Racer X Double IPA - Bear Republic Brewing Co.

hoppymcgee

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 32oz. growler purchased at New Beer in NYC into a big-ass mug.

A: Impressive. Pours with a nice frothy 3-finger head. This beer is so sticky that it literally leaves your glass "ribbed" as you sip (or gulp) it down. Honey amber color, similar to that of a maple leaf.

S: I wish I knew what each different hop smelled like, but these are ideal. It's more of a rustic aroma rather than a piny aroma. Also get a kick of honey and tree sap. Really nice aroma dissimilar to that of Sculpin or Pliny.

T: Earthy, rich, caramelly flavor that finishes with just the right amount of bitterness. Almost tastes oak-aged but not quite that woody/boozy.

M: Average. It doesn't add to the beer nor does it take away. It's not sticky or chewy like other DIPA's but rather thin. It sure helped me finish the 32oz. growler myself though!

D: Would pair well with many dinners. I had no problem taking this growler down alone.

Overall, a great score at the oh-so-esoteric New Beer. Bear Republic is at the top of my list for IPA's.

Serving type: growler

03-19-2010 01:09:36 | More by hoppymcgee

Biggness

New York

4.53/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a very dark amber with a light white head and some lacing. The aroma is big on citrus hops and a slight hint of caramel. The flavor at first is big on the malt and caramel flavors and the you get slammed with the wonderful grapefruit/orange flavors, extremely nicely balance. Low carbonation due to the serving type and a highly drinkable for a DIPA

Serving type: growler

02-02-2010 02:53:12 | More by Biggness

JohnQVegas

Tennessee

4.53/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz. counter-pressure filled Bierkraft bomber into red wine glass.

Pours a lightly hazy dark amber, with a sparse off-white head, but excellent lacing. What little head shows up stays around the whole glass.

Nose is pure west coast hop madness - an intermingling of super-dry but vibrant pine, mango, orange zest, and grapefruit,all wrapping around a sweet caramel note that's all foundation, barely showing through in the melange of beautiful hop aromas.

Taste follows suit. Dry and prickley, but with absolutely no harsh astringency. Big notes of tingley pine and a mix of tropical and citrus fruit sit on top of a malt body that's big and slightly sweet, maybe even a bit toasty, but entirely wrapped up in the juicy hop oils. Not at all overly bitter, though there is a nice, satisfying cotton-like dryness that just sits on the back of the tongue. A fantastic example of the right way to brew a DIPA.

Mouthfeel is oily, tingly carbonation and a hop bite in the back of the throat, perfectly balanced. Very well done - it's like this beer is just swimming in hop oil.

Drinkability is scary, actually. Huge flavor, but somehow light on the palate. No real alcohol presence. Beautiful beer.

Serving type: growler

12-31-2009 02:23:32 | More by JohnQVegas

jera1350

Minnesota

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

Pours an amber color with tight one finger head that leaves some lacing on the glass.

Fresh citrus, pineapple and some grass. Sweet and delightful.

Big and fresh citrus hop taste, but with a solid and sweet malt backbone that makes this well balanced. Some caramel and toffee with the pineapple and citrus flavors as well. Definitely can taste the BR influence in this.

Somewhere between medium and full bodied. Soft and smooth. Warming sensation from the alcohol.

Awesome drinkability, I had an entire bomber of this. An all around great beer that goes down way too easy. So glad I had the opportunity to drink this one. Thanks to SpeedwayJim for this one!

Serving type: growler

12-28-2009 04:05:53 | More by jera1350

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Another bottle/growler of awesomeness unveiled at our Rush Hour Tasting, thanks again to mikey711 for this one.

A: Bright golden orange with slight haze. A slight head which is decent for being shoved into a growler, shipped 1000 miles, sat in a fridge for a couple weeks, then drove in a car for 2 days.

N: Tons of hops, the way a strong DIPA should be. Lots of pine, citrus, grapefruit, and aromatic hops. Its a hop bomb. Aroma of 200 IBUs.

T: Hits you with a fresh hop bite. Earthy musty fresh hops. Lots of pine, citrus, grapefruit, and chewy hops really hit first. They never really fade either. A nice thick malty sweetness runs around in the background but never really comes to the front as it can't get past the hops. The very bright hop character changes slightly to a chewy, earthy, almost spicy hop character as it grows, then back to more pine and citrus.

