The Citizen - DC Brau Brewing Co.

GPHarris

Alabama

2.88/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

a - poured a one finger thick off-white head into a snifter that settled into a thin ring with no sheeting. the ring was gone halfway through. body was amber.
s - citrusy and slightly spicy hops.
t - bready and yeasty with a hint of citrus.
m - medium and slightly slick.
o - kind of boring and definitely not memorable.

Serving type: can

04-02-2012 15:00:06 | More by GPHarris

JohnGalt1

Idaho

2.88/5  rDev -19.8%
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

yourefragile

District of Columbia

3.05/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Sampled on tap at the brewery.

Hazy golden yellow with a nice white head. Sweet, yeasty aroma with a mild grain and hop finish. Flavor is also exceptionally sweet and yeasty with a mild bitter finish. Not much in the way of hops and a relatively thin body. I'll pass on this.

Serving type: on-tap

10-29-2011 20:55:52 | More by yourefragile

isthatbeer

District of Columbia

3.1/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Got this as a growler fill on a visit to the brewery. For the tasting I poured it into a tulip shaped glass.

It's not real impressive in appearance. The color is a dull yellowy gold and its quite murky looking. There was about 1 finger of head when I poured it into the glass but it did not last long. There's no lacing as the beer disappears from the glass.

Its got some lemony citrus, banana, peppery spiciness, and yeast in the nose. The taste is made up of grains, spiciness, and booze with some faint fruit.

Overall its pretty mediocre. I'm kind of surprised because I had this on tap at the Argonaut in DC a few weeks back and quite liked it but this batch doesn't seem to be as good.

Serving type: growler

08-27-2011 20:38:52 | More by isthatbeer

n2185

North Carolina

3.1/5  rDev -13.6%
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

tectactoe

Michigan

3.21/5  rDev -10.6%
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

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.23/5  rDev -10%
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

ToasterChef

Maine

3.25/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The beer has a translucent golden color with a small head of white foam. Lots of carbonation is visible within. Slowly receding walls of foam coat the walls of the glass after I swirl it.

There is some Belgian yeast and candi sugar in the nose, but not any of the peppery spice that one usually finds with this variety of yeast.

The flavor is more complex than the nose. It's a little spicy and a little sweet. A dry mustiness lingers briefly.

The beer is pretty carbonated; all of the bubbles tingle the roof of my mouth. A good amount of coating is left behind. It retains some of the Belgian pepper flavors.

This is an enjoyable beer. It's not going to blow anybody away, but if it were local to me, I could see myself drinking it occasionally.

Serving type: can

03-09-2012 02:11:45 | More by ToasterChef

Chaney

District of Columbia

3.25/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

For review #900, I went local!

Served in a DFH oversized snifter.

A: Poured a very cloudy, peppery orange color, with about 1/4 finger head that stuck around for a while.

S: I'm glad I waited until trying my second can of this stuff in two days before reviewing. Initially, the smell seemed a bit off to me, but then I got used to it an now I actually dig the who butterscotch caramel thing that this one has going for it.

T: Seriously, one would have to have a microscope to detect anything citrusy in this one. I got that same caramel quality that I got on the nose, only more intense. The Belgian funk was especially strong with this one.

M: The sweetness was tempered and I didn't get much booze, but the Belgian yeast is virtually seeping out of my pours! The lacing was moderate and I didn't get much more undesirable... except for maybe a few vials of Belgian White Labs too many.

O: Overall, I agree with what others have said overall and I truly wish this had a bit more citrus. That TOTALLY would have made a difference at least in terms of drinkability. Still, I'll remember the smell of this one for weeks!

Serving type: can

05-10-2012 01:13:52 | More by Chaney

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -9.5%
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

MeneerBeerSnob

District of Columbia

3.38/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Can poured into a tulip

A-Deep golden hue with very thin head that disappears quickly.

S-Citrus and hops provide a clear smell.

T-Hops taste runs throughout with hints of citrus and a malty finish.

M-Smooth with disappointing lack of carbonation to accent taste.

O-Overall decent Belgian pale ale although slightly pricey.

Serving type: can

05-09-2012 03:06:00 | More by MeneerBeerSnob

tlazaroff

Virginia

3.4/5  rDev -5.3%
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

malloyca

District of Columbia

3.43/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The appearance is a cloudy orange to amber color, with moderate head. Yeast and clove aromas, which carry over to the palate with a mild hop profile. There was limited carbonation combined with a light mouthfeel that created a watery sensation. Pleasant enough to drink but not something I would seek out.

Serving type: growler

09-08-2011 22:08:34 | More by malloyca

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.43/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The appearance is a cloudy orange to amber color, with moderate head. Yeast and clove aromas, which carry over to the palate with a mild hop profile. There was limited carbonation combined with a light mouthfeel that created a watery sensation. Pleasant enough to drink but not something I would seek out.

Serving type: can

05-05-2012 12:42:05 | More by WoodBrew

WMEugene

Virginia

3.45/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from DC Brau growler (acquired same day) into a standard pint glass.

