Tokyo Aleworks The Hop SamuRye is an 8.5% imperial Rye IPA from Tokyo Aleworks, based in Itabashi, in Tokyo, Japan. It’s part of their seasonal lineup and can be found in both bottles and on tap, though its availability at the time of writing is unknown. As the name suggests, Tokyo Aleworks The Hop SamuRye is brewed using rye though what hops went into making Tokyo Aleworks The Hop SamuRye is unknown.
Tokyo Aleworks The Hop SamuRye Aroma and Taste
Tokyo Aleworks The Hop SamuRye poured out a deep ruby red colour with a slightly off-white reddish on top that was full of large bubbles that slowly dissipated away. Tokyo Aleworks The Hop SamuRye had strong spicy, peppery aroma, with a touch of citrus lemon and grapefruit coming through too. The rye was the most potent of aromas, and for those new to rye beers, it may be a little off putting, but it was nice to smell something that wasn’t just hops. There was a hint of diacetyl as the beer warmed up, with the booziness also coming through a little bit more than expected.
The body had a strong peppery kick to start off, which then subsided into the more traditional hoppy flavours of lemon and grapefruit, before having some caramel malt sweetness come along to balance out some of the more extreme flavours going on. That’s not meant in a negative way, but Tokyo Aleworks The Hop SamuRye does veer between the spicy and the citrusy so the malts helped bring it all together. There was a slight buttery flavour once the beer had warmed up – nothing overpowering (it would have to be to get over the rye and citrus flavours) but it was noted to be different. The pepperiness lingered on into the aftertaste, with a slight resinous flavour being present too, but only when warmed up.
Tokyo Aleworks The Hop SamuRye The Bottom Line
A Marmite beer due to the rye malt, but I love Marmite.
Where to Buy Tokyo Aleworks The Hop SamuRye
Tokyo Aleworks The Hop SamuRye can be bought online at the following places:
