Citra IPA
Rock Art Brewery

 

 

 

Filled a growler from a freshly-tapped keg last weekend and could not have been more pleased. I like Rock Art and I like citras, so it was a safe bet. Still, this beer exceeded my expectations. It wasn't that I was surprised by anything, it's just that all of the things I was expecting, the hops, the sharpness of the citrus, the aroma, and the cloudiness were all just right and everything was in balance. Will definitely get this one again, particularly for spending a hot summer day outside.

The more I have single hopped Citra IPA's the more I believe that, while Citra is a glorious hope, it requires a supporting cast. The wonderful juiciness that can come from Citra can also easily be overwhelmed by bitterness which is what happened on this brew for me.

 

Love those Citra hops and they come through so nicely. More piney than citrusy. (Which makes me wonder what other hop is showing up the Citra?) Hop-lover's paradise.

 

 

 

 

On tap at The Reservoir in Waterbury, VT.

Pours a pale gold color, with a foamy head, and a little bit of lacing.

Smells slightly catty, with some grapefruit and mango. Not as strongly fruit as I would like, to be honest.

It tastes fairly good, I'll give it that, but it just doesn't stack up to other single hopped Citra IPAs. The hops don't jump out as brightly as they should- the mango and grapefruit flavors are just kind of weak, and flat at times. There's a very small amount of bitterness.

The beer has a lighter body, with a lower amount of carbonation, and a sweet juicy mouthfeel.

I think this would be improved with either a larger amount of Citra hops, or if it was Citra + some other hop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

delicious glass of Vermont ipa right here, and a better illustration of the mighty citra hop than a lot of its single hopped peers. a pale blonde soapy looking brew, definitely no caramel malt standing in front of all the hops. a creamy white head caps it off the whole drink. nose os sweet cantaloupe melon and lemon curd, all from late kettle and dry hopping with citra I assume. malt has a pale character, some wheat maybe, and is light enough to be mistaken for a pilsener malt except for that it thankfully lacks that bread crust biscuit character of the classic pils grain. hops are front and center but the bitterness never really comes out. some oils in here, but far from the overly assertive west coast bombs, this is refined to the next level. soft in feel, even relaxingly mellow with the tiny bubbles and long finish. rock art has clearly come a long way over the years from middle of the Vermont pack to one of the leaders. this ipa is as good as any.