Oliphant Ennui’d Citra Single Hop India Pale Ale

Oliphant Ennui’d Citra Single Hop India Pale Ale.

7.5% ABV. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

This is perhaps a first. I am reviewing the first can from the four pack. Fixing those habits.

And at last I know the truth of the labels. Apparently, some slugs, “cellar slugs”, Josh tells me, are viewing various television programs or films. The first two in the Ennui’d  series, Galaxy and Mosaic, were based on actual, existing properties. This current one flew out of Josh’s brain. “Crime Train”, the NBC Movie of the Week. Or not. 

Clear, bright golden hue, large and lasting white head. 

In the nose: blast of citrus. Orange and lemon, grapefruit and pine. Pure and bright, hoppy and sunshiny. Lovely stuff. Heaven for the hophead.

In the mouth: more bright, more juicy, and a ton more citrusy. Moderate bitterness, medium bodied, easy drinking. Orange, grapefruit, lemon, and nothing but hoppy delights. Crisp, clean, bursting with hoppy deliciousness. I certainly can’t find a flaw here. Good upon good. 

I can’t say enough good things about this one. Hope they make more. 

Single Hop IPA with Citra Hops!

Unmapped Cosmic Tiara Pale Ale

Unmapped Cosmic Tiara Pale Ale.

5% ABV, 48 IBU. Unmapped Brewing, Minnetonka, MN.

I didn’t get it at first, but the name of this beer is an anagram of the hops used. That classic duo, Citra and Mosaic. Can’t miss, right?

Mostly clear, with a slight chill haze, bright golden hue, large white head that settles quick. 

In the nose: bold citrus notes, orange, grapefruit, lime. Beautifully expressive.

In the mouth: nice dose of bitterness up front, grapefruit clings to the palate. Light bodied, crisp, clean, exceptionally refreshing. Hop bitterness hangs in for the long haul. Long, wonderfully bitter finish. There will probably be some who may take issue with the after taste, but not this Hop-head. I do enjoy a good pale ale and this is certainly one.

Delicious and delightfully downable. I’ll be back for more. 

Some say its an anagram for Citra & Mosaic. Others say its the beer of choice for interstellar royalty. We just think its a delicious sessionable pale ale! 

Cosmic Tiara is a crushable new addition to our year-round beer lineup. Subtle malt notes pair with a cascade of juicy and citrus fruit flavors that derive from healthy helpings of Citra and Mosaic hops.

Get ready to blast off- and don't forget the headgear!

Duvel Tripel Hop Citra

 Duvel Tripel Hop Citra. Belgian IPA. 

9.5% ABV. Duvel-Moortgat.

Clear, bright golden color, small ivory head. (Unusual for a Duvel. Old bottle, maybe?)

In the nose: There it is, that unmistakable Duvel nose, spice and floral notes in full array, with emergent bouquet of citrus hops. 

In the mouth: crisp,,clean, and alive with the spark of Citra. Grassy hop texture on the palate, light bodied, bright citrusy flavors at play. Spice darts about the tongue. Quite refreshing and delicious. Only at the end does the higher ABV make itself known. Yum. 

I can’t help but wonder if a fresher sample might yield even more vital results.

Discover Citra, voted by our fans as the best hop variety for our special Duvel Tripel Hop. Citra enriches the already unique taste of Duvel with fresh notes of grapefruit and tropical fruit.

 

Junkyard Royale With Cheese Double NE IPA

Junkyard Royale With Cheese Double NE IPA. with Citra and Mosaic. 

7.7 % ABV. Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. 

Another NE DIPA from Junkyard, another Pulp Fiction reference with early video game graphics. Damn, I want to play that game! This time Citra and Mosaic are teamed up, the best hop combo in beer ever, pretty much. And I finally have a Junkyard glass. The other side has the graphic from Riding With Jules, the last one in this series that I had. But, I chose not to showcase that side of the glass, because that would be confusing, wouldn't it? 

Ultra hazy. Bright golden / orangish hue, large and lasting ivory head above. 

In the nose: Citrus notes, orange, lemon, pineapple, guava. A touch of the tropical, too. 

In the mouth: Smooth, hoppy, slightly sweet, lightly bitter. yum. A dum dum. Huge citrus, lots of tropical, tons of sweetness to match a big batch of bitter. Quite tasty. Medium bodied, easily consumable. Very juicy. Especially likable. 

