Rye Beers: Rye Rising?

“The rye revival is here. Bakers are returning to the hearty grain for rich, dark breads. Cocktail heads demand rye whiskey in their Manhattans. And now, a growing band of brewers is turning to the complex, earthy spice of rye for a new take on the strong flavors craft-beer drinkers have grown to love.” –The Rye Time for a New Style of Beer, The Wall Street Journal, March 10, 2012

Rye beer is any beer that substitutes rye for some portion of the barley malt.  As The Wall Street Journal points out, rye whiskey has a long history in this country, but rye beer is a relatively new phenomenon for the average American beer drinker.  It was popular in Germany, especially Bavaria, until the 15th century, when a period of bad harvests resulted in a law being passed that ruled rye could only be used for baking bread.  Rye beer vanished for nearly 500 years until it reappeared in Bavaria in 1988.

Today, the fastest growing category is the rye IPA, or “rye-p-a,” known for being nutty, spicy and hoppy with a hint of light, fruity flavor.  Shoppers Vineyard is proud to be a part of the rebirth of rye and offers the following rye beers.

Goose Island Pepe Nero Belgian Style Ale
From the brewer: With an aroma of roasted chestnuts and a mysteriously dark, mahogany hue, Pepe Nero is a farmhouse ale brewed with black peppercorns. His roasty sweetness melds into a lingering, earthy, black pepper finish that is ideal for pairing with grilled meats and roasted vegetables.

The Bruery Saison Rue
From the brewer: This unfiltered, bottle conditioned, Belgian/French-style farmhouse ale is a beer of subtlety and complexity, with malted rye, spicy, fruity yeast notes, biscuit-like malt backbone, and a slight citrus hop character.  It is a different beer when fresh and when aged.  We hope you enjoy it in all its incarnations.

Widmer Brothers Rotator IPA Series – O’Ryely IPA
From the brewer: Rye spiciness, distinctly hopped. O'Ryely IPA is a big, punchy IPA with notable hoppiness and just a touch of caramel malty sweetness. Brewed with rye and Nelson Sauvin hops imported from New Zealands South Island, the beer features subtle rye spiciness and fruity, berry-like aroma and flavor.

Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA 2012
From the brewer: Rye has been a staple grain for millennia, sought after for its stubborn resilience in the field and revered for its unique flavor. Ruthless Rye IPA is brewed with rustic grains for refined flavors—combining the peppery spice of rye and the bright citrusy flavors of whole-cone hops to create a complex ale for the tumultuous transition to spring. 

Great Divide Hoss Rye Lager
From the brewer: Hoss is based on the Marzen lagers of Germany. Rich, layered malt notes with hints of cherry and dark fruits dominate, while the unique addition of rye imparts a slightly earthy, spicy character. Hoss finishes crisp and dry, and its brilliant red-orange color is a toast to the sunsets that make the perfect backdrop for this beer.

Sixpoint Righteous Ale
From the brewer: They should be good men; their affairs as righteous. Made with rye malt to provide a signature and distinct earthy character. Seasoned and dry-hopped with herbal and citrus hops. Truly righteous.

Oskar Blues Gubna Imperial IPA
From the brewer: Emphasizing that complexity of character can arise from simple elements, this ale is made with 3 malts and 1 hop. Its light amber color and slightly spicy malt character are derived from the use of German Dark Munich Malt and Rye Malt respectively. North American 2-row barley combines with the other grains to lay the foundation for the hop onslaught to come. This beer will greet you with a pungent citrus blast, provide a spicy yet round middle and finish with a brisk, clean bitterness.