Bear Racer IPA
2:05 am May 2nd, 2008Yesterday we picked up a six-pack of Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA, which is definitely one of my favorite beers (it’s my usual at the Common Ground in Allston, home of Monday Night Trivia and Friday’s 90s’ Nite). It’s extremely hoppy, which I always like, but the hoppy bitterness is balanced by a malty sweetness, and the hops impart a floral aroma — it’s simultaneously sweet and tart and smooth and a flavor I can’t quite name, reminiscent of earth and wood.
Racer 5 features Cascade and Columbus hops; since I like hoppy beers so much and we’re getting more into brewing, I’m trying to develop a more discriminating taste for different types of hops. As far as I can tell, Cascade is a featured hop in many of my favorite bitter-yet-florally-balanced ales (well, some might disagree about “balanced”). The beer we’re going to start brewing tonight (from the bible of homebrew) features Cascade as well, so I’ll be getting to know that hop better — Bear Republic’s website says that “Cascade is the balance that ties the malt and bittering hops together” in Racer 5, and I hope it will balance our next project as deliciously.
Tags: beer