Citra Bitter Monk
Anchorage Brewing Company

Citra Bitter MonkCitra Bitter Monk
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From:
Anchorage Brewing Company
 
Alaska, United States
Style:
Belgian IPA
Ranked #1
ABV:
9%
Score:
96
Ranked #1,054
Avg:
4.32 | pDev: 9.49%
Reviews:
289
Ratings:
1,074
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 07, 2022
Added:
Aug 26, 2011
Wants:
  440
Gots:
  133
Belgian style double IPA with Brettanomyces. this ale is aged in french oak chardonnay barrels. Brewed with Apollo, Citra, and Simcoe hops. Dry hopped in the barrel with Citra hops. Triple fermented- First in the tank with a Belgian yeast, second in french oak chardonnay barrels with brett, and finally in the bottle with a third yeast for natural carbonation.

100 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by MrTopher:
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Reviewed by MrTopher from California

4.84/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Bought this for the wife, with intentions on us splitting it, and we did, served into Duvel Tulips.

A – Pours a cloudy golden/straw yellow color, a nice thick Belgian style egg white in color, and exceptional lacking on the sides of the glass.

S – I could smell this from a good 3-4 feet away, rich hops (floral/fruit) and some farmhouse funks (guessing from the Brett), this just screams hybrid; “American Belgian Wild IPA”.

T – Great aggressive hoppy characters that just build and build. Here is how I experienced this beer; hop punch up front, then some chardonnay and oak characters, and then just the sour funk of the Brett with spices and earth characters.

M – A little on the thick side, but very inviting and well accepted, carbonation was spot on.

O – This has to be one of the better BA Belgian IPAs I have had, is this better than Hop God, NO. But it’s in a slightly different class as Hop God. I consider this more of a hybrid of an American Wild (aging with the Brett) and a Belgian IPA (the Belgian yeast and overall presentation); I think “American Belgian Wild IPA” is a great name. Parts of this beer remind me of Le Terroir, maybe a blend of the Hop God and Le Terroir, but on another level.
This is my first Anchorage Brewing, and hopefully not my last. I hope they keep bringing more great beers to CA.
This would be a great beer to cellar for a few months and see how much more the Brett develops.
Nov 21, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.44 by Khaack from New York

Nov 07, 2022
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Reviewed by beergoot from Colorado

4.23/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Fairly clear, medium gold colored body; fair carbonation; thin, patchy head yet lasting; a few strings of foam hang down the glass. Outstanding aroma; light citrus and brett funk combination; Belgian yeast scent with a bit of raw oak; light, grainy toastiness. Wonderful taste; deft touch of citrus and dry white wine; mild note of brett funk; mild bitterness. Medium-heavy body; soft and spongy on the palate; bold dryness undercuts a slight juiciness.
The age of this beer is unknown to me, but the contents sure are fantastic. Elements of depth and complexity ooze and meld together with this beer, combining bits of lime and white wine with a bit of graininess and a nice touch of bitterness all wrapped up with a slight wild yeast character.

Pouring temperature: 47 °F; bottling data: Batch #6; Citra dry hopped version; aged in French oak chardonnay barrels
Apr 07, 2022
 
Rated: 4.35 by david64 from Florida

Feb 13, 2022
 
Rated: 4 by Duncian from Pennsylvania

Jun 21, 2021
 
Rated: 4.45 by HopBelT from Belgium

Jun 21, 2021
 
Rated: 3.99 by bigpoppa67 from Wisconsin

Jun 05, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by Jdells09 from New Jersey

Apr 30, 2021
Photo of wedge
Reviewed by wedge from North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Batch #6

Cork was a struggle and there was barely a pop, but pours with a bit of a head. Hazy gold with a fine creamy ring on the surface.Aromas of dusty funk, grapefruit, mango, and cedar. Big grapefruit, dry chardonnay. musty/leathery Brett...juicy sweetness balancing out the funky sour edge. Light carbonation, tart and dry. Good.
Apr 04, 2021
 
Rated: 4.41 by SushiSakeBeer from Oregon

Mar 11, 2021
 
Rated: 3.9 by Pchoate3 from Colorado

Jan 18, 2021
 
Rated: 4.31 by ppavlick from New Jersey

Apr 10, 2020
Photo of TheBierdimpfe
Reviewed by TheBierdimpfe from Canada (QC)

4.4/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Medium: Batch #5 cork + long tulip glass.
Opacity: Slightly hazy and veiled.
Color: Golden with strong activity.
Head: Foamy 2-3 finger.
Legs: Light but decent swirl reaction.
Smell: Oak/White wine/Hay/Flowery/Apricot.
Taste: Wheat/Peach/Brett yeast/Clove/Herbal.
Feel: Barnyard/Barrel aged/Light funky/Dry hoped.
Body: Medium slick and silky, quite smooth.
Carbonation: Moderate crisp, a bit lacking for a Belgian.
Overall: Aged very well for 5 years, just very slightly vinous, and probably the hops went dull though it improves the balance. Superb quality Belgian IPA cross Saison.

Visual 7/10 - Flavors 9/10 - Sensations 9/10 - Balance 8.5/10 -
Freshness 5/10 - Intensity 8/10 - Complexity 9/10 - Appreciation 9/10
Mar 19, 2020
Photo of puboflyons
Reviewed by puboflyons from New Hampshire

4.01/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
From the corked, caged big bottle with no apparent date. Sampled on March 1, 2020.

The appearance i a slightly cloudy looking golden color with a short lived fizzy white head. No lacing.

The aroma emits Brettanomyces right away with an oily, toasted malt, and white grape presence. No alcohol considering this was barrel aged.

The mouthfeel is generally light to medium and smooth.

The flavor has a tartness to it immediately with the sour-like Brett character kicking in but it ends very refreshing and clean. No alcohol in the taste either. I'm not a huge fan of Brett but this is nicely balanced all around.
Mar 01, 2020
 
Rated: 4.36 by smithj4 from New York

Feb 06, 2020
 
Rated: 4.25 by mrcraft from California

Jan 02, 2020
 
Rated: 4.48 by Old_Dead_Oak from Wisconsin

Dec 27, 2019
Photo of Phyl21ca
Reviewed by Phyl21ca from Canada (QC)

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle: Poured a bright yellow color ale with a large pure white foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of funky Brett notes with some hoppy floral notes is super enjoyable. Taste is a mix of Brett notes with nice funky notes that pairs well with floral hoppy notes with a dry finish. Body is full with good level of carbonation. This is indeed a world-class Belgian style IPA saison. High level of drinkability with good level of complexity.
Dec 01, 2019
 
Rated: 4.29 by drrone from Utah

Nov 16, 2019
 
Rated: 4.31 by kingjohnh from New Mexico

Nov 03, 2019
Citra Bitter Monk from Anchorage Brewing Company
Beer rating: 96 out of 100 with 1074 ratings