Bear Republic Crazy Ivan

Tap at the Ginger Man. Great pour, with a wonderful lacing head. The aroma has a thick, sweet hop, with estery Belgian notes and a light spice. Banana, perfume, saturn peaches and sage are noticed. Flavor is very bitter and mildly Belgian, with a full, nutty banana note. Really tastes a lot like a bitter banana nut bread. Easy drinking, with a full but not cloying body. Well done.

On tap at The Ginger Man in NYC. Pours a nice amber color with a thin white head. Typical Racer 5 hop aroma, big citrus pine but with a hint of the belgian yeast. Taste is a lot lighter, lots of fruity esters and a hop bitterness. Not as much body as I thought it would have. Decent brew and a nice experiment.

Appearence is reddish amber with minimal head. Citrusy hop aroma, initial flavour is sweet malt, this is rudely interupted with some violently strong bitterness. Finish is almost a rose scented soap. Not very Belgian and not particularly nice.

On tap at Barleys Smokehouse. Pours a deep amber with a minimal head. Aroma of hop and malt without much yeast, which is a good thing for me. Flavor contains some yeast, but very well balanced with the hop. Pretty good.

Pours Medium golden orange. Hoppy and spicy nose and flavor. Medium mouthfeel. A bit bland.

On tap. Tastes more like an American amber than a Belgian - hoppy, with unusual flavor notes. Good.

Sample at Barley’s Smokehouse (thanks Ja Bier!). The beer is a mostly clear brownish-amber color with a medium off-white head that lingers awhile. Stringy lace. Aroma of yeast, roasted malt and hops. Medium body with a chewy texture and flavors of yeast, caramel malt and grassy hops. The finish is dark fruits and leaves a yeast aftertaste. Above average overall.

Draft at Smokehouse in Columbus. Poured clear brown color with an average frothy off-white head that mostly lasted with good lacing. Moderate tart citrus hop and earthy aroma. Medium body with a sticky texture. Medium spicy bittersweet flavor with a medium bittersweet finish of moderate duration.