Citra Blonde Summer Brew - Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

womencantsail

California

3.68/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The pour is a slightly hazed golden straw color with a fluffy white head.

S: Floral hop notes with some subtle citrus and fruity hop aromas. Some light malt notes of bread and biscuit. A light tropical note, but not super fragrant overall.

T: The flavor has a bit more punch to it, but not substantially different. Citrus and tropical fruit hop notes with a lot of floral flavors as well. Some sweet bread and toasted malt, too.

M: Light to medium in body with a medium level of carbonation.

O: While not an amazing beer, this is a good one to drink on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2011 03:56:07 | More by womencantsail

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

2.78/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

16 ounce pint - $6.25 at Taco Mac in Woodstock, Georgia.

Appearance: Fairly clear, yellow body with a surprisingly scant, white head.

Smell: Not just delicate, but faint nose of lightly malted barley and a vague, shaky impression of lemon.

Taste: Lightly grainy barley flavor, low sweetness, then, a minute resinous, then some citrus oil if the citrus component was very, very weak. Subdued bitterness. Soon, the hop character drops away, then, the malt character drops away, and you're left with a lonely, empty finish.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Overall: There're loads of other blondes I'd prefer to grab over this one. It's a bit of a snoozer, even for just a mild, meager blonde ale.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2011 16:15:01 | More by ChainGangGuy

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

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.18/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

I'm becomming of the mindset that if a hoppy beer is being brewed with any hop other than the Citra variety, then that brewer is doing it wrong. This seriously seductive hop is good enough to salvage this otherwise bland and reckless ale.

Pouring a medium straw color with bright clarity, the beer releases a wave of carbonation that fuels an initial airy head of white foam, which falls rather quickly to a lace about the glass. No lacing and slight on retention, the lack of substance is taking a toll on its appearance.

The musty fruit aromas of ripe red grapefruit, pineapple, oranges, mangos, and appricots are sharp, vibrant and give the beer its saving identity. Lightly vegital with the essence of tea leaves, light corn, green tobacco, and raw barley all make their way into the relatively simplified scent.

The Citra flavor continues with is saving graces by delivering the same musty fruit flavor of dry hops along with fresh grassy notes, vegital character, and a grainy taste mixed with bruised oranges and tangerines. Slightly resiny with the fruity hop flavor that morphs into a mild balanced bitterness late, the balance remains with the hop flavor and eventual bitterenss. The thin grain flavor offers little in supporting the hops and leave the beer overly simplistic and lacking any rounded character other than hops.

Light throughout, the early carbonation proves fleeting and leaves the beer thin far sooner than it should. Grainy textures interfere with the hop dryness and give an lightly astringent bite that accompany the otherwise pleasantly bitter finish. Simply a watery texture for the majority of the session.

A linger of hop flavor and light bitterness remain in aftertaste, outlasing the vegital and grain flavors and encoraging the next drink. If any normal hop additions were made, this beer would struggle for respect, but it's saved by the rich citrusy flavor of the Citra hop.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2011 05:09:07 | More by BEERchitect

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

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.29/5  rDev -9.1%
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

zeff80

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev +7.2%
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

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.4/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap 5/27/2011 at Doherty’s East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a light gold color, with a short white head that fades quickly and leaves a spotty lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains floral hops, citrus, light caramelized malts but there’s also a bit of an odd funk to it that I cannot place.

T: The taste starts with a sweet citrus flavor. Then a strong grassy hops bitterness comes in. the malt character is about where it should be for this type of beer which is a bit on the thin side but it doesn’t create much balance. The after-taste is slightly hoppy and slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, light-to-medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: A little tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, very mild kick, decent representation of style, it’s not a bad beer but there are several others in the style that I would pick first.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2011 15:18:34 | More by TheManiacalOne

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.15/5  rDev -13%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Bottled 1 Jun 11

Pours a sparkling hay color with2 + fingers of fluffy cream colored head. Minimal head retention & lacing

S: Grassyness & lemon, some dustyness

T: Follows the nose, light bready notes, some dryness & crisp apple notes up front. More apple & some hay notes as this warms, some faint lemony hops as well as this warms. Finishes grassy with a touch of hay & lemon

MF: A touch thin, almost watery, decent carbonation level

A decent lawn-mower beer, but that's all I'll give it...

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2011 03:38:36 | More by russpowell

Halcyondays

California

3.68/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 2 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle,

A: Pours a clear gold with a soapy light white head. Fizzy look, with no lace.

S: Real nice tropical nose. Clear pineapple, with some passion fruit and mango cocktail juice from the 90s.

T: Notes of banana and bubblegum with yellow Now and Laters. Semi-sweet bready malt, with some light hopping. The tropicality comes through in the finish. A nice taste if not really full-flavoured.

