28 October 2015 - Best Beer HQ

Feral Karma Citra Black IPA review

Feral Karma Citra Black IPA review

ABV: 5.8%

IBU: 48

What: Feral Brewing is an Australian craft brewery based in Western Australia, but I tried this beer at Brothers Beer – my favourite brew bar in Auckland. To be honest, it’s a bit unusual to see an Aussie beer on tap here, considering we have so many excellent craft breweries right here in New Zealand, but I tried Feral Hop Hog IPA on a recent trip to Melbourne and I friggin’ adored the stuff, so I was keen as to try another of this brewery’s beers.

A relatively new beer style sees a high proportion of dark malt combined with resinous new world hops, according to the Feral Brewing website (which I looked up later), and results in a beer with chocolate overtones in the flavour and then showcases the tropical fruit character of the hop variety citra.

Tastes like: The right decision. There are always so many beers to choose from at Brothers, that I often feel something akin to buyer’s remorse if the craft beer I order isn’t a great one.

So I was very pleased that this black IPA hit me with an immediate citrus burst, complemented but not overpowered by the hops. Black as midnight with a very light tan head, it gave off an aroma of coffee (that’ll be the black part) and fresh tropical fruits (the IPA influence).

Is it the best beer ever? I like the Feral Hop Hog IPA better, but that’ll likely be because I’m really an IPA or pale ale fan at heart. Still, as far as Black IPAs go, this one is tops. In fact, I may even order a second…

Craft Beer Australia / review /