The Citizen - DC Brau Brewing Co.

tectactoe

Michigan

3.21/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

I forget who extra'd me this, but thank you to whomever you are. Shame on me for forgetting. This one pours a deep gold, almost-amber color in the center with some bright, banana yellow highlights at the edges. Big, soapy, and frothy is the stark-white cap, settling nicely at just over a half an inch. A decent amount of sediment can be seem floating through the murky, yellow abyss.

The initial whiff instantly reveals what seems like some sort of mixture between a Belgian style triple and and American Pale Lager. Notes like mild clove, fruity esters, and some very light Candi sugar are pushing the tripel front, while some musky, murky hops, heavy grains, and a substantial amount of wheat lean towards a lager. It is evident from the yeast, however (especially upon warming) that this is certainly no lager, though the hops can be deceiving at first. The yeast opens up with some warmth and shows more bubblegum-like notes, though still slightly underpowered, that easily unmask the Belgian nature of this brew.

And as confusing as the nose is, the flavor of this one is even more unexpected. Initially, it hits with a banana-like fruitiness that's accompanied with a mild sugar coating, almost Candi sugar sweet, but not quite there. One good malt charge later and you think this will be like a traditional tripel. But before long, a staunch, hoppy bitterness wafts in and engulfs the palate; musky and dry hops, possibly some sort of Noble variety. Grains come into the scene and play off of the almost astringent bitterness.

Some moderately soft wheat fades in and out, as does a good amount of fusel alcohol notes, somewhat surprising for being only 7% ABV. The finish comes back with another light hint of fruity sweetness - again, mostly banana, possibly joined by a light pear essence this time around. The bold and assertive bitterness of the hops are not to be forgotten, however, as they remain lingering heavily in the background. Some bready malts and grains coat the palate afterwards with a slight touch of yeast, but I keep having the feeling that nothing is really "coming together" for this beer. Thin-medium bodied with high carbonation for a wet, crisp mouth feel.

Not sure if it was the execution or just an odd collection of ingredients, but this one didn't really mesh the flavors well. Too many distinct flavors popping out on their own, seemingly out of place, rather than molding together to form a nice, coherent flavor profile. Far from awful, but probably not something I'd seek out again.

Serving type: can

04-29-2013 22:07:45 | More by tectactoe

Portertime

Florida

4.15/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Got this as a free sample from the boss, score! Serving it chilled. Poured this one in my Maudite tulip. Deep golden color with a nice white head. Smells of the tell tale clove, banana, biscuit, pear. Taste had a great tartness that really appealed to me. It was smooth and really drinkable. Notes of tart cherries, biscuit, yeast, and grass.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 02:33:41 | More by Portertime

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.76/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured from bottle into a chalice glass

Appearance – The beer pours a lightly hazed golden color with a small white head. The head fades relatively quickly leaving a light level of lace on the sides of the glass.

Smell-The aroma is a biggest of a yeasty smell with lots of banana, coriander, clove and a little bit of lemon. Mixed with these more standard Belgian smells are some rather sweet candy and bubblegum aromas, giving it a rather sweet smell overall.

Taste – The taste begins with a malty and sweet taste with flavors of yeast present right from the start. The bready flavors create a base of the beer with the sweet initially being of a more sugary candy nature mixed with a decent amount of a tangerine sweetness. As the flavors advance, more yeast and flavors associated with yeast of clove, banana, and coriander come to the tongue. These flavors combined with a big sugary taste as well as a light alcohol at the end to leave a sweet and yeasty flavor to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the average to creamier with a carbonation level that was on the average side as well. Both are rather nice for the style and produce a nice balance between drinkability as well as allowing all the flavors of the brew to be sensed by the tongue.

Overall – A niceBelgian that has a taste profile in between that of a Belgian session and a triple. Quite tasty.

Serving type: can

04-21-2013 02:38:23 | More by Darkmagus82

blackie

Virginia

3.63/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

growler from the brewery

a: large snifter, yeast-hazed honey amber in color, pours out with a small head that retains lightly

s: nose opens with sweet pale malts carrying aromas of apricot, loads of yeasty phenols - bananas and clove

m: carbonation and body around moderate

t: same structure as the nose - sweet pale malts, big banana flavor and clove phenols, quite grainy with notes of toast on the middle and back end

o: I tend to prefer a drier bpa, a fine beer, but not a favorite from the brau

Serving type: growler

04-05-2013 03:59:41 | More by blackie

MNishCT77

District of Columbia

4.44/5  rDev +24.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. can purchased in the greater Washington D.C. area, unknown birth date, poured into a Rogue chalice, drank 4/3/13 over one hour.

