CitraQuench'l
Heist Brewery - NoDa

Thanks goes out to russpowell for this brew.

16 oz. Can
Canned On: 11 14 2018

My first from this brewery.

Poured into a Tree House glass a pretty nice cloudy yellow/orange color, pretty nice carbonation, with a pretty nice thick/creamy one-finger plus white head, which also leaves some pretty nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is hoppy, malty, with a pretty nice citrus complex (orange, tangerine, grapefruit, mango, guava, pineapple, peach), nice little diesel like. The taste is pretty nice, hoppy, malty, with a pretty nice citrus complex (orange, tangerine, grapefruit, mango, guava, pineapple, peach), nice little diesel like. Medium body, ABV is hidden pretty nicely, with a nice little dry/bitter finish. Overall, a pretty tasty brew. Orange Julius! Addictive! Milk Shake! Thanks Russ!

Review: 2626
Name: CitraQuench'l
Brewery: Hiest Brewing
Location: Charlotte, NC
Style: Hazy IPA
ABV: 7%
Canned: Unknown
Date: 30 May 2026
Initial Impression:
I previously had their oatmeal stout, Brunch Junkie, and came away impressed. Seeing a fresh Citra-driven IPA from the same brewery immediately caught my attention. Citra may be one of the most overused hops in modern brewing, but I still enjoy it when handled well.
Appearance:
Served at 48°F in a tulip glass. The pour created a creamy, airy white head about two fingers thick with excellent retention, slowly receding and leaving thick patches of lacing behind.
The beer pours a lightly hazy golden color with pale straw hues (SRM ~4), translucent and lively in the glass—a beautiful presentation and exactly what I want to see from a fresh hazy IPA.
Aroma:
Hop-forward and immediately inviting. Orange peel, grapefruit, nectarine, peach, and a subtle lime character lead the nose, supported by tropical notes of mango, pineapple, and papaya. Supporting aromas of pine resin, honeysuckle, elderflower-like florals, and light earthiness add complexity without muddying the profile.
The malt remains in a supporting role, contributing light toast, biscuit, bread crust, and gentle sweetness. The balance between hop expression and malt structure is well-executed, allowing the hops to shine while maintaining enough foundation to keep everything together.
Flavor:
Fresh, vibrant, and hop-centric. Grapefruit, orange peel, nectarine, peach, mango, pineapple, honeysuckle, pine needle, and bay leaf dominate the palate. A subtle earthy bitterness runs throughout, adding structure without becoming sharp or abrasive.
The malt backbone remains clean and restrained, offering lightly toasted grain, biscuit, and faint sweetness. While it provides enough support to keep the beer balanced, I found myself wanting just a bit more malt presence to stand up to the sheer volume of hop character.
Mouthfeel:
Medium-light body with moderate carbonation. Slightly astringent with a light tannic edge, finishing crisp and clean. At times, the body feels a touch aqueous, and a little more fullness would have elevated the overall drinking experience.
Overall Impression:
This beer tastes remarkably fresh—as if the hops were picked that morning and tossed straight into the whirlpool. The citrus character bursts from the glass, complemented by beautiful notes of fresh hay, green florals, and subtle tropical fruit.
My only real criticism is the body. The hop profile is exceptional, but a little more weight and texture would have pushed the beer from excellent to memorable. Even so, this is a wonderfully executed IPA and exactly the kind of beer I enjoy sipping while watching a dreary Idaho evening settle in outside.

 

 

Hazy yellowish orange. Big juicy citrusy hop aroma and flavor. Good balance with little to no bitterness. Medium bodied with a big juicy citrusy finish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look - Pours an opaque amber/orange color with a thick fluffy head.

Smell - Orange, tangerine, grapefruit and generally a citrus nose. I'm not a huge a fan of citrus.

Taste - Taste largely follows the nose; slightly too citrusy for my liking.

Feel - Light carbonation, creamy and smooth.

Overall - A decent IPA, but too much citrus for my personal taste. There are other IPAs I like more.

Definitely a good one, but it is hard to surprise me with a NE IPA. Hazy, orange color. Big, white head. Citrus and dank hops dominate the aroma with some notes of tropical fruits. Juicy, hoppy taste with decent bitterness. Some astringency in the aftertaste.

 

 

 

16oz can courtesy of @CarolinaCardinals; poured into a Big Head's Belgian-style tulip

P hazy orange w/ a 1f foamy white head
N med-bold nose of sweet candied hop juice, citrus, and melon; delightful
T follows nose w/ lots of citrus, melon, dank, juicy, and candied notes; subtle green hop character in there as well; solid profile
Mf med-bodied w/ med-high carb
O really nicely-done ne-style ipa; delicious and super drinkable; thankful I had the opportunity to try it!

Review date: 11.18.23
Can date: n/a

 

Pretty good IPA, $16 for a 16oz 4 pack.