The bitterness is still too mild for me, but the is what the style is all about, so I can't really complain. This is by itself absolutely delightful. I'd gladly turn to it, again and again. I can't recommend this highly enough. 

Shaq and Kobe.

Thelma and Louise.

Frodo and Sam.

Vince and Jules.

Citra and Mosaic. 

The biggest hop duo of all-time make their Junkyard debut in a knockout display of hazy perfection. Elegant flavors of creamy citrus and white peach are amplified by a kaleidoscope of berry notes interwoven with an earthy, dank, yet clean backbone. Its the perfect one-two punch. An ultra-hip hitman with an affinity for philosophical discussions. Just don’t get too comfortable around ‘em. Now then, mind if I have some of your tasty beverage to wash this down with?

Octopi Galaxy India Pale Ale

Octopi Galaxy India Pale Ale.
5.5 % ABV. Octopi Brewing, Waunakee, WI.

This is my fourth can from the 4-pack, my first from the brewery. I couldn't figure out those first three, now it's time to struggle with it.

Fully hazed-up, orange/golden appearance, slim white head.

In the nose: Orange dreamsicle. Cream and fruit. Not what I was expecting. There's nothing on this label to alert us to the fact that we seem to be heading into a freaking milkshake IPA. There's nothing to indicate any kind of IPA. Sweetness and lactose, that's it.

In the mouth: Blast of bitterness strafes the palate, with fruit and cream flavors just behind. What the hell? I look on the website and find this: Description: New England IPA brewed with Citra and Galaxy hops and just the right touch of vanilla

The thing is that I'm getting hardly any of the flavor of the hops and far too much of vanilla. Why put vanilla in an IPA? 

Times are tough for people like me who are just looking for an IPA. There's nothing about New England, Hazy, or vanilla anywhere on the label. Nothing to warn me that it would be this warped thing that hardly resembles the beer I want to drink. 

Go ahead, insert Grandpa Simpson meme here. 

It's not that bad. I can drink it. But it's a mean trick to play on a guy who just wants an IPA. 

I'll have to be careful around this brewery, that's for sure. 

Montgomery Hop Junkies Citra IPA

Montgomery Hop Junkies Citra IPA.
7.2 % ABV. 61 IBU.
Montgomery Brewing, Montgomery, MN.

All hazed up. No one can help it anymore. Whether they intend to or not, whether it's called a "hazy" or it ain't, they all come out hazy now. Dull golden, large lasting ivory head.

In the nose: Big citrus explosion. Lemon, orange, and grapefruit. Quite nice. Touch of pine. Trickle of tropical.

In the mouth: Big citrusy flavors bounce on the palate. Big bitterness brings big delights. Medium bodied and easy drinking. Hops put the palate on constant alert for non-stop bitterness. Juicy, slightly sweet, utterly delectable. Bright, lively, delicious, de-lovely.

This is my kind of IPA. Too bad I'm on the last can. Better go back for more. Can't help it, I'm a hop junkie.

Pipeworks Infinite Citra Citra Hopped India Pale Ale

Pipeworks Infinite Citra Citra Hopped India Pale Ale. 7.3 % ABV.
Pipeworks Brewing, Chicago, IL.

Clear, vibrant golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: positively screaming Citra. Big lemon and orange, grapefruit and a pinch of papaya. Beautiful.

In the mouth: Bursts with fruit on the palate, quickly turning dry. Nicely hopped, bumping with citrus flavors. Just a touch of the juicy. Delicious. Absolutely, positively delicious. Medium body, easy drinking. I'm enjoying this quite a bit.

And as I contemplate the infinite kitties and citrus fruits on the kaleidoscopic label art, I can only think the best thing to hear while having a few of these, would be Juan Garcia Esquivel's Infinity In Sound Vol. 2 (though Vol. 1 is good, too.)

Hey, check it out, here's the entire album!

Fair State Pahlay Hazy Pale Ale

Fair State Pahlay Hazy Pale Ale. 5 % ABV. 45 IBU.
Fair State Brewing Cooperative, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN.

So, a little while back I got some samples of this beer. And I drank them without review because, of course, I've had it before, right? Until it dawned on me that I didn't, because that was another beer. That was Pahlay Ahlay, and it wasn't a hazy, "tropical" pale ale. So, it's high time I took notes on this.

(Looking at that old review and it's illustration, I have to wonder, where did my Fair State pint glass go? Should I get a new one? Or should I just always use my Town Hall Masala Mama glass for every pale ale/IPA I review?)