M: A nice body with lower carbonation, but that can be expected.

F: Super bitter and dries off a bit, probably because of the crazy bitterness more than actual drying. Again the pine, citrus, and grapefruit seem to linger for a bit. The grapefruit is a lower character than the rest. They very slowly fade to a lingering memory, but your mouth never really forgets them. Thanks again Mikey for being able to experience this awesomeness.

Serving type: growler

12-22-2009 18:29:37 | More by jlindros

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.68/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed on 10/9/2009. Growler from Bellport Beer&Soda. Pours a clear deep amber/orange with a thick creamy off-white head. Aroma of citrus, grassy hops. Flavor of sticky, sweet caramel malt and citrusy hops. A little heavier than I would have wanted from a 7.8% beer. A little disappointing as I was expecting more of a hops presence as opposed to a malt presence.

Serving type: growler

12-19-2009 03:07:57 | More by LilBeerDoctor

CHickman

New York

4.6/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours hazy amber with a small light tan head; smells very hoppy, floral hops, piney hops and some citrus (lemon zest, orange peel); very pungent floral hop aroma that is just inviting a delicious. Good lacing that sticks to the glass with the very strong hoppy odor, which again smells great.

Tastes like it smells: lots of hops, floral hops, piney hops, sweet malt, citrus (lemon or grapefruit), a little caramel and some more hops; complex hop combo that has a lot of tasty flavor that's explosive in the flavor combo. The brew is light and crisp, might even say leaning towards medium bodied, with a slick oliy resin that lingers in a good way on the tongue with sweet malt and hops flavor which finishes on the dry and bitter side. The alcohol peeks through behind the hops which dominate the taste, but keep this a very drinkable beer. As a hop-head I love the flavor and hop attack from start to finish.

A great hoppy DIPA that has strong tasty hop flavor throughout and is very smooth considering the hop taste that never let's off. A great beer!

Serving type: growler

12-14-2009 00:46:26 | More by CHickman

rfgetz

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a nice orangy copper color, full frothy and fluffy white head, diminishes quickly but leaves good lacing. Smell is of citrus (mostly grapefruit, some tangerine) and floral hops with a presence of pine in the rear. Sweet malt comes through behind the hops. Taste follows scent with the citrusy (grapefruit & tangerine) hops the star, followed nicely by piney and spicy hops. Good sweet carmely malt backbone that does not interefere and compliments the hops very well. Medium bodied, good carbonation, slightly dry to the palate. Very good dIPA, not a hop bomb, but not overloaded with malty sweetness either... very good balance.

Serving type: growler

11-25-2009 16:02:40 | More by rfgetz

DavoleBomb

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a snifter. Big thanks to nyrangerfan for hooking me up.

4.0 A: Clear dark orange amber color. Two and 1/2 fingers of frothy creamy head that retains well and leaves lots of lacing.

5.0 S: Awesome aroma. Lots of pine and grapefruity citrus from the start. Though the hops aren't particularly complex, its simple aroma is strong and wonderful. Malts take a backseat, but add a layer of complexity with a soft caramel aroma.

5.0 T: The hop flavor is massive. Completely overwhelmed. Strong piney backbone again with softer citrus notes including mandarin and regular orange. Lemony grassiness to an extent. Malts lend caramel and a slight biscuity flavor.

4.0 M: Medium body. Good carbonation. Creamy, but could be creamier. Dry on finish with a pleasant bitter aftertaste.

4.5 D: Awesome beer. I'd love to get a growler of this once a year (or more!). Tons of hop flavor and an excellent IPA overall.

Serving type: growler

11-25-2009 02:51:11 | More by DavoleBomb

koopa

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance:
Transparent copper body with a 1 finger khaki crown that shows a touch of retention and moderate lace.

Smell: Beautiful nose....Lively and pungent floral hops, citrus hops (grapefruit and orange), sugar, and sweet malt.

Taste: Same as nose. Really works well but it is just too sugary for my personal preference. Small touch of alcohol.

