Doesn’t Sierra Nevada already have a rye IPA? They do. It’s called Ruthless Rye, and it’s a fantastic rye IPA. I haven’t seen that beer in a while, though, but I did pick up some of another rye beer from Sierra Nevada recently. Sierra Nevada River Ryed is also described as a rye IPA, is sold in cans, and I bought it at their new brewery in Mills River, North Carolina.

So why the new Rye IPA? I’m not quite sure. I get the cans are themed for on the go activities. The label has a group of rafters doing their favorite thing on the label, and rafting is popular in the Asheville area where the new Sierra Nevada brewery is located. Still, why not just can Ruthless Rye instead?

From the can label:

This hop-forward beer features intense citrus and herbal hop flavor balanced by the peppery spice of rye for a dry and delicious end to a rafting journey.

I will add I’ve never seen this beer other than at the new brewery, so perhaps an exclusive? I’m sure I don’t know, but I do know that the beer has an alcohol content of 6% by volume (Ruthless Rye has 6.6%), so perhaps the lower ABV is more conducive to outdoor activities as well. River Ryed was going for $9.99 a six-pack at the brewery retail outlet.

Sierra Nevada River Ryed Rye IPA pours to a brilliant reddish amber color with a massive rocky head formation and a delightfully enticing nose of citrus fruit and peppery rye. A very thick layer of Brussels Lace forms on the sides of the glass and follows the liquid all the way to the bottom of my glass. Taking a sip, the beer has a firm caramel maltiness up front followed by light citrusy hops and lots and lots of spicy rye notes, really like drinking a slice of rye bread. There’s an intense herbal hop bitterness in the finish that works very well indeed with the spicy rye, leaving the beer to finish long and dry.

Drinking the beer really reminds me of Ruthless Rye, but for some reason it’s a hair less impressive. Still a great beer though, and one I would buy again-if I can’t get the Ruthless Rye that is.

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