XPA | Kern River Brewing Company

3.92/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Ok, so it's not Citra and I have to forgive it for that but what it is is a nice, easy to put down summer ale. That was one of the things I always felt was lacking in the KRBC line up. Isabella is nice and all but when it's a 102 degrees out on the deck after a 6 hour mountain bike ride I'm looking for something light and refreshing like a Czech pilsner or Kolsch to help wash down the dust from the trail and XPA does the job with skill.

A is light and kolsch/pilsner like

S is fresh and citrusy with a hint of malt

T smooth and refreshing with light hop/citrus notes

M super light drinkable ale that goes great with Kernville summer

O I liked this beer enough to grab a growler full. It has notes of Citra off in the distance but I can down a bunch when I'm dyin' o thirst so easy win this one.

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3.55/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Kern River Brewing Company

A: The beer pours a slightly hazed golden color with a finger of white head and some spotty lacing.

S: A really great nose. Big time citrus aromas. Lots of grapefruit, tangerine, and orange peel. A nice pine scent as well as some grassy and floral notes with a hint of pale malts.

T: The flavor was definitely a let down after what was a great aroma. Pine and citrus peel give plenty of bitterness to the beer. Only a mild citrus flavor and overall the beer is sort of watery. Light floral and bread notes round things out.

M: Fairly light in body with a medium carbonation.

O: I really liked the aroma, but the flavor was quite disappointing. The lightness of it was appreciated, though.

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