Mouthfeel: Could use a touch more carbonation, but still a nice chewy med-thick body.

Drinkability: the sugar is what keeps me from scoring this one higher, but besides that it is delicious.

Serving type: growler

11-21-2009 00:40:48 | More by koopa

scootny

New York

4.58/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

The growler was not not full. I got the last of it at DeCicco's and so the carbonation is a little off as there was space in the bottle. Still there is a bit of and just a touch of lacing. Color is a beautiful copper with touch of cloudiness. No visible carbonation.

Smell is a yeasty bready mix of malt and hops. Fruitiness fuses it into an invitingly delicious hop bomb. Piney hops are prominent with a caramel sweetness flowing underneath.

Taste is a a collision of the big caramel malt backbone and the huge hops. They start out piney and quickly switch to grapefruit. A bit of citrus grove and afew other hops notes in this sweet hoppy symphony. There is just enough malt and breadcrust to balance the hop profile perfectly. That sweet caramel again mixed with tortured toffee. The finish is dry and bitter with a grapefruit skinned hop oiliness on the tongue and palate. Malted grains linger with a touch of menthol. Alcohol? What alcohol? Feel is full and somewhat syrupy in a good way. Hop oil is a distinct presence. A fine tingly carbonation breaks it up.

Drinkability is designated driver stuff. My wire and I killed this like it was lemonade. Wow is this smooth. No indication of the abv. Glad I got there in time to get some.

Serving type: growler

11-20-2009 01:52:33 | More by scootny

mikey711

New Jersey

4.45/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Boy was I excited when I saw this.

A: Vibrant amber color with no cloudiness at all. The head poured an inch thick and retained quite well, simmering to a quarter of an inch after about two minutes and leaving gobs of lace in its wake.

S: Nice hop aroma, some spicy and grassy, others are grapefruit and maybe some melon citrus. It does not have the same burst of hoppy aroma as say pliny or sculpin, but still nice

T: Super balanced for a DIPA. There is plenty of hop bitterness but enough caramel sweetness to back it up. It starts with a pine bitter note that transitions into a bit of melon and mild grapefruit.

M: Ultra smooth. A great amount of body is present with a good lingering bitter note. It is full without being heavy. No booze is detectable at all.

D: This is by far the best beer from Bear Republic that I have ever had. WHile some of the others can be too piny and bitter, this one goes down very smooth and is deceptively light.

Serving type: growler

11-16-2009 23:27:05 | More by mikey711

jpro

South Carolina

4.58/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Wow - probably the best double IPA I've had. Pours a pretty dark amber / copper with a fluffy off white head - nice lacing. Smell is straight hop deliciousness - citrus rind, pineapple, tropical fruits, and hints of pine resin. Taste is well balanced by a malt sweetness - nice hoppy finish with that signature grapefruit bitterness. Mouthfeel is full bodied and a hint syrupy. Drinkability is up there for the style - awesome stuff!

Serving type: growler

10-31-2009 00:50:16 | More by jpro

jnn4v

Virginia

4.28/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Growler poured at CBX in Charleston earlier today. Reviewed within an hour of when the growler was originally filled.

A: Amber color. Much darker than I had originally expected. No sediment or haze. Head filled about 1/5 of the glass.

S: Some grapefruit, copper, and sugary sweet scents are the first three. A bit of pungent, herbal hop scents on second smell. The color, hops, and scent remind me a bit of a big imperial red.

T: Excellent balance. Very good sweetness, yet also very good, clean bitterness, and some nice citrusy flavors with a hint of resin / herbal bitterness on the tail end.

M: Not as thick as some DIPA's. Moderate carbonation, which is more than average for the style. Helps contribute to the overall well-balanced nature of this beer and keeps it from seeming to sweet or syrupy.

D: 9% ABV is definitely noticeable. However, it's got very good flavor and is such a rare treat that I have to force myself not to race through Racer X.

Serving type: growler

10-28-2009 22:00:29 | More by jnn4v

bonbright7

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This great looking amber IPA was great addition to my fridge's collection of beers from the rockin' beer store next door. Racer X was good name for this big brother of the regular Racer 5 as its depth is both greater and it's aroma is more fragrant with malts, hops and fruit. I didn't even bother to pour it into my usual 50 cl glass of many reviews from before as the clear 750ml growler was just another big bottle.

