The Citizen - DC Brau Brewing Co.

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

hollywood_15063

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +5%

06-16-2013 02:16:22 | More by hollywood_15063

jtladner

District of Columbia

3/5  rDev -16%

06-16-2013 00:10:22 | More by jtladner

fitz284

District of Columbia

3.5/5  rDev -2%

06-15-2013 02:03:44 | More by fitz284

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

2.78/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75

12 oz can into a pint glass.

A: Pours a hazy amber color with some notable yeast sediment falling to the bottom of the glass. The white-colored head forms a uniform height of one finger, and fades pretty rapidly to a thin film. Lacing is very sparse.

S: Rather buttery and even a bit corn-like. Maybe I can find a touch of fruity esters with proper concentration, but the Belgian yeast qualities are just too hard to find. There seems to be a bit of hoppiness, though, which is good. Quite the disappointing aroma otherwise.

T: Good news is, there is a touch of Belgian yeast on the finish, giving it a (much needed) crisp touch, and some welcome notes of apple, white grape, and pear - but also gives a faint soapiness. Yikes. All told, this seems rather disjointed, as if the yeast and the bready malts are battling each other, rather then melding like a good BPA should.

M: This is the best part of the brew. It features a creamy texture, and is nicely clean/dry on the back end without over-exposing any of the less-than-great flavors. In spite of its slight syrupiness and medium-heavy body, it's pretty drinkable.

O: Not great, unfortunately. There's little here to make me want to come back for seconds. All this does is confirm my skepticism toward canned Belgian-style ales - without bottle conditioning, what do you have? Not much, really.

Serving type: can

06-14-2013 19:57:42 | More by ThisWangsChung

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.54/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Poured from can into tulip. Purchased at total wine in Richmond, va for $1.99.
Pours a slightly hazy golden with 1 finger of head. Aromas of Belgian yeast ever so slightly with macro notes...corn I guess. Taste is simple Belgian yeast that has been dumbed down...its so subtle. Meh, its ok, easy to drink and normal...meh. There is nothing amazing about this brew, its just a super sessionable BPA.

Serving type: can

06-12-2013 04:16:42 | More by DrinkSlurm

harrymel

Washington

3.95/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Canned: unk - earlier

Nice hazy honey colored ale with a solid sheet of fine whites atop. Smells like grain, sweet grain, pears, flowers, some grass and a little biscuit. Smells fresh, I dig that. Flavor is sweet initially with a good floral character with some juicy fruit, some grain and dough. Like the flavor too. A little fuller bodied than I'd dig, but with the softened carbonation, it has a nice feel overall and an unobtrusive finish. Nice beer, surprised and satisfied.

Serving type: can

06-11-2013 07:30:23 | More by harrymel

imyourhero21

California

4/5  rDev +12%

06-10-2013 18:04:15 | More by imyourhero21

emerge077

Illinois

3.86/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Thanks Fred for this one!

Brassy gold coloration, bright clarity, plenty of light passing through and illuminating the trails of rising carbonation. A finger or so of head initially, which fades to a patchy skim halfway through. Some minor broken lacing left behind at the rim of the glass.

Aroma is yeast driven, estery pear/banana and spicy white pepper. Similar flavors, some banana and pear sweetness, dry spice in the middle that lingers long into the aftertaste with some light residual bitterness. Creamy feel with ample carbonation, medium bodied and smooth. Overall a nice BPA, pretty flavorful and drinkable.

Serving type: can

06-10-2013 00:09:28 | More by emerge077

KevinGordon

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +19%

06-09-2013 21:24:28 | More by KevinGordon

st9647v3

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev +5%

06-08-2013 20:08:00 | More by st9647v3

spoonhawk

Iowa

1.5/5  rDev -58%

06-08-2013 16:00:19 | More by spoonhawk

MastaShonuf

California

3/5  rDev -16%

06-08-2013 03:24:56 | More by MastaShonuf

jmslade7

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +26.1%

06-02-2013 04:40:23 | More by jmslade7

TechTriumph

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -2%

06-01-2013 02:30:02 | More by TechTriumph

Vonerichs

Illinois

4/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pale and cloudy yellow body with a contrasting stark white head. No lacing.

Banana, clove, and grassy smells. Heavy fruity esters.

Over ripe banana, cloves, herbal and grassy hops, and a peppery spice finish.

Clean mouthfeel, crisp, prickly carbonation.

Overall, I thought it was a very nice beer. Refreshing, nice flavor, and very drinkable.

Serving type: can

05-27-2013 23:45:34 | More by Vonerichs

JReites

Florida

4/5  rDev +12%

05-27-2013 00:25:40 | More by JReites

Mantooth

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +5%

05-27-2013 00:23:07 | More by Mantooth

visualmartyr

Indiana

3/5  rDev -16%

05-26-2013 22:48:41 | More by visualmartyr

psuscott1

Virginia

2.5/5  rDev -30%

05-26-2013 02:15:36 | More by psuscott1

Loveyourbeer

Virginia

3.25/5  rDev -9%

05-24-2013 21:27:19 | More by Loveyourbeer

JMBSH

Colorado

3/5  rDev -16%

05-24-2013 04:21:58 | More by JMBSH

DruRho

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -2%

05-21-2013 22:37:38 | More by DruRho

earlholman

District of Columbia

3.75/5  rDev +5%

05-14-2013 13:45:50 | More by earlholman

Localdrinklax

Wisconsin

3.25/5  rDev -9%

05-09-2013 01:58:18 | More by Localdrinklax