Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" Great Divide "Hoss" Rye Lager

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Nov 19, 2010 10:30PM

We found out first hand at the Great American Beer Fest that Colorado has some good drinking. One of our favorite breweries during the fest was Great Divide Brewing Company, who had a brewpub located only a couple of blocks from where we were staying.

Colorado is known for heavy ales and Great Divide is no exception. But their "Hoss" rye lager is a great entry to their other entries. This is a Marzen-style rye lager with a flavor profile that's perfect for autumn. Rye malt, of course, adds a nice touch of spice to the beer, while the hops used in the beer are more for aromatic purposes. On the palate you'll find hints of plums, pears and winter melon. The rye malt leaves this lacing on the inside of the glass and a dry finish to the mouthfeel.

Now where can you get this beer? We had a couple of bottles over dinner at Union Pizzeria in Evanston (1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 847-475-2400), where it paired beautifully with their penne pasta with tomato-vodka cream sauce and some damn fine spicy meatballs.