Bear Republic Red Rocket Ale

Brewed by Bear Republic Brewing Company
Style: American Strong Ale
Healdsburg, California USA

The BrewKeeper in North Ridgeville, Ohio, has this on tap and I tried it for the first time. Very smooth, with a distinct malt flavor. Not very bitter or dreadfully hoppy. Although I love hoppy beers, this didnt taste overwhelming. The color is a cross between caramel looking and amber. Very delicious

Pours with a frothy, three finger thick, lightly browned, tan colored head. The beer is a dark, concentrated plum, amber hued color that shows a brilliantly clear, cranberry hued color when held up to the light. This beer is quite hop focused, I don’t get any malt at all upon first inspection of the aroma. Aromas of grapefruit, freshly zested lemon peel, bergamot, tangelo, orange zest and some light pine / herbal notes. The malt is here, it does in fact play an integral role here with aromas of richly caramelized malt and toasty browned biscuit notes.

This beer has a chewy body, that has a medium heft to it, yet it is not very sweet. The ample hop character and darker malt notes seem to inhibit the malt sweetness. Bracingly bitter from the get go, the biting hop character lingers on through to a long finish. The hop flavors here are influenced heavily by the lack of sweetness; the vibrant fruit notes of the aroma are fairly subtle here, instead flavors of pine, menthol, and a deep herbal note are what is most noticeable. There is some light notes of grapefruit, and perhaps a touch of orange towards the end where a touch of malt sweetness is able to come through. The finish has the hop bitterness as well as a sharp, herbal hop astringency and even a touch of toasted, darker grain note. The malt character, while clearly a supporting role, adds a nice dimension to this brew; toasty malt and bread-like flavors as well as a richly caramelized, yet not sweet malt character.

A pretty tasty brew, I wish that there was a bit more residual malt sweetness to this brew; a solid citrus hop character would have been really nice. This is actually slightly tart as a result of the lack of sweetness; this is not bone dry though, there is just not enough malt sweetness to stand up to the hops.

Lots of hop flavor for it being a red ale. Some citrus but mostly bitter hops. Finished rather dry and harsh.

Aroma is a bit weak but good; sweet malt, hops, berries. Palate is a bit thin. "Tangy" hops indeed, orange citrus. Finishes pretty dry.

Pours a caramel tone with a beige head that leaves lacing. Aroma is hoppy, but a nice almost chewy malts presence is definitely felt. It definitely doesn’t have the overwhelming hops of other American Strong Ales I’ve had, but they are felt. The malts take the cake though and leave you with a moderately dry finish. Really good.

22 oz bomber. Pours a dark murky amber with a medium sized beige head. Aroma of tangy citrus and hops. Taste of tangy citrus hops. Nothing special here.

This 22oz bottle poured to a reddish amber color with a thin tan head.Mild hop aroma with more malt aromas than hops.Nice tasting,caramel ,malt and hops with medium body with a nice finish.

This is not a beer for lightweights, nor for hop wimps. Pours a clean dark brown with reddish tint. Minimal head, some lacings. First sip is a big hit of grapefruit citrus pine needle hops. Slight sweet malt taste as the bitterness subsides. I think this brew is more like a double IPA with a bit more malt than typical. I can’t see having this as a session ale but it was an enjoyable tasting. Will most likely enjoy this with a meal next time. Well recommended.