Thirsty Dog Brewing – Citra Dog (3.5 out of 5)


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Website: http://www.thirstydog.com/

Brewed in: Akron Ohio USA

Style: American IPA

HOPS: All Citra, all the time

ABV: 6.5%

IBU:  95

 

 

Citra Hops hit the scene in 2007,  developed by Hop Breeding Company.  As you might expect it is noted for its citrus like character.  Thirsty Dog Brewing Company offers us Citra Dog, and American India Pale Ale that is hopped with only this varietal.  it is available all year long.

Out of the bottle this beer pours a slightly cloudy straw color.  The head was minimal with a small amount of lacing against the glass.  The scent of this beer is very subdued.  There is a citrus flair that is backed with a malty sweetness.  This hits the mouth with a citrus blast.  The first sip is an assault on the senses with grapefruit bitterness in copious doses.  As is often the case, the next few sips indicate a more subtle character.  It is still heavily imbued with citrus presence.  The bitter feel clings to the palette and never quite leaves.  The sweet scent detected on the nose is hard pressed to balance out the citrus flavor in this one.

In the end I am not sure if I would go all citra hops in a beer.  I was very interested in seeing what this was like since I have recently brewed a citra heavy batch of home brew.  Citra by itself is a bit too one dimensional and even in combination may need to be treated carefully since it has the ability to take over the flavor profile.  This is a great beer to truly get the sense of what one variety of hops can do to a beer.  I say it is definitely one to pick up if for that alone.

(3.5 out of 5)

 

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