Citra | Kern River Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Kern River Brewing Company
California, United States
kernriverbrewing.com
Style: American Imperial IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.00%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
A double IPA that is hazy pale in color with a strong pungent aroma that comes from large amounts of Citra hops.
Added by Solomon420 on 02-13-2010
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 1,782 | Reviews: 404
Reviews by bahnfire:
More User Reviews:
4.09/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bottle generously shared by Doug. Thanks man! Poured into a Bell's snifter today, 3/11/2014. Must be about 2, 2.5 weeks old as this is from the previous release.
App- Clear caramel-amber body, with a nice 2-finger white head with good retention, not much lacing. Fairly typical of a DIPA.
Smell- Pineapple, a bit of grapefruit and lemon. Good malt backbone consisting of caramel and brown sugar.
Flavour- Grapefruit with a hint of pineapple, caramel and toffee. Solid, even very good. The citra hops aren't bursting through the seams here. Not complex, not juicy, but certainly bitter.
Mouthfeel- Medium bodied, good carbonation, probably the best feature behind this beer. Fairly bitter, but not particularly resinous and it doesn't stick for a long time. Nice, palate drying finish.
Overall- This is a good Citra hopped DIPA. Technically, it's not single-hop Citra per the label. But King Sue, which is a single hop citra DIPA, wipes the floor, ceiling and all 4 walls with this beer. To me, this beer's popularity is borne at least partially from west-coast hype and scarcity. Don't get me wrong, this is a good beer and I enjoyed it, but given what west coast traders are asking for this, I'd very much rather pay the asking price for Abner or Double Sunshine. As a side note for my west coast friends, you should spend the time you'd chase KRBC Citra on finding Citra Showers the next time Noble brews it. That is a very similar quality citra beer that reaches distribution.
1,490 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bottle generously shared by Doug. Thanks man! Poured into a Bell's snifter today, 3/11/2014. Must be about 2, 2.5 weeks old as this is from the previous release.
App- Clear caramel-amber body, with a nice 2-finger white head with good retention, not much lacing. Fairly typical of a DIPA.
Smell- Pineapple, a bit of grapefruit and lemon. Good malt backbone consisting of caramel and brown sugar.
Flavour- Grapefruit with a hint of pineapple, caramel and toffee. Solid, even very good. The citra hops aren't bursting through the seams here. Not complex, not juicy, but certainly bitter.
Mouthfeel- Medium bodied, good carbonation, probably the best feature behind this beer. Fairly bitter, but not particularly resinous and it doesn't stick for a long time. Nice, palate drying finish.
Overall- This is a good Citra hopped DIPA. Technically, it's not single-hop Citra per the label. But King Sue, which is a single hop citra DIPA, wipes the floor, ceiling and all 4 walls with this beer. To me, this beer's popularity is borne at least partially from west-coast hype and scarcity. Don't get me wrong, this is a good beer and I enjoyed it, but given what west coast traders are asking for this, I'd very much rather pay the asking price for Abner or Double Sunshine. As a side note for my west coast friends, you should spend the time you'd chase KRBC Citra on finding Citra Showers the next time Noble brews it. That is a very similar quality citra beer that reaches distribution.
1,490 characters
4.59/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
22oz bottle poured into a snifter
(A)- Pours an apricot orange color. Some good white froth and lacing
(S)- Big citrus of orange and pineapple. Slight dryness and pine but with a subtle sweetness behind it too
(T)- Candied pineapple and grapefruit-like citrus meets a piney yet sweet honey and orange profile. Some very subtle peach notes on the finish
(M)- A great carbonation level and balance. Slightly dry, but a great citrus profile that is balanced so well with some bittnerness. What makes it special is it is not overly sweet
(O)- Honored to finally try this one. Superb citrus and body to it without being too bitter or sweet. Easily one of the top DIPAs I have ever had
679 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
22oz bottle poured into a snifter
(A)- Pours an apricot orange color. Some good white froth and lacing
(S)- Big citrus of orange and pineapple. Slight dryness and pine but with a subtle sweetness behind it too
(T)- Candied pineapple and grapefruit-like citrus meets a piney yet sweet honey and orange profile. Some very subtle peach notes on the finish
(M)- A great carbonation level and balance. Slightly dry, but a great citrus profile that is balanced so well with some bittnerness. What makes it special is it is not overly sweet
(O)- Honored to finally try this one. Superb citrus and body to it without being too bitter or sweet. Easily one of the top DIPAs I have ever had
679 characters
4.79/5 rDev +5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
L: Golden wheat with a nice layer of head
S: Slight dankness, but fully of fruit
T: Big juicy citrus notes with a balanced malt underpinning
F: Super creamy and mellow
O: Gorgeous use of the citra and amarillo hops - this is an exceptionally balanced beer. Had this side by side with Double Sunshine and this was the overwhelming winner
336 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
L: Golden wheat with a nice layer of head
S: Slight dankness, but fully of fruit
T: Big juicy citrus notes with a balanced malt underpinning
F: Super creamy and mellow
O: Gorgeous use of the citra and amarillo hops - this is an exceptionally balanced beer. Had this side by side with Double Sunshine and this was the overwhelming winner
336 characters
3.77/5 rDev -17.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Surprised by the haze, it's a nearly fully opaque orange-amber with a lighter gold around the bottom edge, topped with a large khaki foam that slowly settles to a thin film with a bubbly clinging collar.
