Citra Blonde Summer Brew - Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

Nixon

Washington

4.93/5  rDev +36.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I've kinda stayed away from Widmer Bros beers cuz I'm not real big on their Hefeweizen. But recently I checked out their Pale Ale which I like and then this Citra Blonde beer which I REALLY like!
In the category of refreshing type beers, to my taste this one is way above the rest. The gravity of this beer is just right and makes it perfect for warm summer days. It has just the right amount of sweetness and the Citra Hops give it the magic touch that sets it apart from the others. They really do give it a smell like grapefruit and provide an exceptional hop flavor without any trace of sharp bitterness. I have a feeling we're going to start seeing this hop show up in a lot of beers similar to how Cascade hops took over when they were first discovered by the microbrew crowd..
I like to vary my beer choices and buy a different selection on my way home each Friday followed by a 2nd and maybe 3rd over the weekend. I live in Seattle so I have a lot of choices and I try them all. After discovering Citra Summer Blonde I've now brought it home on three of the last four Fridays.
I find Widmer Brothers Citra Blonde Summer Brew--that's a lot of names!--to be very refreshing and highly flavorful. It's darn near a perfect beer!

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2011 23:56:27 | More by Nixon

ZAP

Minnesota

4.48/5  rDev +23.8%
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

shand

Florida

4.45/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Sam Adams perfect pint.

This beer pours a nice clear golden color with a finger or so of bone-white head. Retention is alright due to the ample carbonation. The aroma on this is fantastic, I get a nice dose of bright citrus hops over a Kolsch-esque base of bready malts. The taste is very good, with the bright citrus and tropical fruit flavors of Citra hops being front and center. There's a bit of bready malts and a crisp, watery aftertaste with a bit of malts and a touch of pine creeping its way in. This is basically the perfect hot weather beer I've been looking for. I want to drink this all day. The mouthfeel is light and crisp, and the drinkability is very good.

Overall? I love this beer. It's HOT out in Florida. This is one of the best ways to beat the heat I've found so far, it's very refreshing while still having a satisfying flavor. I'm depressed that I only bought the single bottle, and am going first thing to the beer store tomorrow after work to pick up a couple more sixers. Bravo, Widmer.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2011 02:01:08 | More by shand

kpoole25

Arizona

4.33/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Golden yellow, fluffy white head. Citrus hops on the nose. Great malt and citrus hop flavor, doesn't lay on the tongue. I've tried a dozen or so summer seasonal beers this year and this was my favorite. Very drinkable. I like that the hops are for flavor, not for bittering to any great degree, as I've tried the citra IPA from Widmer and it's pretty harsh, even for an IPA. If you ever wanted to know why they named this hop citra, try this beer, you'll read the bottle wondering if they added orange/lime/lemon, nope.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2011 21:12:53 | More by kpoole25

rwhitmore

Kansas

4.33/5  rDev +19.6%
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

ForWhatAlesYou

Minnesota

4.3/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: Even with a vigorous pour, produces little head. Very nice deep golden color. Very minimal lace.

S: Sweet tropical fruits with a nice "C" hop spice. Banana, cherimoya, pineapple.

T: Mmmmm... Full body in the malt profile. Good tropical flavors persist. Light pina colada, orange and banana candy. Hop bitter is understated and hits at exactly the right point in the taste profile. Maybe not overly flavorful but very good.

M: Very viscous and well carbonated. Oily and has a salinity I rarely find in commercial brews.

D: Widmer does it right with this summer offering.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2011 21:52:14 | More by ForWhatAlesYou

Bookseeb

Washington

4.28/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance has a light golden yellow color with a fairly crisp thin head leaving spotty lace. Smell of citra hops having a grassy note with mild malt. Taste of the citra hops are blended very well with the malt making it easy to go down. Mouthfeel is light with mild carbonation again making it easy to go down. A very tasty light brew that goes down quick making for a nice session.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2011 01:14:21 | More by Bookseeb

Genuine

Connecticut

4.22/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this one from the mixed 12 pack.

Poured from the bottle into a clean pint glass. Poured a very nice cloudy straw color, with a nice white 2 finger head.

Smell - Lots of citrus hops and crispness is immediately detected.

Taste - Light and crisp, yet full of flavor. I really like this summer brew. The flavor of the hops is very refreshing and light, I could have a lot of these with no problem.

Mouthfeel- Light to medium at best.

Overall - Very nice beer from Widmer. I bet it would be even better on tap. Great for those hot summer days.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2011 17:42:47 | More by Genuine

isthatbeer

District of Columbia

4.22/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at the Argonaut in DC. Served in a shaker pint.

Its got a clear pale straw hue with minimal head. It just looks really refreshing. I pickup faint grape must in the nose. The taste has some initial grape seed/must flavor with a nice crisp dry finish.

