Yep, I’m 31 going on 10, if you couldn’t tell…lol. Anyway, tonight’s pour is from Bear Republic Brewing in Healdsburg, CA. Quite honestly I picked this one up Because Racecar! There’s a faint checkered flag background behind the huge yellow number roundel. Bear states right on the back of the label that this is a big beer from a brewery who’s motto is “Bigger is Better.” They’ve certainly hit the nail on the head with this one – and driven it straight home to collect the checkered flag it deserves. Straight away, the aroma is a balanced mix of pungent resin with a super floral note; and the first sip lets that floral continue into awesome flavor. The resin aroma gives way to some interesting fruit flavors. Very clean and refreshing, orange and grapefruit come charging up to round things out nicely. Despite being a “bigger is better” sort of IPA, it’s still very approachable, something even a novice IPA drinker could appreciate, I think. Overall, this is definitely one of the best IPAs I’ve had, and considering I picked it up on a whim because I liked the label, it’s amazing!

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