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Notes on beers brewed by

Bear Republic Brewing Co.
XP Pale Ale

XP Pale Ale

Nov 16, 2008

22 oz bomber. Thanks go out to... Pretty much exactly what I expected which is a very good thing. The pour is excellent with a lovely orange amber body, a high head and some serious head retention and creamy, broken, dripping lace. Carbonation is just about perfect. Rather than entering into a long description about the beer it's probably best to describe it in terms of styles. The American Pale Ale style has the potential to be bland, but this is hopped up enough to break that stranglehold of...

XP Pale Ale

Pete’s Brown (Tribute Ale)

Apr 6, 2008

=== Updated Review 08/08 === Four months on, and this beer still captures the nutty, malt character of the style nicely. Rich, great brown color and depth and some super red highlights. === Original Review 04/08 === One of my favorite styles. 22 oz bottle, $4.99 State Line Liquors. Deep, deep dark brown pour (from a distance, almost black) with a few garnet highlights but even these are on the dark side. Nice head, some lace. Massive milk chocolate, malt nose. Creamy milk chocolate tastes...

XP Pale Ale

Racer 5 India Pale Ale

Jul 3, 2007

22 oz bomber, thanks to Solomon420 for the trade. I've been wanting to get my hands on this for a long time for two reasons; firstly because Bear Republic has built a wonderful reputation with me, and secondly because I have continued to hear great things about this particular brew. It was worth the wait and BR and this beer did not let me down. Popping the cap causes an instant strong hop aroma to waft across the kitchen. The pour is a cloudy, tan/orange combo with a good initial head and...

XP Pale Ale

Red Rocket Ale

Jul 2, 2007

22 oz bomber, thanks to Solomon420 for the trade. True balance is rare, this beer has it. The pour is exceptional; tawny brown body, AMAZING light tan colored head and great, lingering, complex lace. Put it all together and you have a great looking pint. Nutty brown ale feel with a dose of centennial hops on top. Bitterness is there but it is beautifully inter-woven into the malts and the beer boasts 65 IBU's of sheer balance. A mild, tea like after taste including a tannin dry finish. Nose is...

XP Pale Ale

Big Bear Black Stout

Dec 1, 2006

22 oz bomber, part of a recent trade (sorry, for now I forget who). Good black color with some dark brown highlights at the extreme edges. Nice looking pour with a very good creamy head that lasts well, with some latte coffee type lacing. There's a real creamy sweetness about this beer, and a distinct lack of bitterness. VERY mild, sweet and "lactose like" considering the style. In fact the more I drink it, the more lactose notes that creep in. Slightly lighter body than one would expect for a...

XP Pale Ale

Hop Rod Rye

Jul 15, 2006

March 08 === Another 22oz bomber. Thanks to Rustydiamond for the third chance to try this wonderful brew. Can't believe this is in SC but not in GA. Head and lace are still thick and superb and with the rich, rust colored body this looks fantastic. I still feel this would be better thought of as an American Strong rather than an IPA, either way its RICH, BOLD and has a depth of character that is July 06 & July 07 === 22oz bomber, thanks to flyingbison for the trade. Subsequently from...