At a time when all the new IPA’s seem to be hazy, low on malt flavour and absent of any bitterness, this beer stands up amongst them and says FUCK YOU!

Just when I thought I could no longer be shocked or impressed by relatively clear, strong chewy imperial IPA, Melvin brewing just goes ahead and makes Citradamus. This beer is a part of their ever impressive RIIPA (Rotating Imperial IPA) series, which is up to 4 beers now and never seems to let me down. Citradamus is brewed with 100% “dank-ass” Citra hops, and honestly it will make you cry a little when your glass is empty and cause you to beg for another fill of 9.5% abv chewy goodness.

Aroma and Appearance: It pours a relatively clear copper orange colour with two fingers of off white, lacing foam and lots of small bubbles that rise in the middle of the glass. The aroma is freshly baked sweet bread, lemon leaves, mangoes and tangerines.

Flavour: Up front it’s full of chewy sweet doughy bread malt with a little toffee and pineapple on the side. Mid palate, it takes you into the tropics with expressions of mango, orange juice, passion fruit and tangerines in a full bodied fruit attack that settles into a caramel and pine resin finish that’s bitter and floral, with some danky earth notes on the aftertaste.

Overall Impression: First off, this beer is well balanced for its 9.5% abv and the flavours present themselves in a very palate pleasing order, starting off a little sweet, transitioning to the fruit and moving into a satisfyingly bitter finish. It’s almost too drinkable to be honest, but I’m not complaining.

Rating: I gave it an awesome rating of 9/10. Given all the examples of this style past and present, making an impression here is admirable.

Food Pairing: This beer is begging to be paired with a hearty cheeseburger, sharp cheddar or just another Citradamus waiting to quietly in anticipation be opened after this one!

I still love hazy IPA’s, but it sure is nice to see continued efforts on classic clear Imperial IPA’s such as this one.