X-Raying Citra Runs the Same Hop in Three Processed Forms

The name is doing more work than usual here. X-Raying Citra, a new triple dry-hopped Hazy Double IPA from North Park Beer Co., is built around a single hop examined from three directions at once: standard Citra, Citra Cryo, and Citra Incognito. Galaxy and Freestyle Nelson Sauvin fill the remaining two slots. It is 8.5 percent ABV.

Cryo and Incognito are not separate varieties. They are processed forms of the same hop: Cryo is a concentrated lupulin powder, Incognito a liquid hop concentrate. Each delivers Citra's oils into the beer differently, at different points in the process. Running all three alongside conventional Citra loads far more of one hop's character into a beer than pellets alone would comfortably allow. It also avoids the vegetal weight that simply adding more plant matter brings with it. Galaxy and Nelson Sauvin then work as contrast rather than reinforcement: Galaxy pushing passion fruit, Nelson Sauvin the variety most associated with white grape and Sauvignon Blanc.

That shows up in how the brewery describes the result. North Park lists a bright nose, a thick body and creamy mouthfeel, and tasting notes of orange starburst, tangy passion fruit, and drippy pineapple-mango juice.

The packaging commits to the premise. The can puts a skeleton at the center of a radiating teal burst, and the release notes sign off with "Prepare to be irradiated, humans."

X-Raying Citra is one of four cans North Park put out together this week. It is available at the brewery's San Diego taprooms, with pickup and California shipping through the brewery's site.