1001 Beers: Bear Republic

1001 Beers: Bear Republic Racer 5 & Hop Rod Rye

Racer 5 is one of the first IPAs that I was able to drink multiples of. Before this time the only IPA I liked was DFH 120 Minute... which is way extreme for anyone who hated the style to begin with. Though, time and tolerance changes I guess.

Beer Number 104: Racer 5

Racer 5 quickly became Ricardo's top selling beer, although Rocket Red Ale was the original flagship. The former is an IPA that packs a punch at 84 IBUs, but is as noteworthy for its aromatic blend of Northwest American hops--Cascade, Columbus, and Chinook.

I have not had this one since I visited the brewery way back when but I am glad to revisit it.



Racer 5 is quite enjoyable, though there is some flavor that I never noticed before that I pulled out today... I don't know how to describe it but, this beer had a light, very soft and mellow resiny nose. Pine also peeked through. A very malty, smooth bitterness, and a grassy finish on top of a medium bodied beer with a very robust hop flavor that lingers long after the finish. It really sticks to your tongue.

Beer Number 105: Hop Rod Rye

At 8 percent abv and with more than 90 IBUs, it is somewhere between an India Pale Ale and a double IPA. However, there is also 20 percent rye in the grist, which adds a rich, bready texture.

I love rye in beers and this one was no exception. This was actually the first beer I had had and checked into untappd!



Hop Rod Rye had that same light and fluffy nose but there is a whole new world of flavor when you dive into it. Nice rye character, some spice and a velvety, malty texture. Nice strong flavor and a fuller body it seems than Racer 5. Though, that new flavor is coming through in this one too... I have no idea how to describe it or what it is coming from...

896 Bottles Of Beer To Go!

Cheers!

1001 Beers: Victory Brewing Company

1001 Beers: Victory HopDevil & Prima Pils

I am finally knocking off all of the Victory Beers from the list! I know that isn't really as exciting as it sounds, but I prefer Victory beers that are not on the list. And I just got a Barley Wine from the company that they don't even brew anymore... I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT!!! I still need to try an aged Storm King...

Beer Number 94: Hop Devil

A funny thing happened on the way to lager fame. While the two young brewers were setting up their brewery's restaurant in 1995, they got their hands on a long-awaited supply of Sierra Nevada Celebration, the famously hoppy beer from California released just once a year for the Christmas season. "It hit us like a ton of bricks," Covaleski said. "We looked at each other and said , 'We have our own brewery! We don't have to wait once a year for a hoppy beer.'" Thus was born HopDevil, Victory's homage to hops.

It is funny hearing this after living in a beer world like we do now... If you want a hoppy beer, all you have to do is look at a brewing calendar and see who has an ultra rare, super limited, 500 case only special release... You know it happens all the time...



I was not really a fan of this beer. I mean, it was a cool deep amber beer with a tan rocky head and a mellow hop flavor and aroma. Grassy, earthy, creamy and it lingered quite a bit into the back of my throat. I know this was not a celebration clone or anything by the brewery, but I wish it had more of that taste.

Beer Number 95: Prima Pils

At the time, most small brewers were specializing in ales and other dark, heavy varieties; the time of the hop-heavy IPA was also about to dawn. Pilsner--at least the variety available in the United States--was generally seen as characterless, a fizzy yellow liquid with lots of money for promotion but little taste.

I've had Prima Pils a few times, too. And I did not really care for it any time I had it before... It is just not my type of beer. I know a ton of people that love this one and quite a few people that actually cook with it... I know some referred to it as more of a German IPA than a Pilsner.



I can't really pick out what it is that I do not like in this one... maybe it is the yeast... I don't know but something in the aroma and flavor really get to me. The sweetness, floral notes on the nose. A nice hop character but a very nice malty background that it lays on. Some alcohol in the finish and a dry finish.

So, now that I am done with the list Victory beers, I can get back to drinking their good stuff. I know people love these ones and I really hop they enjoy.

906 Bottles Of Beer To Go!

Cheers!

1001 Beers: IPA

Beer Number 77: Stone IPA

So, I have had this beer already on the blog but I decided to give it its own post. I wish I could have grabbed a bottle of it... Hell, I know I will and I could have waited but I decided not to. So, Stone IPA.

They released Stone IPA as their first-anniversary beer, knowing it would then take a place in the regular lineup--and also establish the fact that each other Stone beers, the IPA sets itself apart because the recipe doesn't include any of the Cascade hops common in most West Coast hop-centric, beers--

So, not the day I am drinking this one, but the day I am writing this post happens to be the 17th annivesary of Stone and the day they sold their first keg of Stone Pale Ale to their first account. Pizza Port. And Pizza Port even came and picked up the keg. Just to give you an idea of how far I am behind in my posting... almost caught up though... Kind of...



As you can see, this beer is in its proper serving glass at the melting pot. A very nice and citrusy ale with pine character coming in and taking you by storm. A nice malt background and an amazingly dry finish. Classic Stone. Classic Beer. Classic, GET SOME!

