Boulevard Brewing Company Rye-On-Rye - 33% Ale, 67% Ale aged in Rye Whisky Barrels

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Boulevard Brewing Company Rye-On-Rye - 33% Ale, 67% Ale aged in Rye Whisky Barrels. I brought this bottle back from Kansas City, MO from a shop that Keith from Boulevard Brewing Company recommended. He said that Berbiglia (here) would most likely have some of this one and sure enough, they did!

From the Boulevard Brewing Company website: “Why Rye? This assertively flavorful grain is more often associated with whiskey than with ales. Even in that arena, it has largely been eclipsed by corn and barley, the sources of bourbon and scotch. But when we procured some seasoned barrels from our friends at Templeton Rye, we asked ourselves, “Why not?” Why not brew a rich, tawny rye ale, then mellow it in the warmth of charred oak rye whiskey casks? Two kinds of malted rye provide spicy sweetness, giving way to notes of caramelized wood and the citrusy tang of Citra and Ahtanum hops before easing into a dry, lingering finish.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a hazy amber color with a nice off-white head and good lacing.

Aroma: Whisky, spicy rye, brown sugar, tasted oak and caramel malts.

Taste: Boozy, but in a good way with whisky, sweet caramel, vanilla, rye, brown sugar, oak and dark fruits.

Overall: Balanced nicely – not too sweet, not too boozy, not too spicy - Boulevard Brewing Company Rye-On-Rye is yet another example of why I love this brewery. This 12% ABV offering is ridiculously good and most certainly worth picking up.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

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