Red Rocket Ale - Bear Republic Brewing Co.

ToriBug13

California

3.58/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Bear Republic Ricardo's Red Rocket Ale: Healdsburg, CA

ABV 6.8%, poured into a Sam Adams glass

-Appearance: Dark amber/brown, thick head, excellent head retention.

-Aroma: Sweet malt, faint piney hops.

-Taste and Mouthfeel: Coffee, _hint_ of caramel. Medium bodied, good carbonation. Definitely tasted the piney hops, but they didn't overwhelm the malt. Definitely a malt- forward beer. Though I'm not a major fan of coffee, it was a manageable and balanced coffee flavor. Got a little sweeter as it warmed, which cut the coffee well. I might have scored this a little lower because of that coffee, but I'd also like to think I was more unbiased than that.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 23:13:06 | More by ToriBug13

bobhits

Kentucky

2.94/5  rDev -27.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

Red rocket falls into that poor mix of sweet and hoppy where the mix is too caramel and bread without a distinct a well made hop character to mix. The end result is too common, over done, and not exciting to start with.

This is a good looking beer, well carbonated, good lacing, nice body. It smells like a red/scotch ale without too much hop character but without the overly sweet notes either.

Scotch ale malt, crackers, bread, floral hops, and caramel, maybe even a hint of toffee.

I wouldn't call this easy to drink nor hard to. It's nice enough I guess.

In the end this is ok to good beer. I think it has some strong points but I just don't get the high ratings. It isn't a perfect example of a style (an awful reason to score a beer highly imo but I get it) or unique and special, or you know....just an amazing beer (a good reason to score highly).

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 21:57:13 | More by bobhits

jaycle

North Carolina

3.79/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A: Deep red, almost brown. Mine poured a surprisingly weak head of half a finger which quickly reduced to a thin film leaving hardly any lacing. No freshness date, so perhaps that's why.

S: Caramel and sweet bread. This smells like its going to be too sweet almost.

T: The caramel shows up in the taste, but is balanced with some piney hops. Has a slight toasted grain aftertaste. The aforementioned sweetness is calmed nicely by the carbonation and these bitter piney hops.

M: Good carbonation. Low alcohol feel, and medium bodied

O: This beer improved over time. I thought it a little too bitter for the style, but it seemed to sweeten up as it finished. Wish I had another.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 00:03:18 | More by jaycle

sweemzander

Illinois

4.01/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz. bottle poured into a nonic.

(A)- Pours a nice dark crimson red color. Produced a nice cap of tan froth that stuck around awhile before dissipating. Some lacing left behind.

(S)- A nice lightly spicy profile with bits of subtle toasted malt and some slight fruitiness in a yeast sense.

(T)- Similar to the smell, only more bright piney hop citrus shows up amidst the lightly spicy toasted aspect from the aroma.

(M)- A good carbonation level and balance. The hop level is high, but supplemented well with the toasty amber malts and subtle fruitiness from the background. Bitter, but restrained.

(O)- This really is a quality red ale. Lightly spiced and with a good hop profile. Have had this numerous times throughout the years, but never sat down and reviewed this til now. Definitely a classic for this style and an easy drinker at that.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 18:42:45 | More by sweemzander

AmitC

Indiana

4.28/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 22 oz bomber into a large snifter glass.

A
One finger thick head with decent retention. Just decent lacing on the sides. Color: Deep amber with a lot of ruby hues. Clear with slight haze. Translucent.

S
Some earthy hops mixed with a little of piney character. A decent amount of caramel malt. Strength is moderate.

T
Hits really nice. Good hop profile of earthy and grounded hops with slight piney touch. A good amount of caramel. Malt hop combination is really good and delicious. Finish is slightly bitter. This is more of a hoppy amber ale.

M
Medium-light bodied. Oily feel. No astringency. Drinks really smooth. No alcohol warmth.

A good regular drinking beer. Reminds me of Dale's Pale Ale. Very similar and smooth.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 04:03:22 | More by AmitC

GuzzLah

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

A - pours a clear, deep amber with a short tan head and no lacing. A few bubbles.

