Reviews are done by Jim Matt, our Head Brewer, who is also a veteran FoBAB judge, GABF judge, and BJCP Master judge.

It's baseball season, spring is springing, there's a pep in all of our steps and Hustle (5.4%, 40 IBU) is back in action. The name originates from the hustle mentality crucial in baseball as well as our model of self-distribution. We’ve got a team of drivers hitting the asphalt in the greater Cincinnati and Columbus area making sure our suds gets to you safe and sound.

Malts: Pale Ale, Rye, Crystal Rye, Melanoidin and Carafa II

Hops: Chinook, Galaxy and Cascade

What was the inspiration for Hustle?

We were on the hunt for our baseball season opener beer. We were yearning for something relatively light bodied, lightly hopped, but appropriately red for the start of baseball season.

What are the notable characteristics of a rye pale ale?

In particular, Hustle has a distinctively spicy and slightly grainy rye character from the two types of rye malt we use in the beer.

What makes you want to drink this beer?

It is light in body, relatively low in alcohol, but has a great balance of malt and hop flavor.

Appearance: Medium amber with a slightly reddish hue, slightly hazy, off-white head that has excellent retention.

Smell: Medium spicy rye malt note with a hint of bready malt, medium-low hop aroma with hints of orange, grapefruit and spice.

Taste: Grainy spicy rye malt flavor; the Chinook hops complement this with some spice characteristics of their own. In addition, the fruit character of Galaxy (peach and mango) and Cascade (grapefruit and tangelo) help to balance the beer.

Mouthfeel: Medium light body with medium carbonation.

What foods would pair well with Hustle?

Chinese 5-spice stir fry or a spicy tuna Sushi roll.

Ideal glassware for Hustle?

Pint glass for this one, refill often!