Crazy Ivan - Bear Republic Brewing Co.

joshuadlight

Texas

3.78/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had this on tap sandwiched between a Pliny the Elder and a Blind Pig. I thought the beer was a reasonably good representation considering this was a Racer 5 plus a Red Rocket plus a Belgian yeast strain.
There is no way to avoid the Belgian yeast influence. It is present in the appearance, smell, and taste. But, the beer still holds on to characteristics of all three styles poured into it. I found it enjoyable and drinkable enough. I would not rebuff another were it offered to me.

Serving type: on-tap

08-08-2009 05:58:54 | More by joshuadlight

drewone

California

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

05-28-2013 20:49:10 | More by drewone

od_sf

California

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

05-19-2013 21:59:58 | More by od_sf

shigg85

Japan

4.5/5  rDev +16.6%

05-11-2013 06:53:58 | More by shigg85

waddellc2

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

05-08-2013 19:53:36 | More by waddellc2

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.6%

10-21-2012 16:48:54 | More by RblWthACoz

hanlonrn

4/5  rDev +3.6%

07-11-2012 19:16:44 | More by hanlonrn

mcallister

Ohio

4/5  rDev +3.6%

02-19-2012 19:55:55 | More by mcallister

garuda

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.6%

11-19-2011 00:44:24 | More by garuda

westcoastbeerlvr

California

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

11-15-2011 19:36:18 | More by westcoastbeerlvr

Neffbeer

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.6%

11-15-2011 05:03:04 | More by Neffbeer

oline73

Maryland

5/5  rDev +29.5%

11-15-2011 03:32:31 | More by oline73

bpfrush

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +3.6%

11-14-2011 16:03:48 | More by bpfrush

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

16oz pour in a pint glass at Rattle n Hum.

Crazy Ivan pours a couple shades lighter than amber, and is almost completely translucent. There's about a finger of bone colored foam topping the beer, and it leaves a little bit of lacing behind. I'm probably being a little bit generous with the appearance score because pours at RnH aren't always the best. Fruity and peppery Belgian yeast notes dominate, but there's a detectable citrusy American hop presence as well. The flavor takes those and adds a solid caramel base to everything. Still though, there's no real sense of balance as they yeasty flavors totally overwhelm the hops. The beer is very rich and full bodied, perhaps too much so because the carbonation seems a bit meek for an IPA (though this may be in part why the hop flavors seem subdued). Belgian IPAs are a tricky style to get right because of the delicate balance between yeast and hop influences, and I don't know if Crazy Ivan is out of balance, or maybe this keg was just old to the point that the hops have faded some, but regardless it was one of the least impressive Belgian IPAs I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2011 02:32:38 | More by axeman9182

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A glass on tap at Blue Dog in Chalfont...

Crazy Ivan looks darker than most IPA's, but it is a blend of some wort so expected, burnt copper with some bronze highlights, kinda unclear, a beige inch of foam leaving no remains.

The Belgian strain used aint all that bright or it was just underused. Smell is kinda muddled, does not scream Belgian, just says yeast. Bready with malt and hops about even, not all that bitter smelling.

Things go off with a glow, a nice bready yeast on top of Red Rocket And Racer 5, the state of those hops is kinda faded, the bitterness is light muddled by the yeast, no alcohol.

Feel is medium with a bready aftertaste and yeasty, not one of the best BIPA's but a good attempt. Carb is fine, taste is off kilter.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2011 03:12:43 | More by onix1agr

FickleBeast

New Jersey

4.18/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at rattle and hum nyc.

Arrives in a pint glass filled to the brim with a quarter inch of foam. Cloudy amber in color. Aroma is hoppy citrus underpinneed by a slight spicy belgian yeast.

Wow. This one very nice, complex brew. First impression is hoppy ipa. Second impression has a nice malty sweetness shine through. Final impression is a nice spicy yeast bite.

Very nice.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2011 02:24:38 | More by FickleBeast

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Churchkey.

Pours a moderate yellow gold color with a bit of haze and a few fingers of white foamy head. Lacing follows the brew down the glass. Nose brings some excellent Belgian yeast characteristics, but doesn't really integrate the hops at this point. Taste melds the two quite well, with some nice clove and spice banging against some citrus and herbal hops. Very nice touch. Feel is splendid with a good bit of bitterness matched up against a moderately carbonated medium body. One of the better examples of the style that I've come across in some time.

