Spring-Summer - IPA Citra
Cloudwater Brew Co.

 

 

 

 

 

330ml bottle into an oversized tulip. Paid £3.45 for a single bottle.

Pours a hazy, pale-orange coloured body with only a small amount of sluggish carbonation visible near the edges of the glass. A thick, foamy, two-finger in height, white head slowly reduces to a dense film and collar, leaving behind plenty of soapy lace.

The bright and hop-forward nose consists primarily of citrus flesh and peels. Juicy grapefruit and tangerine-like aromas lead above sweet fruity notes of apricot, peach, and mango, while mildly bitter floral, grassy and pine notes become perceptible towards the end. Taste follows in much the same way. Sweet juicy citrus and soft ripe fruits lead the flavour profile upfront. Mid-palate, faintly sweet and bready pale malts provide a light and crisp backdrop for citric hops and the fruity Vermont yeast to shine, before mildly bitter grapefruit rinds and pith along with traces of floral and resinous pine profiles gradually build towards the finish. In the mouth a light body and low carbonation feel a little thin, but still reasonably smooth and crisp. Hop oils gently stimulate the palate, drying out towards the finish as lingering grapefruit provides just enough astringency to encourage another sip.

Overall this is an excellent beer. It’s bright, clean, crisp and wonderfully well balanced. It perfectly blends complimentary hop profiles and light malts with the intensely fruity Vermont yeast, and at all times, keeps bitterness under tight control. I am not usually a fan of the style, but I’ve already picked up a few more bottles of this. Recommended.