Session # 196
Kern River | Citra DIPA
Imperial IPA | Kernville, CA | 8% ABV
One year ago: Pretty Things Jack D’or
As someone who caught the craft beer bug because of Bell’s Hopslam (reviewed here), I can tell you that I have always been on the hunt for the next best Double IPA. I’ve had Pliny the Elder, Dreadnaught, Double Jack, and many others. These have all lived up to the hype, but rarely do Imperial IPAs match my appreciation for my first love. Today’s beer comes pretty damn close. The Citra DIPA from Kern River satisfies just about every element that I look for in an IPA. It poured a very warm orange color with a slight bit of hop haze and frothy off-white head. Before I could even get my nose into the glass the heavenly smell of peach, mango, papaya, and sweet pine pummeled my face. But getting in there further…yep…this is a righteous smelling beer. The flavor basically followed the same formula with boatloads of tropical fruit and pine with some nice light bready malt underneath just to wrap it all up in a pretty little bow. This was everything I’d hoped for: fresh; clean; and beautiful in every way. Thank you, Juan!!!
Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
Listening To: Faith No More “Epic”
Let us know your thoughts by rating and commenting on this video.
Posted by Barry Grass (@theBGrass) on August 31, 2011 at 8:34 AM
*drools uncontrollably* Do you know if Kern River bottles this beer throughout the year?
Posted by thehopry on August 31, 2011 at 9:42 AM
My understanding is that they will brew it several times a year now for bottling. Not sure the quantity, but I’m sure it will go fast enough that each new bottling will allow people to enjoy it fresh. Damn was it tasty!!!
Posted by KevSal on August 31, 2011 at 1:18 PM
i need to get me some soon. a place near my house got it but i missed the boat.
faith no more rocks! the slap bass in that song righteous
Posted by thehopry on August 31, 2011 at 2:42 PM
I heard it the other day and had to put it with this beer, because it is in fact epic.
Posted by Jon on August 31, 2011 at 2:11 PM
I never thought about it before, but good comparison to Hopslam. I have had this several times (even once on nitro, which was fantastic) and have grown to appreciate it more each time I have it, though I still trend to unbalanced hop bombs.
I was happy to see that Eric got back to you on the Just Outstanding review. Good guy with a great business despite outdoing even Alpine in the BFE location department. (The brewpub does give me somewhere to go now when visiting my parents at their BFE location and is conveniently located by a tiny low key ski area.) I would encourage anyone with a free day in LA area to make the trip, enjoy some national/state wilderness areas, and great beer and food.
Posted by thehopry on August 31, 2011 at 3:20 PM
Take a trip to the California country? And leave all this…
Posted by allthatalesyou on August 31, 2011 at 3:02 PM
OHHHH man I have to get my hands on this one seems right down my ally. Juan is a great guy i’m guessing you are referring to j47paco? He sent me some Pliny and Blind Pig which I just reviewed good stuff. Cheers Mark
Posted by thehopry on August 31, 2011 at 3:20 PM
He’s the one. Very nice indeed!
Posted by Jamison Moeckel on August 31, 2011 at 4:42 PM
I find it hard to believe they are using just Citra hops in this thing, sure its a great hop but I never got tropical fruits off the Citra IPA’s I have made. Sounds like a great DIPA Mark.
Posted by thehopry on August 31, 2011 at 6:08 PM
They also use Amarillo…
Posted by Bobby Digital on August 31, 2011 at 7:29 PM
Dammit Mark this is a beer you need to bring over to Teds and share! Great review as always though!