Citra IPA (Fresh Hop)
Seapine Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

Poured into a Seattle Beer Week pint glass. Pours a hazy golden amber with a fine, one finger white head with great retention and solid lacing. Aroma of pale malt, citrus hops, lemon, orange and a little dankness. Flavor is pale malt, citrus hops, grapefruit, lemon, light orange and some mixed berries. Moderate, but satisfactory bitterness with citrus rind in the finish. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. A quite fine use of fresh Citra hops in this IPA. This hop is one of my top favorites in IPA hop profiles, but I've found single hops with Citra can be unidimensional. Here they stand nicely on their own, with some light non-citrus flavors to add interest. I think this an ultra fresh can, so that may be the key for the flavor. Definitely citrusy, but interesting fruit profile. The malt in unobtrusive, but supports and displays the hops well. Looks like a hazy NE style, but has sufficient bitterness to be a real IPA in my book. Haven't had a Seapine IPA for a while and I'll have to remedy that in the future. Another fresh hop favorite.

 

Seapine's Citra IPA in a 16oz can (orange over blue label, claims 6.5% ABV, stamped 21151). Served in a can glass. Pale yellow golden, mostly clear, with a nice white foam. Mild aroma is a bit citrusy. Flavor brings on a fresh pine aspect first, then yields to pineapple and tropical flavors like passionfruit. Very neutral grain bill is neither malty nor biscuity, and doesn't suggest any wheat; it just lets the hops right through. A really good IPA showcasing what is still one of my favorite hop varieties. I don't get nearly as much lemon or tangerine as the label suggests, but that's all totally fine by me.

 

 

16oz can ("20268" on bottom of can, if that means anything) into a tulip. Pours a clear pale straw color with a nice sudsy white head, patchy lace. Looks inviting.

Aroma is big juicy citrus on the mandarin/tangerine end of the spectrum, some vague tropical/floral notes.

Taste follows nose. Clean neutral pale malt provides a blank canvas on which the juicy Citra hops really shine. A balanced blend of orange and grapefruit mostly, with a clean, gently acidic finish. Maybe a hint of lemon zest. I've had some fresh hop beers that just scour the palate clean with acidity, but this one is a bit more nuanced. Minimal bitterness.

Mouthfeel is on the lighter side of medium. Not watery, but you can taste/feel the water if that makes sense, and this beer is just that much more refreshing because of it.

Overall a delicious, understated fresh hop IPA. If it didn't say "IPA" on the can I'd think this might be better classified as an APA, as the bitterness is pretty low. Have to wonder what the IBUs are on this one.

2020-10-02
16oz can served in a big snifter. Stamp on the bottom is 20268, which I think translates to 25 September 2020. Bought it yesterday at the Thirsty Hop.

Pours a bright golden color, mostly clear, medium sized head. Smell is citrus pith and citrus juice.

Taste is really nice. Kind of orange and pineapple, moderate sweetness and moderate bitterness. Sweetness is fleeting and bitterness lingers and builds.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied. Overall, quite nice.

---
2024-10-18
16oz can. Looks like 9/30/24. Served in a half pint shaker. Quite nice again this year.