Temperance Restless Years 6Pk

Temperance Restless Years 6Pk is a dry-hopped American rye pale ale from Evanston, Illinois, packaged as a six-pack at 5.8% ABV. Brewed by Temperance Beer Company — Evanston's first and oldest craft brewery — this discontinued release combines tropical hop aromatics with a distinctly spicy rye backbone that set it apart from conventional pale ales.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.8%  |  Origin: Evanston, Illinois, USA  |  Style: American Rye Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Temperance Beer Company

Production & Heritage

Temperance Beer Company was founded in 2013 in Evanston, Illinois, a city with deep ties to the American temperance movement — hence the brewery's name. Restless Years uses rye grain in the mash bill alongside standard pale ale malts, giving the beer a spicy, grainy dimension that straight barley-based pale ales lack. Dry-hopping during fermentation amplifies the tropical hop character without adding excessive bitterness. As a brewery, Temperance has earned recognition at the Great American Beer Festival, taking home gold and silver medals for entries in its portfolio.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright tropical fruit from the dry-hopping, followed by bready malt and a mild citrus edge. Underneath, the rye grain provides a subtle peppery spice that distinguishes it from a typical pale ale.

Taste: The entry is crisp and refreshing, with sweet malt and fruity hop flavors greeting the palate first. Mid-palate, toasted grain and moderate hop bitterness build structure, while the rye introduces a layered spiciness. The overall impression is balanced — neither hop-forward nor malt-heavy.

Finish: A lingering spicy rye note defines the close, dry and clean with residual hop fruitiness. The finish is moderate in length, encouraging the next sip rather than overwhelming.

How to Drink Restless Years

Restless Years drinks best from a pint glass or tulip at around 45°F, cold enough to stay refreshing but warm enough to let the rye spice and hop aromatics express themselves. For cocktail-adjacent serves, try it as a base in a Michelada — the rye spice pairs naturally with hot sauce and lime. It also works in a Beer Shandy with fresh lemonade to amplify the citrus notes, or as the beer component in a Boilermaker alongside a rye whiskey to echo the grain character.

Best For

• Sharing with friends at a backyard cookout or barbecue
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to rye-forward pale ales
• Pairing alongside spicy grilled foods and bold flavors
• Collectors seeking discontinued releases from notable Illinois breweries

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Restless Years taste like? Restless Years delivers crisp, fruity hop flavors layered over toasted grain and a distinctive peppery rye spice. It finishes dry with lingering tropical fruit and a clean bitterness.

How does Restless Years compare to a standard American pale ale? The key difference is rye in the mash bill, which adds a peppery, grainy spiciness that conventional all-barley pale ales do not have. Restless Years also emphasizes tropical dry-hop aromatics rather than resinous or piney hop character.

Is Restless Years good for craft beer beginners? At 5.8% ABV with balanced bitterness and approachable fruit-forward aromatics, Restless Years is accessible to drinkers new to craft pale ales while offering enough complexity to keep experienced beer fans interested.

Where is Restless Years made? Restless Years was brewed by Temperance Beer Company at their facility at 2000 Dempster Street in Evanston, Illinois. Evanston sits just north of Chicago on Lake Michigan's shore.

What foods pair well with Restless Years? Grilled sausages benefit from the rye spice cutting through the fat; fish tacos with mango salsa mirror the tropical hop notes; sharp cheddar cheese contrasts the beer's crispness; spicy Thai noodles find balance against its moderate bitterness; and smoked pulled pork echoes the toasted malt character.

What sizes does Restless Years come in? Restless Years is available in a standard six-pack format of 12 oz units.

Is Restless Years worth the price? Restless Years positions as a craft six-pack in the mid-range value tier, comparable to other specialty pale ales from regional breweries. Its discontinued status may add collectibility for those seeking out the last remaining stock.

Why Restless Years?

Restless Years stands out because of its unconventional rye mash bill — a grain choice that brings a spicy, slightly peppery complexity rarely found in the American pale ale category. It comes from Evanston's founding craft brewery, a producer recognized at the Great American Beer Festival. Now that Temperance has retired this recipe from production, remaining six-packs represent the final opportunity to experience one of the brewery's more distinctive creations. For drinkers who find standard pale ales predictable, the rye backbone here offers a genuine point of difference.