Finding a terrific IPA under $10 is getting kind of hard these days. Two Hearted, Stone IPA, and Green Flash all come in around $10 or higher. However, Bear Republic’s Racer 5 is an affordable and fantastic tasting IPA. The only crappy part is, we have to go to Madison, WI to get it. Not available in Eastern Iowa yet, but hopefully it will be soon.

From the brewer: “This hoppy American IPA is a full-bodied beer brewed American pale and crystal malts, and heavily hopped with Chinook, Cascade, Columbus and Centennial.
There’s a trophy in every glass”

Four different hops used in this brew. Huge pine aroma with sweet malty smell that follows. Nice hop presence, the bitterness is there but it is mild, not over the top hop dominant like many west coast IPAs but enough to satisfy the hopheads out there. Very drinkable brew for the summer months.

REVIEW

STYLE: American India Pale Ale

ABV: 7.0%

Purchased at: Woodmans; Madison, WI

Pour: Orange/copper pour with a medium white head.
Aroma: Piney hop aroma with light malt smell.
Taste: Piney, citrus smell that blends well with the sweetness of the malts.
Overall: A-

Recommendation: Excellent IPA if you can get your hands on it. I recommend everyone to take a beer pilgrimage to Madison, WI and stock up on some beers you can’t find around here.