Beer Review: Cellarmaker Brewing Company – Green Knuckle Citra Wet Hop IPA
There is a fleeting, magical window on the calendar that every hophead eagerly anticipates: wet hop season. For a few short weeks in the late summer and early harvest, brewers rush to get freshly picked, unkilned cones straight from the bine into the brew kettle within hours of harvest. It’s a logistical scramble that demands speed and precision, but the reward is a uniquely vibrant, green profile that standard dried hops simply cannot replicate.
Enter Green Knuckle Citra Wet Hop IPA from Cellarmaker Brewing Company. Clocking in at a highly approachable 6.4% ABV, this release captures everything we love about harvest season with Cellarmaker’s signature mastery of modern hop expression.
The Build
Cellarmaker crafted this brew using a dynamic tag team of Wet Citra and Citra Cryo hops. The wet hops supply that raw, herbaceous, farm-fresh vibrancy, while the concentrated Citra Cryo anchors the aroma and flavor with a massive punch of pure citrus oil and tropical saturation, all while keeping astringency at bay.
Tasting Notes
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Aroma: Pouring into a hazy, sunlit golden straw, the beer immediately greets you with an explosion of fresh lime peel, ruby-red grapefruit, and crushed pine needles. There’s a distinct, earthy green freshness on the nose, reminiscent of freshly cut grass and dewy hop bines, that signals this is a true harvest beer.
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Flavor: On the palate, the Citra profile shines in full technicolor. Juicy tangerine and candied citrus notes hit upfront, quickly followed by a resinous, plant-forward depth courtesy of the wet hops. Because the cones haven’t been dried, there is a distinct, lively herbaceousness that dances across the tongue, adding complexity without veering into grassy harshness.
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Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with a smooth, pillowy mouthfeel that finishes remarkably clean and crisp. At 6.4% ABV, it strikes the ultimate sweet spot: substantial enough to carry heavy hop oils, but light enough to easily invite a second round.
The Verdict
Cellarmaker continues to prove why they are masters of the craft. Green Knuckle Citra is a masterclass in balance, bridging the gap between raw agricultural expression and polished brewery execution. If you manage to track down a 4-pack of these 16oz cans, grab them immediately and enjoy them fresh; this is wet-hop brewing at its absolute finest.
Please Note: To ensure absolute freshness and optimal storage conditions, all craft beer is sold exclusively in-store and is not available for online ordering.
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