Rocket Dog Rye IPA by Laughing Dog Brewing is a Rye IPA and was judged as a Specialty IPA: Rye IPA (21B). The aroma of this beer is decidedly malty with a modest hop aroma for an IPA. The malt is slightly caramelly and sweet. The hop aroma is primarily floral with more of an Old World hop character, not like the typical American varieties in vogue currently. The color is medium-gold with exceptional clarity. A nice, fine-bubbled, off-white head masks much of the surface of the beer. What was lacking in hop aroma is made up for in spades in the hop flavor. A big, fresh hop character dominates the palate from start to finish. The hops, again, are not citrusy, dank, or tropical; rather they are floral and herbal with an Old World hop quality, like noble hops. The malt is medium with a slight caramel character, some general malt sweetness, and a little bit of malt spice that you expect from a rye malt addition. The body is medium-full with good carbonation that makes for a slightly creamy mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very enjoyable Rye IPA that takes a break from the often over-dominating, newer American hop varieties to feature the herbal and floral side of the brewer’s flower. I could not only enjoy this as a dessert beer in the late evening hours, but also paired with rich foods like duck or lamb.