Citra - Réservoir

eat

Quebec (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beautiful 750ml dark-green glass bottle available only at the brewpub. "Triple-hopped" with citra. Listed as a Belgian pale ale but comes across much more as a Belgian IPA. Pours a hazy glowing amber colour with a good two fingers of rocky, orange-tinged head. Great retention and lacing.

Citra hops are obvious on the nose, displaying lots of juicy tropical notes (grapefruit, lychee, passion fruit and mixed citrus). Belgian yeast adds a pungent character along with some minerals and caramel sweetness.

Flavour is similar to the nose, with lots of juicy, fresh citra hops (tropical fruit and citrus). Bitterness is moderately-high but balanced by a good level of caramel malt. The Belgian character is present but laying low, letting the hops shine out over it's mineral-like tang. Very subtle spices and a touch of warming alcohol. Lingering grapefruit on the finish. Something along the lines of Charlevoix's Lupulus or La Chouffe's Houblon Chouffe but with more of an American character.

Good medium body and low carbonation. Nice feel.

I stopped by for a pint of their IPA and noticed for the first time the selection of three different bottles on the wall (including a saison and weizenbock). A citra-hopped Belgian pale ale had me curious and did not disappoint; this was a nice surprise. I'd love to be able to take a couple of these home but sadly the bottles aren't allowed to leave the premises. Worth stopping by Reservoir just to try this one if it's around.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 07:47:59 | More by eat