M: Light-bodied, frothy, some carbonic feel.

O: Widmer continues to be one of the best value brands in beer IMO. Definitely just a beer for the summertime, I could see this being very refreshing. The Citra adds an interesting complexity and makes for a beer that's fun to drink.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2011 04:37:00 | More by Halcyondays

Jason

Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev +5%
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

Zorro

California

3.4/5  rDev -6.1%
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

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

kojevergas

California

2.75/5  rDev -24%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

33cl brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a Hefeweizen glass in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live.

A: One finger head of slight cream, fair thickness, and average retention. Semitransparent orange-yellow colour. Appealing.

Sm: Orange peel, cream, maybe cascade hops, and bittering hops.

T: Orange peel citrus ester hops, artificial cream, a moderately full barley foundation, and unwelcome (but thankfully light) bittering hops on the climax. Not horribly complex. It's built alright, but off-balance. Unrefreshing.

Mf: Entirely too thick, especially considering the lack of complexity and the low ABV. Smooth and wet, but a bit sharp alongside the bittering hops. Doesn't complement the body quite right.

Dr: Drinkable enough, but overpriced for the limited quality. I'd try it on draught, but wouldn't otherwise pursue having it again.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2011 08:55:59 | More by kojevergas

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

2.78/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours 1/2 finger of white head that fades down fast. Color is a clear autumn golden orange.

Aroma: Reminds me a bit of a wheat. A lot of fruit and citrus flavors. Lemons and oranges with some earthy hops. Fairly light.

Taste: Lemon citrus and orange slices. Earthy and floral. Wheat flavors. Light.

Mouthfeel: Crisp and clean. Light bodied with a medium amount of carbonation. Ends a bit dry.

Overall, it was a fairly average beer. It drank easy, but there wasn't a lot of flavor here.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2011 23:35:17 | More by mothman

mactrail

California

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

It's a great concept-- add some hops to a Blonde Ale. Pale golden in the glass. The head does seem to dissipate more than you'd like, but quite spritzy on the tongue. A pleasant hoppy spiciness with a hint of tangerine. Somehow the bitterness is still within the Blonde range. Aroma is light but very flowery. Borders on the acidic with kind of a club soda taste with the beeriness. All very light and quaffable.

Certainly a gem in an unworthy category. Glad to see someone creating some new light yet flavorful beers. Label dated July 19 11.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2012 05:49:47 | More by mactrail

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

avalon07

South Carolina

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

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a pale yellow color and a clear consistency. The was an inch of foamy head that lasted a fair amount of time. Good lacing.

S: An extremely sweet, surprisingly fragrant aroma of citrus, malt, and hops.

T: Tasted of citrus (the advertised lemon), mild hops, and malt. Doesn't quite live up to the promise put forth by the smell, but it's still a light, refreshing flavor.

M: A decent amount of carbonation with a slick finish. Light-bodied.

O: Blonde ales are not known for their complexity. That being said, this is an enjoyable and drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 00:46:43 | More by avalon07

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

Bitterbill

Wyoming

3.03/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I just had this at the Old Chicago.

The pour is a pale gold with near no head of foam, no lacing.

The smell is of lemons and grain, overall a slightly bitterish nose.

The taste is of lemon, grain, an earthy malt note, not big on flavour but not offensive and pretty easy drinking though I stopped after 1 pint.

This isn't a bad brew in the big picture and pretty decent for the style. Worth a go, I say.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2012 18:13:31 | More by Bitterbill

beertunes

Washington

3.6/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into 10oz glass. Poured a clear golden yellow color with about a half-inch of white head that had decent retention and minimal lacing.

The aroma had that bright, fruity Citra hop scent upfront and a nice earthy, grainy grass aroma in the background. The flavors were the same, good grassy malts and sharp, citrusy hops.

The body was fairly typical, light, crisp and smooth. Drinkability was good, my bottle went down quick and easy. Overall, a very nice little beer. Worth grabbing a sixer for after yardwork, or for a cookout or picnic.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 18:52:09 | More by beertunes

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.23/5  rDev -10.8%
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

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

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle, bottled on June 29, 2011. Served in a pint glass, the beer pours a clear gold color with about an inch off-white head. The head sticks around for a while, and there's a good amount of lacing left on the glass, too. Aroma is citrus (tropical fruit, lemon peel) and floral hops, along with some bready malt. The brew tastes like citrusy (tropical fruit, grapefruit) hops, light floral hops, bready malt and some orange peel. Mouthfeel/body is light, it's a bit creamy, crisp and clean, and is well carbonated. It's also very smooth and easy to drink. At 4.3% ABV, it wouldn't be hard to drink quite a few of these in a session. It's a good beer for a hot day, I think I might have just found my new summer brew!

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 22:51:54 | More by bluejacket74

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