Hop College: Citra 101
Moksa Brewing Company

Type: 16-oz. can
Reviewed as: American Double / Imperial IPA
Glass: North Park 9-oz. butterscotch snifter glass
Price: n/a
From: Dave Harkey
Purchased: n/a; Received June 15, 2022
Consumed: June 24, 2022
Misc.: Canned on June 1, 2022

Thanks, Dave!

Got three Monkish beers and a few others from Dave when he was in San Diego. Untappd description was “Our Hop College Series is a string of West Coast DIPAs where we showcase one of our hand selected hops. First released in 2007 by Perrault Farms, Citra is considered the Godfather of new wave hops that were bred for extreme aromas and highly fruity flavors. Since then, it has been the most in demand hop among craft breweries in the United States. Because of it is widely grown, Citra can lend a large range of flavors and aromas that include pineapple, gooseberry, lychee, mango, melon, grapefruit, orange rind and passionfruit. For the 2021 hop selection process, our Brewers traveled to Yakima Chief Hops to blind select our lot for our 2022 brews. Out of about 5 lots, the winner was from Puterbaugh Farms in Mabton, Washington and showcased very concentrated aromas of pineapple and tangerine, which is exactly what we look for in Citra.”

Poured a medium yellow semi-clear color with 2-to-3 fingers of frothy off-white head. Could see plenty of bubble streams coming up along the sides of the glass. World-class uneven spotty lacing. World-class foamy retention. (Sight - 4.50)

Smelled big Citra, grapefruit, pineapple, tangerine, orange rind, lemon, citrus zest, pine, herbal and dry grass. (Smell - 4.25)

Tasted about as good as the nose. In order got Citra, grapefruit, pineapple, lemon, tangerine, orange rind, citrus zest, pine, herbal, menthol, caramel and dry grass. Super smooth for 8.2 pct. ABV. (Taste - 4.25)

Medium body. Creamy texture. Average-to-lively carbonation. Long, smooth finish. (Feel - 4.75)

Just a damn good beer. So smooth for what it was. Excellent overall. (Overall - 4.25)

4.32 | 96 | A

Providing quite an education for the tastebuds, Moksa Brewing takes hop honors in a display of Citra hops that celebrate this hop varietal in all its unique, bright and racy glory.

Pale gold and sharing a medium haze, the frothy and glowing ale swoons the senses with an appetizing array of citrus, tropical fruit and botanical herbs to emulate the character of a fruitier citronella. Sweet and supple in its early start, the malt profile hits the tongue with notions of toasted croissant, light honey and shortcake.

As the malts lay a sweeter foundation, the grains dry and make plenty of room for the hops to grow. A billowing taste of tangerine is front and center on the middle palate, followed by red grapefruit, mango, apricot and blood orange. All fruits seem on the slightly tangier and under ripened side as the beer showcases a character of sherbet and slightly winey quality. Trending bitter, resinous and spicy, the grassy flavors carry into those botanical offerings while also decorated with hemp spruce and tea.

Medium bodied and having a slight hazy approach, the beer finishes off-dry and juicy with Citra hops giving final impressions of bitter orange juice with a hint of curacao liquor and botanical gin in a long and drying aftertaste.

 

WHOA! The color, the nose, the taste and the followthrough!!! WOW. This deep copper colored IPA is delicious. Nose is kinda sweet with a citrus nose. The taste is citrusy as well with a follow through that tingles the senses with bitterness.