Barrel 45 Wet Hop Wild Racer 5 - Bear Republic Brewing Co.

AgentMunky

Alabama

4.48/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

I won a growler fill at Bear Republic's 4th Annual Cellar Party and, as far as I know, it is the only such growler (though try your luck at the Great American Beer Festival!). My favorite beer at the party. Filled Sunday 30 September. Opened 3 October 2010.

A: Very light head has me worried that I've left it to long, but there is a visible effervescence in the murky, copper-colored beer.

S: Funky fruit, Brettanomyces and mango. Tannic and reminiscent of a red wine. Noticeable oak reminds me of whiskey and slightly stale yeast of an old ale. There is a lot going on here, and I really like it.

T/M: Oooh yeah. Still good. A bit thinner and spritelier than I recall, but I suspect that might improve with warmth. And I've still got more than a litre to go... Anyway. A briney sourness is present in the background, but all the main action is happening up front. The beer is still bitter, hoppy, and noticeably an IPA. Additionally, there are explosions of citric acid that pack a lightly puckery bite and then leave lemon juice, lime peel, and finally mellow ruby grapefruit in their wake. The aftertaste is refreshingly, herbally bitter but doesn't outlast the wild yeast in the long-haul.

O: I love this beer, and I am incredibly grateful I got to take some home. Highly recommended. Racer 5 is a phenomenal IPA, the wet hopping was great, and two years in a neutral French oak (ex-wine) barrel only improved it. The wild yeast was a little funky, but was what makes it so interesting. Will think about often.

Notes: "Barrel 45 was filled in September of 2010 with Racer 5 IPA and over ten pounds of freshly picked Yakima valley Columbus hops. Refermented with wild yeast and bacteria, it is now a floral, fruity, slightly tart, and funky American wild ale."

Serving type: growler

10-04-2012 03:23:59 | More by AgentMunky