Racer 5 India Pale Ale - Bear Republic Brewing Co.

CortexBomb

Michigan

4.15/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This was a wonderful find that I made the last time I was in Pittsburgh. Fathead's had this on the hand pull and I had to give it a try. The pour was textbook IPA with big lacing. Nose is strong, floral with hints of grapefruit.

The flavour on this was perfect though, this is the kind of balanced IPA that I love, it has a huge grassy floral flavour from the hops that were used, but is is also balanced back by a strong malt presence. The hops are always there and you know you're drinking an IPA, but it's not completely out of balance like so many brews in this style are. The warmer temperature of the cask likely improved the depth, of course.

Mouth and drinkability both solid, I could have a few of these, decent bitters but not remarkable, it's not a gargantuan beer in your mouth, but it does its job.

Bottom line: I'd never even heard of this brewery, but I try almost anything that is put on a hand pull. Bear Republic delivered with a great IPA though, and one I'll definitely have again if I run into it.

Serving type: cask

06-17-2009 12:48:03 | More by CortexBomb

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

4/5  rDev -5.2%

05-22-2013 03:22:18 | More by SmellsofMahagony

gamanley

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -5.2%

05-22-2013 02:53:35 | More by gamanley

HeyYoMar

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%

05-22-2013 00:24:11 | More by HeyYoMar

phooky

New York

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

05-21-2013 19:47:26 | More by phooky

pauldevay

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +12.6%

05-21-2013 18:32:04 | More by pauldevay

jakecattleco

California

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

05-21-2013 17:50:37 | More by jakecattleco

Andonato

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%

05-21-2013 17:18:36 | More by Andonato

PlinyBeMiney

California

3.5/5  rDev -17.1%

05-21-2013 07:17:22 | More by PlinyBeMiney

bambam2517

Arizona

3.61/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a pint glass after dinner, served at 45F.

A - Flat golden-blonde pour leaves almost nothing up top, looks lethargic and watery honestly. Lots of snowy unfiltered goodness though.

S - Mostly floral, some caramel sugar, a little hop pineyness.

T -Sweet honey citrus backed up by some hop bitterness.

M - Not at all unpleasant but pretty unremarkable. It just one of those.

O - Dialed back in every respect from my experiences in IPAs, I think that is exactly against the grain of West Coast IPAs in general. Not a fan. Heres one for people who say "I love IPAS, just dont like the hoppy tasting ones". What?

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 04:35:18 | More by bambam2517

bigpoppa67

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%

05-21-2013 03:36:27 | More by bigpoppa67

tbryan5

Louisiana

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%

05-20-2013 23:57:31 | More by tbryan5

Illos

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -5.2%

05-20-2013 21:04:29 | More by Illos

jbeervt

Vermont

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

05-20-2013 19:17:07 | More by jbeervt

tipfortap

New York

3.75/5  rDev -11.1%

05-20-2013 17:09:58 | More by tipfortap

Hopophant

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

05-20-2013 17:09:43 | More by Hopophant

mcaulifww

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -17.1%

05-20-2013 13:17:49 | More by mcaulifww

Ctrauty

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -5.2%

05-20-2013 01:46:27 | More by Ctrauty

SpongeRuiner

Michigan

4/5  rDev -5.2%

05-20-2013 00:54:08 | More by SpongeRuiner

drgonzo2k2

California

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

05-19-2013 23:19:12 | More by drgonzo2k2

bcuz7

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%

05-19-2013 22:08:51 | More by bcuz7

Vigilante

Nevada

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

05-19-2013 20:17:17 | More by Vigilante

socon67

New York

4.13/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - Orange pour with a tan foam head that retained. Some csrbonation is visibile. Sticky lacing runs down the glass.

S - Scents of tangerine and mango plus a floral blend of hops. There is a slight smell of pine cones.

T - A rather complex IPA with a clean taste. Done very traditional in the "west coast" style with strong notes of citrus fruits and a sharp bitterness that finishes much smoother than you'd think. Mellow hop resin and gentle grain notes.

M - Balance is noce on this. Easy finish and very drinkable. Tartness and bitter notes to do overwhelm the palate and transition nicely.

O - Really classic take on the style and hard ot go wrong with one. I paired this with a peppery griled steak and it enhanced the experience.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 17:04:17 | More by socon67

ShawnMH

Indiana

4/5  rDev -5.2%

05-19-2013 15:44:16 | More by ShawnMH

smooth_aleing

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

05-19-2013 02:20:39 | More by smooth_aleing