Relaxing with the beer and the Falcons-49ers game, I dove into the volume of nuances. I wished had read the AHA brewing guidelines to further extol the great taste I was enjoying with a fat roast beef hero. In any event, it was a great ale to enjoy while watching football.

Serving type: growler

10-11-2009 21:30:37 | More by bonbright7

Wasatch

Utah

4.78/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Thanks goes out to Wespatrick for this brew.

Pours a very awesome clean/clear golden orange, very nice carbonation, HUGE three-finger creamy/thick/foamy head, with tons of thick/creamy sticky lacing to follow. The nose is hoppy, bitter, sweet, malty, lots of citrus/pine notes. The taste is incredible, hoppy, bitter, sweet, slightly malty, very nice citrus/pine notes, and some caramel. Medium body, slightly syrupy, chewy. Very drinkable, probably the best DIPA I've had to date. Highly recommended. Thanks Wes!

Serving type: growler

09-20-2009 00:00:16 | More by Wasatch

westweasel

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Obtained from a trade with khiasmus. What a trader - fantastic, generous extras!!!

Poured from a growler into a New Belgium snifter.

The aroma is filled with oranges, peaches, mangos, toasty malt, and some hints of pine and grapefruit.

The beer is a brilliant orange/light amber with a small beige head. Belgian lace is left along the glass. The mouthfeel is medium with moderate carbonation.

The taste starts very briefly with some toasty malt - but it is quickly engulfed by a strong lemon/grapefruit bitterness. You get a substantial lingering citrus bitterness after the swallow.

This is a very drinkable DIPA. The peach and mango aroma is unique. The slightly harsh lingering bitterness keeps me from giving it a full five.

Serving type: growler

09-05-2009 02:26:14 | More by westweasel

Nesued

South Carolina

3.63/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Picked up two (2) growlers from Green's on Piney Grove Road on their first "Rare Keg night". Excellent idea! Keep them coming!

Appearance - Orange glow emits from this brew, a fine/light carbonation feeds the remaining ring of a slight head that formed from the pour. Large bubbles retain after the pour with little lacing as it resolves. A slight haze.

Smell - Lively and big citrus/grapefruit nose. Some bubblegum as well with also a slight caramel aroma. A grassy nose, but overwhelmed by a huge fresh hop aroma. Exceedingly bright, clean and refreshing.

Taste - To say "palate cleansing" to start off the taste review says a lot. Not quite the "tongue-ripper" I was expecting from this huge AD/IPA, but nonetheless you have to fight through the hops to find the finer points of this beer. They are there, sweet malty almost nutty flavor once you adjust. The alcohol is present as well, about mid-way through the sip. Finishes with a crisp bite.

Mouthfeel - Slick and syrupy with a lasting sweet sticky lip feel. Light to moderate density.

Drinkability - Glad I'm not having anything after this offering 'cause I would be hard-pressed to have my taste buds identify mild or malty flavors after this big boy. I tried it. It's not for the malt-lover BA. In my opinion this could have used more balance.

Serving type: growler

08-19-2009 00:34:17 | More by Nesued

Gyle41386

South Carolina

4.13/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Fresh growler from Green's in Columbia. Poured into a tulip.

Pours a clear copper color. Three fingers of creamy off-white foam retain well, and leave behind some beautiful lacing.

Big time hoppy aroma screams West Coast DIPA. Piney, resinous hops and grapefruit peel are the dominant aromas, with some underlying malt sweetness.

Not surprisingly, the hop flavor is just as big. There's a pretty solid sweet malt representation, but it still pales in comparison to the big bursts of hop flavor. Seems like there's equal pine and citrus hop qualities. Big bitterness. Drying finish is full of bitter citrus peel and pine.

Medium-full body. Carbonation level is appropriate. Oily hop feel. Dangerously smooth, an easy drinker.

Serving type: growler

08-15-2009 03:32:03 | More by Gyle41386

jbhuxley

South Carolina

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

Found on tap at Grapevine in Fort Mill, SC. I won't see this one again soon, so I picked up a growler.

