Tasting Notes: Brewdog: IPA Is Dead: Citra

Brewdog: IPA Is Dead: Citra (Scotland: IPA: 7.5% ABV)

Visual: Clear golden amber with a moderate darkened white head.

Nose: Pineapple, fresh lemon, wheat, hops and bitterness. Sweet syrup. Very fresh and mixed with a smooth breadiness.

Body: Light and fresh in its flavours initially. Pineapple, hop oil bitterness, Oranges. Significant bitterness in the main body. Custard Sweetness. Pepper.

Finish: Custard mixes with lasting bitterness. Very dry and wheaty. Lots of hops.  Slightly oily texture near the end, but moves into a more rough tongue texture from the dryness. Black pepper.

Conclusion:  It’s an odd thing hops. For example, Citra is a great hop that adds significant bitterness and pineapple sharpness to a beer.  Thing is, as a single hop it shows that it really needs something to work against to make it shine.

That’s not to say this is a bad beer, it’s a decent drink and very elegantly shows the hops range and what it does well, but I can’t see it being a drink I have regularly for fun as opposed to as a hop research mission (which just happens to be fun).

Still a great hop, but one that needs to be at least a double act to be appreciated.

Background: Another single hop beer from Brewdog, who as admitted before I am not entirely unbiased about, but I try my best. This hop is from America I think.  The base recipe is a slightly altered Hardcore IPA which is then used with one of the four selected hops.  Thanks to Martin for this beer.