S - pine, grapefruit, English yeast, caramel malt, mild roast and faint diesel.

T - is like the aroma. Nicely balanced C hops flavor and maybe some Amarillo, a bit bready, moderate bitterness, mild sweetness and a touch of roast.

M - medium body and low-medium carbonation. The bitterness and roasty character lingers in the finish in a pleasant way.

O - this is a really nice, moderately hoppy Red with a smooth 6.8% abv. Would drink again.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 21:57:45 | More by GuzzLah

wedge

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Dark mahogany sprinkled with bits of sediment and topped by a fat, luscious looking head. Rich caramel and bread smell accompanied by dark fruit, pine sap, and orange. The flavor opens with some toasted caramel malt which is quickly covered by a blanket of pine needles and grapefruit zest. Some nutty and tea-like flavors commingle with the hops. Medium bodied and surprisingly crisp with a solid bitterness. I thought this was a little too sweet the other night, but now it seems just right.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 00:34:32 | More by wedge

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.91/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A dark amber brew maybe ruby amber with a small dense head on top.
Aroma has some hoppiness to it as well as a big malty bill.
Taste is not as hoppy as I was expecting. This beer could be stale. I seen no bottling date so age could be in question.
It is quiet malty.
Drinks smooth and is easy drinking and would probably be alot better fresh.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 12:22:23 | More by micromaniac129

Docrock

Illinois

3.96/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass

A - solid brown with just a hint of red in color. the head is off white to cream, it quickly faded to a thin film at the top of the glass. thin lacing with nice legs.

S - a bit of caramel and some bready tones.

T - some brown sugar, caramel and a nice breadiness. just a slight hoppiness on the finish. just a slight bitter aftertaste.

M - medium carbonation with a slightly lighter body than i expected but it was pretty well balanced.

O - i enjoyed the beer, not really knowing what to expect. i would definitely drink this if given the chance again. won't go seeking it but it is worth trying just for the unusual balance between styles.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 03:37:05 | More by Docrock

JohnFatAss

New Jersey

3.84/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Red Rocket Ake looks like a brown ale. It is a hazy brown color. Lotst of bubbles.
Sweet malty smell with a hop presence.

The taste is of sweet carmel malts. The beer is thick, tasty and full of flavor. The hop profile is strong. There is enough malt sweetness to keep the hop bitterness in check.
There is no ignoring the hops in this beer,


Overall, I was disapointed in this beer. My expectations may be too because I think the Racer 5 IPA is outstanding.

Anyway, This is an excellent beer worth checking out.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 04:18:27 | More by JohnFatAss

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.14/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Bottle opened on 1.27.13

A - Pours a dark amber-light brown with a one inch tan-yellow head with decent retention.

S - Strong hoppy grass and sweet carmel malts.

T - Grassy with a carmel finish, then more grass in the after taste.

D - Good carbonation and a medium body.

O - Red and hoppy. Nice carmel balance.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 06:14:29 | More by HuskyinPDX

mtbdonn

United Kingdom (England)

4.13/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12 oz. bottle from Beer of Europe, England.
A-Pours a murky brown with a foamy off-white head.
S-Aroma of bold pine and grapefruit hops with an assertive malt backbone.
T-Really nice bitter hop profile of grapefruit, tangerine, and pine needles and is cut by a nicely balanced caramel malt. Medium to full bodied. The alcohol is more present than in most beers at 6.8% ABV.
M-The mouthfeel is thick, creamy, syrupy
O-Though ABV a little high, a nice sessionable, uncomplicated, straightforward red ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 20:25:17 | More by mtbdonn

BurgeoningBrewhead

Pennsylvania

4.41/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed from bottle; if I try it again with proper glassware I'll edit this review.
Smell is at first like an IPA, hoppy and flowery, but with an undertone of malt. Tastes like a really good IPA smells; hoppy but with a sweet finish. Mouthfeel matches well; not sure what style this beer really is, but whatever it is, I'd definitely drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 05:38:24 | More by BurgeoningBrewhead

