The Craft Beer Market
Bear Republic Brewing is a Northern California craft brewery that brews Racer 5 IPA. The craft beer market has grown rapidly over the last 40 years after Congress legalized homebrewing in 1978. As a result, this inspired many beer enthusiasts to start their own small breweries. Today the overall beer market is flat and possibly in slight decline. The craft beer segment has become a greater percentage of the overall total. Many small breweries are closing, but many are also starting up. The number of breweries in the United States continues to rise, albeit at a much slower rate. Many are predicting a “beerpocalypse” as once popular breweries, brewpubs and tasting rooms close.
Bear Republic Brewing
The Norgrove family founded Bear Republic Brewing Company in 1995. The original brewery was nestled off the downtown square in Healdsburg, California. They experimented with different ingredients and ultimately introduced Racer 5 IPA on tap in Sonoma County in 1996 and in packages in 1997. Bear Republic broke ground at Factory 5 Brewery in Cloverdale, California in 2005 and eventually partnered with Drake’s Brewing Company in San Leandro, California. Bear Republic only shows three beers on its website, Racer 5 IPA, Racer 7 Hazy IPA and Racer X Imperial IPA, proving that you don’t have to be everything for everyone in the beer industry.
Racer 5 IPA
Bear Republic describes Racer 5 IPA as “This hoppy IPA is a full bodied beer brewed with malted barley, wheat, and crystal malts. The malt base is designed to highlight the unique floral qualities of Columbus and Cascade hops from the Pacific Northwest. Racer 5® is one of America’s most medal winning IPAs. Enjoy this iconic, award-winning IPA that helped define the West Coast style. There’s a trophy in every glass.”
Racer 5 has a 7.5% ABV, 0g fat, 0g protein, 14 carbs, a 75 IBU and 231 calories. It has an “Outstanding” rating on Beer Advocate.
Our Review of Racer 5 IPA
If you have read any of other beer reviews, it may be obvious that we prefer pilsners and lagers that are more “drinkable.” We are not big fans of IPAs. However, Racer 5 is indeed an “outstanding” beer as indicated by the Beer Advocate rating. It packs a high calorie count, ABV and IBU but is somehow very refreshing and not overly bitter. Racer 5 deserves every medal it has won. If we are to drink an IPA, our first choice is Racer 5. If a lager lover loves Racer IPA, then IPA lovers should love it even more. We highly recommend this beer.
For another California craft beer recommendation, see our review of Danish Red Lager.
For beer nutritional information of all beers we have reviewed see Beer Nutritional Information.
