I stumbled into this beer as a result of half-priced tap brews at the Hy-Vee Market Café and a suggestion from the barkeep. How the story goes — I roughly recall — is that the bartender’s assistant manager (I think) knows one of the brewers at Big Grove Brewery in Solon, and it’s a fairly new, unknown beer.

Probably. It doesn’t matter. Because this local brew, whatever the story, is one of the better ryes I’ve experienced during my short time on this planet.

TASTE: The Rabbit Rye is warm with just a hint of sweetness, a deep, cloudy orange color, and a lasting, light, delicious aroma left on your palate like homemade, freshly-baked bread. My sampling was a steal per pint ($2.50 from 8 p.m. until close at the Waterfront Hy-Vee), though it’d easily be worth the full $5 coupled with a normal meal during normal-person eating hours. 

ADVICE: This delicious beer pairs well with any hearty food that won’t disrupt the friendly aroma (steak, chicken — anything that’s not bitter or sour). It matched all of the half-priced appetizers I tried, even Buffalo wings.

Enjoy a pint at Hy-Vee or wherever else you can quickly get your hands on the stuff.

By Adam Gromotka