Pipeworks Pastrami on Rye 4Pk

Pipeworks Pastrami on Rye 4Pk is a spiced rye ale from Chicago's Pipeworks Brewing Company, sold in a four-pack of 16oz cans at approximately 7% ABV. This audacious brew replicates the flavor profile of a classic deli pastrami sandwich by incorporating 11 herbs and spices traditionally used in pastrami curing — a concept developed in direct collaboration with Chicago's legendary Manny's Deli using their exact spice ratio.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~7%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Spiced Rye Ale  |  Brewery: Pipeworks Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Pipeworks Brewing Company was founded in Chicago and quickly earned RateBeer's "Best New Brewery" distinction in 2012. Pastrami on Rye is built on a rye malt backbone with smoked malt and brown sugar, then conditioned with Tellicherry black peppercorns, mustard seed, coriander, red pepper flake, allspice berries, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, cloves, dry ginger, and caraway. The spice bill isn't arbitrary — it mirrors the exact blend Manny's Deli in Chicago uses to cure their pastrami, giving this beer a culinary authenticity that sets it apart from other spiced ales.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Light smokiness greets the nose first, followed by warm baking spice — coriander and black pepper are most prominent. Underneath, there's a bread-like rye grain character and faint brown sugar sweetness.

Taste: The entry is malty and slightly creamy, with rye grain and caramel providing a sturdy base. Mid-palate, the spice blend unfolds in waves — peppery mustard seed, gentle coriander warmth, and a touch of red pepper heat. A subtle chocolate-like richness surfaces alongside smoky malt, keeping the profile shifting and complex.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering black pepper spice and a faint brine-like savory quality. The rye dryness and residual smoke carry through cleanly, leaving a balanced impression that recalls its deli-sandwich inspiration.

How to Drink Pastrami on Rye

This beer is best enjoyed on its own at cellar temperature (50–55°F), which lets the full spice complexity emerge without muting the smoky malt backbone. As a culinary beer, it pairs naturally with food rather than cocktail mixing. Serve it alongside a charcuterie board, smoked meats, or sharp aged cheeses to echo and amplify its savory character.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates boundary-pushing styles
• Pairing with a smoked meat or barbecue dinner
• Conversation-starter beer for a tasting night with adventurous friends
• Adding variety to a curated craft beer flight at home

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pastrami on Rye taste like? It drinks like a complex, medium-bodied brown ale layered with smoky malt, black pepper, coriander, mustard seed, and a subtle caramel sweetness. The overall effect is savory and spice-driven, evoking the flavors of a deli pastrami sandwich.

How does Pastrami on Rye compare to Founders Red's Rye IPA? Founders Red's Rye IPA leans heavily on hop bitterness and citrus character with rye providing a spicy backbone, while Pipeworks Pastrami on Rye uses minimal hop presence and instead derives its complexity from 11 culinary spices and smoked malt. The two share rye grain as a common thread, but Pastrami on Rye is a far more malt-forward, savory, and experimental beer.

Is Pastrami on Rye good for beginners? Its complex spice profile and smoky character may challenge drinkers new to craft beer, but the moderate 7% ABV and smooth, medium body make it approachable if you enjoy bold, savory flavors.

Where is Pastrami on Rye made? Pastrami on Rye is brewed by Pipeworks Brewing Company in Chicago, Illinois. The spice recipe was developed in collaboration with Manny's Deli, a well-known Chicago delicatessen.

What foods pair well with Pastrami on Rye? Smoked brisket or pastrami sandwiches mirror the beer's core inspiration. Sharp cheddar or Gruyère cheese complements the smoky malt. Rye bread with whole-grain mustard reinforces the caraway and mustard seed notes. Grilled sausages with sauerkraut echo the beer's peppery and faintly briny character. Dark chocolate with sea salt highlights the subtle chocolate and smoke undertones.

What sizes does Pastrami on Rye come in? Pastrami on Rye is primarily available in four-packs of 16oz cans.

Is Pastrami on Rye worth the price? Pastrami on Rye positions as a specialty craft release rather than an everyday drinking beer, and its price reflects that — it sits in the mid-premium range typical of Pipeworks limited and seasonal offerings. The unusual ingredient list and collaboration backstory deliver strong value for drinkers seeking something genuinely different.

Why Pastrami on Rye?

Few beers can claim a recipe developed from an actual deli's pastrami spice blend, and that culinary collaboration with Manny's Deli is what makes this release more than a novelty. The 11-spice bill — from Tellicherry peppercorns to caraway to bay leaves — produces a layered, rotating flavor experience that holds up to repeated drinking without becoming predictable. Among spiced ales, this is one of the rare examples where the concept is executed with enough restraint and balance to feel like a serious beer rather than a gimmick. Pipeworks' track record as a boundary-pushing Chicago brewery, recognized by RateBeer in their inaugural year, adds credibility to an already distinctive release.