455. Big Bear Black Stout
I purchased this at Downtown Wine & Spirits recently. I let it warm to around 50º F and served it in a New Belgium glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bear Republic Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 8.10%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: Russian Imperial Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours an opaque black, with a fluffy, light-brown head that thins to a patchy film leaving light lace on the glass.
Smell (4.0): Rich aromas of dried fruit and chocolate, with light aromas of roasted coffee.
Taste (4.0): Notes of sweet chocolate and fruit are followed by a cherry tartness in the center, and a strong roasted coffee bitterness in the finish, with a light alcoholic bite.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Full-bodied with low to moderate carbonation.
Drinkability (4.0): The alcohol is well hidden, it's a very pleasant beer to drink.
Overall (4.0): A nice RIS, this one was a bit on the sweet side, though it was still very good.
I purchased this at Downtown Wine & Spirits recently. I let it warm to around 50º F and served it in a New Belgium glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bear Republic Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 8.10%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: Russian Imperial Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours an opaque black, with a fluffy, light-brown head that thins to a patchy film leaving light lace on the glass.
Smell (4.0): Rich aromas of dried fruit and chocolate, with light aromas of roasted coffee.
Taste (4.0): Notes of sweet chocolate and fruit are followed by a cherry tartness in the center, and a strong roasted coffee bitterness in the finish, with a light alcoholic bite.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Full-bodied with low to moderate carbonation.
Drinkability (4.0): The alcohol is well hidden, it's a very pleasant beer to drink.
Overall (4.0): A nice RIS, this one was a bit on the sweet side, though it was still very good.
Labels: Bear Republic Brewing Co., Reviews, Russian Imperial Stout
454. Hop Rod Rye
I purchased this at Downtown Wine & Spirits on Saturday. I let it warm to around 45º F and served it in my NERAX pint glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bear Republic Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 8.00%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a lightly hazy dark-copper color with a thick, fluffy, beige head that fades slowly to a persistent one-eighth inch layer leaving behind patchy lace.
Smell (4.0): Light caramel malt aromas that become stronger upon swirling, rye spiciness and strong resiny hops and a hint of grain.
Taste (4.5): There's a lightly sweet caramel malt presence from start to finish that provides balance. The malt sweetness that's first evident is met by a nice spicy rye flavors in the center followed by an intense hop bitterness in the finish. The aftertaste is lingering bitterness with a light alcoholic spice.
Mouthfeel (4.5): Full-bodied, with moderate carbonation that somehow seems subdued.
Drinkability (4.0): The alcohol is well hidden and the beer is well-balanced.
Overall (4.35): Very tasty. The hop bitterness is high, but is balanced by an underlying maltiness that never seems too sweet.
I purchased this at Downtown Wine & Spirits on Saturday. I let it warm to around 45º F and served it in my NERAX pint glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bear Republic Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 8.00%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a lightly hazy dark-copper color with a thick, fluffy, beige head that fades slowly to a persistent one-eighth inch layer leaving behind patchy lace.
Smell (4.0): Light caramel malt aromas that become stronger upon swirling, rye spiciness and strong resiny hops and a hint of grain.
Taste (4.5): There's a lightly sweet caramel malt presence from start to finish that provides balance. The malt sweetness that's first evident is met by a nice spicy rye flavors in the center followed by an intense hop bitterness in the finish. The aftertaste is lingering bitterness with a light alcoholic spice.
Mouthfeel (4.5): Full-bodied, with moderate carbonation that somehow seems subdued.
Drinkability (4.0): The alcohol is well hidden and the beer is well-balanced.
Overall (4.35): Very tasty. The hop bitterness is high, but is balanced by an underlying maltiness that never seems too sweet.
Labels: American IPA, Bear Republic Brewing Co., Reviews
430. Racer 5 IPA
I went to Red Bones for dinner tonight. Red Bones always has an excellent beer selection. They had Racer 5 IPA on tap, which is on Beer Advocate's Top 100 list. This was served in a standard pint glass. I paired this with St. Louis style pork ribs, brisket, beans and cole slaw.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bear Republic Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 7.00%
Serving: Draught, 16 oz.
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a hazy golden with a creamy, thin, white head that clings to the glass leaving nice lace.
Smell (4.0): A nice, strong, citric hop aroma is dominant, with a more subdued bready maltiness.
Taste (4.5): Sweet, bready and toasty malts and an intense, tart, citric hoppiness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Light-bodied, tingly carbonation, with a lightly oily texture.
Drinkability (4.5): Very refreshing, the alcohol is also well hidden.
Overall (4.35): A very nice IPA. The toasty and bready malts balance but don't steal focus from the hops.
I went to Red Bones for dinner tonight. Red Bones always has an excellent beer selection. They had Racer 5 IPA on tap, which is on Beer Advocate's Top 100 list. This was served in a standard pint glass. I paired this with St. Louis style pork ribs, brisket, beans and cole slaw.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bear Republic Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 7.00%
Serving: Draught, 16 oz.
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a hazy golden with a creamy, thin, white head that clings to the glass leaving nice lace.
Smell (4.0): A nice, strong, citric hop aroma is dominant, with a more subdued bready maltiness.
Taste (4.5): Sweet, bready and toasty malts and an intense, tart, citric hoppiness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Light-bodied, tingly carbonation, with a lightly oily texture.
Drinkability (4.5): Very refreshing, the alcohol is also well hidden.
Overall (4.35): A very nice IPA. The toasty and bready malts balance but don't steal focus from the hops.
Labels: American IPA, Bear Republic Brewing Co., Beer and Food, Red Bones, Reviews
