There’s a satisfying little rebellion in drinking a rye-forward brew from a namesake West Coast IPA house: it feels like Sierra Nevada nudging tradition and saying, “Let’s spice things up.” Rye Torpedo is that nudge — a confident, approachable IPA that leans on an assertive rye backbone and classic piney-hop character to deliver something familiar with a wink. It’s not a revolution, but it’s a deliberate, well-executed spin that rewards repeated sips.

Rye Torpedo by Sierra Nevada

Appearance: Poured into a tulip, Rye Torpedo shows a clear amber-gold hue with a faint copper tint and a steady, off-white head that leaves a tidy lace as you work through the glass. The carbonation sits lively but not aggressive; at rest it presents the kind of clarity and color that says this beer knows its job and plans to do it without fuss.

Aroma: Upfront, the nose is a textbook Sierra Nevada blend of citrus rind, resinous pine, and floral hop perfume — think grapefruit peel, orange blossom, and fresh-cut spruce. Beneath that, the rye steps in with a subtle spiciness and a whisper of black pepper and dry biscuit that keeps the aroma from falling into one-note hop territory. There’s also a soft, bready malt sweetness that grounds the hops without weighing them down. It’s inviting and balanced: aromatic enough to promise a hop-forward ride but tempered by cereal warmth and rye tang.

Taste: First sip delivers the expected punch of citrus and resin, but the rye is the star of the mid-palate. It brings a peppery, slightly nutty snap that complements rather than competes with the hop bitterness. The bitterness is firm — assertive, but clean — and it plays nicely off a modest caramel malt base that gives the beer some chew and body. Hop flavors range from grapefruit and tangerine to a sapmy, piney undercurrent; they’re classic West Coast but tuned so the rye can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them. The beer never feels overly sticky or sugary — instead, it’s brisk, with the rye adding a dry, spicy dimension that keeps each sip lively.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with a crisp, dry finish, Rye Torpedo offers a pleasant contrast between weight and snap. There’s enough malt to give it substance, but the carbonation and rye’s dryness push it toward a finish that cleans the palate rather than clinging to it. That crispness is one reason the beer drinks easier than the hops’ aromatics might lead you to expect; you can comfortably have two without feeling overwhelmed.

Balance and complexity: Where Rye Torpedo earns its four stars is in the way it balances familiarity with a little adventurousness. Sierra Nevada doesn’t try to complicate the beer with exotic adjuncts or gimmicks — it pares the recipe down to a solid malt bill, a healthy dose of rye, and a hop program that leans classic. That combination produces more nuance than a straight IPA: you get peppery spice, piney resin, citrus tang, and just enough malt sweetness to keep things grounded. It’s not a hyper-complex craft IPA in the avant-garde sense, but it’s thoughtfully assembled and nuanced enough to reward repeated drinking and discussion.

Drinkability and food pairing: With its medium body and dry finish, Rye Torpedo is highly drinkable; it pairs especially well with spiced dishes and smoky proteins. Think pepper-crusted steak, grilled sausages with mustard, or a smoked gouda sandwich — the rye and hop bitterness will stand up to bold flavors without getting lost. For lighter fare, it also complements sharper cheeses and bright salads with citrus-forward dressings. In short, it’s versatile at the table and dependable in the hand.

Packaging and presentation: Brewed by a stalwart of American craft brewing, Rye Torpedo wears the Sierra Nevada badge with quiet confidence. Whether from a can or on draft, it pours true to style and carries a familiar label of quality — no theatrical packaging required. That steady presentation is part of the appeal: this is a brewery that knows how to execute a concept without needing to shout about it.

Who it’s for: If you like West Coast-style IPAs but are curious about something with a spicy twist, Rye Torpedo is a natural fit. It’s friendly enough for hop lovers who prefer balance over pure bitterness, and it has enough character to please drinkers who enjoy rye-forward beers or those looking for a little more texture than a straightforward pale. It’s also a good middle ground for folks who enjoy traditional Sierra Nevada offerings but want something with a touch more grit.

