Hops to Home/Hope Estate - Citra Hop Hazy IPA - Beer Review

Brewed By: Hope Estate Brewing & Hops to Home
Beer: Single Hop(e) Hazy - Citra Hop Hazy IPA
ABV: 6.5%
Malts: Unknown
Hops: Citra
IBU: 75

Hope Estate & Hops to Home Collaboration - Citra Hop Hazy IPA in the Craftd Alpha glass

Review

This is a big beer. A collaborative effort between Hops to Home and Hope Estate Brewing - this beer is big in just about every aspect. At 6.5% it's plenty strong, delivers a massive punch of hop flavour and has heaps of bitterness to back it up.

Pouring into the glass, it comes out a very pale colour and then settles into a very cloudy, golden hue. It's definitely a hazy and looks similar to some NEIPA's. Can't help but wonder if the haze is from the yeast, the hops, or perhaps both?

At 75 IBU's this is well on the high end of the bitterness scale. The number was pretty daunting when I read it on the can - but thankfully it's well balanced with plenty of citra hop fruitiness to help level out the bitterness.

Initial hints on the nose are typical of citra (one of my favourite hops) - slightly peppery and resiny at first, but is quickly followed up with a strong waft of citrus aroma - predominantly orange but with other notes definitely mixed in. Some floral presence was apparent too - and this is what makes citra a great option for a single hopped beer - it's one of the more complex hop varieties and can single handedly impart flavours that would otherwise require multiple hops to achieve.

The bitterness lingers in your mouth after each sip but is never overpowering or unpleasant, and leaves your tastebuds simply wanting more.

The high alcohol content is well masked by the abundance of flavour, but certainly makes itself felt by the end of the can.

A very bold, yet well balanced IPA - and a real showcase of what Citra hops are all about.

Rating

8.5/10