266. Sixpoint Righteous Ale

Rye in beer is something relatively new but it seems many brewers are adding a rye beer to their lineup including this option from Sixpoint. 


Righteous Ale pours a deep red with a sizable head of big bubbles. Aroma is fairly reserved but pleasant. Some spicy rye notes and citrus fruits. Taste is very interesting with a lot going on. Starts with spicy rye and sweet malts then has a bit of hop bite but finished clean with plenty of rye. Overall this is a very enjoyable beer that is refreshing and easy to drink. 


I believe this is the last of the canned beers from Sixpoint and I have to say all are solid beers. If you find yourself in your local beer store looking for a solid beer to drink you can't go wrong with a 4-pack of Sixpoint 16 ounce cans. 
Pros: Appearance and very drinkable
Cons: 
Alcohol Content: 6.3% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 57
Rating: 
Brewers Website: Sixpoint

Brewers Description: 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.

262. Founders Red's Rye Pale Ale

I was not sure what to expect from this beer from Founders as the prior Rye beers I have reviewed were mixed with the option from Sierra Nevada being terrible and the Maine Winnah from Penobscot Bay being quite good. Fortunately for me this one ended up being very good. 


Color is a nice red with single finger head that sits there throughout the entire beer leaving nice areas of lacing on the glass. Lots of aroma coming from this one with some grapefruit and pine. Smells more like an IPA than a Pale Ale. Taste mirrors the smell with a very complex mix of malts, hops and spice. Very well balanced and tastes smooth going down. This is the best of the rye beers I have had to date and one of the top options from Founders. Of course I still have a KBS to review so I am sure that will take top honors as soon as I open it. 
Pros: Very well balanced
Cons: 
Alcohol Content: 6.6% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 70
Rating:  
Brewers Website: Founders

Brewers Description: Serious hop bitterness, along with an unyielding grapefruit bouquet from the Amarillo dry hop, balances the malty richness of four varieties of imported Belgian caramel malts. Pours a spectacular crimson with a creamy tan head. A generous addition of rye malt accentuates a spicy, crisp finish.

250. Penobscot Bay Brewery Winnah 2011

I visited Penobscot Bay Brewery last week and while I was there picked up the 3 beers they brew that I had not tried yet including the Winnah 2011 which is the beer that won the 2011 Home Brew Contest in Bangor, ME. The winner was Nate Engelbrecht and he was invited to the brewery to make a batch of his Rye IPA to bottle and sell. Penobscot Bay brewed another batch of this beer in recent weeks and is bottling one last time before the next home brew contest. I believe the beer will remain in their lineup under a different name and I hope it does.


Color is a deep orange almost brown with a thick off white head. Aroma has some citrus hops and plenty of sweet malts. Taste starts with plenty of malts and has a solid hop finish with some grapefruit and pine flavors. This is the first rye beer that I truly enjoyed and is very well balanced. Really enjoyed this one and will grab a couple more bottles the next time I am in Winterport. If you are interested in a bottle let me know and I will grab you one too as this will be gone soon. 
Pros: Very well balanced
Cons: 
Alcohol Content: 7% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating:  
Brewers Website: Penobscot Bay Brewery

Brewers Description: Not currently listed on their website. 

140. Rising Tide Daymark

Rising Tide is doing great things in Portland and I was pleased to find this at The Vault in Lewiston. Also heading over there tomorrow for a beer tasting which will include offerings from Rising Tide. This is their American Pale Ale and it is all good. Nice color; some citrus, honey and other sweet tones in the aroma. Taste is slightly sweet with a solid hop finish. Beer is smooth, easy to drink and finishes clean.
Pros: Well balanced 

Cons: 

Alcohol Content: 5.5 ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating: 
Brewers Website: Rising Tide

Brewers Description: Chart a new course with Daymark as your guide. We start with a classic, clean and crisp American pale ale brewed with spicy Columbus and Centennial hops. Then we accent the grain bill with rye grown on small local family farms right here in Maine and malted to our specifications at Valley Malts, an artisanal malt house. Finally we dry hop the finished beer for a bright floral aroma.

daymark [dey-mahrk] (n)—a navigational aid distinctively marked for daytime visibility, normally attached to a permanent structure in the water