Crooked Stave Citra Exploratory

Grapefruit, tangerine, onion, green pepper—diesel and garlic as it warms. Light malt flavor; sweetness complements bitterness and flavors of tangerine, pineapple, guava. Light must and subtle mushroom emerge. Finishes on the bitter side.

Deep orange color with chunks. Distinctive guava nose with vanilla. Balanced mouthfeel between the lactose and fruit while allowing the base beer to show itself. Sweet by design, but restrained.

Aroma: “Intense, luscious, juicy ripe tropical-fruit hops character—pineapple, mango, pine. Underlying sweetness leans toward Fanta Orange. Light, refreshing, bordering on NE IPA character. The big hops blast hides most of the malt aroma although some bready notes peek out.” Flavor: “Moderately fruity up front with melon, lemon, strawberry, and light white grape toward the end. A medium bitterness comes right after the fruit and grows throughout the sip. A light orange Creamsicle sweetness mixes with bitterness toward the end. Finish is soft, with a delicate mineral/chewy mouthfeel. It’s not particularly bitter, just enough to balance and accentuate the fruit on the swallow.” Overall: “This fits in with any of the lighter-bodied hazy IPAs that the cool kids like these days. It’s on the lighter side, so it’s easy drinking and refreshing yet very well-made and interesting, with delicate fruit notes throughout.”