Citrus Ninja Exchange

Very different from the first batch...much drier, lighter, with a significant taste of citrus fruits (think lime, lemon, grapefruit). The 9.5% ABV is amazingly hidden and it's super refreshing and dangerously drinkable. Overall, a delicious and very interesting take (w/ the fruit) on the IIPA style.

 

I heard they simplified the malt bill on this one to make the hops have even more of a presence. This makes me happy.

 

ok i wasn't around for the first batch although i did have a few growlers of it. from what i know the first batch had grapefruit zest and grapefruit flesh in the fermenter, was also all cascade in the boil and fermenter. this batch had a simpler malt as stated. edward brought in a bunch of fruit (grapefruit, orange, lemon and limes to be exact). they were cut up and smashed (scott from cbx did a little cutting and smashing making it a true collaboration) and thrown in the boil. the boil also had a variety of hops (and lots of them). no fruit went in the fermenter this time, but it was heavily dry hopped (over 120lbs for a 60bbl), again another nice variety of hops, unfortunately no citra .

 

last years was good, I'll give my impression of this years in two days when it's delivered to my store

 

Picked up a growler this afternoon, but am gonna wait until tomorrow to drink it. Can't wait!

 

It is a very nice DIPA. I liked it much better than last year's version. Much drier, big citrus and hops. This is one of my favorites from Westbrook and I'm a fan.

 

ok was informed that the first batch had lemons and limes as well

 

This beer was fantastic last year. Hope it can equal that.

 

Interesting. I thought it was just grapefruit last time. Whatever it was, it made for a solid brew. Even better this year in my opinion.

 

Had a bomber last night. I didn't find the first batch to be particularly memorable, but this one was just unpleasant to me, especially as it warmed. Although it's obviously potently hopped, the undercurrent of bitterness has its work cut out for it trying to cut through scorching booziness and doughy sweetness. The fruit entirely overwhelms the hop flavor. I found myself wondering if this would be a better experiment with a dry single IPA base, or even a pale ale. A rare dud from Westbrook. Just my $0.02. Review pending at some point. (I've got a serious backlog of review notes.)

 

Funny I think the booze are rather well hidden. Sorry you didn't enjoy

 

Let the record show I am a fan of Westbrook brews in general. Off to the Community Tap to grab a growler of their IPA right now, actually! Very solid brewery, no doubt.

 

Oh I know. Just saying. There are a few beers im not a big fan of, like our gratzen
then again im not a big smoked beer fan. The lictenheiner has enough going for it that the smoke isn't over bearing

 

Ha, for some reason Mr. Clueless (that'd be me) hadn't figured out you work for Westbrook. I can take care of a coupla your Wants; maybe I'll stop by to say hello sometime when I'm down to visit my folks in the area.

 

Drinking one right now. Unfortunately I've got some kinda wierd mid-July cold going on so my senses are a little screwed up. That being said my first impression is "baby Devil Dancer" (in a good way). What I mean by that is that it's got a great aroma and flavor without the intense bitterness or tasting like it's spiked with onion juice. Hopefully my head will clear up soon and I can try it again. As is though I do like it better than last years.

 

I picked one up at Grapevine in Fort Mill, SC and am drinking it now. Great beer. I don't think the citrus rind is overwhelming at all and I don't get a lot of alcohol heat. Definitely one of the better local DIPAs I've ever had. It's smooth and fruity without a lot of harsh bitterness. I'd definitely put it above Boy King, which seems to get a lot of praise.

 

I am drinking one right now. I enjoy it for the most part, although I get a strong dose of grapefruit pith that is almost distracting

 

Noticed that on the first few sips, but as I worked my way through the bottle, it became much less of an issue.

 

I will be trying the new batch this weekend either via bottle or growler... I will report back on my findings.