All hazed up, bright golden hued, large and lasting ivory head.

In the nose: Fresh and zesty, bursting with citrus notes. Lemon, grapefruit, tangerine start bumping into pineapple and passionfruit.

In the mouth: Juicy, lively, flush with fruit. Bitterness buzzes the palate, but for a bit. Light bodied, crisp and refreshing. Tropical/citrus hop flavors never waver or flag in the slightest. It's actually quite delicious. Unquestionably likable.

What makes this different from the original offering, put out a little over four years ago? The addition of Denali hops, creating the tropical hop element, and the haze, which is all the craze these days. So, they took a good thing and made it fit the taste of the times. Does that make it better? Not necessarily. But, in this case, it didn't change it for the worse. This is one of the best Minnesota-brewed pale ales you can pop open and push past your lips.

A hazy and tropical pale ale brewed with wheat, oats and Citra/Simcoe and Denali hops.

Mikkeller San Diego Cryo Room IPA

Mikkeller Cryo Room IPA. 7% ABV.
Mikkeller Brewing, San Diego, CA.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Citra's popping! Simcoe and Mosaic on the side. Loads of lemon, lime, tangerine, grapefruit. Fine stuff, indeed.

In the mouth: Hop bitterness blasts out and buzzes the palate. Juicy on the tongue. Citra-delic, man.
Clean and delicious.
Easy drinker, for the hopheads among us.
Quite nice.

I was surprised to at last taste a non-hazy IPA from this brewery, and I was happy with the results. Good IPA and you can drink it.

IPA with mosaic, simcoe, and citra cryo hops.

Barrel Theory Shooter McGavin Double IPA with Citra hops

Barrel Theory Shooter McGavin Double IPA with Citra hops.
8.2 % ABV.
Barrel Theory Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

Looking at Untappd, I've checked into this beer once before, on August 27 of 2017. If memory serves correctly, that was my first visit to Barrel Theory. Dave and I arrived just before they were closing on a Sunday afternoon. They were operating with shorter hours back then, in order to keep supplied with beer. That's how it goes when you start out popular and the buzz always builds. We were able to talk the staff into serving us a quick one. I went with the Double IPA because that's what I do, but there were no growlers or crowlers available at the time, and now, two years later, I finally have one to try out for the Nib. Let's get into it:

Ever-so hazy, 'cause that's how it has to be from now on until...? Will this craze ever end? Murky gold/orange....slim white head.

In the nose: Leafy green hop notes, citrus aplenty, yeast all over the place. No NE it's cray-cray. All kinds of Lupulin powder going wild. Nice.

In the mouth: Boom! Big fat citrus hop flavor bursts on the palate, and a trickle of bitterness. Sweetness swims in. Medium body, moderate malt, nothing but smooth. Bitter, sweet, bitter, sweet, back and forth tango, ending decidedly dry. And actually lip-smackingly delicious. I can't help but enjoy this.

I like all the parts of this that are like a double IPA, and I can't stand the parts that are like an NE IPA. Damn, why can't the breweries I like just make a regular damned DIPA, without the haze...bros?

Also, I'm liking this more as we get in....getting stronger, more bitter, and that's the way I like it.

Lupulin Sophistry India Pale Ale

Lupulin Sophistry India Pale Ale. 7.5 % ABV. 30 IBU.
Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, MN.

Apparently this is the third iteration of Sophistry, though I haven't heard of it before, and certainly haven't tried the first two. So, I don't know exactly what I'm getting into. Some kind of IPA, if I'm not mistaken...

Hazy, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Citrus hops on top, with a slice of tropical tones to the side. Beautiful hop bouquet.

In the mouth: Brash hop attack up front, then smooth sailing. All those island fruit flavors parade the palate. Citrus takes up the remaining space. Lean bodied, easy drinking.
This can goes down in no time.

(and I'll say anything but "crushable." How I wish the beer world would get over that dumb, dumb word.)

We took the same great malt base of Sophistry 02 and hit it with a massive amount of Citra and Mosaic Lupulin Powder in our custom whirlpool. Just for fun, we hit this beer with an astronomical amount of Galaxy and Kohatu, along with a big shot of more Citra just because we can. Huge notes of papaya, passionfruit, mango are ready to bang your buds. Get some before it's gone!

