Red Racer IPA (India Pale Ale) - Central City Brewing

MasterSki

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Found a sixer of this at Wine Gallery in Brookline. Poured into a stein.

A - Pours a transparent dark orange color, with lots of tiny bubbles rising upwards, and a big three-fingered frothy off-white foam that dissipates slowly and leaves thin, soapy, patterns of lace.

S - This still smells fairly fresh (probably two months), with soapy Cascade, some sweet peachy Simcoe, and perhaps some Warrior. There is some nice toffee malt character, and this seems far more like a hoppy East Coast brew then the unbalanced palate wreckers from California.

T - Some nice sweet fuzzy peach and tangerine flavor, with a decent amount of residual bitterness and sour lemon flavor in the finish. The malt is much less present here, with the sweetness being supplied by the juiciness of C-hop varietals.

M - This is a super oily one - I can still feel the resinous hop textures long after swallowing. Nice dry fnish, soft medium body, with perfect light tingly carbonation. It's exactly what I like in my IPAs.

D - Very drinkable stuff - should have no problem killing a sixer with a buddy while watching football. Definitely the best Canadian IPA I've ever had, and competitive with my local options. Hope we start getting the cans in Chicago.

Serving type: can

10-18-2009 18:53:20 | More by MasterSki

ritzkiss

Ontario (Canada)

4.58/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Can from Vancouver, pours a typical IPA golden, crystal clear, nice finger of head - dies to a thin cover maintained throughout the glass.

Nose is a touch on the light side but bright and fresh, American IPA all the way which is a refreshing thing for my tastebuds and nostrils. Tangerine, pineapple, oranges, grapefruit, floral, hints of pine.

This has got to be the best IPA in Canada I've had to date, hands down. Light, sweet caramel is subtly overwhelmed (if that is possible) by floral and citrus hops, a nice, nasty (another paradox?) long hop bite full of pine finishes it off - and yet I don't feel like it was overly rough, a nice polite Canadian hop attack. Balanced and yet hopped up - a beer of paradoxes.

Pretty damn fine, especially when compared to other bottled/canned Canadian options. Were I nearer to Vancouver this would by my go to. In a can makes it even more adaptable, good for wherever whenever. Canadian hop-heads would rejoice if it wasn't for our atrocious distribution system. Kudos to Central City for this. As Bobsy said, were this an American beer the hype would be high - as is, we can be proud of this great Canadian beer.

Serving type: can

10-15-2009 02:13:48 | More by ritzkiss

Patrick

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Sweet, another craft beer in a can.

A: Pours a light copper color with half finger, fluffy, eggshell colored head. Thick, thick lacing is left behind. Impressive start.

S: Lots of subtle grapefruit and toffee on the nose. I was kind of expecting a lot more from the hops.

T: Whoa, here they are! Tons if bitter grapefruit and pine mixed in with some very bold caramel and toffee flavors. This beer is very much East Coast in sweetness, but West Coast in bitterness. Kind of reminds me of Furious in the sense that Furious has the malt backbone that most hop explosions of beers lack. Thinking about this more, the hop flavor is very melony, I am thinking honey dew. Not a bad thing.

M: Astringent, dry, crisp, well carbonated, medium bodied, you can feel the polypohenols take over your tongue instantly!

D: This beer really took me by surprise after the lackluster aroma tricked me. Grab this if you see it!

Serving type: can

10-11-2009 20:26:46 | More by Patrick

portia99

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz can courtesy of nonstick...thanks Chris! Poured into a Bruery goblet.

A - Beautifully clear, gold with amber highlights. Big, one finger of fluffy white head...lasts a minute or so before dying down to a thin layer of bubbles. Nice lacing left down the sides of the glass.

S - Thick, resiny pine aroma with grapefruit touches nicely added in. Bready, biscuity malt in the background with hints of sugary sweetness.

T - Tons of pine here. Bitterness is pretty strong - good and crisp. Citrus and grassy notes blend in behind the heavy pine flavor.

M - Mouthfeel is dominated by the pervasive bitterness in this IPA. Body is medium and carbonation is just about right.

D - This is quite a good IPA. This has as much and as good a flavor as any IPA out there. Would put this in my top 5 IPA's right now. Could easily be happy with several of these throughout the day.

Serving type: can

10-10-2009 22:35:13 | More by portia99

DrDogbeer

Massachusetts

4.6/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from the funky green can. Seriously looks like a juice or soda can. Pours a crystal clear orange/gold with a fluffy white head. Smell is wonderful west coast ipa pine and citrus love! Not an overpowering scent but lovely. Taste is similar to the aromas with lots of pine and grapefruit up front, but this one does not kill you with the bitterness. A sweet light malt backbone makes it insanely drinkable. Just a wonderful beer and I am stoked it is now available here!

