Citra Pale Ale - Hill Farmstead Brewery

Rochefort10nh

New Hampshire

5/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Well, here it is. My second perfect rating.

Hill Farmstead Citra is a gorgeous beer to behold. When held to the light, a fiery orange sunburst color shines from within the confines of my tasting glass. Burnished gold highlights radiate from the edges. A fantastic soft head cascades upwards with a gentle pump of the handtap. With each luxuriant sip Brussel's lace is deposited on the sides of my glass.

The nose on this beauty features grapefruity goodness in all it's glory. Other tropical fruits come to the fore as fresh pineapple, mango and passion fruit waft from the glass. A subtle smell of dank marijuana and basil can also be detected as well as forest pine.

Taste is full on citrus bitterness as the aforementioned fruitiness is deeply cut by the hoppy bite. A perfect balance of way-in-the-back malty sweetness keeps things from becoming too astringent. Make no mistake about it though, this beer is all about the Citra hops - and what hops these are!

Mouthfeel is spot on. Neither too thin, nor too think. Sticky hops infused liquid coats the glass and when a droplet falls on the fingers its minor adhesive properties become apparent;).

Multiple glasses of this 5.5 percent abv beer are consumed effortlessly and the bottom of the glass begs to be refilled with the same elixir.

A perfect IPA!!

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2010 17:35:23 | More by Rochefort10nh

Arbitrator

California

4.93/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Chilled 750mL growler into a glass. Thanks, Ben. From notes.

This was filled at a release, shipped via expedited FedEx to my work, and placed promptly in the work fridge upon arrival. I had intended to fly it with me on vacation the next day, but I made some excuse about the box being too small, and I convinced my fiancee that we should crack it immediately. To my chagrin, she loved it (she normally hates IPAs) and took quite a generous pour.

A: This is probably the one ding I can give this beer, so if you're looking for one of those reviews where I slam a beer for this or that, click the 'Back' button and look elsewhere. This is a cloudy, golden copper body (unfiltered); but I love clarity. On the other hand, it pours with a beautiful head and leaves creamy lace down the sides. I'll split the difference.

S: Mango, papaya, grapefruit zest, pineapple, even a touch of lychee. This hits that tropical citrus sweet spot that gets me a-twitter, and I'm having a hard time finding much to bitch about here. The nose is billowing, aromatic, and expressive.

T: Ridiculous. This has mild bitterness, but the flavor is loaded with succulent citrusy hops that give it the impression of a sweet fruit salad. Again: papaya, pineapple, mango, grapefruit. The pale malt base is restrained, helping the beer finish dry and clean; at best it imparts a light sweetness. I'll admit my bias for Citra hops is shining through here, but I don't exactly love Knee Deep Citra -- the way you showcase the hops certainly matters. This beer does it well.

M: Just under medium-bodied; it finishes clean, with bitterness found only during the taste and not after it. Good carbonation. The growler survived transit well.

O: It drives me nuts that some of the best IPAs I've had are among the most unattainable. Christ.

Serving type: growler

07-19-2012 06:26:55 | More by Arbitrator

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.83/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Picked up a 2L Growler of this and shared with jlindros and bpk59. Poured into a boulevard tulip.

A - Pours a glorious sunrise yellowy orange with a nice creamy two finger head that leaves a nice sticky side lacing and a very very nice creamy blanket.

S - Wow wow wow. Citra hops to the face. Big bright orange juice and light light pineapple. Some slight malty sweet finish.

T - Yep this is delicious. Wonderful tropical orange. Soooo juicy and delicious. Light malt sweetness on the end rounds things out nicely. Not too bitter but super orange rind fruit. Can't stress his orangey this is.

M - Mouthfeel is just awesome juuuust awesome. Creamy and delicious.

O - Overall this was a delicious beer one of my favourite ipas from Hill Farmstead it goes down amazingly well. Wish I could have this every day!

Serving type: growler

05-24-2012 01:14:17 | More by rudzud

sholland119

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Got a growler of this from Pniocchio's on the way to Thanksgiving dinner.

A-Hazy honey gold with a frothy off white head and great sheets of lacing.

S-C-I-T-R-A hops. Plentiful and aromatic, juicy and citric. Lots of grapefruit with some grapefruit rind and lemon.

T-Resiny and citric, plenty of hops from front to back. Just enough malt to hold it together. A long lingering hop kick gives this a great finish.