924 Bottles Of Beer To Go!

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1001 Beers: Workhorse India Pale Ale

Beer Number 76: Laurelwood Work Horse IPA

So this beer is actually a replacement beer for one that has been discontinued. It is the only beer from this brewery and it is also the only IPA they have on their menu. Originally I wanted to pay the brewery a visit to get their Hop Monkey IPA, but after finding this bottle. I figured that would be good enough for the time being.

So, originally I thought putting the story behind the beer was pointless because it is not the same beer, but I think that it still may hold true, so...

Hop Monkey IPA was originally going to be called "Cellarman," in honor of the people who work the physical, entry-level job at breweries. But the name needed too much explanation for the layperson and became awkward on the bottle's label.

I have not talked to anyone at the brewery, but I feel Work Horse may be along the same lines. Even the imagery on the bottle shows a working man. This must be his IPA.

This beer has 1.5% more alcohol by volume and a few more IBU's than the Hop Monkey but I don't think all that much has changed... Work Horse poured a bit hazy with some floaties in it. Making me wonder if it is bottle conditioned or something... A very resiny nose with notes of grapefruit throughout.

A lot of citrus comes through in this beer and the lower level of carbonation works while setting the stage for the beautiful, clean body with a nice level of bitterness that lingers into the finish and drys out your mouth. The perfect balance for the working man.

925 Bottles Of Beer To Go!

Cheers!

1001 Beers: Pelican Pub & Brewery

1001 Beers: Imperial Pelican Ale & Kiwanda Cream Ale

Oregon has only one or two breweries, as you all know, so it is kind of a beer wasteland...................................... I knew you would buy that. Then again, Pelican is quite a bit different from the rest. I wish I would have been able to go down to the brewery and try the beers, but it was a long drive from where I live. Not worth it on this trip.

What's more important--the beer or the food? We say both. In fact, The Pelican Pub & Brewery is a world leader in the pairing of food and beer. After all, we've been doing it for 16 years. Our executive chef and brewmaster make it their daily mission to understand how food and beer flavors complement one another.

Beer Number 72: Imperial Pelican Ale

India Pelican Ale was first brewed as a seasonal beer. After the second batch was brewd a year later, demad for it was so overwhelming that india Pelican Ale was moved into regular production.

Wait... Did I grab the wrong beer? NO! After looking up their beers, either they changed the name or no longer produce the "India" version.



Imperial Pelican was very bright and golden. It had that classic cascade flavor to it. Quite hoppy and bitter, which seems like the backbone of the West Coast IPA. Citrus notes and grassy throughout and linger into the finish. A nice medium bodied beer.

Beer Number 73: Kiwanda Cream Ale

Kiwanda Cream Ale was named for Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, which is located in the same town as teh brewpub, Pacific City, Oregon. The beer has garnered numerous awards including three gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival, together with a gold and silver medal at the World Beer Cup.

This one I was not big on. It reminded me of everything a cream ale should be... Creamy, green apples, light bodied, low carbonation, a little peppery... I call this one, pass. I wonder what food they pair it with at the brewery.

928 Bottles Of Beer To Go!

Cheers!

1001 Beers: Pike Brewing

1001 Beers: Pike IPA & Monk's Uncle Triple



I have started every other blog post about this place with this image, so I figured there was no reason to change things up now. I have been to this brewery a few more times than I ever thought, but apparently there is a ton of history behind both it, and the owners. I wish I would have planned things out better in order to try and talk to them. I mean, a Saturday is not the best day to go to Pike Place. Though, being from the Seattle Area, I already knew this.

Beer Number 69: Pike IPA

"We start with sea water from the 18th century, flown over from England," quips Pike Brewing Company's founder Charles Finkel. "We were one of the first to do an IPA on the West Coast. We wanted, as much as possible, to create an 18th-century India Pale Ale, but with local flavor as well."

I feel they pretty much accomplished their goal when it came to the ideals behind this IPA. It may have been wild 5-10 years ago, but it was fairly mellow and had an awesome balance despite the hop presence. Grassy with tropical fruits in the finish. Very easy drinking.



Beer Number 70: Monk's Uncle Triple

Pike Monk's Uncle Tripel was originally brewed in 2006 to celebrate the fact that the Finkels had re-aquired the Pike Brewing Company after an eight-year absence. A total of 500 limited-edition bottles were given to key accounts and friends of the brewery to say thank you for their support.

I have had a few Triples, some quite a bit better than others but thisone was not bad. Spicy, fruity, sweet and sticky. A high carbonation level and a bit of hops in the finish. They said it was 9% abv, but I couldn't really feel it until I stood up. Good thing I only had to walk around the packed market.



931 Bottles Of Beer To Go!

Cheers!

1001 Beers: IPA

Beer Number 68: Caldera IPA

Another Oregon Brewery, though this one is right at the border right before you hit California. Now way I am going to be making it that far south on this trip but while I have a can of their beer here with me, why not drink it before I get there.

