Hops are a perennial vine with the scientific name Humulus lupulus, which means “small wolf,” a reference to its aggressive climbing nature and tendency to take over other nearby plants. There are more than 250 different hop varieties used today. To be a true fan, the appeal of hops must be more than just bitterness. Hops offer a range of flavors and aromas that resemble herbs, pine, tropical fruits like grapefruit and tangerine and more. Citra hops, well, the name says it all. Released in 2008 by Hop Breeding Company of Yakima, Citra adds the trademark blend of juicy citrus and tropical fruit that have made them so sought-after in the brewing industry. You Can Citra your butt down at Peaks and Pints and enjoy this in-house flight of beers brewed with Citra — a flight we’re calling Peaks and Pints Beer Flight: Citra Hops.
Peaks and Pints Beer Flight: Citra Hops
Holy Mountain Empty Hearth
7.2% ABV, draft
Holy Mountain Brewing’s Empty Hearth IPA is brewed with Pilsner malt and a massive amount of malted and flaked wheat, then hopped in the kettle with Cascade and Citra, dry hopped with Chinook and Citra Cryo, and fermented cold with one of their favorite yeast strains. This crisp, pilsner-y IPA has a light nose of malt and a bitter bite on the finish.
Gigantic Unipiper Hazy IPA
6.2% ABV, draft
Collaboration with Weird Portland United, this Gigantic Brewing hazy IPA is brewed with Citra, Mosaic, Crystal, and the Unipiper’s own Cascade hops specifically designed as a riotously refreshing tropical blast with notes of passioinfruit, mango, guava, and orange, all thanks to the masterful work of the Cosmic Punch yeast, unleashing thiols that amplify the tropical aromas to 11. , “I am so happy for all the buzz this beer has generated for Weird Portland United,” says the Unipiper in a news release. “Beer is the lifeblood of this city and this beer series is our megaphone, broadcasting Portland’s unique charm to the world. Making beer brings me such joy, and getting to share it on this scale is a dream come true.”
Gigantic Enjoy House!
7.3% ABV, bottle
This Gigantic Brewing and Von Ebert Brewing collaboration is inspired from a serendipitous encounter in Tokyo during the Hood to Fuji Beerfest. The two Portland breweries saw a second-story window with “Enjoy House!” painted on it and lit with Christmas lights. They went up the stairs to discover a dive bar decorated with streamers and balloons with cool music and friendly vibes. That late-night experience inspired Enjoy House! a summer IPA brewed with lots of Citra, plus dry hopped with Citra and Strata, for tropical flavors of pineapple, mango, and orange zest.
Skookum Zen Brain
7.4% ABV, can
Zen and the Brain: Toward an Understanding of Meditation and Consciousness is a 1998 book by neurologist and Zen practitioner James H. Austin, in which the author attempts to establish links between the neurological workings of the human brain and meditation. Skookum Brewery’s brewers succeed in linking the human nose and tongue with Dole Whip, pineapple upside down cake, tangerine, papaya, sticky nuggs, and pinch of hemlock needles thanks to Citra, Bru-1, Chinook, and Strata hops.
Equilibrium Ocean Vibes
8% ABV, can
Collaboration with Vitamin Sea Brewing, this Equilibrium Brewing hazy double IPA wades in with 2-row, white wheat, and oats before a Citra and Idaho 7 whirlpool, then is dry hopped with Citra, Galaxy, and Sabro, plus a touch of lactose, for tropical notes and flavors of guava, pineapple, bright clementine, island coconut and finished with EQjuice.
LINK: Peaks & Pints cooler inventory