M-Lingering bitterness, medium bodied, crisp and nicely dry.

D-Outstanding. One of my new favorite IPAs.

HV

Serving type: growler

11-26-2010 22:53:13 | More by sholland119

GatheringBrews

Vermont

4.75/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On tap and in growlers numerous times.

Pours a lovely golden orange huge with a nice white head.

Punchy aroma of grapefruit and hoppy goodness.

Taste is well balanced with ample hop body, citrus and resin with a malt backbone to support it.

Nice dry, clean finish.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2011 02:32:16 | More by GatheringBrews

cfrances33

Illinois

4.69/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Growler thanks to ILOVESTOUTS poured into a pair of Hill Farmstead stems.

Pour: Hazy, bright yellow orange body, with two fingers of white fluffy head. Lots of sticky lacing, and the head lingers for the majority of the glass.

Smell: Big, bright grapefruit and mango up front. Lots of juicy citrus. A touch of white pepper, and light breadyness.

Taste: Really clean grapefruit and citrus juiciness throughout the entirety of the taste here. A very light white pepper. A slight doughy sweetness. Finishes with a light bitterness and linger citrus fruits.

Mouthfeel: Incredibly refreshing and drinkable. Very light bitterness, and a very juicy consistency.

Overall: One of the most drinkable pale ales I’ve had and maybe the best.

Serving type: growler

04-07-2013 18:23:42 | More by cfrances33

05Harley

New Hampshire

4.68/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Split a fresh 1/6 barrel with Rochefort10nh straight from the brewery. Thanks Shaun and thanks for the extras as well!

Appearance: Poured aggressively in a 20 ounce mug and wow what a sight. A hazy amber color reveals itself along with a 1/2" soapy white head. Some spotty lacing appears in the finish.

Smell: Oh yeah, bring on the grapefruit. This beers aroma is simply awesome! Additional fruit notes of orange and lemon. One of the best smelling American IPA's I've ever experienced.

Taste: Flavor of citrus and pine with a fair amount of hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel: One word says it all, refreshing! Clean and crisp from start to finish. A little more carbonation and it would be flawless in the feel.

Drinkability: A perfect summer beer. Sessionable and with a ton of flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

11-24-2010 01:25:11 | More by 05Harley

Axic10

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Capone's during their Hill Farmstead event.

Appearance: Hazy pale golden with a finger of white head.

Smell: Holy citrus! A great nose of pineapple, mango and grapefruit mixed with some nice bitter hops.

Taste: Just like biting into a grapefruit, even better than the nose. Sweet grapefruit, pineapple and mango with just the perfect amount of hoppy bite.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied and dry.

Drinkability: If I could find this on a regular basis, I think this might be the only thing I would ever drink. Really impressive East Coast IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2011 05:00:49 | More by Axic10

Bendurgin

Maine

4.63/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Jake hauled this one back for on his recent trip. Poured into a pint glass. This one pours a golden muddy yellow with a nice cap of white head.

Citrapalooza on the aroma. Lots of tropical fruits like pineapple and oranges. This is simply lots of sweet citrus fruit. The pallet has a lots of citrus flavors with some a nice bitter hop finish. Hints of toffee sweetness in the background.

The body is medium and sticky with good carbonation. Overall this one is amazing. Other beers will only disappoint going forward.

Serving type: growler

06-09-2012 03:53:50 | More by Bendurgin

Alieniloquium

Florida

4.63/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

750 mL growler poured into an Allagash chalice.

Appearance - Hazy orange with a nice white head. Sticky lacing. Great retention.

Smell - Oh my. Citrus hop all the way. Smells like a really well hopped IPA. Tropical fruits and citrus. Just a hint of grainy malt shines through.

Taste - More focused on orange citrus here, but still retains some tropical fruit flavors. No sweetness, grainy malts give the only bit of backbone it has. Almost no bitterness.

Mouthfeel - Medium carbonation, maybe a little low from the growler. Light body. Drinkable as hell.

Overall - This is just as good, if not better than Zombie Dust. Holy crap. Hill Farmstead has set the standard on pale ales with this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 00:34:45 | More by Alieniloquium

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.6/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml Flip top growler opened on 5.11.13

A - Pours a cloudy light orange-yellow with a foamy off-white head and good retention.

