Review: Bear Republic Apex Special IPA (2015)
Ah, another fine seasonal release from our NorCal neighbors at Bear Republic. Apex, an Imperial IPA, isn’t made every year, but 2015 marks two years in a row that it has. Each year the beer’s profile changes, reflecting seasonal varieties of hops available and new strains that are developed. Apex is a beer that is intended to be “forward looking.” For this 2015 release, Apex — the name connoting the pinnacle of beermaking — includes Cascade, Columbus, Centennial, Chinook, Simcoe, Citra, El Dorado, Azacca, and Lemondrop hops. Some familiar names in there, and some obscurities, too.
If you like bold, piney IPAs, this is one not to miss. Take the crispness of Racer 5 and weed out some of its burlier, almost lumber-like elements and what you have left is Apex. Intensely bitter, it melds evergreen notes with grapefruit and orange peel, lingering notes of roasted grains, and some surprising floral character on the finish. As it lingers, a touch of mushroom on the back end takes you back to the earth.
Gorgeous from start to finish.
8.25% abv.
A / $NA (22 oz. bottle) / bearrepublic.com
Bear Republic Apex Special IPA (2015)
This sounds like a different type of beer with a distinct taste all its own. This is a beer that I will definitely will have to buy at the store and try it sometime. I will have to tell my son-in-law about it because he likes all types of beers!!!!
I suppose you mean “this is one NOT to miss”!
whoops! thanks!