Overall I really enjoyed this one. Its a real summer thirst quencher!

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2011 21:46:38 | More by isthatbeer

nickthetick

Maryland

4.18/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: pours a clear pretty gold color into an American shaker with a half finger of off white head that dissipates quickly but leaves spotty lacing.

S: orange, blood orange, sweet malt, flaky butter biscuits.

T: orange and sweet malts are the main flavor of the beer. Like a blonde should be with some extra taste and aroma hops thrown in. They don't make the beer to bitter to be a summer beer but they add a complexity to it. Grapefruit, orange, lemon, biscuit and caramel. Defiantly different.

MF: medium body, tart, crisp, not refreshing but not dry or heavy on alcohol.

O: the best way to put this beer in a category is to say its a hop heads picnic beer. A great standout from the usual kolsch and wit summer beers. I'll be buying this a lot for a surprise picnic beer no one sees coming.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2011 01:31:58 | More by nickthetick

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.13/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Comes out of the tap a slightly hazy golden amber with an average white head. Strong, hoppy, fruity and slightly sweet aroma calls for a taste. Hoppy flavor borders on evergreen but surprisingly is not bitter, and has a nice fruity undertone and a hint of malt. Fizzy, lively texture is truly lip-smacking. Bottoms up for summer!

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2011 03:38:41 | More by Cyberkedi

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.13/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Looks like a blonde ale, even has nice head and -lacing to it. Just a great aroma out of this one, definite citra hops, I thought this smelled as good or better than citra dipa from Kern!

Nice light bodied beer, lightly hopped, but refreshing, slick finish, just a nice clean beer. Nothing is heavy (other than the aroma), hopped just right for the minimal heft of the beer. One of my favorite beers of 2011, and easily in the top 3 session beers of the year. You get a mild citrus flavor that is totally complimented by the very lightly toasted malt presence that is kept minimal and in harmony with everything else.

Keep this coming all summer long! A little citra (hop) goes a long way.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2011 22:11:43 | More by Beerandraiderfan

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Widmer Citra Summer Blonde Brew
Code: Apr 26 11 07:41 NH (50 days old)
12 oz. $1.99 @ Total Wine & More, Claymont, DE

Now here's a Widmer beer I can really get behind! And in case you weren't aware of it, Citra hops were cultivated by Sierra Nevada and Widmer in 2008/2009.

It's a crystal-clear, deep-golden color with yellow and orange highlights beneath a fluffy head of bright-white foam. The head retention is pretty good although the lacing could be better.

The Citra hops hit you right up-front in the nose with soft notes of grapefruit, pineapple, mango, and maybe even some papaya. It's fresh and summery with just enough juicy hop fruitiness that it's not raspy, resinous, or overwhelming.

The rest of the beer follows in the same way. There's just enough malt to keep it interesting while still staying on the lighter side (as it is a summer beer); and the hop flavor is just enough to liven it up. It's moderately bitter and it finishes mostly dry with just a touch of residual maltiness, some lingering floral character, and a spritz of citrusy hop flavor.

It's not a beer that's mean to be complex, but the hops are interesting; and overall it's easy to drink and quite refreshing. The label reads "satisfyingly sessionable" and that's certainly true!

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2011 19:08:12 | More by NeroFiddled

emmasdad

Colorado

4.08/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I recently picked up a bottle of this one as part of a mixed six pack, and I wish I has some more. Poured a light golden color with a little white head, which quickly disappears. Good hoppy aromas here, orange zest, papaya, pineapple. On the palate, this one was light and refreshing, with more orange, pineapple and papaya.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2011 22:31:39 | More by emmasdad

twiggamortis420

Texas

4.08/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle pours a lightly hazed gold color with a short-lived white head. Bubbly retention and collar.

Nose is citra-licious. I love this hop, so bright and tropical fruity. Biscuity, clean malt and smells almost like there might be some wheat in here. Smells good, real good.

This is one of the most refreshing beers I have ever had. The flavor is very clean and in no way overbearing. Bitterness is light, but the hop flavor comes through nicely. The malt is very crisp and snappy...husky grains and saltine cracker crumbs. Very well crafted, easy drinking summer brew. Citra hop lovers will dig this brew on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2011 15:53:49 | More by twiggamortis420

argock

Virginia

4.08/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz brown bottle into a clear glass mug. Bottled on Jun 01 11 stamped on front-bottom of label. Single purchased at Ancona's (Ridgefield, CT) for $1.89.

A: Sunny golden with 1-finger of off-white big-bubbled head with below-average retention but a nice band of lace at the top of the glass.

S: The aroma is spot-on with the mix of orange citrus and earthy, light onion aroma that is unique to Citra. The malts don't contribute much but provide a subtle soft pale maltiness with a mild light fruitiness.

