Racer 5 IPA, Bear Republic Brewing Co.
Racer 5 might just be the perfect IPA. It was the first full-on west-coast style IPA we ever tried, and it was a revelation. They used to have it on tap regularly at the Liars' Club when we first started going there, and it quickly became our go-to beer of choice.
At 7% ABV, it is right at the alcohol level I like. It is light bodied and refreshing, and has a hint of sweetness to balance the bitterness from the hops.
If you get a chance, definitely visit the brewery in downtown Healdsburg. We stopped in on our recent beer tasting road trip, and really liked it there.
I have flirted with other favorites over the years - Russian River Pliny the Elder, Alpine Duet, Ballast Point Sculpin - but I've come back full circle to where I started. Racer 5.
The place right around the corner from me (the Park Pub, on Phinney in Seattle) now has Racer 5 on tap!
ReplyDeleteNice! We can get it pretty easily here in bombers, and just recently in six packs. It is pretty hard to find on tap, though.
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