Boulevard has released a new addition to their Smokestack Series of beers, bringing the total count to 13. This one is quite unique, and uses one of my favorite grains ever – rye. Brewmaster Steven Pauwels didn’t stop there, though – 67% of the beer was aged in rye whiskey barrels from Templeton microdistillery in Iowa for 11 months, giving the beer a mature characteristic while retaining just enough gnarliness from the rye.
It pours a beautiful color, and tastes delicious. I’ll let the video do the talking:
(Note: I have re-uploaded the video without music. Enjoy!)
The Breakdown:
- Originality within style (20): Pretty much sets its own style.
- Nose (16): Pungent, and overwhelmingly malty – not representative of the beer.
- Mouthfeel (18): A full assault of the palate – hopped just enough to balance the rye.
- Character (18): Interesting, full-bodied, perhaps lacking something underneath? Beautiful color.
- Overall Quality (18): 11 months of aging in barrels shows some dedication. Not sure how I feel about it being cut with fresh rye beer.
- Total (90): An excellent addition to your beer collection. Consider aging this one for a year or two.
Beer: Rye-on-Rye, No. 13 in the Smokestack Series
ABV: 11%
Brewer: Boulevard Brewing Co, Kansas City, MO
Availability: Approx 800 mile radius of Kansas City
Reviewed by: Jameson Huckaba (twitter: @jamesonhuckaba)
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hey jameson, my thoughts have nothing to do with the beer, but the addition of tunes. may i suggest you do something a little more melodic? not opposed to music in the background, but it’s has some repetitive sections that distract me from the beer! maybe something a little more mellow and and a bit less intense. just an idear.
I agree with gab, the music was distracting. Rethink this. Otherwise, the beer looks great. I’m anxious to try it.