Rye River "Retro" IPA

Malt-forward, floral and proudly old-school.
Retro IPA is Rye River Brewing Company's affectionate nod to the traditional English IPA, stepping away from the modern obsession with tropical fruit and intense hop bitterness in favour of something deeper, maltier and wonderfully rounded. Brewed in Celbridge, County Kildare, this 5.6% Irish craft beer brings together a rich amber colour, caramelised malt character and a distinctly floral hop profile, creating an IPA that feels almost nostalgic while still being unmistakably well-crafted.

The name says plenty about the beer. Retro takes inspiration from the classic IPAs that built the style long before today's hazy, heavily dry-hopped versions became the norm. Here, the malt is allowed to play a much bigger role, bringing gentle caramel sweetness, toasted grain and a satisfying fullness to the palate. Cascade and Columbus hops then add floral, herbal and lightly citrusy notes, with enough bitterness to keep the sweetness in check and give the beer a clean, balanced finish.

In the glass, Retro pours a deep amber with warm copper highlights and a generous pale head. The aroma is immediately more malt-driven than many contemporary Irish craft beers, with caramel, toasted grain and lightly sweet malt leading into floral and earthy hop notes. On the palate, that malt character becomes richer, giving the beer a rounded, almost chewy texture before the hops gradually assert themselves. The bitterness is present but measured, working with the caramelised malt rather than attempting to overpower it.

At 5.6% ABV, Retro has enough weight to feel like a proper IPA while remaining comfortably drinkable. It is a particularly good choice for anyone who enjoys beers with a little more malt depth, or for drinkers who find modern IPAs can sometimes lean too heavily into bitterness, alcohol or tropical hop intensity. There is still plenty of hop character here, but it is presented in a more traditional and restrained way.

That makes Retro an interesting addition to an Irish craft beer selection. It shows another side of Rye River's brewing ability and provides a welcome alternative to the pale, citrus-led and hazy beers that dominate so much of the current craft market. If modern IPAs are all about turning the hop volume up, Retro is more interested in getting the whole band playing together — malt, hops, bitterness and body all contributing to the final beer.

Why we love it:
A welcome throwback to a more traditional style of IPA, with the malt given room to shine.
The caramelised character and floral hops create a fuller, more rounded drinking experience. It offers plenty of flavour without chasing the intensity of today's more extreme IPAs. A particularly good choice for anyone who enjoys balanced, malt-forward craft beer with a classic feel.