Beer of the Weekend #558: Frost Line Rye
Though the beer of the weekend is not from Russia (to honor the Winter Olympics’ host country), it is from a place that can be quite Siberian: Frost Line Rye, brewed by the Summit Brewing Company of Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. The “ENJOY BY” date printed on the shoulder is “06/22/14.”
Appearance: Poured into a tulip glass. The color is medium brown with a light amber tone. (The beer’s webpage calls it “crimson.”) Two fingers of eggshell-colored head leaves a spotted and bubbly skim and a thick ring around the edge.
Smell: A whole lot of enticing deliciousness! Toasted malts, caramel, toffee, lots of chocolate, and a big dose of rye. It is somewhat reminiscent of pumpernickel, but the toasted malts and chocolate are very prominent and tend to make any likeness to rye bread fleeting. Orange and slowly emerging grapefruit also negate any true resemblance, but I will not complain.
Taste: The flavor delivers exactly what the aroma promised. Rye is obviously the star of the beer, working the taste buds throughout each sip and in the aftertaste with a lasting spice and bitterness. It is supported by toasted malts, caramel, chocolate, orange zest, a little pine resin, and a touch of grapefruit.
Drinkability: An excellent “transition” beer that offers both winter malt and spice and teasing spring zest. This is damn good stuff and another winner from Summit.
Fun facts about FLR:
-Style: It is classified on BA as “Rye Beer.”
-Price: $7.99/sixer at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: According to the beer’s webpage, “Serve in a stemmed tulip glass at 44-48° F.”
-Alcohol content: 5.8 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: Recommendations listed on the beer’s webpage are “jerk chicken and pork, south Indian curry, pepper jack cheese and Irish Salmon.”
-IBU: 55.
-Description via Summit:
The Quiet Man’s grade: B+/A-.
Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. The “ENJOY BY” date printed on the shoulder is “06/22/14.”
Appearance: Poured into a tulip glass. The color is medium brown with a light amber tone. (The beer’s webpage calls it “crimson.”) Two fingers of eggshell-colored head leaves a spotted and bubbly skim and a thick ring around the edge.
Smell: A whole lot of enticing deliciousness! Toasted malts, caramel, toffee, lots of chocolate, and a big dose of rye. It is somewhat reminiscent of pumpernickel, but the toasted malts and chocolate are very prominent and tend to make any likeness to rye bread fleeting. Orange and slowly emerging grapefruit also negate any true resemblance, but I will not complain.
Taste: The flavor delivers exactly what the aroma promised. Rye is obviously the star of the beer, working the taste buds throughout each sip and in the aftertaste with a lasting spice and bitterness. It is supported by toasted malts, caramel, chocolate, orange zest, a little pine resin, and a touch of grapefruit.
Drinkability: An excellent “transition” beer that offers both winter malt and spice and teasing spring zest. This is damn good stuff and another winner from Summit.
Fun facts about FLR:
-Style: It is classified on BA as “Rye Beer.”
-Price: $7.99/sixer at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: According to the beer’s webpage, “Serve in a stemmed tulip glass at 44-48° F.”
-Alcohol content: 5.8 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: Recommendations listed on the beer’s webpage are “jerk chicken and pork, south Indian curry, pepper jack cheese and Irish Salmon.”
-IBU: 55.
-Description via Summit:
Hidden in the cold ground in the dark of winter, lie little seeds of hope. So, to help hasten the spring thaw, we give you an ale bursting with the spicy goodness of malted rye and floral, citrusy hops. A “between seasons” seasonal, if you will.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B+/A-.
