Racer 5 India Pale Ale - Bear Republic Brewing Co.

deweese

Missouri

4/5  rDev -5.2%

01-25-2013 21:34:20 | More by deweese

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From: Commons Ground Food Coop, Urbana, IL
Date: None on bottle, bought 6/8/13
Glass: New Belgium globe glass

Bear Republic's Racer 5 is a classic American IPA that's complex enough to stand the test of time and mass appeal. Easily drinkable for those with an interest in hops, the hop-derived citrus and bitterness pairs well with the yeast-produced fruity esters and residual sweetness and breadiness from the malts. An easy go-to IPA that many others have emulated.

Pours a 1cm tall mass of fairly clean, white foam, made up of small and medium-sized bubbles, which has average retention of about one minute. The head falls to a thin ring around the glass and a light haze of residue atop the body. Lacing is good, The body of the beer is a fairly bright orange color with copper undertones, light bringing out very bright, orange-yellow hues in the primarily transparent (30-40% opacity) body. Carbonation is visible streaming up from the center of the glass.

Aroma is of substantial citurs note, primarily grapefruit, but also slight orange, and a noticeable sweetness contributed by the malts. Modest peppery character with a light bready component fill out the backside of the hoppy citrus scents. Solid for an IPA.

Front of palate is of pale malt and caramel malt sweetness with notes of grapefruit juice and hints of pine resin. Mid-palate is of substantial hop bitterness and spiciness with balancing fruity esters in the way of grapefruit and orange, with moderating caramel malt and slight breadiness from the pale malt and yeast. Back of palate is of hop bitterness, black pepper, slight ethanol, modest grapefruit and orange. Aftertaste is of substantial bitterness with a lingering grapefruit and pine bite with a hint of caramel malt.

Beer is medium-bodied with medium-low levels of carbonation, leading to a gently foamy, smooth mouthfeel. Closes dry, with little stickiness remaining on the palate.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2013 06:06:27 | More by falloutsnow

Swift989

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -5.2%

06-20-2013 04:11:36 | More by Swift989

Hellmeh

Texas

4/5  rDev -5.2%

06-20-2013 03:01:13 | More by Hellmeh

lunarbrew

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -5.2%

06-20-2013 00:34:42 | More by lunarbrew

March_of_99

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

06-19-2013 21:07:28 | More by March_of_99

flyingPharmacist

New York

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

06-19-2013 10:04:40 | More by flyingPharmacist

Immortale25

Florida

4.29/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured into a Funky Buddha Brewing snifter. No freshness date.

A- Pours a medium amber color with a 1/4 inch white head that soon fades to a thick ring around the edge of the glass and a small patch of surface foam. Semi-resilient lacing clings to the side of the glass leaving a thick ring behind.

S- Incredibly sharp, zesty hop aroma. A bit of malt sweetness too with a hop fume that cuts like a knife. Very unique and enticing.

T- Flavor follows suit with more citrusy sharpness and juicy grapefruit notes. The bitterness has a very tangy attack which sort of complements the somewhat high alcohol presence. Decent malt backbone provides just the right amount of sweetness to back up the brightness of the hops.

M- Big bites of hops all the way through, actually more stinging but in a great way. Medium carbonation and a body that's just a tad on the lighter side.

O- An excellent and unique IPA that I always love to drink. Has that west coast citrus bomb aspect to it but in a way that's still different and remarkable.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2013 03:13:40 | More by Immortale25

corysmith01

New York

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

06-19-2013 01:57:55 | More by corysmith01

heytomcat

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -11.1%

06-18-2013 21:58:53 | More by heytomcat

jbar920

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%

06-18-2013 17:03:11 | More by jbar920

RyV

California

3.75/5  rDev -11.1%

06-18-2013 06:24:02 | More by RyV

fsck

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%

06-18-2013 04:57:34 | More by fsck

slatetupelo

Mississippi

4/5  rDev -5.2%

06-18-2013 04:27:41 | More by slatetupelo

45nDown

Arizona

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

06-18-2013 03:24:57 | More by 45nDown

ajcantu

Washington

5/5  rDev +18.5%

06-18-2013 02:35:59 | More by ajcantu

kangarooAdam59

Wyoming

4.1/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

At River City Saloon, Sacramento, CA:

Into a pint glass:

A: somewhat hazy orange/brown colored body, film of a white somewhat foamy head, some light foamy lacing, body is too hazy for any carbonation to be seen rising

S: strong citrus/pine hops up front, decent backing by the malts as it warms

T: bittersweet and balanced all throughout, decent hops to malts well-welcomed aftertaste, dry finish

M: medium, sessionable, carbonation is adequate for the style and for me, slightly dry and crisp

O: I`m glad I`m finLly able to try this as I would have this again

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2013 01:29:20 | More by kangarooAdam59

BColton1

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev -5.2%

06-18-2013 01:25:21 | More by BColton1

KyleMA

California

3.75/5  rDev -11.1%

06-17-2013 23:58:46 | More by KyleMA

bmoney

Ohio

4/5  rDev -5.2%

06-17-2013 21:54:07 | More by bmoney

Buttermilk

Illinois

4/5  rDev -5.2%

06-17-2013 17:32:37 | More by Buttermilk

spw109

New York

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%

06-17-2013 07:30:44 | More by spw109

apants007

New York

3.25/5  rDev -23%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

poured form a bottle into a pint glass.

a: clear reddish amber. light head goes away pretty quick.

s: a little orange, some hoppy burn. not much.

t: more of the orange. nice blend of bitterness. tastes nice without leaving too much to think about. kinda like a dirty orange crush.

mf: decent carbonation. thick but not syrupy. again pretty good. not great.

not going to be my beer of choice. not mad at it but not super excited about it either.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 04:14:36 | More by apants007

BeerRunner

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

06-17-2013 03:17:45 | More by BeerRunner

Jslay013

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -17.1%

06-16-2013 22:23:03 | More by Jslay013