The Bar Towel

OMFG...

This could very well be the best IPA I've ever had, most certainly the best I've ever had from a bottle... This is one of the 750ml bottles I grabbed from Premier Gourmet, and I wish I'd have bought a case...

I enjoyed this on Sunday night, just after finishing a Sleeman's IPA... The hop aroma was absolutely out of the this world... I've had plenty of IPA's with great hop aroma, but this was extraordinary, it smelled so fresh and green, if I had my eyes closed I would have SWORE I had my nose pressed against the vine! 7% alcohol but you'd never tell... Bitter, but no overwhelmingly so... Amazing!

http://www.bearrepublic.com/aboutbeer.html

As a side note to the above, Ralph mentioned he is also getting this wonderful ale in shortly at Volo. Fill yer boots!!!!!

The Racer's a terrific brew, but I actually preferred the Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye (it's an American Strong) - I was a little leery of it because the only "rye" I'd ever had was C'Est What's, which didn't really float my boat, but the BR ... you owe it to yourself to grab a bomber of it next trip to Premier.

The Racer's a terrific brew, but I actually preferred the Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye

They're both excellent beers and I enjoyed them both on tap recently in Buffalo at Cole's and in San Francisco and various establishments. Ralph had them both in earlier this year at Volo (bottles of course) and I'm looking forward to his replenishment shipment. Bear Republic makes some truly world class brews.

As an aside, I preferred the Racer 5 to its big cousin, the Racer X - just way more balanced and solid - the racer X went overboard.

I enjoyed this on Sunday night, just after finishing a Sleeman's IPA

I'm trying to come up with an analogy of what is must have been like to have the Racer 5 after the Sleeman IPA and all I can come up with is like watching Schindler's List after a Pauley Shore film

I'm a big fan of Hop Rod Rye, too. I liked Racer 5 just fine, but to me it tastes too much like a lot of other beers, and I'm looking for a certain distinctiveness. I feel the same way about beers like Stone IPA and Victory HopDevil. They're all quite good, don't get me wrong, but they haven't left much of a lasting impression. Hop Rod Rye, though, was particularly memorable.

I should correct myself: Ralph had the RedRocket at Volo previosuly, not the Racer 5. He is getting it this time as previously stated...

If you are ever driving to Chicago, be sure to stop by Three Floyds and pick up Alpha King fresh from the brewery. Its just *way* *way* better than the bottled product. Easily the best IPA I've ever had.

(A while ago Alpha King in bottles was contract brewed by another company, but apparently is no longer. Still, there is a definite and huge difference to my tastebuds)