Smell actually starts garlicky and biscuity, with some sharp yeast, orange zest and rind, lemon and pine.
Taste is tangy and almost spicy with a mix of allium and citrus, backed by a sting of pine and a biscuity rug with a Triple Sec finish.
This is definitely more old school, malty, bitter and pungent than the new haze class, but is also very citrusy and enjoyable. Body is moderately light with a bubbly light carbonation and a dry, prickly swallow.
660 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Surprised by the haze, it's a nearly fully opaque orange-amber with a lighter gold around the bottom edge, topped with a large khaki foam that slowly settles to a thin film with a bubbly clinging collar.
Smell actually starts garlicky and biscuity, with some sharp yeast, orange zest and rind, lemon and pine.
Taste is tangy and almost spicy with a mix of allium and citrus, backed by a sting of pine and a biscuity rug with a Triple Sec finish.
This is definitely more old school, malty, bitter and pungent than the new haze class, but is also very citrusy and enjoyable. Body is moderately light with a bubbly light carbonation and a dry, prickly swallow.
660 characters
4.82/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
Big thanks to karink for this one - a huge one from my wanted list finally gets crossed off. Pours a deep copper color near the top that cascades through a gradient, finishing at a shade of amber near the bottom. Hazy and cloudy everywhere but the very edges, topped off with a thick fingered, foamy white head that leaves behind some huge pieces of chunky lace. This beer is simply beautiful. Maybe I'm swooning a bit too much because this was such a huge want on my list, but this is spot on for a DIPA... Looks good enough to drink.
The aroma on this beer is simply one of the best in the business. This is how DIPAs should smell. An orgy of fruit plows through your nostrils like a hobo rummaging through a deli; intense bouts of pineapple, mango, guava, grapefruit, citrus, apricot, peach, tangerine... Just name a goddamn fruit and you can probably pick it out of the aroma here. So much fruit, it's insane to think a profile like this comes from the use of only TWO hops (Citra and Armarillo, though most of it is probably from the Citra).
The hop aromas are raw and vibrant also; piney, resinous, oily, floral, and pungently juicy. A light onion-like aroma adds to the complexity as well. Despite the massive hop bomb, the malt backbone does not go unnoticed... It provides a strong and sweet bready aroma alongside the hops, like buttered crackers and lightly toasted buttered bread. This aroma is simply sublime, in every sense of the word.
Couldn't have been more excited to bring this one to my lips after smelling it... the malt underbody gets laid out right from the start; it begins with a highly drinkable malty sweetness, again, in the form of buttery biscuits, lighty toasted, hand-in-hand with a mild onion and salty flavor. It doesn't get too comfortable on your palate, however, because the hop bum-rush quickly asserts itself - heavy, heavy citrus peel, pineapple, mangos, grapefruits, tangerines, and honeydew. Just an insane collage of fruits that bounce of the sides of the mouth like crazy.
A piney bitterness washes over everything about halfway through, followed by a decrescendo of floral, herbal, and oily resins. The aftertaste dies out with this bitterness that couples with a light malt sweetness and a heap of bittersweet citrus flavors. 8% ABV goes completely under the radar, this beer is drinkable as shit. Medium bodied with somewhat high carbonation, ever-so-slightly sticky on the palate.
