Against the Grain Citra Ass Down Double India Pale Ale

I became aware of Against the Grain many years ago, and wasn't exactly curious about their beers after being turned off by the artwork. Just too weird for me. Made me question everything about them. What, you ask, you like Ralph Steadman, but this illustrator you can't get behind?. Yeah, too strangely perverse. The nipples and costumes, it's just...what? When I heard they "Randallized" their Brown Note beer through a pair of underpants, in tribute to the stained shorts on that beer,s label, I was, just, like, "Huh?" Come on.

This explains why I have been very slow to investigate their beers. They've been available here for a few years now, it seems, and The Sample Man has finally put a can in my hands. That's why, at long last, here's the first ATG on TBN. I expect it to go well. I'm all about the double IPAs and this is one of the least baffling labels I've seen. No weird touching or filthy underwear anywhere.

Against the Grain Citra Ass Down Double India Pale Ale. Against the Grain Brewery, Louisville, Kentucky. 8.2% ABV. 68  IBU. "Drink From The Can." (No, thanks.)

Clear, pale crimson coloring, sizable ivory toned head, leaving lace and looking fine.

In the nose: Fresh 'n' zesty. Bright citrus. Lemon-y, orange-y, grapefruit-y.

In the mouth: Big, bold, strong citrus flavors dominate the palate from the start. Bright and piney, mucho resinous. Bitter and ripe. Hop character remains sharp and strong, matched by the book, with toasty malt back-up holding on. Juicy. Tasty. And the beat goes on.

Yeah, it's a good one. I give it the old thumbs up. And not, you know, any weird thumbs tweaking nipples, or anything. Regular ol', wholesome thumbs up.

"Citra Ass Down & Crush this Beer. This beer is not candy or mother's milk. It is not brewed by gypsies or aliens, nor does it contain any zombie dirt. This is a Double IPA brewed with Citra hops. It is sticky, hoppy and delicious. Simply drink it and enjoy it. Don't hoard this beer. Citra Ass Down and drink it down."

Then there's the technical side: This is a very hop forward American style IPA. Brewed with Pale, Vienna, Munich and wheat malt for a solid base for all American hops, focusing mainly on the variety “Citra.” Citra hops are a relatively new variety introduced in 2008. It was bred as a hybrid of a number of different hops, including Hallertauer Mittelfrüh, U.S. Tettnanger, East Kent Golding, Bavarian, Brewers Gold, and other unknown hops. The resulting hop, Citra, has a distinct citrusy and tropical fruit flavor and aroma. In Citra ass down we used American Columbus for bittering and 11# of Citra at the end of the boil for late kettle addition flavor and aroma. Then we added 6 more pounds Citra and 5# Centennial post fermention for aroma. Rebrewed for your tasting pleasure!
ABV 8.2%     OG 17.0      IBU 68.0