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Racer 5 IPA

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Floral and full-bodied: Columbus and Cascade hops from the Pacific Northwest show their blossom side over a malt base of pale barley, white wheat and crystal malt, with Centennial and Chinook alongside. At 7.5% ABV and 75 IBU, this West Coast IPA is clearly hoppy. Born in Bear Republic's first Healdsburg brewhouse, it went on tap in Sonoma County in 1996, and the first packaged Racer 5 reached stores in July 1997.

ABV
7.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden6
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
floralhoppymalty
floral
hoppy
malty
wheat
piney
citrusy
Aroma
The nose leads with pronounced floral and citrus notes from Columbus and Cascade hops, layered with subtle resinous pine from the Centennial and Chinook additions.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Racer 5 IPA

◎ Appearance

Racer 5 presents a bright golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that clings to the glass with good lacing. The carbonation is crisp and lively, evident in steady streams of bubbles rising through the crystal-clear body.

bright goldenwell-retained headcrisp carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced floral and citrus notes from Columbus and Cascade hops, layered with subtle resinous pine from the Centennial and Chinook additions. A clean pale malt backbone grounds the bouquet without sweetness, allowing the hop character to remain prominent and inviting.

floral hopscitrus peelpine resin

◐ Taste

On entry, the palate greets you with bold hoppy bitterness balanced by a clean, dry malt structure from pale barley, white wheat, and crystal malt. The mid-palate sustains citrus and pine notes with a full body that never becomes heavy, while the 7.5% ABV remains well-integrated and unobtrusive throughout.

hop-forwardcitrusdry finishfull-bodied

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and lingering, with hoppy bitterness and piney notes persisting on the palate for several seconds. A clean, refreshing aftertaste invites another sip without any cloying residue.

drypersistent bitterness
85
hopIQ score
Aroma
87
Taste
86
Appearance
85
Finish
82
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Tulip glass

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Racer 5 IPA

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About West Coast IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a West Coast IPA?

IPAs are hop-forward ales with 5.5–7.5% ABV and IBU 40–70+. Bold hop aroma — citrus, tropical, resinous — with firm bitterness and a dry, clean finish.

Finding a similar West Coast IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same floral, hoppy, full-bodied character as Racer 5 IPA will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all West Coast IPA beers in hopIQ →New to West Coast IPA? Read our guide →Browse United States beers →