Day 21 (8/14/2011): Line Dry Rye by Oakshire Brewing

This guy is Oakshire Brewing's summer seasonal. From the horse's mouth:

"Line Dry Rye is a honey-orange colored pale ale. It is crafted with 10% rye malt and 10% flaked rye for a complex malt profile. American hops give Line Dry a crisp bitterness and a slight citrusy flavor. Clean and refreshing , it ends with just a small note of blackberry honey in the finish that brings all of the elements together.The name ‘Line Dry’ was chosen as the perfect fit for summer in the Willamette Valley. With only a small window of opportunity to practice this energy saving practice, we think it is time you sit back with a pint of Line Dry Rye and watch the clothes dry!"


It pours a hazy pale gold with a tiny, fizzy head that disappears pretty much immediately. Even without the head, though, it leaves pretty good lacing as you drink it.

Surprisingly, I don't get much, if any, rye on the nose. There is a malty bread-like smell that leads me to believe this is going to be a sweet one.

The taste is sweet, but not overly show. The rye that was absent in the nose shows up here, lending a moderate bit of spiciness that counteracts the sweetness. The fruitiness of the hops combines with the sweetness for a great refreshing combination. There is a slight hoppy finish, but it is not too noticeable.

The body of this is somewhat heavy, which is strange for a summer beer or any beer of this style. There is medium carbonation; just enough to mix with the spicy earthiness of the rye to deliver a slight jab to the tongue.

Overall I think this is a great summer beer. If I had it available here, I'd prefer this to Oberon or pretty much any summer seasonal any day of the week. I could go for a little more rye based on my personal preference on the nose and a little lighter body for those hot outdoor days, but there's not a whole lot to complain about here. It's not going to blow you away, but it is a  solid choice. I give Line Dry Rye by Oakshire Brewing a B+.

Style: Rye Beer
ABV: 5.5%
IBU: 35
Beer Advocate: B-
Ratebeer: 59/58

Acquired from a generous BA in Oregon. I don't think this one gets out these ways at all, so you'll have to get it the same way I did: from someone who gets distribution.

Day 13 (8/6/2011): Glen's Hop Vice Imperial IPA by Oakshire Brewing

 In the massive haul I received yesterday (picture of which was in the last post), one of the goodies was a swingtop bottled filled with a single batch imperial IPA  named Glen's Hop Vice from Oakshire Brewing in Oregon. I threw it in the fridge right when I opened the box and this was the first bottle I got to enjoy.


Glen's Hop Vice pours a golden body with a fluffy, milky head. It leaves a good amount of lacing on the glass as it dies down. The nose is very hop forward, with a background of caramel sweetness. The hops are fruity, citrusy, resinous deliciousness. The hop flavors are so strong and fresh that they almost seem dank. Very good.

The taste is pretty much the same. Very complex hop flavors, with a good sweet finish. The hops bring a grapefruit flavor, which is one of my favorite tastes in an IPA. The taste is maltier than the nose, but this brings it to balance

I thought the body was really thick, but I forgot this was an imperial IPA, not a regular one. For the former, it still might still be a bit thick, but not by much. The carbonation is medium and about perfect. The booze feel is a little upfront, but the burn is only small.

I give Glen's Hop Vice Imperial IPA by Oakshire Brewing a B+. It is a very good imperial IPA, but in a very tough style, it doesn't live up to some of the heavy hitters. It's still a very good selection, though, and I would definitely recommend it and would grab a pint of it if I ever saw it on tap.

Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 8.8%
IBU: ?
Beer Advocate: A (Only three reviews)
Ratebeer: Not available due to too few reviews

Acquired via a special box from Oregon. If you're not in Oregon right now, you probably won't be able to get ahold of it, considering that it's a one off batch.