Kern River 5th Anniversary Double IPA

From Kern River – This beer changes every year as KRBC celebrates its anniversary in June, but it is traditionally brewed with a Begian style yeast strain. Editors note: Not this year folks! Double IPA using Falconer’s Flight hops!

Kern River Brewing – Kern River 5th Anniversary Double IPA – On tap at 38 Degrees Alehouse Alhambra, CA. 8% abv.

Appearance: Pours a deep amber orange with a retaining white head. Leaves behind spotty lacing.

Aroma: A humungous grapefruit, tangerine hop nose. It invites your nose as deep as you can place it within your glass. Just amazing.

Taste: Orange zest, grapefruit, mango, pineapple, dry spicy malt. Finishes with earthy bitterness that doesn’t linger that long. I can only think something like Citra is in the Falconers Flight blend of hops, as it’s bitterness falls off that quick, at least for me.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, average carbonation. Slightly rough/astringent.

Overall: Pretty amazing. I had it on tap first at 38 degrees, then at ColLAboration 2 in Hollywood. The second time around had a way bigger hop nose, with all other things remaining the same. For Kern River fans, I would put this brew slightly above Citra DIPA, which I gush about as well. It’s a bit more bitter than Citra DIPA, and has a better malt profile compared to Just Outstanding IPA.