Citra Blonde Summer Brew - Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

Murrhey

Montana

2.68/5  rDev -26%
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 -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

Redrover

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev +1.7%
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 +3.6%
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 +7.2%
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

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

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

BB1313

Ohio

3/5  rDev -17.1%
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 -10.8%
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

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

TheSixthRing

California

3.65/5  rDev +0.8%
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 -1.1%
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 +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

bump8628

Oklahoma

3.68/5  rDev +1.7%
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 +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

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

RJLarse

Washington

3/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I bought a six-pack of Citra Blonde in a grocery store. $6.99. Poured in to a pint glass.

Pours a pale gold color, clear and apparently lightly carbonated. Thin white head.

The aroma is very faint, with grain notes perhaps.

Taste is OK, a malted grain flavor up front, with a little fruity tase on the finish. Mild bitterness.

Mouthfeel is light and clean.

Overall a drinkable beer, it would good on a hot day after mowing the lawn. But I doubt I'll have this again.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2012 00:59:00 | More by RJLarse

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Pours a clear yellow/orange color. Head is attractive. Head is bright white and of good height and build. Head also retains well yet leaves very mild lacing. Pretty looking.

S-The citra hops really stand out in the nose. The hops are not incredibly strong in the nose but that citra aroma is clear and stressed. Citra hops are incredibly pleasant smelling in their own regard. Light spices and a noticeable cracker maltiness. Light nose but an attractive one.

T-Actually quite enjoyable. The citra hops are rather mild but they taste delicious. Light orange juice and apricots. Fresh and juicy. Unfortunately there is a metallic twang in the middle of the flavor. Grainy and a bit bready. Overall, pleasant.

M-Very light. Bubbly. I drank my glass very, very quickly. Great Summer brew feel and body. Very crisp.

O/D-Overall, aside from the metallic flavor found during some sips, this is a pretty nice Summer brew. Love citra hops. They did this one quite well.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2012 14:46:38 | More by VelvetExtract

bum732

Maryland

3/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

S: Peach mostly with some orange, slight hoppiness, slightly spicy.

L: Crystal clear, straw yellow, white creamy head that dissipates.

T: Dry, clean malt with some grain on the finish. Medium low bitterness with some peachy hoppiness. Finishes fairly clean and semi-dry. More grain and just a hint of peach.

M: Medium high carbonation, light bodied, crisp.

Was hoping the citra hops would come through in the flavor. Didn't really. Not bad though, crisp and clean.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2012 03:44:17 | More by bum732

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

N3rdM3t4l

Oregon

3.23/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle into standard pint. Served at 50F Freshness date on bottle.

A: Aggressive pour nets a huge white head. As the head calms down it becomes a frothy tight pillow that is leaving a considerable lacing. Pretty blonde color and very clear.

S: Citrusy hints of orange and sweet lemon with a bit of pink grapefruit. A swirl releases a bit more earth from the hops and when blended with the sweet citrus and malt it smells like summer should.

T: a lot like the nose after the swirl. Slightly earthy hops and sweet citrus. The malt I think adds the hint of sweet up front. Tastes good but not as good as it smells.

M: Good body, light enough to drink during the heat and heavy enough feel like an ale.

O: Good beer, I do not regret the 6pack I picked up at all. Might even recommend this as the summer seasonal we pick up at the little cafe I work at.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 21:35:59 | More by N3rdM3t4l

secondtooth

Indiana

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

This clean golden-amber ale pours with an attractive fine white head of carbonation, and with a light but pleasant lace on the glass.

Aroma is fruit-forward. I get nicely-sweet orange.

Flavor-wise, this one is citrus-hoppy, but there's no bitterness, as it's all balanced by a prominent sweet malt profile.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 21:42:41 | More by secondtooth

stercomm

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

A - Light straw/honey in color, very clear, slight white head, recedes quickly leaving a slight layer, nice lacing.

S - Getting lots of hops, orange and tangerine, almost a sweaty gym locker scent.

T - Lots of orange and tangerine, nicely balanced get bitterness on the front with a slight malty backbone, very dry finish.

M - Medium bodied, slight carbonation.

O - Given it was an 80+F degree day a nice summer brew. Refreshing but with some bite to it.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2012 20:16:31 | More by stercomm

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

FreshHawk

Illinois

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

A - Very light gold color with a medium to large, light, fluffy, effervescent, pillowy, white heat. Decent retention leaving a very thin lace.

S - Plenty of citrus hop aroma but not too much of the tropical fruit you often get with Citra hops. Orange and tangerine along with a spiced floral (slightly herbal) hops. Some biscuity and light wheat malt sweetness.

T - Similar to the nose. There is a decent amount of the citrusy hops that also have the spiced characteristic. There is a decent malt backbone. Fairly bitter and spicy toward the end with a slight grassy astringency. Hints of lemon.

M - Light body with plenty of carbonation. Light, zesty, and effervescent.

D - Pretty easy to drink and overall it works together fairly well. The Citra hops definitely make this beer. The linger spiced flavor and bitterness are slightly off-putting though.

Notes: Not bad for a light summer beer. Citra hops are what make this beer. A little strong with the spiced aspects, grass, and bitterness and a touch thin (which compounds the first problem) but overall this is a nice change of pace summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 15:44:18 | More by FreshHawk