is very unique and very satisfying. I will warn you that the mouthfeel is very thick and coating. I really want one of these on a cool fall day. The drinkability for one is very high, but I wouldn't go back for much more at one time. This really is a very nice surprise and am very happy I got to try it.

I hope Two Brother's will bring this back. It's a great offering and it's great to see brewers going into categories like rye beers. Great offering.

4.25 out of 5.
Cheers!
Matt