Citra Blonde Summer Brew - Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

HedleyLamar

California

3.65/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A great beer for a warm summer day...I love the Citra hops. I'm not a huge fan of the Widmer Brothers brewery, however their use of citra hops caught my eye. This beer has a nice color for a Blonde. I plan on adding this to my list of summer beers. Its easy to drink and has plenty of flavor.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 00:15:19 | More by HedleyLamar

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.29/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

I'm more of a Citra brunette kind o' guy... Anyway, this stuff pours a clear brass topped by a finger of lightly off-white foam. The nose comprises spicy greens, light sweet biscuit, light grapefruit zest, and a few drops of honey. The taste holds notes of mild and funky grapefruit zest, biscuit, and some mixed greens all up in the finish and whatnot. The body is a rather light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda drying finish. Overall, an okay little blonde, nothing close to spectacular, but something drinkable enough for a lazy afternoon.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 19:22:07 | More by TMoney2591

NilocRellim

Minnesota

3.45/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer came in a bottle and was poured out into a pint glass. It had a light amber colour to it and smelled of citrus hops and grapefruit. In line to the way this beer smelled, it also had a grapefruit presence in its flavour, along with flavours of wheat and hops. Seemed light bodied; it would be a great summer beer.

Would I buy this beer again? Maybe.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 20:38:17 | More by NilocRellim

jimmah120

Minnesota

3.08/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle into Summit pint glass

Look is a clear golden orange, small white head, smells of grassy hops but with an unpleasant rubbery scent. Crisp medium-light feel with lightly peppery lemongrass hops dancing over dusty grain and syrupy malt.

OK summer brew that smells a little funky and doesn't really stand out from others on the market. Maybe this was a bad bottle, however I still ended up enjoying it.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 11:19:22 | More by jimmah120

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.58/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From the 12 fl. oz. bottle marked 1206-NH-JUL0312. Sampled on December 8, 2012.

The color is pale yellow with a kind of olive hue with little to no head and whatever head it starts with quickly dissipates.

The aroma is pleasant enough with a clean sweetness and vaguely hopped background along with a hint of grapefruit.

The body is very much what I would expect for the style with a light to medium feel.

At first the taste is on the sweet side but it slowly evolves into a clean, crisp hop flavor but not much lingers at the end. Still, it would be refreshing on a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 02:03:42 | More by puboflyons

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.98/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Finger of head. A cloudy, light straw colored body.
A nice citrus (lemon and grapefruit) smell.
A great lemon bitter taste from beginning to end. A real summer lemonade. Ends with a sweet note. Great balance.
Crisp and clean texture. Medium body and moderate carbonation.
A really good summer brew. On the lighter side as a blonde but has great flavor.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 21:56:47 | More by Fatehunter

JMad

Texas

3.85/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass...

The beer pours a light golden color with a coarse white head that stuck around for a bit. Smells a strong danky orange/ citrus aroma with some other fruitiness playing in the background, very pleasant indeed. I could taste orange peel with light bready malt and some grassy flavors. the beer is light with moderate carbonation and a refreshing finish. Nice summer beer, I definitely was not disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 01:02:37 | More by JMad

TheRealBigC

Nevada

3.63/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clean yellow/orange - not much head but some bubbles. Surprisingly strong nose of hops leads to a well-balanced taste. The hops steal the show, but that's not a bad thing. It's not a "wow" taste or anything, but it's clean and crisp - perfect for a summer brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 06:14:26 | More by TheRealBigC

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

a clean golden/orange pour with 1/2" of head which quickly dissipated, nice retention.
smells of orange citrus, subtle coriander, bready yeast (your average wheat beer).
a very sweet honey-like flavor is strong on this one! the orange/coriander aspect is mainly blocked by the sweetness, the yeast gives it a nice crisp bready finish.
light body with a slight lean towards medium, nicely carbonated, crisp / refreshing.
not a bad summer ale at all - it's hard to be different and maintain style guidelines, but this one is sweeter than most - which is good for a wheat beer because they usually have that pungent bready aftertaste. this one still has a subtle aftertaste, but it is very citrusy/sweet so it makes you crave more.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 06:35:47 | More by facundoCNB

RussBecker1

2.4/5  rDev -33.3%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Served in a Pint Glass

A-Fizzy pale pour with virtually no character. Decent one to two finger foamy head that sits for a decent amount of time before dissipating.

S- The lone highlight of the beer for me. The citra hops are abound, and give off a strong distinct smell. After the hops pass however, there is not much left leaving one to assume that the taste will coincide.

M- Nothing special. It's pretty empty, not enough carbonation to be crisp, but not enough character to make an impression otherwise.

T-As expected the citra hops are apparent, but the rest of the beer is rather watery and mundane.

O-Fine to have once but I doubt I will seek this out again.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 13:42:47 | More by RussBecker1

Murrhey

Montana

2.68/5  rDev -25.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a weizen glass. Reviewed live.