Serving type: can

10-06-2009 20:56:48 | More by DrDogbeer

papat444

Quebec (Canada)

4.55/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to my aunt who lives in Surrey for buying a sixer of this and to my brother for bringing it back for me on a recent trip he did out there. Enjoyed this last night.

Poured from a 355ml. can.

Appearance: Pours a nice orange body that's semi-clear with a huge foamy head that lasts quite long and clings to the glass with ease.

Smell: Some definite piney goodness with some citrus and a touch of sweetness at the end. A bit of resin and caramel(?). The aroma is unrelenting and is probably the best feature of this beer. An IPA cannot smell better.

Taste: Not as bitter as i would have thought and that surprised me a little. Still, the taste is solid with some ripe mango, a reserved pine presence and a lip smacking finish. Some rind a little near the end like licking the peel of a lemon or lime and just a touch of spice.

Mouthfeel: Quite smooth actually and not at all the hop bomb i thought it would be. It has a sticky, resin-like feel to it but in a good way.

Drinkability: Drinks very easily for sure. So very good and bitterness is low so no impediment there.

Overall: Everything about this brew is controled. I'm a bit torn because it's not the intense hop bomb i expected so i was going to give it a slightly lower mark but i can't really fault it either because it tastes like a well balanced IPA should taste like. I like it a lot and i'm glad i have a few more.

Serving type: can

09-29-2009 00:33:51 | More by papat444

peterthepiper

British Columbia (Canada)

4.93/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I first had this beer on tap at the Alibi Room in Vancouver, but was overjoyed to find it soon released in cans under the Red Racer label.

This beer is a fantastic example of a West Coast IPA. The aroma is a pure expression of fresh Cascade hops. No other IPA that I've had comes that close to having that sort of aroma.

The taste is of course very hoppy as well. Lots of citrus peel bitterness with a touch of sweetness from the malt. The dominant characteristic of this beer though is the hoppy bitterness. Carbonation from the can is fairly high and dominates the mouthfeel. The beer coats the mouth a bit, leaving a bitter aftertaste.

Drinkability is phenomenal. For the bitterness of this beer, I could drink a large quantity.

Serving type: can

09-14-2009 02:18:16 | More by peterthepiper

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks Derek. Pours golden with some lasting white head. Average mouthfeel, smooth though with slightly acidic finish. Good IPA for sure, right there with other representations of style, but would not say exceeds it. Could have a six-pack of this in a weekend.Aroma may be impacted by being in the can.

Serving type: can

08-16-2009 02:49:19 | More by northyorksammy

bobsy

Ontario (Canada)

4.38/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Huge thanks to Derek for the can. Purportedly BCs best beer according to CAMRA.

Bright orange pour with a frothy white head. Good retention and some nice rings of lace put down. A wonderfully fresh C-hop aroma greets the nose. Buckets of grapefruit, tangerine and resiny hops. Sublime. Impressively bitter for a Canadian beer and this IPA can hang with the big boys. The balance is definitely weighted to the hops, which provide huge grapefruit and orange peel notes. Its very leafy and delicious. The malt comes through with some biscuit and a light touch of sweetness. Smooth, medium body with a refreshingm yet soft, carbonation.

This is extremely impressive stuff. If this came from a renowned US craft brewery it would be highly desired by all BAs. As it is, lets keep this Canadian secret to ourselves for now.

Serving type: can

08-11-2009 01:21:55 | More by bobsy

Dig

British Columbia (Canada)

4.15/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Great beer. Big NorWest pine/citrus hop along with some floral and tropical notes, not dissimilar to beers made with the Australian hop variety Galaxy. Solid malt underpinning that isn't too fat or sweet. Great balance and drinkability. My current favourite BC IPA.

Serving type: can

08-10-2009 22:27:19 | More by Dig

shoebacca

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had this beer on tap at the Alibi Room in Vancouver. Wonderful floral and citrusy aromas were here, great hoppy flavor, everything in its right place. Just a solid I.P.A here. If you see it, drink it: you won't be disappointed.

Plus, I would totally do the "Red Racer" on the logo.

Serving type: on-tap

08-02-2009 01:49:03 | More by shoebacca

niz

British Columbia (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pours a light amber with 1/2" head that fades quickly.

smells of lemon, hops and slightly grassy

tastes of juicy citrus followed by nice hops then buscuity malt.

drinkability is high, i could easily drink a 6 pack, but would feel nice and fuzzy after.

a great IPA from a great brewery. the food here is awesome too!!

this was the #1 rated beer in BC by CAMRA vancouver.

delicious.... and nutritious!

Serving type: can

07-25-2009 23:32:25 | More by niz

604growler

British Columbia (Canada)

4.6/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Canada finally has a serious contributor to the American IPA style. Thank you Central City Brewing.

The aroma is strong citrus. As soon as you smell it you know you're in for a treat. It's fruity at the front end, and strong hops finish off the back end. It goes down smooth and leaves you wanting another. The growler is better suited to the beer than the can, but if all you can get is the can, it will only take away a fraction of the enjoyment.

