Wooden Cask Brewing Company - Citrannati

This big double IPA from Wooden Cask pours a clear golden-amber hue capped by a sticky head of off-white foam that persists nicely before dropping down and lacing the glass on its way. As one might expect from the name, this brew presents plenty of citrus and Citra hop character on the nose, with bright citric aromas tending towards orange, grapefruit, and tangerine. Look for some secondary pine and herbal character plus a floral overtone, while a sturdy core of caramelized malt supports it all. That malt backbone sets a strong stage on the palate, too, delivering a robust center of caramel and a touch of residual sweetness to provide balance to the beer's intense hops. And those hops take the stage in the flavor much as in the aroma: both juicy and zesty citrus, touches of pine resin, a certain floral factor, and a dash of exotic spice. Expect the bitterness to come through very firm but not crushing, allowing space for a touch of spicy, fruity booziness to contribute to this 8.6% ABV double IPA's overall bite. We really enjoyed the citric expression in this one, and would definitely pair it with dishes that play off that theme. Pan-roasted chicken thighs with a citrus-apricot pan sauce, pork chops with an orange & mustard glaze, or spicy Szechuan orange beef would all make interesting accompaniments. Cheers!

Founded by Randy Schlitz and his wife, Karen, Wooden Cask opened for business in November, 2016 in Newport, KY, just a few blocks south of the Ohio River which bisects the greater Cincinnati area. Co-founder of Cincinnati's Rivertown Brewing Company, Randy sold his stake in Rivertown to his business partner so the two could pursue their own interests in the brewing industry: Rivertown could focus on growing their business with sours and more experimental and extreme beers, while Randy would be free to establish a new brewery to focus on traditional styles and creating an attached British-style pub. Since Cincinnati already was home to many existing craft breweries, Randy and Karen decided to locate their new brewery on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River, eventually finding the perfect spot on historic York Street in Newport, KY. The building has a rich history itself. In the 1940s-50s, the location was home to illegal gambling at the Flamingo Club, and by the 1980s it had become a destination for punk rock shows under the guise of the Jockey Club. It then housed a bowling alley and finally a Yellow Cab location before the Schlitzs turned it into their brewery and taproom.

Wooden Cask's focus is on traditional English, Scottish, and Irish beer styles, though they are not limiting themselves, as evidenced by their hefeweizen, gose, and even beers like bourbon barrel aged helles bock. Their goal is not to grow into a big regional brewery with wide distribution but, rather, to focus on their taproom and traditional brewing methods, taking the time to perfect authentic styles. Their taproom, whose bar top is constructed using wood from the old bowling alley lanes, features 18 draft beers plus small-batch and seasonal offerings, and, in 2019, Drunken Hog BBQ opened a location inside to serve tasty smoked pork. We've been impressed with the beers we've had a chance to sample from these fine folks, and are excited to bring you a taste this month. For more info, call 859-261-2172 or visit woodencask.com.