Ingredient Insight: Three-hop palette propels Grayton Beer’s Redneck Rye-viera popularity

Grayton Beer Co. released its seasonal harvest ale, Redneck Rye-viera, which first debuted in fall/winter of 2014, and its return has been highly anticipated since its hop profile is only achievable once per year.

Weighing in at 8.1 percent ABV, Redneck Rye-viera is loaded with 1,200 pounds of fresh whole leaf Nugget and Glacier hops and an additional 276 pounds of pelletized hops from Empire Hop Farms in Empire, Mich. Three varieties of Rye malt add a pleasing rye spice that melds with subtle alcohol warmth making this rye IPA a perfect beer for cooler weather.

“The opportunity to showcase fresh hops is one that we highly anticipate every year,” says Brewer Tyler White. “The flavor and aroma compounds that we experience from these extraordinary flowers, fresh from the field, are inspiring to us as brewers and allow us to make the unique and complex drinking experience that is Redneck Rye-viera.”

Redneck Rye-viera is a part of Grayton’s Artist Series, where a portion of the proceeds will go toward art-based initiatives and charities in the Panhandle. The artwork used on the Redneck Rye-viera label was created by Allison Wickey, a South Walton artist who used the trees, blue waters and white sugar-sand beaches to depict the local landscape that is commonly called the Redneck Riviera.

Grayton Beer currently distributes in its home market along the Florida panhandle, statewide in Alabama and is soon to launch three styles in parts of Georgia.

In addition to Redneck Rye-viera and other Artist Series seasonal beers, Grayton Beer Co. currently offers five year-round styles in its portfolio. The brews range from their 1890 Founder’s Ale (Amber Ale), White Dunes (Belgian Witbier), a well dry-hopped American Pale Ale and the 30A Beach Blonde Ale. In the coming months, Grayton will be releasing its higher-end barrel-aged series, featuring unique beers aged in various wine and spirit barrels.