Strong, citrus aroma, very hoppy, fruity, sharp, piney.
Beautiful golden orange hazy look with 2+ finger head with a normal pour. Fluffy head, tons of intricate lacing down the glass as I drink.
Bitter hops hit you in the first sip and the lack of large amounts of malt presence really allow the hops to dominate this beer. At least while its cold, the beer leaves a very bitter taste in my mouth.
Mouthfeel is good, quite drinkable, even at 7%. Easy to drink and the carbonation sparkles on my mouth just enough to make me want to go back for another sip. My burps taste like hops.
There is barely enough malt presence to balance the hops leading me to say this is a drinkable IPA. Not my favorite, and definitely not the most drinkable, but well loved by many and I can see why. (Gold medal winner this year at the GABF in Denver.) Not crazy, but the hops definitely control this one. A good beer to reach for if that’s what you’re looking for and a beer I will never turn down. I supplied a six pack of this and Redhook ESB a few weeks ago at my daughters’ birthday party (for the adults of course). It was amazing how fast the two “craft” offerings got gobbled up, by what I thought was a non-beer drinking crowd. Could it be that people are just bored with Miller Lite, or that the flashy labels of the craft brews attracts newcomers? In either case, I was happy to see my sister in law reach for a Racer 5, and I was happy to pour it into a glass for her.
ABV: 7.0%
Grade: B+
I have been wondering about this one, as I’ve been using an empty box of it to store my firewood for several weeks. Guess I should go see what a full box is like instead…
First off let me say, that I am enjoying your reviews 🙂
My favorite IPA is Widmer’s Broken Halo. But I have been periodically trying other brands just to have some perspective of the competition. I’ve tried several IPAs, and all have been either too malty (Dogfish 60, Mighty Arrow), too bland (Bridgeport, Inversion) or too horrible (Amnesia).
Racer 5 is exactly the flavor-experience I’ve been hoping to recapture! It is delicious, snaps your head back the way a killer IPA should and has the bitter, citrusy and fully realized flavor that, to my mind, makes it at least the equal of my beloved Broken Halo. I’m so happy, and who wouldn’t be after 22 ounces of a strong beverage! The only drawback is my local specialty store only carries Racer 5 in 22 oz bottles. Six pack size would be ideal. Anyway, nice review, and thanks for letting me vent!
Scott, I’ll have to look for some Broken Halo. I’m glad you’ve found the site and are contributing. As I read your post, I also reread my review and even though its early morning and I’m at work, it makes me want a Racer 5! I’ll have to control myself-
If I (or one of us) can get our hands on some Broken Halo we will certainly write it up!
Here in Western Australia I had my first Racer 5 only recently and with great pleasure! Wish we had more examples of this kinda slice of hop heaven. The guy in the shop also sold me some Green Flash West Coast IPA which he said was rated even higher. My preference was for Racer 5 – less malty for me than the West Coast.
So where would he get his information on US IPA ratings? What are your top 10? You’ve been so busy, perhaps the list is more like a top 100! 🙂
Hey, over here our national champion beer is Feral Brewery’s Hop Hog 6.2% – US style IPA, not far away from tasting like a racer 5, which me and my drinking buddy know well as it’s brewed locally and has always blown us away. Served (by my unwilling wife) to us blind against Racer 5 and West Coast last weekend – and trying be be ultra critical and not parochial – we both spotted the Hop Hog and preferred our home brew because it was as big but distinctly smoother over the tongue (same great bitter after taste).
Hop Hog knocked another US style IPA off the pedestal – Little Creatures Pale Ale which had been winner 3 years on the trot.
Btw, just found your website – its now on my bookmark bar. A great resource. Thanks indeed for the well organized website.
You think those are good? (..and they are!) you should do your best to find a Drake’s IPA. They are a brewery from San Leandro, CA
Their IPA is outstanding as an “everyday” beer. Take it up a couple notches..try their “Denogginizer” double IPA…WOW!! Local to me (lucky) they get it right…plus they have a bunch of other KILLLER ALES…www.drinkdrakes.com