Orange Crush
Brewery: Amager Bryghus/Cigar City
Type: IPA
Alcohol: 5%
Country: Denmark/USA
Session beers are a "style" that have been getting a lot of attention lately. The label advertises this as a highly quaffable session IPA. Last year Amager and Cigar City did what I would say is one of the most interesting beers I have ever tried, the cedar and black pepper imperial stout Xiquic and the Hero Twins. Now this year they have brewed basically the exact opposite. A low ABV super fruity IPA, rather then a big rich spicy stout monster. The IPA has a big mix of some of the fruitist and most unique American hops, citra, mosaic, and simoce. The twist of this one, and where it gets it's name, is the big helping of orange peel added to put the citrus juice profile of this beer over the top. I am a real session IPA lover, and the juicier the taste, the better in my opinion. I would love to find a great session IPA for the summer. Hopefully orange crush will fit the bill.
Pours out a deep orangish hue, the single malt mold has finally been broken! Rapidly fading white head gives way to the tasty aroma. Lots of juicy citra/mosaic hops in the nose, maybe a touch of simcoe on a particularly deep inhalation. The taste is heavy on the orange fruityness with a bracing pine undertone. Speaking of bracing, the bitterness is incredibly powerful and abrupt. The nice citrus orange and piney taste starts out and then is very suddenly blasted momentarily out of existence by a wave of pure bitterness. As the bitterness subsides a bit it evens out into a nice long lasting orange and pine aftertaste that is refreshing. Dry and relatively light body give it a nice mouthfeel that goes well with all the other components. The high bitterness is really the only thing that keeps me from really enjoying this beer as a thirst quenching session IPA. In my mind, even though it is a session "IPA", the bitterness should be toned down a bit to aid in the drinkability. Still a fine beer for a hot afternoon.
As always feel to head on over to the facebook page and like to keep up to date and get bonus content!