A: 4.25 - pretty golden coloration, minimal clarity consistent with style, really nice white two finger head that resolves into a creamy-appearing 1/4 head for the remainder of the session, small bubbles pouring off the bottom of the glass throughout, minimal alcohol legs

S: 4.25 - lots and lots of lemon/curacao orange peel, spice, coriander...pulling out lots of classic Belgian aroma

T: 4.25 - drinks like a saison instead of a Belgian pale ale to me (good thing...), no detectable hop flavors or bitterness; again, lots of lemon, young citrus and spice on the taste buds, some candy sugar on the back end

M: 4.5 - again, I'm really digging the creaminess, which lingers on the upper lip, tight carbonation, moderate body that is appropriate to style

O: 4.5 - although I'm not crazy about the generally non-committal "Belgian pale ale," definitely approachable and refreshing, especially as the temperature warms in the greater D.C. area; although not their best offering, this is a solid flagship beer from my favorite local brewery...Prosit!

Serving type: can

04-04-2013 02:31:31 | More by MNishCT77

elgiacomo

Georgia

3.69/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

12oz can, unknown date. Served at around 40-45F.

Pours slightly hazy golden amber with a one finger white head that leaves a ring of lacing and settles to a small cap.

Aroma is belgian yeast, fruity, lemon, banana, touch of bubblegum, earthy, bready. Good to very good strength.

Flavor is fairly hoppy with lemon citrus, a little banana, overall rather fruity, some yeast and bread, sweet malt in the middle and end, mild alcohol, good bitterness.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, a little sticky, good carbonation.

Normally not a big Belgian Pale Ale fan, but this is pretty good! Nice ’n hoppy with a good Belgian yeast presence.

Serving type: can

04-02-2013 00:07:24 | More by elgiacomo

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

3.84/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

From BeerAdvocate magazine Issue #62 (Mar 2012):

LOOK: Golden orange

SMELL: Asian pear, taffy, green peppercorn, shortbread biscuits, floral

TASTE: Smooth, creamy, biscuity, peppery, hop bitterness, herbal, faint medicinal phenols, plummy, maraschino cherry, clean alcohol, tangerine pith, bitter semidry finish

A robust “Abbey” ale yeast strain created this brew, so it has the traits of a bigger beer without a massive amount of alcohol. Very complex, this is not one to just knock back as each sip peels back another layer of flavor.

Serving type: can

01-17-2013 03:25:13 | More by BeerAdvocate

Dave1999

Virginia

3.71/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Pours cloudy dark yellow with a white head which died down quickly.

The smell has the usual Belgian aromas cloves and bananas, pretty sweet.

The taste light and yeasty with cloves.

The mouth feel is light to medium bodied with low carbonation.

This is an easy drinking beer, light but tastes decent. The abv is hidden very well.

Serving type: can

01-11-2013 01:18:41 | More by Dave1999

SpeedwayJim

New York

3.85/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

64oz growler into a Westvleteren Chalice. Reviewed from notes.

Pours .5 finger foamy white head with poor retention. Beer is semi-clear goldenrod. Lacing is spotty and sparse. Oily and thin legs. Average.

Nose is clove, Belgian yeast, candied sugar and tropical fruit. Moderately aromatic. Decent.

Opens sweet and sweet throughout. Notes of clove, coriander and other spices, cane sugar, Belgian yeast, citrus and pineapple sweetness and just a hint of lemon. Sweet and yeasty finish with a touch of yeasty bitterness in the aftertaste. Enjoyable.

Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth in the mouth with some bubbles and goes down quenching. Clean finish with a slightly lingering aftertaste. Real drinkable for a 7% beer.

A decent beer all the way around. That this is a flagship for DC Brau says a lot about the brewery. Worth trying and a real sessionable beer despite the rather high abv.

Serving type: growler

12-31-2012 03:23:15 | More by SpeedwayJim

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.23/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12 oz can poured into a Duvel tulip
7% ABV, Serve in a tulip, goblet, or enjoy from the can.

Thanks for another local Chaney!

