Product: Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye Ale: In Time for Easter, “Hop” Into Your Local Brewpub and Grab a Rye Ale Producer: Bear Republic Brewing Company Approximate Retail Value: $4.99 for 22 oz. Category: Beer Country of Origin: California, USA Reviewer: Jon Costantino The F Words: Flavor – Nutty, raisin, rye bread. Feel – Full-bodied. Finish – A slowly fading bitterness.

Rating:

Beers that advertised themselves as “hoppy” usually disappoint. Most of the time, a beer which emphasizes the amount of hops, which is a plant added to beer to cut the sweetness of the malt in the brew, gets in the way of a good pint. It makes the beer heavy and overly bitter, making it less refreshing. Luckily, California’s Bear Republic gets the recipe right, with just enough hops to make its Hop Rod Rye Ale a delightful, dark amber, without knocking over the drinker with flavor.

The color of the beer is a deep brown, bordering on a burgundy. The head comes down to a nice level with not too many bubbles. When you first sip the beer, the scent has a slight almond aroma, and with the addition of 18 percent of rye, has the slight raisin scent of bread. The ale is also full of alcohol (8 percent ABV), which gives you the satisfaction of having a “real” drink.  While some might be taken aback by this, it is actually quite refreshing. The finish is very satisfying and leaves just enough of the taste of the beer that makes you wanting more.

I was very impressed by the overall presentation of the Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye Ale (and the flaming car on the label doesn’t hurt either).  For a craft brew that prides itself on being on the bitter side of things with, with all the hops and rye added, I was not scared away.  And don’t be surprised if there is a bit of sediment at the bottom of the bottle; it’s the sign that there is some real ingredients in there. So as March enters its “lamb” phase, try having a Bear with your next meal, or when you visit the brewpub, and you’ll be surprised—a Bear that hops?