A- Two finger white head, weak retention. Fluffy white lacing. Pale golden color, high clarity. Carbonation looks alright.

S- Sweet malts, wheat, citrusy hops and floral smells. Light, summery and sweet. Floral as well.

T- Light bodied flavor, hops are backdoor to a wheaty, grassy taste in the front. Drinkable. Not good, but passable.

M- Light, carbonation is biting.

O- Alright. Nothing special. Above bad, about average for a summery blonde ale.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 02:55:14 | More by Murrhey

Zorro

California

3.4/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Clear gold colored ale with a medium white head.

Smells strongly hoppy with a honeysuckle malt scent. Smells strongly of citrus especially grapefruit. Honestly based on smell I would have put this on in as an American Style Pale Ale.

Starts out dry and fairly bitter. Tastes of hard water and hops. Taste of grapefruit and not much else, most bone dry Blonde Ale I have ever sampled.

Mouthfeel is thin and pretty much mineral water.

Overall dry and refreshing, something like a Lite version of an American Pale Ale. I could see buying this again, a good beer for a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 22:51:07 | More by Zorro

Redrover

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz brown longneck with freshness dating, poured into my SA perfect pint. The beer is a light gold with a bone white head. It has better than average lacing.

It has an aroma of grains and a bit of citrus rind.

Taste leads with citrus, some mild grains and a bit of Wrigley gum. It is not overpowering, but is balanced and fits the bill for a summer beer. It becomes slightly more bitter mid glass and the hops add more citrus and tropical fruit bite.

The mouth is medium with a touch of slickness. Easy beer to pair with grilled chicken or a fresh tomato salad. I have really liked the last two seasonal offerings from Widmer.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 01:16:18 | More by Redrover

HighballurRollby

California

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I bought this beer as a single because I hadn't noticed anything new come from widmer in a while. I was not dissapointed and widmer climbs a few steps on my ladder imho.

My first swig of this beer let me know that it is a smooth, tame mouthfeel with citrus on the nose heavily as I swallow and get a nice quick aftertaste of lemon rind that quickly vanishes and I'm on to the next drink. This beer is uniquely refreshing because it has a nice body and a finish of a full bodied beer but every sip makes me want to take another which reminds me of a coors light or bud light ( you just wanna finish it). This beer is fruity and citrusy across the board from the smell to the taste and up to 3 seconds after swallowing. It defintely is a nice summer seasonal that I will share with many friends.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 08:04:37 | More by HighballurRollby

zeff80

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a clear, golden-orange color with a one-finger, off-white head of bubbly foam. It left sudsy trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of citrus and tropical fruits.

T - Big citrus flavor with a tropical fruit kick - mango and pineapple. Light caramel sweetness for a backbone.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A light bodied ale with a dry finish.

O - This is a really tasty blonde ale. Love the citra hops!

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 02:45:52 | More by zeff80

rwhitmore

Kansas

4.33/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on-tap in the beer garden at the Iowa City Jazz Festival. Poured into a translucent plastic cup.

Appearance: a little hard to say, because of the plastic cup. A nice white frothy head.

Smell: Big hit of citrus and tropical fruit, esp. mango, with a light sweet malt aroma.

Taste: Juicy, fruity citrus, with a nice balanced bitterness of grapefruit rind, which made a wonderfully tart finish. Malts were crisp and cracker-y.

Mouthfeel: Bright, clean, super refreshing.

Overall: It was really hot at the festival, and this just blew me away with it's refreshing, juicy, thirst-quenching flavor. I would session this beer all summer long. I hope it makes its way to the Great Plains before next summer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-05-2012 22:59:18 | More by rwhitmore

Jason

Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz brown bottle, freshness date on label

LOOK: Sturdy head, good showing of lace, perfect gold clarity

SMELL: Guava, orange peel, nutmeg, light biscuity grain

TASTE: Lush smoothness , lighter bodied, citric, exotic fruit, effervescent, kiss of bitterness, lightly grainy, dry finish, clean

Good balance between the hops, malt and fruitiness. Good twist on the lighter summer seasonal flavor here, very drinkable ... super sessionable with enough flavor to keep it interesting.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 01:45:40 | More by Jason

BB1313

Ohio

3/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into a flute. Pours a crystal clear light golden, completely transparent. There's a small white head which fades pretty quickly, decent retention and lacing. The citra hops are present in the nose. Lots of grassy aromas with a touch of wheat and malts. The flavors seem to fall off considerably compared the nose. There's a nice hop bite in the beginning. Lots of earthy flavors and subtle spices. I can pick up some orange zest and lemon juice. The malts are present, maybe too present. Carbonation is high, but in a good way. Spritzy, but smooth. Very light and easy drinking. Alcohol clearly goes absolutely unnoticed. This is one you can drink all day, if you choose. Refreshing on a summer day.

