• Brewery: Bear Republic Brewing
• Country: USA
• Style: American IPA
• ABV: 7.0 %
• Size: 650 ml
• Bought from: Brewdog Web Shop, ~9 euro
• Beer Advocate
• RateBeer

As you might have noticed, I really am a hop head, and love hoppy and bitter beers, such as IPAs, IIPAs and Imperial Stouts. Today’s hoppy beer is from Bear Republic Brewing, a California-based microbrewery. Racer 5 is their multiple award-winning American IPA, brewed with Pale Ale and Crystal malts, and hopped with Chinook, Cascade, Columbus and Centennial to an IBU of around 75. I found no indications on bottling date or best before date, so I just have to hope that it is quite fresh. I’m expecting a really citrusy, resiny and bitter beer, and hopefully I’m right!

[easyreview title=”Bear Republic Racer 5″ cat1title=”Appearance” cat1detail=”The beer pours with a golden orange color and a white-colored head, that quickly collapses to leave some islands of foam on the surface. The beer is slightly hazy, and the glass gets coated by lacing as the liquid level decreases.” cat1rating=”4″ cat2title=”Smell” cat2detail=”The aroma is hoppy, and the hop tones are very floral and fruity, with some grapefruit, pineapple and the slightest pine.” cat2rating=”4″ cat3title=”Taste” cat3detail=”The flavor begins with slight tones of caramel, but these are quickly overtaken by flavors of orange, grapefruit and resin. These hop flavors are strong, and definitely dominate the flavor. The flavor ends slighty dry and with a pleasant bitter bite. The beer is balanced towards the hops, but I feel the malt backbone keeps the beer standing quite well. The alcohol is well hidden.” cat3rating=”4.5″ cat4title=”Mouthfeel” cat4detail=”The beer has a medium full, slightly oily, body and a medium-low carbonation level, making it pleasant to drink. The bitterness is not that harsh, making it quite pleasant to drink.” cat4rating=”4″ summary=”Another great American-brewed India Pale Ale, packed with C-hop flavor, primarily featuring tones of citrus fruits and resin. The package is quite well balanced, though mostly towards the hoppiness, and as a whole is a very tasty and drinkable beer. If I ever have chance to try this (or any other of the brewery’s beers) again, I would, but I probably won’t get the chance again. If you ever get the chance, and like American-style IPAs, definitely try it out! A really good beer!”]