Say hello to my little friend, his name is Citra. This American hop variety is making its way across the country and in to hoppy ales in every brewery. Citra is known for fruity aromas, including grapefruit, citrus, and melon. This week I sampled its tropical goodness in Booming Rollers, by Modern Times Beer.

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The beer pours a deep gold, with a small but lacy head. As you bring it to your nose, you smell the citrus and grapefruit from the Citra hops, but also pine and cut grass associated with traditional west coast IPAs. And the taste follows a similar pattern: fruity, piney, earthy, bitter. Booming Rollers has a medium body and is a very well balanced beer. As Modern Times suggests, perfect for beating the SoCal heat.

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Started in the summer of 2013, Modern Times has quickly become a heavy hitter in the San Diego beer scene, having to compete with the likes of Stone, Ballast Point, and Coronado to name just a few. Per their website, they focus ‘(non-monogamously) on aroma-driven, complex, flavorful, sessionish beers.’ Although easy to drink, they are definitely not simple. Modern Times proves that you can be simple and beautiful at the same time, kind of like Scarlett Johansen in the movie Her. Wait, you actually don’t even see her in Her. Anyway, you get my point. If you are on the west coast or have a friend who visits like I did, make sure Modern Times Beer is on the top of your list.

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