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2010 10:23:14 | More by Thorpe429

malloyca

District of Columbia

4.33/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Intriguing translucent red-brown color, with minimal head. The sweet malt and citrus hop aromas were hard to resist. This is definitely a California-style Belgian IPA, as the hop flavors are evenly matched against sweet malt that gives rise to caramel and vanilla flavors. A very drinkable beer, the alcohol level is relatively low (compared to others of this style) and the flavor profiles are well-balanced, making this a good choice for having several with a meal. It would be very good with ripe, soft cheeses.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2010 21:24:16 | More by malloyca

blackie

Virginia

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a: tulip serving, bright orange-golden in color with a subtle haze, good head retention and some lace

s: citrusy hops on a body of pale and light caramel malt with a nice phenolic spice running through - easily perceptible but far from taking over, hop heavy with good balance of components

m: carbonation on the lower side and smooth, light-medium body

t: pale and a light dose of caramel malts bring a balanced sweetness and set the stage for a nice citrus-tropical hop flavor and spicy yeast, clove phenols most identifiable, moderately bitter

d: easy, not a standout belgian ipa but a very solid one at least, the yeast character at least is spot-on

10 oz pour at ChurchKey, DC

Serving type: on-tap

08-08-2010 14:05:22 | More by blackie

klewis

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Catskeller - Cincinnati, OH - 7/19/10

A: Pours a hazy copper with a thick, frothy head.

S: Bright hop aroma with grapefruit and a strong floral quality. Light Belgian phenols.

T: Resiny hops with citrus and pine flavors; the presence of Racer 5 is quite prominent. Light caramel malt flavors provide a bit of balance, but the taste is still dominated by hops. A hint of Belgian yeast flavors, but very subtle.

M: Full-bodied for its ABV with a creamy, smooth texture. Moderate carbonation.

D: Not as complex and interesting as others in the Belgian IPA style, yet still quite enjoyable. Check it out.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2010 04:37:47 | More by klewis

MrHungryMonkey

Texas

3.9/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Nose has soft hop and clean fruit, soft malt. Smells good.

Pours clear amber with mild head. Looks good.

Flavor follows nose, hoppy like a strong APA. Moderate bitterness. Mild ale fruit, soft citric fruit. Softly herbal and spicy. Tastes good. Feels good. Good drinkability.

Not very Belgian, quite IPAish.

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2010 01:44:26 | More by MrHungryMonkey

clayrock81

Virginia

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a ruby tinted brown with a good clingy head and lace that never really goes away. The aroma is a mix of sharp hops that stick out, both citric and sweet (grape) and some sweet malt smell as well. A good mix of citric hops and some citric spice like orange and pepper and there is a caramel malt taste that is noticeable as well. Not much of a Belgian influence as more of a sweet IPA but there are some characteristics such as orange and very minor sweet fruit and sugary malt as well as a boozy feeling as I keep sipping.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2010 14:12:36 | More by clayrock81

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appears a slightly hazy light orange with a fluffy white cap that slowly fades into a film a thick collar. Scattered bits of lacing are left round the glass.
Smell isof heavy pine, herbs, citrus. Caramel, and vanilla.
Taste is of the aromas wiu a refreshing citrus flavor that has pine sap resounding in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel is sugary, medium bodied, sticky, bitter but balanced.

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2010 16:42:21 | More by weeare138

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap @ Amsby Abbey

A: Decent fizzy 1 finger head over semi hazy orange red slight wood colored beer. Leaves a notch of lacing for each sip.

N: Some fruits hops, little spicy and floral hops too, slight sweetness with a touch of Belgian malt aroma and Belgian yeast as well, but lighter on the nose than I hoped.

T: Taste starts with more Belgian malt flavors, a little wheat even with slight banana and juicy chewy malt flavors. A slight Belgian yeast flavor (remnants of it, not the yeastiness), then come the floral, spicy, citrus and somewhat bitter hops. Slightly juicy hop flavors, with a touch of warming booze and a little malty sweetness. A slight creamy malt comes through, with more late bittering hops. A little Belgian candi sugar and caramel flavoring.

M: Medium body with lots of carbonation.

F: Finishes pretty bitter and slightly astringent, with more fresh hop flavors, some spicy hops, chewy even slightly, little tingly warming booze, mostly dry but a touch of sweetness, a touch of citrus lingering too with a very looong bitter finish, which seems to just go on and on and stronger with each sip.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2010 18:33:48 | More by jlindros

squaremile

Oregon

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured on tap at Belmont Station. Pours a clear goldenrod with a small white head. Nose is resinous hops and a balance with some of the belgian style spicy notes. The flavor is very hop forward in a way that was very exciting an unexpected for me. The spices are there but in a mild way. As someone who doesn't really enjoy the Belgian character of the Belgian IPA, this was a very nice surprise and quite enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2010 04:18:51 | More by squaremile