Serving type: growler

07-23-2009 03:17:12 | More by 604growler

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Clear, amber-bronze with a white head, good retention & lacing.

S: Big piny nose, with grass, tangerine & rind.

T: Tangerine, pine, nectarine and citrus rind, with some underlying malty goodness (not sweet, just some quality malt protein). Certainly balanced to the bitter side, but it's not at all harsh with their soft water. Plenty of hop flavour here!

M: Well attenuated, moderate body is smooth with a hint of hop acidity.

D: A sessionable IPA for any hop lover.

Serving type: can

07-20-2009 18:55:15 | More by Derek

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to my boy Jon for hooking me up with this can.

Pours a clear amber, some orange, medium sized off white head forms, settles down to a thin ring around the glass, some lacing sticks. Smell is nice, floral and grapefruit, orange peel, some caramel sweetness, tropical aroma, nothing great but pretty solid. Taste is similar, grapefruit and floral, some oranges, very citrusy IPA, dry biscuit malt and a touch of caramel/honey, balanced finish. Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied with medium carbonation, easy drinking. A good solid IPA, glad to see BC pumping good ones out. I'll try to grab some more when I'm back in BC. Thanks Jon!

Serving type: can

07-03-2009 19:33:47 | More by Viggo

grub

Ontario (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Viggo shared this one. thanks eric!

12oz can. sampled june 21/09.

pours crystal clear orangey amber with a small dense white head. the head drops fast and leaves a bit of spotty lace.

aroma is good. grapefruit. orange peel. pine. light alcohol. lightly toasted multi-grain bread. bit of biscuit.

taste is good. orange and grapefruit. tangerine. pine. lightly toasted multi-grain bread and biscuit. bit of alcohol. just under medium bitterness level.

mouthfeel is good. medium body. medium carbonation level.

drinkability is good. nicely balanced. a solid ipa.

Serving type: can

06-30-2009 23:17:57 | More by grub

markaberrant

Saskatchewan (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - amber, slight haze, moussy white head, leaves nice sticky lace behind.

S - piney, bitter grapefruit, very hop forward nose, very fresh/raw,

T - more pine and bitter grapefruit up front, barely balanced by the malt, tropical fruit too, lingering pine bitterness, very smooth hop flavour despite being quite agressive.

M - low carbonation, med light body, not overly creamy, light astringency from the hops, dry puckering finish really brings out the smooth bitterness

D - damn, I'm gulping this down while I review, superb stuff.

Before doing this review, I had brewed up a batch of barleywine. So when I first grabbed the glass of Red Racer IPA for an initial sniff I thought, "hmm, guess I didn't wash my hands very well, they reek of raw hops." Turns out my hands were squeaky clean, it was the Red Racer!

Ultra fresh, agressive pine notes are a tough thing to pull off properly, and Red Racer has done it flawlessly. This is about as hoppy as a single IPA can get without being an over the top mess. It's a straight up IPA, but there are lots of interesting hop flavours. I am very sad I only have the one can. More people need to know about this beer, it is easily the best IPA in Canada that has touched my lips!

Thanks to Canucklehead for the can!

Serving type: can

05-30-2009 20:51:49 | More by markaberrant

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

4.97/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

OMG this is the best IPA in BC. Bigger and more fragrant than Hophead or Phillips. Incredibly balanced and hoppy as all hell. This is the one I have been waiting for since I started drinking IPAs in BC. Utterly brilliant and also in a can for bonus points

Serving type: can

04-10-2009 03:32:46 | More by canucklehead

Hornet2003

British Columbia (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I've had this on tap and in growler...both are stellar and deserve the title of BC's best beer.

Appearance: Copper-yellow with a small, lasting head.

Smell: Verrry fragrant hops. You can almost smell the bitterness. A little grassy and definitely oily. A sourness comes through as well as a dark fruity malt richness.

Taste: Bitter and oily. A little bit of a spicy character. Not as citrusy as some other highly hopped IPAs. Just plain hop juice. This is what I imagine hop tea would taste like. There is a little alcohol as well in the taste.

Mouthfeel: Less carbonation than your average bottled IPA. Probably since this is a growler sample, but it's perfect. Extreme bitterness that goes unrivaled by other CDN IPAs. Dark, rich flavours pervade and a little bit of oiliness as well.

Drinkability: Very high. Alcohol is too high to session, but a few pints(with a designated driver) would be perfect. Great bitter character that isn't oppressive and doesn't leave you bored either.

Overall: Best IPA in BC? Yep! Can't get much better than this. Huge hop profile with strong malty richness to back it up. I'd love to try an Imperial version of this if the brewer was ever so inclined to make it :)

Serving type: growler

07-13-2008 23:53:32 | More by Hornet2003