What could be better: The beer’s restraint is mostly a virtue, but it’s also the reason Rye Torpedo doesn’t earn a perfect score. For hop die-hards chasing maximalism or brewers pushing the envelope of acidity, haze, or experimental adjuncts, this will read as conservative — deliberately so. A slightly more adventurous hop profile or a bolder rye presence might tip this from “very good” to “unforgettable” for some palates. That said, the decision to keep it measured preserves broad appeal and drinkability.

Final thoughts: Rye Torpedo is a smart, well-balanced IPA that blends classic West Coast hop character with a spicy rye core for extra personality. It’s not a radical departure from what you expect from Sierra Nevada, but it’s a welcome variant — thoughtful, tasty, and thoroughly drinkable. For those reasons, it earns a solid four out of five stars: a reliable, characterful brew that hits the sweet spot between approachability and distinctiveness.

My Untappd Rating: **** out of 5
Global Untappd Rating: 3.85 out of 5 (as of 5.10.26)

Untappd Description:

Bold hop flavor and full-bodied malt combine in this IPA, inspired by our classic Torpedo but brewed with rye malt.

MALTS
C-60, Munich, Rye, Two-row Pale

HOPS
Chinook

YEAST
Ale

-B. Kline

New Trail drops a sessionable West Coast–inspired IPA that’s built for all-day adventures.

New Trail’s newest Session IPA – 24/7

A beautiful spring day in Dauphin County, the kind where you’re thinking about hitting the Susquehanna or just firing up the grill. I grabbed a 4-pack of New Trail’s latest — 24/7 Session — and figured it was time to see what the Williamsport crew cooked up this time. New Trail has been crushing it with hazies for years (Broken Heels fans know what’s up), but this one takes a different trail: a crisp, hop-forward session IPA with West Coast vibes. Let’s pop the can.

24/7 Hazy Session IPA by New Trail Brewing Co.

Beer: 24/7 Session Brewery: New Trail Brewing Co. (Williamsport, PA) Style: Session IPA (West Coast–inspired) ABV: 4.7% IBU: Not listed, but it carries a solid bite

Appearance: Pours a bright, clear golden hue with a tight white head that settles nicely. Good bubbles rising, and it leaves some solid lacing on the glass. Looks clean and inviting — exactly what you want when you’re planning on having a few without tapping out early.

Aroma: Big hop forward right away. Pine, citrus zest, and a touch of resin with some floral notes dancing around. Centennial, Amarillo, and Simcoe are doing the heavy lifting here, giving it that classic West Coast hop character without going overboard. It’s fresh and bright — makes you think of cracking it open on a hike or by the river.

Taste & Mouthfeel: First sip hits with a nice malt backbone that’s light but supportive — just enough sweetness to balance things out before the hops roll in. You get that firm, clean bitterness with grapefruit, pine, and herbal edges. It’s crisp, dry, and refreshing with a snappy finish that keeps you coming back. Mouthfeel is light-to-medium, highly carbonated, and super drinkable at 4.7%. No heaviness, no cloying sweetness, just pure sessionability. This is the beer you can drink from lunch through sunset and still feel human.

It’s got that “I could do this 24/7” energy without the next-morning regret. In a sea of super juicy hazies, this one stands out by going back to basics while still delivering big flavor.

Overall: New Trail continues to show why they’re one of the most reliable breweries in Pennsylvania. While everyone else is chasing the next pastry stout or milkshake IPA, they quietly drop a well-balanced session beer that actually tastes like it belongs in a cooler on the trail. It’s approachable for newer drinkers but hoppy enough to keep the nerds happy. Perfect for Central PA summers (or those rare warm Lancaster spring days).

My Untappd Rating: 4.0 — A crusher that’ll be in regular rotation.

For more New Trail Brewing News and Beer Reviews Click Here: New Trail Brewing Co. 

-B. Kline

“How Much for Greenland?”

“What?”

“No, seriously. Write that down.”

And honestly? I’m here for it.

How Much for Greenland by Behemoth Brewing

Beer Review

Pouring this one into the glass, you’re getting a beer that arrives with that classic West Coast IPA confidence. Slightly hazy golden-orange coloring with a white head hanging around like a stubborn houseguest that doesn’t understand you’ve already put your shoes on and turned the lights off.

The aroma immediately announces itself. Pine needles. Resin. Citrus peel. Grapefruit. Dankness.