A - Graham cracker golden in color, this mostly clear beer has light carbonation streaming from the glass' nucleation point to it's short-lived white head. The thin skim of bubbles and ring of foam rests calmly below few gnarled fingers of lace. A clean glass at the finish results in a rather disappointing presentation from a Belgian-style beer.

S - Perfumy and aromatic, The Citizen has a distinctly Belgian yeast nose that brings fourth lofty banana esters, earthy clay, white pepper, and cracked coriander seed. Honey drizzled warm muffin rests below with a dense sweetness and hint of herbal hops far on the finish. When the head disappears the yeast nuances go away revealing some buttery creamed corn DMS attributes which weaken the beer significantly - before focus centered here I was genuinely impressed.

T - The beer's strong, perfumy yeast components die quickly revealing the true nature of the beer beneath, allowing same light notes of butter and creamed corn DMS find their way in amidst sweet pilsner and dry biscuit malt. On the flip side the hops that were lacking in the aroma begin to emerge nicely in the flavor, adding more floral, herbal qualities to the beer. I find that the majority of the off flavors seem to really be bothersome in aroma, not affecting flavor quite as poorly.

M - Tight carbonation bubbles dance on the tongue with a nice smoothness that aids the beer in it's already nice smooth feel. The Citizen is balanced, neither bitter nor sweet though leaning towards the latter, the dry finish capping the medium bodied, faintly slick beer nicely.

O - The Citizen has a great opening aroma, boastfully showcasing it's Belgian yeast intricacies but it can't hold it's air and it's puffy chest deflates to reveal some imperfections which hinder it. Not entirely off-putting but present enough to draw attention away from the other great characteristics going on, The Citizen is a great start to what could become a fantastic brew.

Serving type: can

11-25-2012 23:01:31 | More by BeerFMAndy

WillCarrera

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bomber, no bottled-on date, poured into a tulip glass.

A- Pours a very murky peach color, produces a thin white head that recedes to a collar.

S- Lots of bready/crackery yeast, some spice and fruit.

T- Lots of yeast, crackers, mild spice and fruitiness and a bit of grassy hops.

M- Medium-bodied, smooth feel with nice carbonation.

O- Not a bad beer and very easy-drinking, although I definitely prefer the Public and the Corruption.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 06:17:24 | More by WillCarrera

raznug

Ohio

3.85/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: This pale pours a hazy orange color and is topped with a flurry of big white bubbles that leave quicker than they showed up.
Smell: The citizen is a rather clean smelling Belgian a good malt aroma that is backed with just the slightest hints of yeast.
Taste: The flavor is clean like the aroma and has the slightest amount of yeasty flavors like most Belgian do but this is a very easy drinking beer that goes down smooth but leaves a good after taste.
Mouthfeel: It is a bit on the thin side but the after taste hangs around very nicely well into the next drink and beyond.

Serving type: can

11-03-2012 14:56:31 | More by raznug

flexabull

California

3.68/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Can courtesy of joshdykema, thanks again!

Pours a cloudy light gold color with a pretty nice white head.

Aromas are lemon zest, sugar, and bread dough.

Taste is simple and straight forward, but pretty nice. Light creamy sweetness up front, slightly bready, with hint of lemon citrus. Finish is dry, crisp, and clean, with just a touch of bitterness.

Mouthfeel is full, and soft, with pretty good carbonation.

Overall a pretty mellow but enjoyable little beer. I honestly have no idea what style they were shooting for, maybe some sort of Belgian Wit? Whatever it is, it turned out pretty good.

Serving type: can

11-02-2012 03:49:14 | More by flexabull

nimrod979

Maryland

3.93/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz can into a Brau tulip glass. Actually my favorite looking can from the Brau lineup.

Appearance: Pours a slightly hazy yellow with a thin-ish one finger white head. Low retention and no lacing.

Aroma: Nice, fruity estery aroma. Green apple and pear and a little banana combine with Belgian yeast and hints of floral hops.

Taste: This beer could walk the line of a trippel with it's strong fruity and estery flavors. It's a bit sweeter. Once again, apple banana and pear flavors come to mind. Soft sweet malts and belgian yeast work with a light floral hop bite towards the finish.

Mouthfeel: Lighter side of medium. It's a little thin but... it kinda should be. The carbonation level is a little high but this is an easy drinker. It's kinda crazy this beer clocks in at 7%. You would never know it.