S - Lots of citrus- oranges, mango, pineapple. Great!

T - Pineapple, oranges, subtle tropical -amazingly smooth and soft on the tongue.

D - Good carbonation and a medium silky body.

O - A fruit forward, light pale with the wonderful citra hop dancing on my tongue. I loved this beer!

Serving type: growler

05-20-2013 04:34:35 | More by HuskyinPDX

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.58/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap at the Blackback Pub & Flyshop on November 4, 2010. Served in a pint glass.

Pours a bright orange color with a two-finger bone-white head and a pretty good amount of lacing. The nose is really, really bright with tons of fresh hops and loads of citrus as well as some tropical notes. A lot of orange, tangerine, and a bit of mango and some other tropical notes. The taste is really fantastic with citric and tropical notes going on overload, with the mouthfeel providing a really excellent amount of bitterness to complement the beer's hop flavors. Drinks incredibly well and I could have kept on going with these all night.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2010 13:39:53 | More by Thorpe429

Gfunk720

Connecticut

4.58/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Fresh growler from DeCicco's, first bottle off the keg. Poured into my Harpoon LE tulip.

A- Murky Amber in color. A light white bubbly head forms on top. Moderate lacing, but nothing crazy.

S- Delicious. Smells of sweet grapefruit and fresh hops. Malty and sweet, it smells like a much bigger beer.

T- One of the most complex single IPA's i've had, and just doesn't taste like a 5.5% beer. The fresh hop character is really nice, slighly piney but with plenty of citrus. Strong tastes of grapefruit, and lemon in the aftertaste.

M- Very nice. Drinks a little big for a 5.5% beer, but there is no shortage of flavor.

D- An all around amazing IPA. Great use of citra hop, and a delicious lower ABV beer.

Gotta keep an eye out for more Hill Farmstead stuff, as the two beers I've had are well above average. If you like a beer that has a crazy taste of fresh hops, this is a great one.

Serving type: growler

11-27-2010 18:12:25 | More by Gfunk720

MasterSki

Illinois

4.58/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Huge thanks to Beerloco for this one. Shared with the family, and served in pint glass.

A - Pours with a finger of white foam that settles to a thin cap and leaving spots and splotches of lace. Hazy orange body that is evocative of grapefruit juice.

S - Huge unadulterated Citra hops. Tons of ripe grapefruit and orange, light chive, some nebulous tropical fruits, and a sugar cookie malt backdrop.

T - Great intense citrus zest, massive fruit juice character, and a hint of burnt sugar in the finish. Bitterness is present, but well-attenuated.

M - Medium-bodied, crisp moderate carbonation, very dry, with tons of residual hop oils.

D - This is absolutely crushable and thoroughly delicious. Even my mother-in-law liked this, and she doesn't even like beer. I could have consumed all 70oz or so on my own with ease. This is what I was expecting Cenotaph to be like.

Serving type: growler

12-18-2010 16:17:31 | More by MasterSki

CliffBrake

New Hampshire

4.58/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pale orange color, cloudy with a small white head that leaves moderate lacing.

Great aroma. Very fruity and complex. I pick up papaya and grapefruit with a touch of pine and spice. Very inviting!

Crisp, juicy taste with orange and other citrus flavors riding on a firm, dry bready malt base. Nice dry finish with a bit of spicy bitterness punctuating the final impression.

Medium mouthfeel with a firm body and good carbonation. Really quite delicious. A great showcase for the citra hop, but also a well made tasty beer on the whole. This is probably my favorite of the Hill Farmstead single hop series to date.

Serving type: growler

06-14-2012 23:54:05 | More by CliffBrake

emerge077

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks Dave for sharing this fine single hop IPA, which wasn't on my radar until you mentioned it ;)

Hazy orange tone, darker than some with plenty of frothy off white foam across the surface.

Ultra pungent citrus, tangerine, grapefruit, and orange. It starts out huge, and nearly overwhelms with intense hop aroma from the Citra varietal. Sweet and resinous, it pops like fresh squeezed grapefruit juice.

Flavor is lightly bitter and full of luscious citrus pith, grapefruit, orange rind, with a mild undercurrent of pale malt behind it. A well built lupulin delivery system. Body is a bit lighter, which may be a result of the growler. Medium to low carbonation, which honestly makes it too easy to drink. The very bright hop aromas and flavors are what make this IPA really shine. So fresh and lush, it's impossible to put down until it's gone.