Caldera is focused on a being just a production brewhouse, with no pub, restaurant, or even tasting room. Everything is brewed on a small ten-barrel system, with varying size fermenters allowing the brewery to do single, double, and triple batches.

I find this pretty awesome. You hardly ever see that from a brewery. I guess they are more worried about the beer they make than everything else. While, I think it would be awesome to have a tasting room, I totally like and appreciate the fact that they do not. If I opened a brewery, would I follow this model? Probably not. But that is because I have plans for the food menu and special events. Though, it might not be a bad way to start.

A nice, deep golden to amber color with a big and rocky tan head. Some grassy and oniony notes on the nose. This is not a very bitter IPA, which surprises me since it clocks in at 90 something IBU's but it is very flavorful. Juicy, some of that onion comes through and grapefruit. A bit of bitterness come in the finish and those flavors really linger on. Medium to light body and dry.

This is not my style of IPA. Though, I guess I am getting the taste of Oregon in my mouth now. Only a few more days until I am there.

933 Bottles Of Beer To Go!

Cheers!

1001 Beers: India Pale Ale

Beer Number 48: Goose Island India Pale Ale

I have not had many beers from Goose Island. Today, I actually had one randomly while getting a slice of Pizza at the mall, Mild Winter. Before today, I think I've only had Matilda and Bourbon County Stout and that was at a bottle share. I think it is funny how both of those beers are part of this series. It looks like I have to go out and get them for myself this time. I remember liking them, so I am not too worried about it.



This bottle of India Pale Ale was bottled on March 1 2013 so that sounds pretty damn fresh to me. I kind of wish I drank it right after I picked it up a week ago, but I doubt it has diminished that much, if at all. For all of you Craft vs Crafty guys out there, SUCK IT! Goose was making great beer before the acquisition, and as long as they continue to make great beer now, I feel it changes nothing.

The IPA reflects the Goose gestalt perfectly: a great example of a beer that's only as complicated as it needs to be. Just a single malt, mashed with a simple infusion, brewed similarly to the English examples that inspired it. It's a testament to the amazing nature of well-made malt that such a simple recipe could result in this kind of depth. Aroma is provided by four hops: Styrian, Golding, Fuggles, and Cascade, then the brew is dry hopped with Centennial for a bright and fresh hop aroma. The yeast is an English strain that brewed more than 200 batches before being recultured. As a result, it developed its own unique character and is the workhorse for Goose Island's ale production.

The beer fits with the English Notion that beer is for drinking, not sipping. "We wanted more of an English-style IPA," says Greg Hall. "We are not anti-hop," as some online beer raters have claimed. "It's about making a balanced, drinkable beer."

A white, rocky head formed on top of a golden, malty bed. The nose was grassy and a bit piney. It drank fairly creamy, I must say with a pleasant bitterness and a small amount of juicy fruit flavors. Some spice lingered around as well. This was honestly exactly what they said it is. A very good IPA made for drinking, everyday.

953 Bottles Of Beer To Go!

Cheers!

Fremont: Interurban IPA

Fremont Interurban IPA is another beer that my sister had sent me back from home. Yet again, another brewery I have never had or been to before... Though, I think these beers were on tap at Teatro ZinZanni. I love that place but I cannot remember if they were the ones I drank or not. I didn't write notes or even check it in. That is not a place you go to use Social Media. Highly recommended to check them out. Anyway, back to this IPA.

Fremont takes pride in their local area as well. This place opened up about the same time that I started hombrewing. It would have been awesome to get out there in the early days but my loss, right? Here is a little story about their IPA from the website.

Interurban India Pale Ale

Named after Fremont’s most famous outdoor sculpture, Waiting for the Interurban, Interurban India Pale Ale offers the adventurous beer lover a warm embrace of roasted pale malt swirled with a hand-selected blend of flavor malts and filled with the rich spice of Chinook, Centennial and Amarillo hops. Interurban India Pale is a session beer, eminently drinkable throughout the year.

I would not agree with their description of this beer being a session ale since it sits at 6.2% ABV, but after having tasted it, I can see how this beer can be a good conversation piece. Maybe drink it slow and then pick up their 77 Fremont Select. I have not had that one, so I cannot talk about it but that beer actually fits in the session category. It is even about to be released according to their calendar.

When I first cracked this bottle the hoppy aroma filled the room. I take that as an instant plus. I wish I knew when this beer was bottled. I believe it is code dated but there is no other indication of date on the bottle. When I poured it in the glass it was a golden honey color and a big rocky head formed on top. The nose was very fruity and tropical.

I really enjoyed drinking this one. This was a very juicy IPA. It started off sweet and a lot of pineapple and grapefruit I would say. Some pine with the bitterness creeping in and this is where you get some very earthy flavors. The finish is a little grassy and quite dry. Medium bodied and I thought it was nice this beer was a little bready. Highly drinkable and a great conversation piece, but I would not call it sessionable. I could definitely feel this one. It was hard to stop drinking it. 4/5. Also, I love their slogan.

Because Beer Matters

Cheers!