Head to Head: Founders Red’s Rye vs. Terrapin Rye Pale Ale

Welcome to another Head to Head challenge. Today we have two Beers brewed with Rye. Both beers are from America. The first is the Founders Reds Rye from Michigan. The second is the Terrapin Rye Pale Ale from Georgia.

This tasting was done blind but is not to style. Why you ask? Well these beers are all different styles but they share one major characteristic, they all are brewed with rye. So lets see which is the best beer and what if anything the rye contributes.

Price: Winner – Unsure

Red’s – ?? (this was brought to me from a friend in Ohio)

Terrapin – $9.99 (6 pack 12 oz bottles)

Appearance: Winner – Red’s with a beautiful head

Red’s – The beer pours a orange-red color with a large frothy off-white head. The head leaves a nice lace as it recedes.

Terrapin – The average size white head sits atop a yellowish-amber beer. The Head leaves a very thick lace.

Aroma: Winner – Terrapin

Red’s – The aroma is full of hops with some notes of resin and a touch of allspice. There is a bit of rye in the aroma but less than the other beer.

Terrapin – The aroma has notes of straw, flowers a bit of orange and a hint of rye. Quite a bit going on here and it all meshes really well

Taste: Winner – Red’s

Red’s – Has some full on hop bitterness from start to finish. It does have a bit of rye and sweetness but there is little doubt that the hops dominate although they never overpower.

Terrapin – This has a nice drinkable taste. It is ulikely to offend. It has a light bitterness to start but you can definitely taste the rye as the sweetness develops.

Body/Finish: Winner – Red’s

Red’s – The beer has a medium body with a long dry finish with lots of good hop bitterness.

Terrapin – The light body still manages to produce a reasonale finish and some bitterness.

Overall: Winner – Red’s
What does this tell us about using Rye in beer. Not a lot. Both of these beers have plenty to offer. The Terrapin has a very drinkable flavor with just enough rye to make it stand out from beers of a similar style that do not use Rye (check out how it did in the American Pale Ale H2H’s). But when both beers have rye like here the Red’s Rye just has so much more flavor. It may be a bit to hoppy for some but I think there is enough sweetness and rye to really create a great beer. So if you are bored of the usual grains give a Rye a chance especially the Founders Red’s Rye.

~ by alelagerlambic on May 15, 2008.