Crazy Ivan
Bear Republic Brewing Co.

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From:
Bear Republic Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
Belgian IPA
ABV:
7.3%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.82 | pDev: 10.47%
Reviews:
55
Ratings:
129
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jul 15, 2015
Added:
Apr 30, 2008
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  6
This copper colored American IPA took a wild left turn when we fermented it with our favorite Trappist ale yeast. Charged with hops, followed closely by a clove and pepper Belgian yeast character.

70 IBU
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Photo of David-Schapira
Reviewed by David-Schapira from Pennsylvania

4.84/5  rDev +26.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Beer was awesome, just as most all of Bear's beers are. Not too bitter, just the right amount of pepper hint. I'm the GM of a Craft Beer bar in Philly, Bear Rep. is a main stay on my taps.
Jul 15, 2015
 
Rated: 3.79 by Farinag16447 from Florida

May 27, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by vidisad from California

Jan 14, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by Spreetaper from New York

Jan 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4.13 by PaulWaters from California

Jan 03, 2015
 
Rated: 3.93 by mmulebarn from Minnesota

Dec 30, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by dannymo24 from Massachusetts

Dec 15, 2014
Photo of Auraan
Reviewed by Auraan from Arizona

4.25/5  rDev +11.3%
Poured a cloudy reddish brown body with amber highlights and two fingers of thick, fluffy off-white head. It looks quite nice, a combination of a Dubbel and an IPA. Scents of fresh apples, pineapple juice, medium caramel, raisin and prune and medium-light grassy hops with notes of pine resin. Overall impression aroma is an interesting mix between aromas typical to a Trappist Dubbel with hop aromas from the West Coast US. More towards the Trappist side, but very pleasing and unique. Flavor begins bitter with notes of pineapple and caramel malt in the background with notes of pine resin, white pepper, raisin and dank, earthy hops. Middle is maltier but still bitter with notes of caramel, bready malt, white pepper, pine resin, dark fruit including raisin and plum. Finish is medium-dry with a still very present caramel and bready malt backbone, notes of citrus and orange peel, white pepper, light alcohol, light pine resin and spicy Belgian yeast. Aftertaste is bitter hops and white pepper. Overall impression of flavor is of a very unique IPA that combines the flavors of a Dubbel with those of a Belgian Pale and an American IPA. Very unique and it works well. Mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth, slightly slick feel and a drying finish with medium-light carbonation. Overall impression of mouthfeel is of a good, semi-dry ale. Very nice. Overall this is an excellent experiment that melds the Trappist yeast with an IPA quite well. The aroma and flavor benefit and the mouthfeel is pleasant. A unique, complex, very good ale.
Dec 09, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by sillyhed8 from California

Dec 04, 2014
 
Rated: 3.48 by jophish17 from Georgia

Dec 04, 2014
 
Rated: 3.72 by Jeeb from North Carolina

Nov 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.7 by rolltide8425 from Pennsylvania

Nov 23, 2014
Photo of StonedTrippin
Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado

3.53/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
i found this brew rather unimpressive, although it is admittedly in a style i generally shy away from. this has a bit of a copper malt base to it, kind of nice depth and body on it. the belgian yeast seems subtle in the nose, no major esters blooming here, just good old american northwest hops. hopped like a west coast ipa, dank in the nose. the flavor is big and round from the hefty grain and is as hoppy as can be, but only a little bitter. im not sure if the yeast is crowded out by the other components, if it was fermented a little chilly and never opened up, or if it is just a mild string poorly chosen. with these beers im usually all or nothing, either its a hoppy belgian or it is an american ipa, the strange middle ground created by a lot of grain character and hops, and a middling belgian strain is not my speed, its muddled, and thats what we have here. carbonation is fine and the big body flatters the hops, but the yeast just doesnt belong to me. if its going to work with this yeast it needs less hops and a different grain bill entirely i think, but thats just my palate.
Oct 28, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by kylehay2004 from Illinois

Oct 25, 2014
 
Rated: 3.11 by Rekrule from Massachusetts

Oct 11, 2014
 
Rated: 3.76 by hoppy91 from Texas

Oct 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by kjkinsey from Texas

Oct 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by indy351 from Indiana

Oct 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3.8 by mindfuldave from New Jersey

Oct 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by StephRai from New York

Sep 27, 2014
Crazy Ivan from Bear Republic Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 129 ratings