This beer has alot of qualities I like, but something isn't hitting right. I feel this could've been something very special, but instead it seems just average.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 22:57:25 | More by BB1313

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.23/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Citra? Sure. Blonde? Yes please. Summer? Well, that's most certainly the season here. Bottled (I think) 04 April 2012.

Clear golden orange with a dense, white head with decent retention and minimal lacing, this looks decent. The nose has a blend of light citrus notes, a moderate tropical fruit character (mango) and a grainy, cereal and biscuit-like malt character. Sweetness is low. Pretty solid.

The palate opens with a mild hop flavor and bitterness (just a little lacking on the bitterness IMO) with a blend of orange, mango, and even a little orange pith bitterness. The malt character is barely noticeable, lending a mild, grainy, sweetness before a rather watery finish kicks in. While there is some hop flavor and even a mild bitterness on the finish, this beer finishes rather watery. Crisply carbonated and relatively soft on the palate, this beer _is_ refreshing, and does win a Truth in Advertising award from me. Solid.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2012 02:09:34 | More by DefenCorps

vkv822

Oregon

4.03/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz : snifter

Clear golden yellow with a fizzy, foamy white head.

Crisp, citric hop notes upfront, smooth malty base.

Citric hops, well balanced with malty, bread base.

Crisp, medium-light body with prickly medium carbonation.

An easy drinking, well done summer beer. Lots of flavor from the Citra hops in a lower ABV, balanced beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2012 08:26:07 | More by vkv822

TheSixthRing

California

3.65/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - Pours a semi-clear, golden yellow with a finger width head, average retention, leaving behind a sparse lace.

Smell - Really faint but citrus notes are at the forefront.

Taste - Light citrus, from start to finish. Ends with a mellow lemon bitterness. Really simple, but good.

Mouthfeel - Light in body. Solid carbonation lends to a lively, crisp mouthfeel, and leaves the lips feeling tingled.

Overall - Really, the name says it all. Nice citrus summer brew. Nothing off-putting about this beer. Just a simple, straight-forward, light and completely drinkable citrus blonde.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 22:10:06 | More by TheSixthRing

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

3.58/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a Left Hand tulip. The beer is pale, clear gold with a thin white head that dissipates quickly, leaving very little lacing on the glass. The nose is faint, but fantastic. I love the smell of citra hops and that smell is definitely here. It's a crisp, fruity smell with zesty orange and lemon notes.

The beer is light-bodied and easy drinking. There is a crisp, bready, almost grainy maltiness in the front of the palate followed by the flavors of the hops, which follow the nose. Orange and lemon flavors develop along the palate until the finish, which is not as dry and sustained as one would hope for.

This is a nice beer, but it's not going to knock anyone's socks off. It's simple and refreshing, but a bit thin in the mouth and with a rather bland finish. The citra hops definitely contribute a nice little bite, but once the beer gets past the middle of your palate, it starts to feel a little watered-down.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 19:38:13 | More by deadonhisfeet

ZAP

Minnesota

4.48/5  rDev +24.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is one of my favorite summer beers this year....I see it as kind of a Kolsch hopped with Citra....the Citra hops really shine through with all their citrus goodness but the body and malt give this a crisp, Kolsch like feel. Lower weight and lower ABV but loaded with flavor....that makes this a top notch refreshing summertime drinker. Now I need to find it in bottles...

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2012 04:16:38 | More by ZAP

bump8628

Oklahoma

3.68/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The name pretty much says it all, a summer session beer accented with citra hops. Pour is clear gold with a disappearing head of pure white foam. Aroma is surprisingly hoppy (almost pale ale hoppy) with lime, orange, and an herbal grassiness. The hoppiness promised by the nose is somehow absent on the palate. What's left is a not unpleasant herbal bitterness and citrus pith flavor. The clean, dry, softly grainy malt body combined with the Widmer house yeast give the impression of a hybrid between American Pale Ale and Kolsch. All around a solid summer ale, if a bit more hop flavor hung around into the finish it would be great. I've been pleasantly surprised by Widmer lately.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2012 16:57:20 | More by bump8628

Rhettroactive

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 12oz bottle to Due South glass on 6/6/12
*From notes

-- Bottle date: 5/17/12 --

A: Clean pale mid-day yellow in color. A good pour yields a 2.25 finger white head. Nice bubbles and decent lacing at first, though they don't hang around as the beer warms. The collar is disappointing.

S: Some citra hop oil, lemon-lime and fresh white bread.

T: Low key citra and citrus. Some lemon scone and crushed mint follow. The finish is dry. I quite dig this. Extremely refreshing and perfect for summer.

M: Light bodied. Crisp. Clean edges make for easy drinking.

O: I'll call myself more then surprised by Widmer's Summer Citra. I genuinely enjoyed this summer session ale, and I see myself returning to this many times over the next couple of months. For those citra fans out there, you should make a point of getting into this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2012 05:26:20 | More by Rhettroactive