Town Hall Central Pale Ale

Town Hall Central Pale Ale. 5.2 % ABV.
Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, amber/copper-toned, slim white head.

In the nose: Bright citrus blends with earthy/fruity malt. Slightly sweet. Nice.

In the mouth: Instant delicious. Juicy malt keeps up with the hop attack. Tons of citrus, with a pinch of pine. Light bodied. Easy drinker. Tasty pale ale.

Sometimes a beer is just that. Good ol' pale ale and you can drink it.

Smooth Malt Foundation supporting heavy hop additions of Citra and Centennial.

Earth Rider Superior Pale Ale

Earth Rider Superior Pale Ale.
5.7 % ABV. 56 IBU.
Earth Rider Brewery, Superior, WI.

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, slim ivory head.

In the nose: Brisk, crisp, bold citrus. Lemon, grapefruit, orange, lime.

In the mouth: Brash bitterness, cascading into smooth and delicious. Medium-body. Super drinkable. Classic American Pale Ale. Just flat out tasty. Good ol' sessionable pale ale. And, it need not be stated but I shall, you can drink it.

Denali and Citra hops lend citrus and pineapple notes in this easy drinking pale ale. A crisp, clean, and dry-finishing pale.

Venn Batch 159 Citra EPA

Venn Citra EPA. 5.8 % ABV. 35 IBU. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden color, slim white, lace-leaving head. Looking good.

In the nose: All Citra, all the time. Big lemon/lime, orange, etcetera, pieces of pine. Bold and beautiful.

In the mouth: Clean and lean, light bodied, long lasting hoppiness. Smooth and super-citrusy. Never too anything, just enough and then some.Goes down nice and easy, like any good EPA. So good I couldn't stop drinking it. That growler was done in one sitting.



Tastes like Citra! An American-style Extra Pale Ale featuring Citra hops.

Malts: Domestic Pale, Biscuit, Honey

Hops: Citra (United States)

Yeast: American Ale

Wild Mind Luke Hazy IPA

Wild Mind Artisan Ales Luke Hazy IPA. 6.5 % ABV. 25 IBU. Wild Mind Artisan Ales, Minneapolis, MN.

Thoroughly hazed, utterly orange-juice, thin wispy ivory head.

In the nose: Soft and citrusy, grassy.Enticingly fruity. Delightful.

In the mouth: Fresh and zesty. Vibrant hoppiness. Moderate bitterness, starts juicy, goes dry. Medium body, well-balanced, excellent drinkability. Super-smooth and citrusy. Bright, beautiful, delicious.
Quite likable.

Part of a trio of hazy IPAs featuring Ella hops, an Australian variety that provides bright aromas of fresh cut grass and tropical fruit flavors. Luke was brewed with 2-row barley, malted wheat, flaked oats, and pairs Ella with Citra hops, adding bright citrus notes to the hazy mix.

Oliphant Sound of the Fart Side Citra Pale Ale

Oliphant Sound of the Fart Side. Pale Ale. 5 % ABV. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Man, I'm not into these "fart" puns, you guys. You can do better, I know it. The anthropomorphic assholes? Sheeesh.

Anyway, on with the beer.

Clouded, pale amber hue, thick white head, soon to settle.

In the nose:Fresh, full-on citrus notes going on. Nothin' but, and it's all that you need.

In the mouth: Light bodied, crisp, clean and refreshing. Nice bitter bite up front, then falling off. Citrus fruit flavor from the hops dances on the palate, keep the tongue happy. Straight up deliciousness. Just a good old pale ale with Citra hops, just the way I like it. Yum, a dum, dum.
I'm gonna drink this crowler down, and that will be that.

I am providing two videos below. One is of one of my favorite musicians performing a song he composed for an animated "Far Side" TV special and has since turned it into a beloved ballad. That is Bill Frisell. And "Egg Radio." (Look at Bill's guitar. Is this the one that Gary Larson made for him?, as the story goes.)
The other tells the tale of the "Far Side"'s time on television. Forgive the narrator for saying Bill's last name wrong, or even Larson's first (did he really call him "Larry"? once?) Isn't there anything better out there? No? Really? Come on.

Single hop Citra Pale Ale

Clockwerks Mug Hunter Pale Ale

Clockwerks Mug Hunter Pale Ale. 5.6 % ABV. 54 IBU. Clockwerks Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden color, slim ivory head.

In the nose: Lively citrus notes aplenty, going wild with grapefruit. Nice.