Foam

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

I grabbed couple bottles of this stuff at my local bottle shop at the suggestion of the young guy working there .
Little does he know I am definetly NOT a bitter hops guy. When I saw "aggressively hopped" I kind of rolled my eyes and cringed but bought it anyway.
It says it's a Scottish ale on the label but in reality it's more of a red I.P.A. of sorts. I noticed one of the Alstrom Bros. called it a hybrid-style and yes, I agree.
I'd rather they left it a proper malty-sweet Scotch ale, proper . I don't think Scots ale brewers have any interest in their style being this bitter and hopped .
It's the west coast big-hop flavor aesthetic, I realize but, not my thing. Life is too short to have to grimace and wince as you're sipping some "aggressively hopped" beers ...

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 15:46:38 | More by Foam

DaveAnderson

Minnesota

4.41/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I'm not usually much of a malt guy. Give me a buffet of IPAs, and I'll converge on the citrusy hop bombs. This beer awakens something else in me. It's not Bear Republic's highest-rated beer, but it's the one I leap at the chance to drink again. We don't get it in MN, but I was in WI recently, and snagged some. I am so happy I did.

The beer is pretty to behold. It has a pipestone color with a dense, thick, tan head. But the smell is what intoxicates me. Caramel, toffee, brown sugar, toasted marshmallow, vanilla, butter, pastry, yeast -- and all with pine and tropical fruit in the background. But mostly it's the maltiness that gets me...

And the best part of all? Despite the smell, it's not really sweet. Hops are ample, and the bitterness lingers for quite a long time. The anticipation and the finish stand out in this beer. With each taste, I bury my nose in the glass and inhale for a bit before drinking, then sit and wait for the finish to...finish. It goes for a long time. I don't often take this long to drink a beer I don't find challenging.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 07:06:45 | More by DaveAnderson

TheRealBigC

Nevada

3.95/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Red Rocket is a robust red ale. It is very hoppy, with the malt playing a minor role in comparison. Still goes down smooth. Fans of red ales will thoroughly enjoy this one, with its deep red body and sheets of lace. Nothing too fancy about it, just a really solid brew.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2013 15:09:02 | More by TheRealBigC

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

3.99/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap

This beer is a clear deep dark orange color with little head. The nose is subtle but matches the taste. This is more IPA then red ale. It is very hoppy and very west coast. The hops are sharp and quite piney. There is a bit of citrus in there as well but its very piney and has a nice dry finish. There is little malt flavor that sneaks past the hops but a subtle toffee and caramel flavor if you look for it. This beer has a pretty light feel and is easy drinking. A solid hopped up red.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2013 00:06:32 | More by TwelveOunces

Kevin73

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Pours a crystalline tree resin red with a sturdy off-white head that disappears slowly with lots of lacing. A lot of reds in my experience are hazy, this one is not. I don't consider that a plus or a minus; just something to note. The beer looks gorgeous, so whatever. Strong fruitiness on the nose. Smells of burnt cherry, marmalade, and graham cracker. The latter being the toasted malts, I suppose? On the first sip I got sour cherry, cappuccino (which was weird) and lots of hops. Unfortunately I also got some shallow, yet apparent, metallic notes, which were definitely not desirable. On subsequent sips the weird coffee notes disappeared and more of the caramelly malts showed through. The tinny metallic taste persisted but was more of an annoyance and not overpowering. Still there was the strong hops bitterness intruding on the finish; over done a bit I think. Overall the beer is very well crafted, but could be more well balanced with either less hops or more malts. Otherwise what are we brewing here? A Red or an IPA? I can't tell. Anyway I still recommend trying this beer, and will try it again myself. Paired with a sweet food like BBQ sauce (chicken/pork) this beer is probably fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 00:37:29 | More by Kevin73

daskchb

California

3.9/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a pretty tasty beer, although you're expecting it to be a red and it tastes more like an IPA. Poured it in a glass and got a nice head. Good mouth feel, not too heavy. Beer has a nice look to it, dark red. Smells hoppy to me. Overall, I like this beer, just expected a red and got a red IPA.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 06:40:00 | More by daskchb

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer is brown in colour, some amber hues. Smallish off-white head. Some lace.

