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 LambicPentameter:
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Reviewed by LambicPentameter from Nebraska

4.19/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Enjoyed out of a brown 750 mL bottle marked "JULY 2011", which is the only time this one was brewed, as far as I know. That seems to be the modus operandi for Anchorage.

Appearance - Aggressive pour yields a frothy orangish cream head of lots of tiny bubbles, one finger thick. Lacing is silky and fleeting after head sticks around for a little while, but eventually fades into a healthy layering of spotty foam on top of the beer.

Smell - A full two years after the bottling date, the brett has made itself quite at home in this bottle. Brett funk and tartness dominate the nose, but still allow for veins of citrus zest to shine through unexpectedly but pleasantly.

Taste - Again, the barnyard funk is on full display here. In addition to that yeasty characteristic, there is a pretty detectable flavor profile from the Chardonnay barrels--some dry grape elements, as well as oaky vanilla undertones.

Mouthfeel - Carbonation has fallen off a little bit in two years, but not terribly. Light but close to moderate with a medium body that is slightly on the chewy side.

Overall, a beer that I've been seeking for the better part of six months, due to how much I love everything that comes out of Anchorage it seems. This one isn't my favorite of their offerings, but it's darn close, and it's one that I really wish I could have tried fresh. It seems like the time has allowed the balance to flip from hop dominant with brett elements to the inverse.
Jul 28, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.44 by Khaack from New York

Nov 07, 2022
Photo of beergoot
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