Serving type: can

10-29-2012 23:18:13 | More by nimrod979

vandemonian

Maryland

3.93/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

DC Brau The Citizen is a tasty Belgian pale with notes of unripe fruit. It's very tasty and reminds me of white wine in some ways. It is not like your usual Belgian pale.

A: Cloudy yellow colour with an excellent 2 cm head and good carbonation. 4.5

S: Belgian yeast and the strong aroma of banana ester. 4

T: Malty with some slightly-sour flavours of unripe fruit. There is some sweetness there but it's not overdone. Quite nice, reminds me of white wine. Not like the style it claims to be though, really.. 4

M: Foamy. 4

O: 3.5

Serving type: can

09-25-2012 03:43:02 | More by vandemonian

FosterJM

California

3.88/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1474th Review on BA
Can to goblet
12oz

No canning date

Thanks to my brother in law for the state tick

App- A bellini looking hazy orange and yellow. Small 1/2 " head. No cling or lace down the glass which was a bit suprising.

Smell- When you first take a whiff it has tripel notes mixed with a pale malt than expected. A little hoppy and a little sweet. Creamy dessert notes of whip cream come wofting up.

Taste- I really wanted to like this more. Its above average, hence the 4 but it's just okay. Creamy hops and malts are semi balanced between a pale ale and triple flavor with a little sweetness.

Mouth- A thinner medium body with a creamy flavor behind it. A solid medium carbonation with a residual triple pepper malty flavor with touches of that whip cream from the nose.

Drink- I thought I would enjoy this more. I was thinking it would be a canned Stone Belgiuqe. It was tasty but wasnt blown away. Hopefully the other two I have are a bit more wowing.

Serving type: can

08-27-2012 20:44:59 | More by FosterJM

dontpanic5

3.9/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

It pours with a white head that dissipates quickly, leaving a murky golden body. I can smell spicy hops in the nose, and something in the smell is reminding me of wine. The beer is strongly carbonated, a little too much. I'm new to Belgian pale ales, so the taste is unique to me. I know now why I was reminded of wine when I smelled it, there's a definite fruitiness in the beer. It's a very drinkable beer despite its alcohol content. The mouthfeel is thin, I believe that's the point since it's a Belgian pale ale. I don't think I like this style of beer, but I have to review the beer for what it is, and it's good for what it is.

Serving type: can

08-25-2012 01:33:26 | More by dontpanic5

JohnGalt1

Idaho

2.88/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Kmccabe33 hooked me up with this one... Very cool trade.. thanks Korey!! Poured into my slim tulip decent off white head with okay lacing.. the brew looks like apricot nectar... cloudy hazy golden.

Funny.. because the brew also smells like apricot nectar.. the Belgian esters do a number with the residual maltiness and become a mess... toooo sweet and sorta foul fruitiness erupts from the glass.

Flavor thankfully is a little better, still an abundant overpowering fruity ester profile is too much.

Body is too thick for anything "Belgian".. carbonation is a touch light too...

I just don't like this one... I see the continental influences.. but they are waaay out of balance with the fruitiness... I haven't taken a sip for probably ten minutes and the apricot is still prancing around my palate begging for some Scope.

3.5/2.5/3/3.5/2.5

Serving type: can

08-16-2012 05:17:18 | More by JohnGalt1

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

My cousin, Colby Chandler, specialty brewer at Ballast Point, got this for me while sharing a booth with the brewers during SAVOR 2012. It's nice to have relatives and even nicer when they know my fondness for CANned beers in support of The CANQuest (TM).

From the CAN: "Citizen Facts [:] In 1963, the citizens of Washington DC won th right tovote for the president and vice-president of the United States with the ratification of the 23rd Amendment to the Constitution."; "Please recycle - pack in, pack out". "Serve in a tulip, gobelt or enjoy from the [CAN]".

The Crack revealed another well-filled craft CAN as well as another beer anxious to get out from its surroundings, foaming up as soon as its CAN was cracked open. I allowed things to settle back down before employing a very gentle Glug so as not to disturb any lees. This still resulted in two fingers of foamy French Vanilla-colored head with decent retention. Nose was both fruity and musty, both yeast-driven and I was reminded of Juicyfruit gum along with a mustiness of old newspapers. Color was an oh-so-slightly hazy golden yellow with lots of CO2 bubbles in evidence. Mouthfeel was full, kind of spritzy from the massive carbonation and the taste was immediately fruity, followed by a mustiness, and then a twang of grassy hops. The finish was dry, smooth, tasty and before I realized it, I had CANsumed easily half of it! At 7.0% ABV, that is something to bear in mind. This might be a dangerous beer to take to the beach ...

