AIH Black F-Rye-Day PA Recipe Kit

This was my 4th homebrew and the best to date. Earthy and a solid head to the end.

This is the best recipe I have made yet. Still a beginner and have made like 7 batches. First, this was not what I expected. The color is jet black (not like the image) and the flavor is more like a porter that an IPA. I would describe as very smooth with coffee, creamy and chocolate flavors. Nice tan head and all around the best I've tried yet. I did add a few whiskey barrel staves and mixed up the hop schedule but still, I think, not an IPA.

If the taste after primary is any indication, WOW - it will be hard to rush secondary.

Good flavor and color from the dark grains complements the rye flavor in this great brew. Got even better over several months of sitting in the bottle. Not real hoppy, could add on an extra ounce or two of bittering hops if desiring a more hoppy IPA. Could use this as a base and add woodchips/bourbon for a different style.

I have brewed this extract + steeped grain recipe twice and it has been a winner both times. Easy to brew and fermentation finishes fast in a carboy in my basement. Bottle conditioning was trouble free both times. I used the dry yeast option and it really seems the perfectly clean, crisp choice for this Pale Ale. I love the jet black color, roasted coffee undertone and medium-light body. The roasted dark flavor makes me almost dread the heavy malt body that one expects to accompany such a burnt color, but the lighter body of this Pale Ale, AND the crispness of the rye edge is refreshing and simply outstanding! That's right, a black, burnt malt flavor beer that is also crisp and refreshing. This beer reminds us that the "pale" in "Pale Ale" does not mean the beer is pale, but refers to the pedigree of the roasted malt used as the base fermentable sugar. My only criticism is that the hop nose finished out just a little bit weak to stand up to the roasted coffee flavor, in my opinion. I am a hop-head so your mileage may vary! I will throw in an extra ounce of Cascade while dry hopping next time I brew this fine beer.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday but black f-rye day is my new favorite brew day. I can't wait until next black f-rye day. because I am almost out.

I have ordered this kit (and many others) before and I was a little disappointed this year. I purchased two kits and they were both packaged the same. According to the recipe I received I was supposed to get 1 oz Zythos and 4 oz Cascade however I got 2 oz Simcoe and 3-1 oz packages that are unlabeled. I understand sometimes substitutions have to be made but 2 oz of one kind of hops and 3 oz of another seems odd (should be 1 and 4?). I am sure the beer will still taste good, just different. AIH Note: The 2015 Black F-Rye-Day kit includes 2oz Simcoe and 3oz Cascade and the recipe instruction sheet now reflects this.

Bought this kit on-sale. It was easy to make, and it turned out great! They are NOT kidding when they say BLACK, as you can hold it up to the sun and not see through it! Very creamy head, roasted (coffee) malt flavor. IBUs a little high for my wife's tastes (55 IBUs by my calculations). Heavy and 5.5% ABV, so not a session beer. Good winter beer....

Excellent Black Rye IPA recipe. The malt bill makes the beer look black as night. I added an extra ounce of Lemon Drop hops to Flameout and another to the Dry Hop phase to give it even more hop nose and fruit flavor which made it even better. I believe the Simcoe and Lemon Drop really enhance each other. The first taste you get is a delicious dry roast malt followed by a balanced hop. Excellent head and slow steady bead of carbonation. The yeast used for my batch was Mangrove Jack L44. I will definitely make this again and again.

This kit is fabulous! I've made it three times and it's perfect every time! I can't keep it around---everyone asks for more. Simple to make, yet flavorful owing to the hop utilizations. I usually don't like IPAs, but the Simcoe hops and the rye give it a taste so unique, you want to try another and another! Happy Brewing!