Bear Republic Red Rocket Ale

I'm going ale crazy for a while, checking out different amber ales from all over. This is the first and the only one that not strictly an amber. It seems awfully close though. Red Rocket, from the Bear Republic Brewery, is a red ale that pours out a lovely dark copper. The nose has sweet caramel, a hint of mocha and a looming hop menace. There's crisp hop bitter all over this beer. behind that is the caramels and that slight mocha. You know, despite the dominance of the hop here I find this a pleasant beer to drink. There is actual balance, despite being on the bitter end of the scale. If you like it hoppy you will like this beer. I would try it again.