Serving type: can

07-05-2012 17:18:30 | More by woodychandler

Arithmeticus

Maryland

3.53/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured chilled in ale glass

A: cloudy orange; 1-finger head; good carbonation (little beads)
S: wretched at first--smells of ammonia--but then opens up into an inviting yeast aroma with bits of pear, candy
T: salty, yeasty; low on hops, high on flavor from the malt and yeast; the cherry and pine I detected in the growler version is missing from the canned; and the alcohol blends better with the flavor profile, to create a more subtle, smooth combination

I prefer the canned to the growlered!

Serving type: can

06-28-2012 00:23:23 | More by Arithmeticus

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Woodychandler continues to come through with canned beers, thanks man. Poured from a 12 oz. can. Has a cloudy dark golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is mild, some fruits and malts. Taste is the same, a bit of fruitiness, some malts and a touch of spice. Feels full bodied in the mouth and overall is an easy drinking and enjoyable beer.

Serving type: can

06-22-2012 21:05:32 | More by tone77

tlazaroff

Virginia

3.4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Slight yeast on the nose followed by an even lighter citrus note.

The beer pours a dark haystack opaque color with a white head, and nice lacing. The head doesn't last too long, but it's a good looking beer overall.

Strongest flavor sensation is that of yeast and doughy biscuity bread. There is a slight carbonation bite on the finish, and a balanced bitterness.

Finishes a tad dry with a fuller body than I expected and high carbonation. Overall it's not too bad, but it's not blowing my socks off either.

Serving type: can

06-17-2012 21:10:10 | More by tlazaroff

n2185

North Carolina

3.1/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Pours a hazy yellow with two fingers of white head that fades into a thin ring with no lacing.

S: Belgian spices up front with tons of bubblegum and candy sugar. There are some bready and light fruit notes as well.

T: Spices up front again with slight bubblegum and light fruit notes. Dry, slightly bitter bread and yeast flavors bring up the finish.

M: Medium-light body with medium carbonation, this beer is a little on the watery side.

O: Not a bad beer, but a bit bland and watery for my tastes.

Serving type: can

05-29-2012 21:20:05 | More by n2185

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz can into tulip. no canned on date.

A: very opaque, very hazed orangey, yellow body. head is white and big. good retention as some thick lacing left behind.

S: eggy, sulfur. a definitive sweet, fruity hop aroma. however, there are more of yeast, sulfur egg aromas than hops.

T: sweet and earthy palate. the bitterness is there, but not enough to compete with the yeasty fruityness. peachy finish. the body is lacking a little in my opinion. wouldnt hate a touch more malty meat.

M: average carbonation on a medium body.

D: definitely more of a sweet belgian blonde than a belgian pale in my opinion. need a greater hop presence to call this a BPA. not a bad beer, but the label is a little deceiving. i say pass and check out some other brews from dc brah.

Serving type: can

05-24-2012 02:46:47 | More by Jimmys

ShanePB

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Multiple samples straight from the brewery and from a growler. Served into a tulip glass.

A: Hazy golden yellow/orange colored body with a rich, fluffy and sticky white head. The retention is really nice, leaving a cap behind and some sticky lacing on the walls. Certainly unfiltered in its looks.

S: Belgian yeast, pale malts, mild white pepper, Belgian-like spice, and a quite assertive hop spice with a touch of bitterness. It smells like a cross between a classic Tripel and something more along the lines of a regular Belgian Pale Ale. The classification seems muddled though.

T: Lots of unripe banana, pepper, caramel and pale malts, touch of sweetness and some tamed bitterness midway. The back of the palate brings an evident yeast characteristics along with some classic Belgian spice. It's really a unique and quite tasty beer.

M: Nicely carbonated, not overdone with a great creamy mouth feel to it. There's a bit of stickiness but it's not left lingering long after.

Of all their beers I sampled that day (every single one on tap), this was by far my favorite of them all. Perhaps it's my love for Belgian Tripels which this comes dangerously close to mimicking, but this is a nicely crafted Belgian Ale... in a can!

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2012 18:44:53 | More by ShanePB