Founder's Red's Rye

Founder's Red's Rye:

Had this beer several times on tap at Cork, once at High Street Grille, and now in a bottle. Damn fine. Simply described as "red ale made with rye", this beer has a lot more than that to offer a real beer lover. Acres of flavor with a medium body. Red Ales never had it so good. The rye is evident, but even more so when you're eating rye bread. Wash down a Reuben sandwich with this fine brew and put your taste buds to the test. Also clearly evident are the hops. Got a nice bitterness, especially at the finish.

Now this is a cool hoppy alternative to the super-sized IPAs that float around from time to time. See if you agree with this assessment: Sierra Celebration meets Hop Devil meets Dock Street Rye IPA. I wonder if I could have a tan and tan and tan with these three and check it out.

Much like the Hop Devil, this ale goes down very smoothly and may surprise you at 6.8% abv, so don't be afraid of Red's Rye, but respect it for sure. More like an IPA than a red, so Killian's drinkers are going to either be converted or disgusted. Either way, Founder's brews have impressed me since I first tried them a few short weeks ago. Red's Rye is a work horse of a beer, and highly recommended.

Founder's Red's Rye:

Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: .95
Style: .95
Personal Preference: .98

Total Score: 3.88 Flags

Victory Hop Wallop

Victory Hop Wallop:

The first time I had Hop Wallop (a few years ago now) I had it in my head that this beer was a bit too much. A little too bitter, a touch too hoppy, a tad too strong, a mite to dry, an aftertaste that lingered a second too long...

Well Victory Hop Wallop is more than I remembered. It's hoppier, spicier, bitterer, drunkier...Basically better than I remembered.

If Hop Devil has a crazy uncle chained up in the attic, Hop Wallop is that uncle. The body is pretty light considering its 8.5% abv and generous hoptastic shenanigans. Not syrupy at all -- very crisp. Opens up nicely in a glass, but Hop Wallop is drinkable right out of the bottle (if you're into that kind of thing). Many IPAs would be a little stifled in a bottle, but Victory makes a mean brew with just enough balance to satisfy anyone thirsting for serious hop satisfaction.

Hop Wallop is not for beginners... Intermediate level at least. Andvanced students of hoppery will continue to be challenged by the relentless finish of Victory's craziest old coot -- Horace "Hop" Wallop. Use this bitter beer to spice up some tame fare. I only suggest this because I tried using it to wash down a spicy chile green salsa and the flavors kinda clashed. Too much.

Victory Hop Wallop:

Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: .90
Style: 1.0
Personal Preference: 1.0

Total Score: 3.9 Flags