Start 14-Day Trial Subscription

*No credit card required

RIèzes

Rhode Island
United States
Newport Storm Riezes Beer
Judges Ratings 
1 Review
90
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Appearance:
4 / 6
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Description 

Brew Master, and resident sweet tooth of the brewery, Derek Luke, has gone head over heels for this latest creation, “you’d think we added a pantry full of spices and brown sugar to the brew, but it’s o-natural”. RIèzes, a copper hued ale, is rich in malt flavor and has a mild oak scent and finish thanks to the eight Thomas Tew Rum barrels that it was housed in for roughly three months. Munich malt, Belgian Special B and Belgian Candy Sugar bring forth aromas and tastes of raisin, brown sugar and caramel. Tradition, Tettnang and Czech Saaz were chosen specifically to balance out the malt sweetness of this complex beer, allowing the Belgian yeast and barrel flavor to come through. The Belgian yeast strain, with reported links to Chimay (an authentic Trappist ale), rounds out the brew with a sweet bakers bread finish. The history surrounding the Chimay Brewery is what led to the beers name as brewers noted the city of RIèzes, just like little Rhody, is located in the corner of the country and is also a producer of exceptional beers.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
12.0%
IBUs: 
29
Served at: 
45° F
Hops: 
Tradition, Tettnang, Czech Saaz
Malts: 
Munich, Canada Pale, Belgian Special B. Dextrose, Belgian Amber Candi Sugar
Judges Review 
Michael Bury's picture
Judges Rating:
90
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
4 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Newport Storm's RIèzes pours a deep amber with orange highlights accompanied by a small, fleeting, ivory head. Almost imperceptible legs hint at the strength that this brew contains. A delightfully complex aroma begins with moderate pink peppercorns and lemongrass before giving way to stronger aromas of caramel, toast, oak, rum, and raisins, which dominate as the beer further warms.

In terms of flavor, a superb marriage of yeast character, malt, and wood awaits your taste buds. No single note dominates and bread, caramel, raisins, oak, rum, grape, and the black pepper flavors are all harmoniously blended. The beer finishes semi-sweet with fruit and caramel lingering on the palate despite the hint of acid that may have come from the barrel.  

This is a moderately-full bodied beer whose lower level of carbonation and smooth alcohol presence detour from typical examples of the style. Nonetheless, RIèzes is a well-made, malt-centric and complex Belgian beer that begs to be drunk in the crisp, cool evenings of the fall.