Some caramel in the nose. Brown sugar. Very malty. Bready.

Taste contains sweet caramel and bready malt, brown sugar, a slight bit of toffee, some pine. No date on the bottle that I can see, but not as hoppy as I expected it may be. A slight bitterness in in the finish. Malt is nice and big, some hop element but it plays the minor role.

Medium bodied, moderately carbonated, nice smooth feel.

Overall, good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 22:18:31 | More by jrenihan

SLeffler27

New York

4.2/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Clear, dark ruby when put to the light, with a half-inch, fine ochre head that quickly turns rocky and diminishes, leaving fine rings of lace and carbonation on the tulip glass.

Powerful citrus aroma up front. Clementine with a grapefruit background and some pinesap. Warmth brings out a blend of caramel and lightly toasted malt with some smokiness.

Bitterness is strong with lots of hop-forward flavor. Caramelized sugar with occasional burnt notes. Peppery spice bites throughout and the finish is modest.

Full bodied and mouth watering. Alcohol is present and there is a touch of chalkiness. Quite dry with soft, fizzy carbonation and a cotton texture.

Good with conversation, better with lunch. A well-rounded drinking beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 12:37:51 | More by SLeffler27

obrike

Texas

4.28/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Got this one as a gift during a Christmas party. I have not had one in ages and I can't for the life of me remember why I stopped buying it. This is a good one.

Poured a deep amber red/brown in my 512 IPA pint glass. Pretty decent lacing on this one as well. Pretty looking brew.

Really fresh citrus, pine, and toffee. A hint of spice as well. Very warm, rich scent. Good stuff.

Drinks like a hybrid IPA...hop forward...then quickly followed by caramel and burnt toffee. A nice flavor that goes down super easy. A little thin, but it almost makes it better as you can drink this one super fast. So tasty.

This is a very good red ale. Probably one of my favorites. Bear Republic once again comes shining through.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 02:45:02 | More by obrike

pkalix

California

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

transparent, ruby, uncarbonated, no head.
smells like pine.
tastes like i licked a baseball bat with pine tar resin on it. the bottle says it finishes with a malty presence, but i get grapefruit.
overall, very little carbonation. i honestly believe the over-hopped american 'craft beers' are fraught with with hops so that they can 'hide' the higher alcohol content. i mean, i understand the greatness of brewing a beer and calling it your own, but i just cant get into the part of dumping mass hops into a brew. it doesnt do anything but add pine tar, grapefruit, or, if you're lucky, a 'floral' - ness to the brew. i suppose that's my rant for the evening, but i really was expecting a little something different. it's not bad; in fact, it's good. but i guess i prefer my beer with a more balanced malt to hop ratio. or maybe a little barley. i can even appreciate a riced-up kirin (but NO BUD!), but the mass tea-bagging of hops just seems to be the 'american way' and i dont agree with it.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 01:19:28 | More by pkalix

chicagoanbeerone

Illinois

3.38/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Great smell of hops and very creamy in texture. It is unlike any other red ale. its like a red ale mixed in with a porter but very good and better.It also has a few coffee aromas and qualities overall i was very surprised by this beer very good i would say definaity worth a try

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 18:05:56 | More by chicagoanbeerone

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

3.93/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a Horny Goat pint glass

Appearance- A deep mahogony to amber color with a slight haze. The fluffy off white head is about a half finger and only dissipates a little leaving decent lacing.

Smell- First a tart hop smell kicks you in the nose and then subtle sweet carmel scent comes through the finish. Also some char and bread malt towards the end.

Taste- A sweet carmel and bready hits the front of the tounge and is finished with a long mellow smoke. I do have to admit that the finish came from left field as I expected the tart hop that I smelled to be in the finish.

Mouthfeel- Nice medium to heavy body with a perfect amount of carbonation that makes this a pretty easy on the palate.

Overall- Have to say that I was disapointed with the mellow smoke finish. I think the hops definitly needed to be present to create a better balance. I will also say that I got this as a single from the grocery store and that it may have been sitting for a while allowing the hops to fade. I will revisit and update if nessicary.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 00:10:38 | More by BrownAleMale