With the first day of Autumn less than a week away, I was wanting to find a beer that would help me mark the occasion of yet another summer passing much too quickly. Something bright yet warming to span the best of both seasons. Skeleton Red Rye IPA from Four String Brewing fits the bill perfectly. With a big hop character nestled beside rich fall hues of ruddy gold, this beer will do quite nicely.
On the nose, this beer is complex and upfront with its aromas. Earthy pine and grapefruit peel combine with faint hints of tropical fruit and resin to create a freshness that borders on dank. Spice notes, from both the hops and the rye, sparkle brightly at the sides, while a noticeable backbone of toasted grains and crackers balance out the hop strength. The aroma is powerful yet fast, with each breath lasting only a moment before fading. This works out nicely, because it makes you want to drink in order to discover more layers of complexity.
From the first sip, the malts arrive in a powerful fashion. Toast and crackers return, while notes of sesame seeds and even some soy sauce-like flavors creep in. Husky grains create a robust character that builds a great foundation over the tongue and creates what I like to call a “Dirty IPA” – huge IPA brightness, with a hefty dose of malts. And speaking of brightness, the hops in this beer shine bright like a tasty, humulone diamond. Hop spice and citrus arrive first, led by zesty grapefruit peel. Resinous pine brings about a heavy hop strength that spreads bitterness across the back of the mouth. Earthy, slightly herbal notes are next, hand in hand with the rye spice, to fill the mouth with a full yet bubbling richness that ends fairly dry. Near the end, a slight hint of tropical pineapple lends some sweetness, aided by some malty caramel notes, to achieve a great balance in the midst of huge complexity. This is a beer that almost requires multiple pints just to experience the full array of flavors and aromas. And that’s high five material in my book.
In a word, Skeleton Red Rye IPA from Four String is awesome. In eleven words, it’s a kickass beer that’ll hold your tastebuds hostage with dominating flavor. And, at 6.66% ABV and 66 IBU, it has a smartass attitude that comes through in both flavor and aroma. A perfect drink for the looming Autumnal passage, Skeleton Red deserves a spot in your mouth. Right now. Seriously, go drink it.
full disclosure: Superior Beverage, Four String’s distributor, is a client
