Beer Review: Living Häus / Brujos Miruna West Coast IPA
This is not your average, caramel-colored throwback IPA. The collaboration between Living Häus Beer Co. and Brujos Brewing has yielded a definitive statement on the “Modern West Coast” style. Miruna is a masterclass in transparency, both in its stunning clarity and its laser-focused, raw-hop extraction. It leans away from malty thickness, focusing instead on a lean body that allows a brilliant synergy of Citra and Strata hops to scream from the glass.
The Experience
Visuals: Pours a brilliant, crystalline light golden orange that is simply beautiful. This level of clarity is rare and commendable in modern brewing. It is capped by a tight, dense, snowy-white head that persists, leaving intricate, sticky lacing on the glass.
Aroma: The nose is punchy, clean, and aggressively aromatic. Intense, bright red grapefruit zest dominates the forefront, followed by a pungent, “dank” cannabis quality. Beneath the initial citrus oil and resin, there is a distinct strawberry and passionfruit character derived from the Strata hops, adding a subtle tropical dimension that prevents it from feeling singular.
Flavor: The flavor profile is lean, precise, and unapologetically bitter. The initial sip reveals almost no perceived malt weight; instead, it provides a very dry, cracker-like foundation. This immediately gives way to waves of assertive, fresh grapefruit pith and citrus peel bitterness. There is a complex midpoint where the tropical Strata elements (underripe pineapple, slight diesel funk) merge with a classic Pacific Northwest pine resin.
Mouthfeel: Light-to-medium in body with highly active, fine-bubbled carbonation. It feels exceptionally bright and effervescent on the tongue. The finish is sharp, bone-dry, and leaves a persistent, elegant, mineral-like snap on the palate that begs for another sip.
This is exactly what I want in a modern West Coast IPA. It respects the core principles of the style, aggressive bitterness and clarity, but execution is flawless and uses the hops (specifically the Strata) to provide nuanced complexity without the weight of specialty malts. This is a bright, vibrant, and incredibly refreshing beer.
Perfect For:
Pair with something that can stand up to its bitterness: spicy Thai green curry, sharp aged cheddar, or a well-crusted smash burger. It is best enjoyed fresh, which, given the limited nature of the collaboration, won’t be an issue for most.