Citra DIPA - Kern River Brewing Company

kevanb

Illinois

4.83/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

*100th Review*

Finally got my hands on this one, a fresh bottle from the Thanksgiving release. It pours a really fantastic honey straw color, hints of amber, hints of goldenrod with an aggressive 3 fingers of soapy head on top. This guy sports some wicked lacing and a nice layer of soapy head sits atop the entire way down, very impressed at first glance. The smell is overwhelming, an insane amount of dank hops hit the nose, grapefruit, orange zest, pineapple, some bubble gum all play a role, but none crowd the other out and a nice soft grain straw aroma seals the deal, just enough to remind you there IS malt in this. Nice bitter kick of hops on the tongue, earthier than the nose leads on, resinous pine, some sappy flavors, but it doesn't let you forget the citrus, big grapefruit and zesty acidic flavors come to the show, a hint of biscuit, but it's nothing more than the faintest of counterbalances. It really pushes the envelope of hoppiness, Pliny the Elder does a great job of having that mad hoppy thing going for it, but it reigns them in exceptionally well, this reminds me more of Hop Riot in the sense that it's just overwhelmingly hopped, but Citra sets itself apart from all challengers with the perfect balance of flavors and remains quite drinkable. It's got a nice body, a bit soapy from the head, but overall, really nice, not too big and chewy and nowhere near too thing.

Verdict: Breathtaking. I don't even care to have the conversation of Pliny vs Citra vs Heady Topper or anything. I just want to sit down, and drink this bad boy, and let that be it. It's exceptionally crafted, and masterfully balanced, the malt is just enough to keep the hops in check, but they are in full force, and I'm loving it.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 02:00:28 | More by kevanb

aleman39

California

4.75/5  rDev +3%

05-21-2013 21:19:03 | More by aleman39

PlinyBeMiney

California

4/5  rDev -13.2%

05-21-2013 07:06:00 | More by PlinyBeMiney

CosmoHopHead

Kansas

4.75/5  rDev +3%

05-21-2013 04:05:18 | More by CosmoHopHead

ShawnMH

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -7.8%

05-19-2013 15:50:01 | More by ShawnMH

eyeenjoybeer

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev -2.4%

05-18-2013 16:44:10 | More by eyeenjoybeer

Deuane

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +3%

05-18-2013 06:07:58 | More by Deuane

jwk7324

California

5/5  rDev +8.5%

05-15-2013 18:38:35 | More by jwk7324

Csimmons

California

4.25/5  rDev -7.8%

05-13-2013 00:16:34 | More by Csimmons

WhatdaHec

California

4.5/5  rDev -2.4%

05-10-2013 21:05:59 | More by WhatdaHec

woodchopper

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -2.4%

05-09-2013 19:31:57 | More by woodchopper

BMart

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +8.5%

05-08-2013 13:35:37 | More by BMart

Thirsty_Rob

California

5/5  rDev +8.5%

05-08-2013 07:05:30 | More by Thirsty_Rob

IPAyForHops

California

4.5/5  rDev -2.4%

05-02-2013 23:32:53 | More by IPAyForHops

jakecattleco

California

4.75/5  rDev +3%

05-02-2013 06:25:43 | More by jakecattleco

Dowlers

California

4.5/5  rDev -2.4%

04-29-2013 01:38:52 | More by Dowlers

Clem319

California

5/5  rDev +8.5%

04-29-2013 00:17:24 | More by Clem319

caguiar

New Hampshire

4.5/5  rDev -2.4%

04-28-2013 19:22:26 | More by caguiar

Skunkdrool

California

5/5  rDev +8.5%

04-25-2013 22:32:14 | More by Skunkdrool

willhans8

California

4.75/5  rDev +3%

04-24-2013 07:53:37 | More by willhans8

gueuzegossage

California

4.5/5  rDev -2.4%

04-21-2013 21:28:47 | More by gueuzegossage

afallon86

California

4.5/5  rDev -2.4%

04-13-2013 10:42:27 | More by afallon86

roblund

California

4.25/5  rDev -7.8%

04-12-2013 18:37:50 | More by roblund

BigGreenMonster

California

4.9/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Was able to try this during San Diego Beer Week and San Francisco Beer Week. Both times served from tap in a pint and in 12 oz tulip. The appearance is murky with a slight green-yellow color. The smell and taste is amazing. Citrusy pineapple and mango flavors last from the sniff to the swallow. The mouthfeel is the most amazing part of it, 8% and unfiltered gives it the perfect consistency. It's juicy! Each swallow only makes you crave more. My favorite IIPA. HF Double Galaxy and Heady Topper are a close second and thrid.

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2013 06:59:46 | More by BigGreenMonster

HopHeadCnK

Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +3%

04-10-2013 06:21:14 | More by HopHeadCnK