Beer – #298 – Bear Republic – Racer X
Oh my yes, Bear Republic Racer X. I’ve been looking forward to having you in me.
Brewed by Bear Republic Brewing Company in the style: of an Imperial/Double IPA that they do that in Healdsburg, California USA
Of course, a Selfie
650ml bottle of a 100 IBU, 8.3%ABV beer, which is 4.3 standard drinks, and this is 249 calories a serving.
Racer X® is an uncommon Double India Pale Ale which puts a California twist on English brewing traditions by adding an assertive hop aroma and bitterness that compliments the firm malt backbone. Like its little brother Racer 5, Racer X® is balance in a bottle.
That has an amazing aroma of lush hops and slight pepper and sweetness, already I’m smiling.
Cripes! That is a revelation. Lovely copper pour, great head, and then the lovely lovely taste sensation. There is a lovely sweet malt and floral front, then a really nice wash of light bitterness and a fantastic warm finish.
What can I tell you about this other than wow. I’ve had some good IPA and DIPA and this is memorable.
Lovely caramel, lovely florals, really hie bitterness that plays a part and isn’t the lead, and it sits nicely, and in all that this a nice resinous note.
The pdubyah-o-meter says that this is 9 on anyones measure of beer. This is full beer though and whilst it’s really good it’s also going to wear you out with it’s heavy punches, and so not a “session” beer, but one that you could start a journey with, get you set for some other taste flavours to come.
Music for this started with Elbow – a new song from their March release Album The Take Off and Landing of Everything’
then to “Some Riot” which reminds me of my own struggles with the black dog.
A friend of mine grows his very own brambles
They twist all around him till he can’t move
Beautiful, quivering, chivalrous shambles
What is my friend trying to prove?
The booze turns a tall, gentle boy to a terrible totem
And the kids gather ’round trying to see what’s inside
I think when he’s drinking he’s drowning some riot
What is my friend trying to hide?
‘Cause it’s breaking my heart, it’s breaking my heart
And it’s breaking my heart to pour like the rain
Brother of mine don’t run with those fuckers
When will my friend start singing again?
When will my friend start singing again?
IMPERIAL/DOUBLE IPA
Imperial IPA, Double IPA or DIPA is a strong, often sweet, intensely hoppy version of the traditional India Pale Ale. Bitterness units range upward of 100 IBUs and alcohol begins at 7.5% but is more commonly in the 8.5-10% range. The flavour profile is intense all-round. Unlike barley wines, the balance is heavily towards the hops, with crystal and other malts providing support.
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Love an American IPA, sounds awesome
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It was more than I expected, usually they come with big fan write ups and that can be misleading. This after a bunch of other types of beer was a really nice experience.
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Just tried a bottle of this, I am not a fan of really hoppy IPAs but I can enjoy them just the same. This was an interesting beer up until I started drinking it at the same time as eating OOB organic mocha ice cream, then it became wonderful. Sweet and hoppy who knew.
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Almost then, but not quite, like the mythical Creme Brûlée…..
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