Bear Republic
(short notes)

Healdsburg, California

All beers were reviewed at the brewpub on December 26, 1999

 

English Ale

English Pale Ale

* * *

Pale colored. Subtle, malty middle accentuates an overall nice malty profile. A judicious use of English hop varieties (or US counterparts) makes for a delicate pint. I would have appreciated a hint of crystal malt in the middle, but the beer is good as is.

 

Special XP

American Pale Ale

* * * *

Very pale in color. A trademark astringent hop opening, probably Centennials. Excellent malty middle that works well with the hopping, culminating in a citruisy finish. Clearly an American pale ale, and an excellent one at that.

 

Racer 5

AIPA

* * * 1/2

I'll admit that I was apprehensive about sampling this beer, as its followers are enthusiastic and legion, and it earned gold at the 1999 GABF as an IPA. In addition to the sample, I quaffed a liter that afternoon, and a pint on a return visit several days hence. Light amber in color. A light citruisy hop aroma competes with basic malt tones in the aroma. The beer opens slightly malty, which is cut off by a growing bitterness. This eases into a citruisy and floral flavor hop, and the beer finishes dry with hints of the alpha bitterness lingering. A very nice IPA, perhaps better than the score I offer. I'd have liked a bit more bitterness, and perhaps a more nuanced malt profile to support it. These impressions may be wrong, and I'll certainly seek it out again.

 

Red Rocket Ale

American Amber

* * * 1/2

Again, apprehension. I envision waves of bike racers descending on my home trashing everything in sight barring a good review. This dark red ale purports to be a "Scottish" ale. I tried it twice, once at the brewery and once elsewhere, and there was variability -- I preferred the latter pint, in fact. At the brewery, a dark red beer opened with a huge, slightly sticky malt profile, yet eminently (and dangerously) quaffable. A moderately buttery middle set up a true Dugarmian wall of hops -- flavor and bitter -- finish. The second pint I sampled lacked as strong a buttery middle, and had more of a fresh malty and hoppy palate. Overall a better beer. Charlie mentioned something about a "second plant", but I didn't pursue the issue. With the second sample of Red Rocket, I understand why it won a silver medal at the 1999 and 1998 GABFs.

 

Healdsburg Hefeweizen

Bavarian Weizen

* * * 1/2

It used to be when a brewpub offered a wheat, one could expect a boring Pyramid Wheaten or Widmer Hefeweizen knockoff. Things have changed; now brewpubs are as likely to use a dedicated Bavarian yeast strain for these beers to varying success. Decoction and continental malts are still typically missing, which usually renders these examples a notch below their Bavarian inspirations.

 

Black Bart Stout

Sweet Stout

* * *

Nice beer, claims to be a sweet stout. A hint of roast lends support to the sweet maltiness of the beer.

 

Big Bear Ale

Strong Ale

* * * *

This is one that I wanted to try again, but never did. Very dark, full bodied, with a large, strong malty opening. The middle is a collage of toffey, nutty and even some coffee flavors, and the finish is satisfyingly bitter, with no loose ends.

As indicated, I like Bear Republic, and I'll visit again.  With repeated success, I'll perhaps elevate them into the league of Anderson Valley, as not a single one of their beers sucked or flirted with mediocrity.