Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA

Bear Republic Brewing Company
Healdsburg/Cloverdale, California

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Clear, light for the style. Minimal head.

AROMA: 3/4
Nice hoppy nose, fruity. Could use more hop aroma.

TASTE: 8.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Nice balance–hoppy AND malty. Lots of body.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Appropriately bitter, slight astringence.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Nice balance–malty, but not too malty. A little too big.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: It's hoppy, big. Starts well, finishes not quite as well. A high-alcohol beer.

TOTAL: 16.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Nicer in front than at the finish, but good–hoppy, well-balanced, but a little too much alcohol.
Ben: I'm still tasting hops. This is probably a better beer than the score suggests, it's just a very big beer for an IPA.