A - Pours a slightly murky golden color. Minimal head retention and no lacing.

S - Yeast is the predominant smell. Smells slightly sweet and bready as well. Not very strong, but pleasant enough.

T - Yeast is the predominant flavor; it has that stereotypical "Belgian" taste to it. There's mild hops and spice flavors (cloves perhaps?) present as well.

F - Full bodied with a nice level of carbonation. Pleasant aftertaste as well.

Overall, The Citizen is an enjoyable beer despite its mediocre appearance. It's quite drinkable for its ABV (it tastes more like a 5% beer) and works well for the hybrid it is. I would have it again.

Serving type: growler

09-24-2011 20:21:13 | More by WMEugene

UCLABrewN84

California

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

Thanks to drabmuh for sending me this one!

Pours a slightly hazy honey orange with a 2 inch foamy bone colored head that settles to a film on top of the beer. A nice latticework of lace coats the glass on the drink down. Smell is of grain, yeast, and some light fruit aromas. Taste is very much the same with a delicate hop bitterness on the finish. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer but nothing that jumps out at you.

Serving type: can

04-12-2012 02:20:02 | More by UCLABrewN84

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.53/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Churchkey in D.C.

The beer is a hazy, light orange hue with a half inch of white head that leaves plenty of lacing on the snifter. The aroma consists primarily of hops and yeast, with additional notes of grain, citrus, and bread. The flavor is OK. Nothing really stands out and takes charge. The hop character is underwhelming, and the beer is generally unexciting. Yeast and citrus flavors are there, but don't implore me to drink more. I'm hopeful this beer undergoes some improvements in subsequent batches.

Serving type: on-tap

09-03-2011 02:06:03 | More by Huhzubendah

Arithmeticus

Maryland

3.53/5  rDev -1.7%
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

WillCarrera

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -1.7%
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

mdfb79

New York

3.58/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap tonight at Pizzeria Paradiso in Dupont DC. Served in a 12 oz. tulip.

a - Pours a hazy bright orange color with one inch of off white head and light to moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of wheat, citrus hops, light spices, and some yeast. Nice but not too strong.

t - Tastes of citrus hops, wheat, bready malts,
grains, and fruity malts.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Easy to drink.

o - Overall a pretty nice beer. Not one of their best, but some nice wheat and citrus mixing, and easy to drink. Would seek out a few of their other beers before this one.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2012 01:00:12 | More by mdfb79

t0rin0

California

3.6/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Sampled 7/11/2011 on tap at Brasserie Beck. According to the DC Brau website this is also available in cans.

Pours an ugly murky brown/orange with some white head that dissipates quickly and leaves no lacing.

Aroma is bread, a little pepper, and some booze. Not as bad as it sounds, basically a pale with a light Belgian influence.

Flavor is slightly sweet, bready, more Belgian than the nose, medium bitterness, and a little boozy. Belgian Pale or Belgian Strong Pale; this could go either way.

Body is light which enhances drinkability.

Ƭίcƙ.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2011 17:57:25 | More by t0rin0

Rhettroactive

Virginia

3.6/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From tap to snifter at ChurchKey in DC on 10/4/11
*From notes

A: Cloudy off-white yellow. Minimal head and no lacing.

S: It smells like you typical Belgian pale: yeasty, with hints of banana peel and a very faint trace of hops.

T: Quite standard for the style. It's dry up front, and as it moves back, the yeast attacks the tastebuds.

M: A bit undercarbed for my liking. Slightly oily, yet the weight helps to pick up the slack.

O: DC Brau's The Citizen Belgian Pale is pretty much on par for the style, one of which that I'm not a typical fan. Having said that, if I was gonna have a Belgian Pale, I'd most likely reach for this, as it's local and quite nice.

On to the next one, Jeff & Brandon.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2011 23:48:44 | More by Rhettroactive

drabmuh

Maryland

3.63/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Beer on tap at Meridian. Served in a shaker pint glass. Beer is yellow to amber and hazy with a soft white head, moderate carbonation, some lacing, looks good.

Aroma is a little grainy, a little sweet, mild yeast character.

Beer is thin with a mild sweetness up front with a little yeast in the middle. The finish is a little acidic from the grain and light on the palate with a mild aftertaste. Not my favorite from them but a solid little ale.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2011 12:00:24 | More by drabmuh

blackie

Virginia

3.63/5  rDev +1.1%
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

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Elephant & Castle in DC over Fourth of July weekend. Served in a pint glass. Reviewed from notes.

Pours a fairly-cloudy yellow-gold with a good white head and a good bit of spotty lacing on the way down. The nose brings some light bready malt and a bit of grain. Faint spice and a bit of light fruit. The flavor has a moderate amount of yeast, more so than hops. Hops are more there with the bitterness. Faint Belgian spice and some light fruity esters. Medium body and somewhat chewy. Refreshing on a very, very hot day. Good beer, though not as good as the APA or IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2011 21:46:15 | More by Thorpe429