And I don’t mean “a little bit of dankness.”

I mean the sort of aroma that walks through the front door and says:

“I’m a West Coast IPA. Remember us? We used to run this town.”

The first sip brings a pleasant bitterness right out front. Citrus and grapefruit hit first, followed by pine resin and that old-school hop character that many modern juice bombs seem afraid of. There is a crispness here that keeps everything from becoming heavy or syrupy. It doesn’t apologize for being bitter, and it doesn’t try to hide under six pounds of mango puree and vanilla additions.

This beer feels like it looked at modern trends and simply shrugged.

There’s a clean finish that leaves lingering pine and citrus on the tongue, creating that immediate desire for another sip. Not because it’s trying to overwhelm you with complexity, but because it knows exactly what it’s trying to be.

And sometimes that’s enough.

Actually, more than enough.

Because increasingly I think craft beer gets caught in a strange arms race:

Bigger adjuncts. Bigger pastry stouts. Bigger fruit additions. Bigger ABVs.

Soon someone is going to release an Imperial Triple Barrel Aged Marshmallow Cinnamon Roll Peanut Butter Banana Foster IPA brewed with moon rocks and existential dread.

Meanwhile a beer like How Much for Greenland just quietly raises its hand and says:

“Hey…remember hops?”

And that’s refreshing.

Final Thoughts:

Much like the question itself, How Much for Greenland? starts out sounding ridiculous before becoming oddly enjoyable the longer you sit with it.

Bold, piney, citrus-heavy, pleasantly bitter, and carrying enough old-school West Coast personality to remind you why the style became king in the first place.

Beer Score: 4.1 / 5 cap pops

Would I Drink Another?
Absolutely.

Though unlike Greenland itself, I’d probably be willing to buy this one.

-B. Kline

A pint of Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA

Beer Review: 60 Minute IPA (Dogfish Head Craft Brewery)

Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA has long been a herald of the American craft beer movement, standing out as a consistent and refined example of an India Pale Ale. Here’s a detailed review of this iconic brew:

Appearance:

The 60 Minute IPA pours a clear, golden amber color with a frothy white head that dissipates gradually, leaving a nice lace on the glass. The beer’s clarity and color are inviting, promising a classic IPA experience.

Aroma:

This brew greets the nose with a bouquet of floral and citrus hops. There are notes of grapefruit, orange peel, and pine, underscored by a subtle malt sweetness. The aroma is balanced; it’s hop-forward without being overpowering, setting the stage for what follows in the taste.

Taste:

On the palate, Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA delivers a beautiful harmony of hop bitterness and malty backbone. The hop profile is complex, featuring flavors of citrus, particularly grapefruit and lemon zest, followed by pine and a bit of herbal quality. The malt presents itself with hints of caramel and biscuit, providing a solid foundation that complements the bitterness rather than clashing with it. The transition from the initial hoppy bite to the underlying sweetness is smooth and well-executed.

Mouthfeel:

Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the 60 Minute IPA has a crisp and somewhat resinous mouthfeel that makes for a refreshing drink. It’s neither too heavy nor too light, striking a nice balance that makes it quite sessionable for an IPA.

Finish:

The finish is moderately dry with a lingering hop bitterness that invites another sip without becoming too intense. It’s clean and does not leave an overly resinous aftertaste, which can be common in more aggressively hopped IPAs.

Overall Impression:

Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA is an exemplary craft beer that balances accessibility with complexity. It’s crafted to appeal to both newcomers to the IPA style and seasoned hop aficionados. Its method of continuous hopping over 60 minutes during the boil provides a unique depth and variety to its hop character, which is showcased beautifully throughout the drinking experience.

Food Pairing Suggestions:

This IPA pairs wonderfully with spicy foods, grilled meats, and sharp cheeses. The hop bitterness cuts through the richness of fatty foods and complements spicy dishes beautifully.

Conclusion:

The 60 Minute IPA remains a staple in Dogfish Head’s lineup for good reasons. It is approachable yet sophisticated, making it a go-to IPA for many beer lovers. Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast or a casual drinker looking to explore the style, the 60 Minute IPA is a compelling choice that won’t disappoint.

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