Racer 5 India Pale Ale - Bear Republic Brewing Co.

LPorter33

Massachusetts

2.8/5  rDev -33.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Purchased 22oz bomber from Martignetti's

Appearance = Good looking murky, dark peach colored golden browm. Decent head which fades quickly but leaves some intricate lacing. Small bubbles rise up giving a mild sense of carbonation

Smell = Very piney fresh hop scent. Super clean and crisp. Citrus flavors are there although not as dominating as the pine flavor. Still a great, strong intense scent.

Taste = Hmm...strange tasting. My initial impression was one of severe disappointment. It's way too sour, almost like the hops have faded away. There's no umph or kick...just a bitter sourness like someone squeezed lemon juice in here. Mouthfeel is flat and has little carbonation which surprises me. I think this. As I drink more of this, I see the taste isn't awful, but it is WAY below the IPAs I'm used to drinking and contains absolutely nothing special or unique.

Overall = a serious disappointment considering Bear Republic's reputation. I had high hopes for this beer but I can think of 15 IPAs of the top fo my head that I'd buy before I try this one again. I hold IPAs to an extremely high standard and this one did not meet my constaints. Did I possibly get a bad bottle?

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2006 02:27:19 | More by LPorter33

NJB145

Michigan

4/5  rDev -5.2%

05-18-2013 12:15:52 | More by NJB145

snaotheus

Washington

4.06/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle poured into a large mug. One of those beers that I've had many times, but never reviewed. The fact that I've had it many times says more about it than my review will.

Pours golden with an orange tinge, respectable pale head, clear, fair amount of carbonation. Smell is powerful, sweet and floral, smellable from arm's reach. Honey and citrus.

Taste is refreshing, not overpowering in any given direction. Some pine bitterness. More of the honeysuckle.

Mouthfeel is slightly dry, smooth. Overall, this is a quite good beer, which should only be turned down if there's an excellent option.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 03:38:56 | More by snaotheus

mkirkland80

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

05-18-2013 02:16:29 | More by mkirkland80

BUNZILLA

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

05-18-2013 01:02:17 | More by BUNZILLA

alex_hart

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -11.1%

05-17-2013 21:59:41 | More by alex_hart

Shogun730

California

5/5  rDev +18.5%

05-17-2013 21:37:42 | More by Shogun730

FranzBC

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -11.1%

05-17-2013 20:12:01 | More by FranzBC

SirBentham

California

3.75/5  rDev -11.1%

05-17-2013 18:31:44 | More by SirBentham

eliz108

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

05-17-2013 15:44:15 | More by eliz108

Bromine

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

05-16-2013 22:59:42 | More by Bromine

Blashawright

Texas

4/5  rDev -5.2%

05-16-2013 22:38:50 | More by Blashawright

verge

California

4/5  rDev -5.2%

05-16-2013 21:46:07 | More by verge

Westuh

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -11.1%

05-16-2013 18:42:06 | More by Westuh

earthling

California

4.71/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Racer 5 must be consumed as fresh as possible. It's a classic dry-hopped California IPA with loads of citrus hop aroma. It has a strong bitterness, though it's well balanced with a pretty heavy malt. It's at hoppier end of IPAs, though it isn't going to blow your head off. A great regular drinker.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2013 18:36:21 | More by earthling

Gregvg

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +18.5%

05-16-2013 18:29:02 | More by Gregvg

deekyn

California

3.25/5  rDev -23%

05-16-2013 04:16:22 | More by deekyn

Benish

Wisconsin

4.11/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into snifter glass. It presented a light amber color with a quarter inch thick white head. Did not dissipate quickly. Moderate lacings around the glass.

Aroma: It smelled primarily pine and mango immediately after pouring. I covered the glass and just swirled lightly. The smell of pine greatly amplified! Also some notes of pineapple.

Taste: Tangy at first, I tasted pine, citrus, orange rind, and some subtle spiciness. It started out sweet and finished with some bitterness. This beer was not overpowering and is very easy drinking. While the beer start to reach room temperature (I can't drink a bomber that fast) it became a bit more mellow and maybe tad bit lighter on the flavor. Best to drink chilled.

Overall a great beer. I think I had my expectations a little too high considering the ratings it received on BA. However I'm glad to try this. Each IPA is often different in its own way, just like this one is different. This is worth trying BUT if it's not distributed to your state, there are plenty of other IPA's just as good if not better. If you do have one, pop open the bottle, relax, and enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 02:53:50 | More by Benish

indybearsfan

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%

05-16-2013 02:43:13 | More by indybearsfan

Fourbees

California

4.75/5  rDev +12.6%

05-16-2013 02:39:41 | More by Fourbees

theyreshining

Arizona

4.75/5  rDev +12.6%

05-16-2013 01:25:04 | More by theyreshining

Sgbrown78

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +12.6%

05-16-2013 00:51:53 | More by Sgbrown78

cp45

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -5.2%

05-16-2013 00:39:42 | More by cp45

inanity

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +18.5%

05-15-2013 23:48:38 | More by inanity

gfap61

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

05-15-2013 20:06:03 | More by gfap61