Pop! - Citra
Grimm Artisanal Ales

 

 

 

 

 

☆

 

 

22oz bottle dated February 2018 poured into a tulip
A: Yellow, slightly hazy, one-finger head
S: Dried apricot, melon, tangerine, a hint of lemondrop
T: Lightly sour, mostly tangerine/lemon/apricot
M: Light-bodied and a light acidity that keeps it mouthwatering
O: Very refreshing and well-made

 

 

 

 

2/18: Weird one vs “to style.” Vanilla little too strong on nose; tart, vanilla sweet, and Citra do come together interestingly; strangely good.

22 oz bottled poured into a tulip glass, a pale clear gold with a thin rim of lace. The aroma is citrus of the papaya melon variety and a tinge of sour. The initial taste assaults the taste buds and the saliva glands. As the palate adjusts, it settles into a strangely sweet and sour mix, vanilla, sugar, salt, orange, lemon...a dessert beer as described. The mouthfeel is medium, somewhat smooth, with a slightly below medium level of carbonation, with a tart finish. Strangely balanced, a definite try for Berliner fans.

 

 

Drank from a 1pt. 6 fl. oz. bottle purchased at Craft Beer Cellar, Belmont, MA
February 2018
Served in a tulip

Hazy straw yellow appearance. The liquid was capped by a small, frothy, bright white head that quickly fell to a thin, bubbly collar. Minimal spotty lacing trickled down the glass.

The nose was really interesting and unique. Loads of bright, exotic, fruity character. Musty passionfruit notes came through strongest. Good dose of lemon. Moderately tart and also somewhat sweet. Subtle vanilla notes. Bit of milky lactose too. As the beer sat, the vanilla intensified.

The flavor profile was also fruity and bright. Big lemon presence. Nice interplay between tart and sweet. Lemon candies came to mind. Passionfruit notes were also apparent. Some tangerine as well. Wheaty in the center. Vanilla appeared on the back end and intensified in the finish. Some lactose and Citra hop notes were detectable here as well. Hint of lingering bitterness.

The mouthfeel was fairly nondescript. Medium bodied for the style. The liquid contained a very fine, subtle effervescence that made the beer seem almost a touch watery.

I always enjoy Grimm’s sour beers, and Citra Pop! was definitely another winner. Although the vanilla and Citra hop notes were more subtle than I anticipated, the beer was nevertheless flavorful, well balanced and highly refreshing.