Bear Republic XP Pale Ale

Pour is an orange with a small soapy white head. Aroma has some sweet malts with a bit of hops and honey. Flavor is pleanty of sweet malts and that’s about it. Where are the hops? Finish leaves a caramel on the tounge but ends up watery overall. For a APA this is a very low hop profile with not much else to carry this one. Stick to the rye beer this brewer puts out.

This is a beer that is all looks and little substance. Great head,great lacing but.. umm where’s the flavor I expect from this brewer? Lightly hopped and crisp but at $5 a bomber = $16 a sixer I would call this a try it once beer when there is so much better out there.’

Bottle from Belmont Station in Portland--Poured a shiny hazed golden hue with a handsome full white head. Spicy, fruity, floral, hoppy, bready nose. Crisp, fresh and borderline IPA. An animal unto itself. Greatly enjoyable multi-purpose brewha.

Bomber. Pours a hazy copper with a very tall white head. Hah, the aroma is basically identical to Racer 5, just less intense. Solid, defined citrus and accessible caramelly malts are noted. The hops are pretty tasty and certainly American, though never really overwhelming. A fair level of sweetness is present for balance. The finish is fairly dry. This is pretty solid, I can use more hops, but hey. It’s a decent APA for sure.

Was thinking this would be a bit stronger with the name XP Pale Ale. Well, it turns out it’s not any stronger, just pretty darn tasty. I noticed a lot of fruit flavors and a good clean finish. This is a great pale ale that I will be missing back on the East Coast. Oh well.