Beer Review #22: Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye

This is the Sierra Nevada season beer for Spring, which became available in March, and which I picked up along with the Autumn seasonal Tumbler recently. I thoroughly enjoyed the two Sierra Nevada beers I've tried before - the Pale Ale and the Torpedo - so I've got high hopes for this one. Also, with the presence of rye, it should at least be something different.

American IPA at 6.6%

L: This one pours a nice coppery-amber tone with a generous two and a half finger off-white head. It leaves a good amount of lacing, and the carbonation is medium, despite the pillar or bubbles being generated by the etched base of the Duvel glass. The beer retains a film throughout. It looks good overall, a lot darker than the other Sierra Nevadas. 7/10

S: Like the other S.N. beers, it's quite hoppy. Those floral and pine scents are always there, which does give the beer a nice springtime or summertime quality. As well as that though, there really is a gorgeous light peppery smell, along with the smell of other spices, which comes from the rye. Fruit is there too, with hints of citrus and a strong presence of grapefruit. Finally, the beer has slight malty notes hidden around the hops. Very nice, quite complex. 8/10

T: Very well balanced, malty right at the front, and nice and hoppy at the back. There's a nice subtle breadiness throughout, as well as the citrus and floral flavours. Pine is in the middle towards the back and there's a strage peppery taste to finish off. The aftertaste is all hops. 8/10

M: The mouthfeel is smooth and drinkable, big enough to carry all those flavours but small enough so as not to be too overpowering. 8/10

The verdict: Very nice beer, really enjoyable. It certainly competes with the Pale Ale and the Torpedo, both of which were very impressive. Really well balanced and worth a try. 8/10

The Drunken Destrier score: 78/100