When it comes to rye beers I’m a little undecided. It’s not that I necessarily dislike the qualities that rye offers a brew, it’s just that the few I have had in the past tended to overwhelm the pallet. Because of this apprehension the 473mL/6.1% abv. can of Fire in the Rye from Double Trouble Brewing Co. sat in the fridge for 3 weeks before I got around to sampling it. To my surprise (relief really) this rye beer was more balanced and less rye intense than I had feared. It pours from the can with a slowly diminishing, fluffy, warm white head that sits atop a hazy, unfiltered, medium auburn beer. The initial flavour was slightly sweet and acidic, with a moderately strong malt character of roasted grain, cereal and brown sugar. The hop bouquet was light but complex, showing up as flowers and herbs. There was also fruit, to me it seemed as though it was a mixture of orange, lime and pear, these developed late and were very subtle. Fire in the Rye has a long finish that’s moderately bitter and slightly acidic with a mouth feel throughout that’s pleasantly soft, but ends moderately astringent and lightly alcoholic. ♦♦♦◊◊
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