In the mouth: Citric hop bite from the start that sticks around on the palate. Smooth, medium-bodied, tasty, with a long hoppy finish. Moderate bitterness, medium maltiness, crisp and easy-going. Slight caramel malt note to match the fruity hops.

Good pale ale and you can drink it.

Lightly toasted malt bread flavor with subtle caramel and bold grapefruit, passion fruit, and papaya. Pleasant Citra and Mosaic hop aroma

Oliphant The Fart Side Pale Ale

Oliphant The Fart Side Pale Ale. 5 % Alc./Vol. Brewed by Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

It's a riff on Gary Larson's The Far Side, And Beer Nerds, apparently, and, vegetables, I guess. Oh, yes, and farts, too. Not 100% sure if I fully get it, but that's alright. Let's drink the beer.

Highly hazed. Dull orange coloring, solid white head.

In the nose: Bright citrus and pine notes. Nicely fruity. All the big citrus-y notes, orange, lemon, tangerine.

In the mouth: Big hoppiness from the start, met with caramel malt, and a dose of chocolate. Lot of malt going on here, with citra hops shining above. Nice mix of fruity hops, sweet, dark malts.

It's a good beer. And you can drink it. But it's not a very good beer, and I'm not crazy about it. It's just...okay. The disparate parts don't hang together very well. But, they do hang. And you can drink it.

Sorry, when I try a beer from a favorite brewery and I don't love it, it's a bit difficult. I don't want to knock it, so I find it hard to, you know, tell the truth. And like I said, I don't want to knock it, so...

I wish I could get technical information about the ingredients in this beer from the website, but all I get is this:

the fart side

i met dean ween in a dream last night. i was in a perpetually long line at target. at one point he jumped up from the crowd and shouted at the crowd that he is dean ween of ween. i raised my hand up and said “hi dean ween” we connected a solid high five, and became fast friends. before giving up on the long line, i asked dean for a guitar tip i could relay to matt. he said that esp guitars are great for shredding. you can play all types of metal on them. then i drove across the hudson bridge and a bunch of cars were hanging of of it.

 pale ale w/citra hops. 5% abv

P.S. I've never had a dream about Ween, but, well, you should read this, if you haven't.

Upslope Citra Pale Ale

Upslope Citra Pale Ale. Upslope Brewing, Boulder, CO. 5.8 % AV, 37 IBU.

These guys like the 3-word approach. "Floral. Juicy. Brilliant" reads the can.

Clear, bright golden hue, considerable layer of lace-leaving, ivory head above.

In the nose: bold hop presence, bursting with citrus, orange, grapefruit.

In the mouth: Light on the palate, light-bodied, but a plentitude of hops on the attack. Juicy/fruity flavors lay in for the long haul. Light malt presence. Fresh and refreshing, Citra hops at play. Tasty stuff.

An astonishingly likable pale ale. "Crushable", as they say these days, but I don't.

Prominently featuring Citra hops, our Citra Pale Ale delivers pungent grapefruit and tropical fruit aromas on the nose with a semi-dry finish. Juicy notes imparted by the hops pair with the light caramel malt character to balance this drinkable, “go-to” American Pale Ale.

COLOR Deep Gold
AROMA Apricot, Tropical Fruit, Grapefruit
FOOD Bacon Cheeseburger, Street Tacos, Spicy Thai Chicken Curry
ABV 5.8%
IBU 37
AVAILABILITY All year long, baby.
BODY Medium

Venn Batch #105 Citra Simcoe IPA

Venn Brewing Batch #105 Citra Simcoe IPA. 6.6% ABV. 40 IBU. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Cast in golden haze, under a brilliant ivory head, looking very nice.

In the nose: Bright citrus, touches of tropical, floral, fruity, slightly sweet.

In the mouth: Bold bitterness kicks it off on the palate, lively hoppiness tripping on the tongue, just the way I like it. Simcoe's doing it's usual thing, sharp and citrusy, piney, with the bright, juicy Citra sensations taking it on in tandem. Delightful stuff. Medium bodied, easy-drinking, and easy pleasing.

Another one knocked out of the park. Keep making these fine IPAs, Venn, and I'll keep coming back.

Juicy, tropical fruit, oranges.
An IPA featuring Citra and Simcoe.

Malts: White Wheat, Domestic Pale, Flaked Oats.
Hops: Citra, Simcoe.
Yeast: American Ale.