It’s true, I am perpetually harping on the awesomeness of Left Hand Brewing. I’m totally, shamelessly on their jock, and I’m ok with that. When most thought it couldn’t get any worse, Left Hand went and did a limited release collaboration beer with Terrapin Brewing out of Athens, GA. If that wasn’t enough to send me into rare beer frenzy, this collaborative concoction just happened to be the synthesis of two beer styles that make my pulse race with joy: rye grain brews and black lagers. Good lord, are they trying to give me a heart attack?
When poured into a pint glass, Terra Rye’Zd’s body has the appearance of cola, minus the carbonation. A magnificent crown of tan head laces down the glass into little microspecks of foam.
The brew’s aromas are woodsy and earthy yet clean. Dominant scents are roasted grain and rye bread, with hints of smokiness and dark chocolate.
In terms of taste, there’s nothing passive about Terra-Rye’Zd; this is definitely an active beer, even though it’s only 37 IBU. The first sip starts off with a mouth puckering rye bite, which I find to be entirely satisfying. It’s a strong essence that lets you know the beer is present. Mouthfeel is medium- to heavy-bodied for a lager, with a bockish sharpness and the tingling that comes from rye grain.
The brew finishes with that burnt, near acidic, schwarzbier flavor that maintains until the next sip, which renews the rye intensity on the palate. Typical of rye beers, the finish is extra long, almost like 3 consecutive finishes full of bite. Pure beer geek bliss.
I’ve long admired Terrapin’s Rye Pale Ale, and Left Hand has knocked the socks off my taste buds in the past with their Rye Doppelbock. So, I’ve experienced rye ales and lagers from both breweries, but the pair have really outdone themselves with Terra Rye’Zd. Now here’s the best part; this beer is the first installment of The Midnight Project Series. I have no idea when Part 2 comes out, but you better believe I will be there with my pint glass in hand.
This article appears in Feb 18-24, 2009.