T: Everything a summer beer should be, and Widmer should continue on the tack they are on with lighter ABV beers, citrus-hop dominated beers (see Drifter Pale Ale), and cap it with a renaming of Widmer Hefeweizen to the American wheat ale it is. This beer needs a name overhaul, but it does not need a taste overhaul is any way shape or form. The flavor showcases the Citra hop's citrusy, earthy qualities and couples it with fruity pale maltiness that is light and on-target for this style. After Drifter, this is easily, Widmer's best beer.

M: Light-bodied and easy to drink with low-medium carbonation.

O: This fits well for summer beer styles -- light, drinkable, and distinctive with Citra hopping taking the lead with refreshing orange citrus and earthy, slightly oniony herbal combination that works well with subtly fruity pale maltiness. Great job Widmer.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2011 02:33:46 | More by argock

chinchill

South Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle dated 16 April 2011.

Pours a hazy yellow gold with a short but near creamy head that has good retention.

Aroma: highly citrus with hints of malt.

T - follows nose although the strong hop aroma is accompanied by plenty of hop/citrus flavor but little bitterness. IBU = 20.

M - medium-light body; dry finish; excellent carbonation.

O - excellent summer seasonal. Neither rich nor complex, but very tasty, aromatic and refreshing. Citra hops dominate but Alchemy hops are also used.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2011 00:56:22 | More by chinchill

UCLABrewN84

California

4.03/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a crystal clear gold color with a 1 inch bubbly white head that settles to a thin cap. Decent rings of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is delicious with lots of citrus and tropical fruit aromas mixed with a spicy herbal scent. Taste is of the citrus and tropical fruits up front with a solid malty backbone on the finish. Little bitterness on the palate after each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a crisp and smooth mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good solid blonde ale with very nice fruity aromas and tastes.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 05:25:41 | More by UCLABrewN84

vkv822

Oregon

4.03/5  rDev +11.3%
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

flexabull

California

3.98/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy gold color, with a small white head.

Aromas are of tangerines, apricots, and sugars. Nice nose.

Taste starts out slightly dry and a little bit sweet. Nice light creamy malts, faint spices and bread dough. Finish is crisp, and clean, with some nice lemon and mineral like hoppiness.

Mouthfeel Is good, full and smooth, with good crisp carbonation,

Overall, this is a pleasant surprise. Very drinkable, especially with the warm weather outside, but still with plenty of flavor. Might not fit the strict terms, but this is pretty sessionable to me. Well done Widmer.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2011 23:39:02 | More by flexabull

Kendo

New York

3.98/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from the bottle into a pint glass. Body is yellow - not golden, light yellow - with a 1-finger, bubbly white head. No lace.

S: Nice - florally hops, citrus (grapefruit & lemon) and tropical fruit. Not overwhelmingly strong, but pleasantly hoppy. Underlying bready malt is there too.

T: Some bread-doughy malt underneath, followed by citrus and tropical fruity hop notes with some floral hops as well. Finishes fairly clean.

M: Body is light in heft. Carbonation is gentle but present.

O: A good drinking beer on a hot summer day - I put down 5 of these on Saturday this past weekend without even noticing. The low ABV helps, while the nice flavor imparted from those Citra hops keeps it flavorful enough to be interesting.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2011 02:43:16 | More by Kendo

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.98/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

i really liked this one. it surprised me quite a bit, this is a major step up from the legions of watery summer brews. pours a radiant orange color with a tall white head and some haze. smells fruity and yeasty. fresh oranges for sure, possibly some tangerines in there as well, and a floral hop aroma. taste is sort of similar to new belgium's biere de mars, spicy and refreshing. they citrus flavor is great, not at all bitter, and a perfect complement to the yeast. im very impressed with this beer. the feel works well too, spunky carbonation and a medium body. there is a crispness to this that makes it an excellent warm weather beer, but i think it could be great in all seasons. a winner for sure.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2012 18:42:40 | More by StonedTrippin

Rhettroactive

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev +9.9%
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

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.98/5  rDev +9.9%
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

Buebie

Minnesota

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up this 6'er that I probably would not normally have. On sale at Zipp's for $5.00

About a finger of white head, slowly receding to a thin film with generous collar.
Color on the brew is a darker golden yellow, all transparent.
Aroma providing some nice grains and plenty of malt, resembling honey and grassy hops with a citric rind tinge.
Taste is very well balanced, a lawnmower with actual flavor. Bready grains and light orange peel. Finishing dry and clean, almost not lingering flavors, just hints of grains and distant rind.

Terrific sessioner for the abv and flavor present.
Overall a good beer for the category. Not something I'd normally seek out, but I could drink more of this.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2011 21:03:52 | More by Buebie