Way Late on this One

Wow, I think I just set a record for posting late. The Capone's Bear Republic night is close to two weeks old and I am just now getting to a review. If I have any excuse it's that work, a bachelor party and final prep for our wedding have taken precedence over the blog. Well better late than never. Since it was so long ago and I didn't take notes I have to pull this from the back of my brain.

I arrived at Capones early for this one, grabbing a bar stool around 5pm. Typically for an event I arrive after 7pm. The crowd was thin but I am sure it was because of the time. The list of beer from Bear Republic was great, Black Bear Stout, Hop Rod Rye, Red Rocket Ale, XP Pale Ale, Racer 5 and the hard to find Racer X. With the exception of Racer X and XP I've had all the beers on tap so I stuck with the Pale, IPA and DIPA. It's hard for me not to be bias with these beers I love them. Racer 5 is one of my favorite IPAs so you can guess where this review is going. The beer pours a hazy orange and the aroma of hops is strong. Think a clean floral pine forest in a glass. The taste is citrus with a good bitter hop smack upfront. Biscuity notes become more present as this one warms. Racer 5 seems somewhere between an IPA and a DIPA. The Racer X is a true hop bomb. Kaboom, pine and grapefruit tag teaming in a pint glass. The bitterness is well balanced with the malt presence. The hops are obvious but this one has a sweet sticky side. The malt plays more than just a background role. Out of the three beers I tried XP Pale Ale seems like the forgotten stepchild. The beer world for the past few years is so focused on big beers that a well balanced pale ale is often over looked. I have to admit I usually will skip over a pale and go right to an ipa or double. Compared to its brothers the hops in XP are toned down as they should be. The beer has a crisp hop bitterness and floral highlights. The malt creates a slight sweetness and makes it a very drinkable beer.


Bear Republic never fails to amaze me. So far I have enjoyed all their beers. Honestly it is hard to say anything negative about them. If I were to have a complaint it would be that it took too long to get their products here in PA and I wish it were easier to get my hands on a pint of Racer X.

Race To Capone's

The official tap list for Capone's Bear Republic Event is out and Matt has out done himself. If you have never had beer from this northern California brewer now is your chance to try some of their best. What's amazing is Matt was able to get the rare Racer X double IPA. This one does not hold back on the hops. From what I have read the aroma smacks with pungent hops and the taste is piney sweet with a mix of pineapple and grapefruit. Just watch out for the alcohol it weighs in at 9% abv. I will give a more official review once I have had a few. Besides the offerings from Bear Republic the rest of Capone's draft list is impressive. I don't know of too many bars in this area where you can taste a Racer X, Devil Dancer and Ten Fidy. With this line up I can't think of a better way to end a low carb diet? The beer starts pouring Wednesday the 16th at 11:30am.

Bear Republic

Racer X

Racer 5

Hop Rod Rye

Red Rocket Ale

Black Bear Stout

XP Pale Ale

The Others

Oskar Blues Ten Fidy

Founders Devil Dancer

Saranac High Peak Series Imperial Stout

Kasteel Rouge

South Hampton Double White

Ayinger Brau Weisse

Youngs Double Chocolate Stout