Cheers to Hill Farmstead, they are one to watch.

Serving type: growler

12-04-2010 03:01:30 | More by emerge077

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.51/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A HUGE thank you to the most generous Caudalie for sending me this as a part of my fantastic CANBIF box!! 750ml growler.

Appearance. Pours a hazy, bright yellow-gold with a finger of frothy white heads that leaves some great lace.

Smell. Big yellow grapefruits, some papaya and orange, grainy lightly toasted malts and a touch of cedar. There's a hint of green onion there as well, but it's not a bad thing (if that makes any sense).

Taste. Huge yellow grapefruits again complete with plenty of bitter rinds, a little orange and it's rind as well, even some lemon rind in the bitter finish and a nice light grainy malt that adds just a little sweetness and flavour in the background throughout. Very much lives up to the hop's namesake.

Mouthfeel. Medium body, on the lower side of medium, very smooth carbonation.

Overall. Man, these guys can do no wrong with everything I've tried from them so far. Thanks again Caudalie, very cool to get a rare treat like this all the way here on the west coast of Canada!

Serving type: growler

04-17-2013 02:37:49 | More by Rutager

Billolick

New York

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Growler filled today at DeCicco's in Ardsley NY. They have very quickly gone through two 5 gallon kegs of this one in the past 2 weeks or so. Got to get in and get some the first day its on or wait till next time...Thanks to the DeCicco's crew for hooking me up with a 32 ounce sample.

Pours heavily clouded, dull, darker tangarine, under a moderate, relaxed, tiny bubble, light tan head, that stays, then goes to real nice looking and extensive fine lacing, low loose sheeting and a moderate collar. Stuff has the look of other real fine and high quality beer offerings that you sometimes have the luck to come across and get to enjoy.

Pungent and fresh smelling, with a jolt of bitter grapefruit pith, lime, melon and general yummy citric goodness. West Coast style IPA from backwoods Vermont! Gotta get a happy feeling from a sniff of this one.

Citrus, grapefruit theme follows through on the tongue, gums and throat. A treat in the mouth, with waves of all of the above and hopped up goodness. Crusty toast notes as well.

Very enjoyable. More great beer from H.F. Gotta try to get over there for a visit next time I find myself in northern Vermont, hopefully soon. In the meantime, please keep sending kegs to better beer spots in the NYC and Westchester county areas.

Serving type: growler

12-12-2010 03:32:29 | More by Billolick

nrs207

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Hazy golden orange. Very pale. It's almost a more orange grapefruit juice, the non-ruby red kind. Finger of white head that dissipates for the most part, but leaves a nice lacing.

S - Surprisingly not as strong as I'd imagine considering the taste. Just smell pure citrus fruit, no surprise. Very delicious.

T - So good. It reminds me of Zombie Dust, but not identical. Obviously the hops are the same, which is the main similarity. Huge citrus, some grapefruit. Just so juicy. Light malt backbone there possibly adding a little sweetness, but this is certainly a hoppy pale.

M - Really smooth and creamy. Not overly carbonated. No alcohol presence. Nice lingering bitterness to cleanse the palate.

O - This could be ever so slightly better as a Citra only pale, but this is damn near perfection for what they were going for. If you like Citra hops, you'll love this beer I'd imagine. Another excellent beer by Hill Farmstead.

Serving type: growler

05-30-2012 02:07:14 | More by nrs207

Gosox8787

New Hampshire

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: 2L growler, screwtop instead of a normal swingtop, filled fresh yesterday at the brewery. Poured into a Sam Adams pint glass and served while chilled.

Appearance: Bright yellow/orange in color. Pours a really creamy white head that sticks really nicely to the glass.

Aroma: Really nice mango, pineapple and citrus hop notes. The citra is definitely upfront and plentiful. Not much malt background at all.

Taste: Huge tropical fruit notes from the Citra hops. The malt background is barely there and really allows the hop notes to shine. Really nice balance of bitterness and tropical fruit notes.

Mouthfeel: Light, bright and refreshing. Really drinkable.

Overall, a really refreshing and bright single hop IPA/APA. The citra really works perfectly to provide that tropical fruit backbone. Really complex for a single hop beer too. I might have liked this more than the Double Citra. Really good, highly recommended.

