Doan’s Craft Brewing Company Rye IPA Rye IPA at 6% ABV | 60 IBU (C$6.60 at Andrew Hilton Wine & Spirits, 946 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 22-Nov-2017, reviewed 22-Nov-2017)
Appearance: clear pale gold two fingers of fluffy white head diminishing gradually to a thin skim, minimal lacing. (3/5) Aroma: rye bread, caramel, sugary fruit, hint of coffee. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, high bitter, light peppery spice. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter mildly spicy finish. (3/5)
I’ve had a couple of Doan collaborations before (partnered with the usual suspects out of BC: Parallel 49 and Russell, doing an Altbier and a Pilsner, respectively) and they’ve both been right about this point on the quality meter… so… they’ve got consistency going for them, I guess? To be fair, there’s not a lot wrong here as such, but there’s not a whole lot great, either. This is kind of right on the line of “neither fish nor fowl”, making me wish they’d either committed more strongly to the rye, or backed off on it and made it a side note. As it is, though, it just comes across as a little confused – which, I guess, is an occupational hazard of attempting a Rye IPA, instead of a straight-up Rye Beer (or IPA). It’s OK, sure, but no better than that. (13/20)
6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