Pours clear, amber/orange in color. Pour yields 1" of frothy off white/caramel colored head, which leaves behind abundant, thick, runny lacing.

Huge piney hops smell. Also getting some grapefruit and orange peel. Nice caramel toffee scents too.

Blast of pine hops with a good deal of sweetness, but finishes dry and crisp. Some of the caramel toffee tones are present in the taste too.

Great mouthfeel. Medium body, full but not sticky or chewy. I couldn't get enough of beer. I wish it came around more often.

Serving type: growler

08-10-2009 13:18:20 | More by jbhuxley

aerozeppl

New York

4.58/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

When it rains it pours. After searching for this beer for 2 years I had it twice in less than a month. Growler from Cappones.

A: Glorious looking clear copper color.Poured with a half finger of white head. The lacing was not as good as the draft version but that is to be expected.

S: Pungent hops with a very west coast citrus leaning. A little bit boozier than it was on tap as well but that really does not bother me.

M: The mouthfeel really reminds me of unearthly. Nice and thick.

D: Really drinkable. Wish they would bottle this one day.

Serving type: growler

07-09-2009 22:30:22 | More by aerozeppl

gibby

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a growler from capones for 6/2 phish show. Been looking fwd to trying this beer for a while now. Poured into a standard pint glass in the parking lot. Darker color than I expected, very amber, reddish. Thick soapy 2 finger head after the pour. Smelled very hoppy, citrus, toffee, orange, sugary, really nice aroma. Semi thick mouthfeel, seemed a little syrupy and boozy at times. Carbonation was very nice for being in a growler for a few hours, I had no complaints. Had 3 pints and I was feeling good, which was my plan. Not sure what the abv % is but it packs a punch after a few. As it warmed I could taste the alcohol more and more. Overall it was a very good offering. I am a big fan of the racer 5 so I was glad to try the double. Looking fwd to having this again at the TJ's ballast point vs bear republic face off. the racer X is a nice find for the hopheads out there, recommended. Cheers.

Serving type: growler

06-04-2009 00:10:57 | More by gibby

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.47/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle, thanks to my boy spacecoyote. Reviewed as a growler.

Pours a clear reddish orange, very bright, thick off white head forms, slowly drops to a thick layer and ring leaving a ton of lace on the glass, looks real nice. Smell is great, very hoppy, some yeast, grapefruit, floral, toasty malt, caramel, orange peel, pine, very hoppy but balanced. Taste is similar, caramel sweetness and toast, grapefruit and orange, pine, floral, some light fruit, pineapple, lightly sugary, big bitterness but perfectly balance and complex. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with low to medium carbonation. Damn do BR make balanced DIPAs! This reminds me a bit of Apex in that its super complex but perfectly balanced, very good stuff. I could certainly put down quite a few pints. Thanks Carl!

Serving type: growler

06-02-2009 15:48:29 | More by Viggo

bhalter8

Georgia

4.35/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A very big thanks to tpd975 who shared this at a tasting I randomly showed up at in Tampa. I have always wanted to try this beer. Pours a deep burnt orange color with a decent with head resting atop. Heads sticks around a while, and has the requisite lacing from a well made beer. A very strong earthy/pine hops aroma, and not sure if this was due to its journey, but a bit of a sour aroma too. What the beer lacked in hop aroma was made up in the taste, strong hops here. Well made in that the hops are balance with a strong malt backbone. Medium mouthfeel, but none of that dry hop aftertaste makes this very drinkable for a style that can many times not be.

Serving type: growler

05-30-2009 12:39:58 | More by bhalter8

tpd975

Florida

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to JW347 for this gem.

A: Pours a nice copperish orange hue with a nice foamy head from a growler pour. Nice retention and a good smattering of lace.

S: Nice pine hops right from the start, hints of rotten fruit, and a big dose of floral hops.

T: Loaded with nice sweet caramel malt up front. On the back end is a huge dose of citrus hops with a healthy dose of floral hops. It's a big beer.

M: On the fuller side of medium, fairly full bodied for the style. Good carbonation with a nice bitter finish.

D: Pretty good, the hops bitterness dies a bit as it warms.

Serving type: growler

05-29-2009 16:04:33 | More by tpd975