Serving type: growler

06-17-2012 19:51:39 | More by Gosox8787

nhudson

Alabama

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Purchased a 2L of this in person from the Brewery on Saturday. Shipped back to Birmingham chilled and opened. Poured into a Piggly Wiggly snifter.

A: this beer is by no means clear, it cloudy and hazy. Yellow to golden in color with the best looking head I've ever seen on a beer. Lacing is thick and sticks to the glass in heavy sheets. This beer is beautiful to look at.

S: what an amazing aroma, pure Citra. Pineapple, Grapefruit, Dragonfruit heavy in the nose. Reminds me of the last time I drank Zombie Dust. They should make an air freshner that smells like this.

T: citrus hops bitterness with a very soft roundness to the beer. It's not harsh like most heavily hopped IPA's or Pale Ales. It's easy as hell to drink with the lower abv. Beer finishes dry and has a very light malt back bone. Tons of pineapple in the flavor.

M: the softness of the beer beings out the oils in the hops, it's oily but very easy drinking. No alcohol is noticed. I could drink the entire 2l in one sitting, if I had to.

O: one of the best APA's I've ever had. Hands down a world class beer, especially for hop heads. Wish I had access to this brewery all the time.

Serving type: growler

04-04-2013 21:56:07 | More by nhudson

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Citra pale ale pours a cloudy straw yellow with a medium sized, creamy head on top. As the foam dissolves a netted pattern of lace clings to the glass.

The aroma has strong notes of pine with some orange and lemon citrus mixed in. A touch of pale malt is also present.

Each sip of this medium bodied beer is soft and watery on the palate with moderate carbonation. The flavor has a nice balance of malty sweetness and citrus hoppiness. It begins with pine, lemon and orange citrus. In the background there's a nice dry malty sweetness that's somewhat bready. It finishes dry with lingering pine and malt sweetness.

This is a great well balanced full flavored beer with a great aroma. My only issue is that I'm not close enough to Hill Farmstead to get it more often.

Serving type: growler

05-05-2013 22:02:36 | More by WanderingFool

Neffbeer

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Blind Tiger:

A: Hazy amber with a small white head, minimal lacing.

S: There is tropical fruit goodness all over the place. Tons of citra hops. Awesome.

T: A boat load of hops here. There is a touch of bread that tries to creep in, but the hops jump right back out and beat it into submission.

M: Light and delicious. Not too carbonated which really enhances the smooth feel.

D: Another great offering from Hill Farmstead. I have been really impressed by their beers tonight. This is yet another beer that I would drink regularly if it was available.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2010 15:42:17 | More by Neffbeer

BeerThursdays

Delaware

4.43/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Capone's

A - Burnt orange color with a nice white foamy head that fades quickly. Somewhat hazy.

S - All citra hops, which is to be expected. Specific smells are oranges, grapefruit and pineapple. Some caramel malts.

T - Very fruity, slightly bitter IPA. Lots of the pineapple in there, but a bit of maltiness too. Well balanced.

M - Lighter brew with a medium body. Not a ton of carbonation.

D - Could drink this all day. It's like fruit juice. Send it to Delaware!

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2011 14:01:49 | More by BeerThursdays

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on-tap at Capone's into a sampler glass.

A - Pours cloudy, murky, orange with a nice pillowy one finger white head leaving sticky spots of lacing down the glass.

S - Now we are talking! I let this baby sit for over an hour and it still had a HUGE citric hop punch up front, so damn intoxicating. Lots of grapefruit and other tropical fruits meld well with the sweet caramel malt. A simply amazing nose on this one.

T - Lots of strong grapefruit, from the hops, up front giving way quickly to a mix of sweet caramel malt and strong citric hops. Finish is caramel sweet with some lingering bitterness from the hops and dryness from the yeast. There is no doubt in my mind that I am a sucker for citra hops. This has been one of the best citra hop IPA's I have had to date.

M - Medium body and flavor with moderate carbonation. Feel is very nice with plenty of bitter hops. Finish is bitter with a bit of dryness. Nothing too mind blowing in this department.

D - Very high. I think I could literally drink this all day. One of the best smelling IPA's I have had in quite some time. The taste was a bit of a letdown but it was still very good. I really enjoyed this one quite a bit. Excellent stuff for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2011 21:34:43 | More by orangesol