This was one of my biggest wants (thanks again to karink for the hook-up) and I am so glad that it not only lived up to the hype, but it surpassed my expectations by quite a bit. So goddamn tasty, aromatic, and drinkable. Everything a DIPA could hope to be. If you're a lover of citrusy based D/IPAs, do yourself a solid and get your hands on this beer. All hail the motherfuckin' Citra hop, baby!
2,833 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
Big thanks to karink for this one - a huge one from my wanted list finally gets crossed off. Pours a deep copper color near the top that cascades through a gradient, finishing at a shade of amber near the bottom. Hazy and cloudy everywhere but the very edges, topped off with a thick fingered, foamy white head that leaves behind some huge pieces of chunky lace. This beer is simply beautiful. Maybe I'm swooning a bit too much because this was such a huge want on my list, but this is spot on for a DIPA... Looks good enough to drink.
The aroma on this beer is simply one of the best in the business. This is how DIPAs should smell. An orgy of fruit plows through your nostrils like a hobo rummaging through a deli; intense bouts of pineapple, mango, guava, grapefruit, citrus, apricot, peach, tangerine... Just name a goddamn fruit and you can probably pick it out of the aroma here. So much fruit, it's insane to think a profile like this comes from the use of only TWO hops (Citra and Armarillo, though most of it is probably from the Citra).
The hop aromas are raw and vibrant also; piney, resinous, oily, floral, and pungently juicy. A light onion-like aroma adds to the complexity as well. Despite the massive hop bomb, the malt backbone does not go unnoticed... It provides a strong and sweet bready aroma alongside the hops, like buttered crackers and lightly toasted buttered bread. This aroma is simply sublime, in every sense of the word.
Couldn't have been more excited to bring this one to my lips after smelling it... the malt underbody gets laid out right from the start; it begins with a highly drinkable malty sweetness, again, in the form of buttery biscuits, lighty toasted, hand-in-hand with a mild onion and salty flavor. It doesn't get too comfortable on your palate, however, because the hop bum-rush quickly asserts itself - heavy, heavy citrus peel, pineapple, mangos, grapefruits, tangerines, and honeydew. Just an insane collage of fruits that bounce of the sides of the mouth like crazy.
A piney bitterness washes over everything about halfway through, followed by a decrescendo of floral, herbal, and oily resins. The aftertaste dies out with this bitterness that couples with a light malt sweetness and a heap of bittersweet citrus flavors. 8% ABV goes completely under the radar, this beer is drinkable as shit. Medium bodied with somewhat high carbonation, ever-so-slightly sticky on the palate.
This was one of my biggest wants (thanks again to karink for the hook-up) and I am so glad that it not only lived up to the hype, but it surpassed my expectations by quite a bit. So goddamn tasty, aromatic, and drinkable. Everything a DIPA could hope to be. If you're a lover of citrusy based D/IPAs, do yourself a solid and get your hands on this beer. All hail the motherfuckin' Citra hop, baby!
2,833 characters
4.25/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.48/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.83/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
A - Pours a cloudy golden orange color. A two finger, slightly off white head settles down to a nice layer of bubbles that hang around until the end.
S - Lots of pineapple and orange peel smells exactly like I thought it would. Very inviting aromas with muted evergreen notes, the citrus really dominates.
T - Just like the nose. Hopes, pine, citrus, malt all balanced together. Slight bitterness at the end.
M - Medium body with above average carbonation. Fairly lively and zesty feel.
O - All I can say is Wow! I have now had all the big three DIPAS (Pliny, Heady Topper & Citra). Tough to put these in order but I have to say for me this is the second best IPA in the world behind Heady Topper for me with Pliny in a close third. Knowing how good this beer is I will definitely be trying to get more in the future.
822 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
A - Pours a cloudy golden orange color. A two finger, slightly off white head settles down to a nice layer of bubbles that hang around until the end.
S - Lots of pineapple and orange peel smells exactly like I thought it would. Very inviting aromas with muted evergreen notes, the citrus really dominates.
T - Just like the nose. Hopes, pine, citrus, malt all balanced together. Slight bitterness at the end.
M - Medium body with above average carbonation. Fairly lively and zesty feel.
O - All I can say is Wow! I have now had all the big three DIPAS (Pliny, Heady Topper & Citra). Tough to put these in order but I have to say for me this is the second best IPA in the world behind Heady Topper for me with Pliny in a close third. Knowing how good this beer is I will definitely be trying to get more in the future.
822 characters
4.44/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.68/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
4.43/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Citra from Kern River Brewing Company
Beer rating:
4.56 out of
5 with
1,782 ratings
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