I'm Richard Norgrove from Bear Republic. Ask Me Anything.

Discussion in 'Ask Me Anything' started by Racer5Brewers, Apr 30, 2020.

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  1. Racer5Brewers

    Racer5Brewers Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2020

    Hello, I'm Richard Norgrove, Founding Brewmaster and President of Bear Republic Brewing, creator of Racer 5, and here to answer your brewing industry questions. Ask Me Anything!
     
  2. derftron

    derftron Pooh-Bah (1,639) Feb 8, 2012 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Society

    after the "haze craze" have you noticed people coming back to more traditional IPAs ?
     
  3. rodbeermunch

    rodbeermunch Grand Pooh-Bah (3,856) Sep 30, 2015 Nevada
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    When are you going to package Tartare?
     
    readyski, sharpski and Racer5Brewers like this.
  4. craigbelly

    craigbelly Pooh-Bah (2,526) Dec 31, 2015 Iowa
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    I frequent wine country and the tap room in Healdsburg was always a stopping point and will be missed. What others breweries beside yourself are a must stop in the Napa/Sonoma area?
     
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  5. Ahonky

    Ahonky Initiate (0) Feb 13, 2018 New York

    Huge fan of Pete's Tribute Brown Ale. Do you regularly brew that beer these days? Haven't seen it on the shelves in NY, where the Racer series is fairly well represented but nothing else
     
    jakecattleco likes this.
  6. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,275) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Super Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Soooo... I've always been a huge fan of Racer X. I first saw it on tap at the Horesbrass pub in Portland Oregon back in 05 or 06, and it was love at first taste. It's one of those beers where even today, I always order it whenever I see it on tap. And there's the rub...

    I've lived in a number of places where Bear Republic beers were readily available (especially Racer 5, which I think is a great IPA a well), but I don't think I ever saw the beer on tap back East (a few places in the Philly area would get the odd keg, and a couple of places in Baltimore got a keg or two, but always the beer sold out long before I was able to toddle on over to buy a round). I rarely see kegs of X up here in Portland anymore (in fact it's been years since I've seen it on tap here), and I can't remember the last time I saw bottles of it over at my local beer store. Even the times I've stopped at the pub in Healdsburg, more times than not the X hasn't been available on draft.

    Am I just unlucky, or is there some reason I so rarely see it any more? You guys haven't discontinued it, have you?
     
  7. Racer5Brewers

    Racer5Brewers Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2020

    I have and also with so many smaller breweries making multiple versions on Double, Fruited, Juiced, Juicy... I am also hoping that we a resurgence of folks making traditional styles of beers...
     
  8. gaviga

    gaviga Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2009 Iowa

    When are you/Bear Republic coming to Iowa?
     
    dcotom and Racer5Brewers like this.
  9. amboyna

    amboyna Initiate (68) Feb 4, 2020 Oregon

    What can be done to get better distribution of craft beers throughout the country?
     
  10. Racer5Brewers

    Racer5Brewers Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2020

    well you should come see our New Brewery and Tap room in Rohnert Park, I would always recommend that you see the shinny new brewery that Russian River built, I love the cooperage guys for sure, but I myself love the road less traveled and recommend as my favorite sonoma county funnky ness of the guys at Stumptown along the Russian River...
     
  11. Globey

    Globey Initiate (90) Dec 14, 2018 California

    I can’t seem to find Red Rocket Ale in the Los Angeles area anymore. Is it no longer distributed down here? It’s one of my favorite beers.
     
    bmugan and Racer5Brewers like this.
  12. Racer5Brewers

    Racer5Brewers Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2020

    WOW this is a big one... well I personally see this as a shrinking area of growth... the smaller local brewers are driving this unfortunately. The distribution guys are most likely not willing to compete with small brewers and their own self distribution. Small brewers for me are the folks under the 5k brewer... you kind of need to choose the old ways of distribution or go your own way. Its not possible to have it both ways...
     
  13. waytogo

    waytogo Initiate (0) Feb 4, 2012 Louisiana

    It's been ages since Bear Republic (Racer 5 specifically) has been sold in the NOLA area or anywhere in Louisiana. Any chance that will change in the near future?
    I gotta get me my fix of R5 and Houston is a 5 hour drive!
     
  14. PaulRLohr

    PaulRLohr Initiate (0) Mar 27, 2020 Tennessee

    Is Hop Rod Rye distributed in Nashviulle TN?? It's on the list of "1001 Beers..."
     
    tjmodica, 5thOhio and Racer5Brewers like this.
  15. joloje

    joloje Devotee (315) Jan 2, 2009 California

    Hi Rich,
    I always enjoyed your tasting room after a hot day on the RR. Is Ryan still working there?
     
    OakvilleKGB and Racer5Brewers like this.
  16. AntonScottGoustin

    AntonScottGoustin Initiate (105) Apr 1, 2018 Michigan

    I went to school at UC Berkeley (Go Bears!); great pubs on Telegraph Avenue, with IPAs.
     
  17. jkeymaginnis

    jkeymaginnis Initiate (0) Oct 30, 2012 Louisiana

    I’m also in Nola! If Bear Republic needs a rep I’m in!
     
    OakvilleKGB and waytogo like this.
  18. eppCOS

    eppCOS Grand Pooh-Bah (4,236) Jun 27, 2015 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Timely, I hope.
    How is Bear Republic faring right now? Are the retail operations enough to offset the losses from on-site?
    confession: Racer 5 was (I think) my introduction to good Cali IPAs, and will always hold a spot in my heart.
    The left side of my heart, of course. :wink:
     
  19. Racer5Brewers

    Racer5Brewers Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2020

    Red Rocket has been moved to a Legacy series... and is not produced regularly anymore... only really for pub sales.
     
  20. Racer5Brewers

    Racer5Brewers Initiate (0) Apr 30, 2020

    We will do this for sure... just not sure when with this crazy new world... it will be a special release bottle
     
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